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Making decisions

The early morning air was crisp, the forest still steeped in the shadows of the night as Simoné slipped quietly out of the packhouse. The sky above was just starting to lighten, a soft, pale pink hue creeping along the horizon as dawn began to approach. The Seven Fountain pack was still fast asleep, not a soul stirring, and the silence felt almost sacred.

Simoné loved these early mornings, the quiet before the pack came to life, before the responsibilities of the day settled in. She felt a certain freedom in these moments, a sense of peace she couldn't find at any other time. Her wolf, Shaney, was alert and calm, her presence humming in the back of Simoné's mind. Shaney loved the morning runs as much as Simoné did, the thrill of the chase, the rhythm of their paws against the forest floor as they raced along the edges of their territory.

"Let's go," Simoné whispered softly, her breath visible in the cool morning air.

With a deep inhale, she shifted into her wolf form, her bones realigning with practiced ease, her human skin giving way to white fur that shimmered in the half-light. Her transformation into the rare white wolf, something only a handful of wolves in history possessed, was quick and painless, a natural part of her. The cool earth felt good beneath her paws as she stretched, shaking out her fur before taking off in a run.

Simoné had always been fast—faster than most—and as she tore through the trees, her heart soared with the familiar exhilaration. She loved the speed, the way the wind rushed past her, how her paws barely touched the ground as she moved with effortless grace. The perimeter of the Seven Fountain territory was vast, and running its length had become part of her morning routine. Today was different, though. Today, there was a weight on her mind, a pressure that had been growing over the last day.

The Mystic Hills mating party was tonight.

Her thoughts flickered to the upcoming event, and with them, her pace slowed. It wasn't just any full moon; it was the one night of the year when wolves could potentially find their mates. Wolves could sense each other any day of the month, but on the full moon, the bond was unmistakable—irrefutable. And tonight, it could be her turn. Simoné wasn't sure if she was ready for that. Her mind drifted to Clint and Keenan, the two Alphas who seemed to always linger in her life.

Clint, the Alpha of Mystic Hills, had made it clear he was interested in her, but his attention felt intense, obsessive even. Keenan, on the other hand, had always been there—watching over her from the shadows. He was her protector, her Alpha, and in some ways, her best friend. Yet, there was an unspoken tension between them, a deep connection she had never fully explored. He had been away on pack business, but she couldn't ignore the strange pull she felt toward him, especially now that he was coming home.

What if Clint or Keenan was her mate?

The thought made her chest tighten as she reached the far edge of the territory. She paused at a clearing, the lake near her family's home sparkling under the early light of dawn. The surface of the water was calm, reflecting the sky like a mirror, and the quiet of the morning surrounded her.

Simoné padded toward a large boulder near the water's edge and leaped onto it, sitting back on her haunches. From here, she could see the expanse of the lake and the line of trees that made up the rest of Seven Fountain's territory. She could feel Shaney stirring in her mind, her wolf as contemplative as she was.

"Shaney," Simoné whispered through their connection. "What do you think about tonight? About finding our mate?"

There was a pause, and then Shaney's voice, calm and steady, filled her mind. "I've been thinking about it too. Tonight, could change everything."

Simoné's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "What if it's Clint? Or... Keenan?"

At the mention of their names, Shaney growled softly, not out of anger but with a mix of wariness and understanding. "If it's Clint, I don't trust him. He's been after you for too long, and there's something... possessive about him. You know it as well as I do."

Simoné nodded, her heart beating a little faster. Clint had been relentless in his pursuit of her since high school, and while he was undeniably powerful and attractive, something about him set her on edge. It wasn't just the attention he gave her—it was the intensity behind it, the way he watched her like she was a prize to be won.

But Keenan? He was a different story.

"And Keenan?" Simoné asked, her thoughts lingering on her Alpha. "What if it's him?"

Shaney's growl turned softer, almost thoughtful. "Keenan... that's more complicated. He's always looked out for us, always cared for you. He'd be a good mate, but you know how he is. He keeps his distance, never really showing how he feels."

Simoné sighed, leaning her head down to rest against her paws. "I don't even know how I feel about him. I mean, we've always been close, but what if the mate bond changes that? What if it ruins everything?"

"It could," Shaney admitted. "But it could also make everything better. You've felt the connection between you two. You just never let yourself think about it."

Simoné was silent for a moment, watching the calm waters of the lake ripple gently in the early morning breeze. Her wolf was right. She had felt something for Keenan, something deep and unspoken, but she had always buried it, afraid of what it might mean. Now, with the full moon looming, she couldn't ignore it anymore.

"So, what do we do?" Simoné asked, her mind swirling with uncertainty. "If one of them is our mate, how do we handle it?"

There was a pause before Shaney responded, her tone firm. "We play it safe. We mask our scent tonight until, we're sure. We don't have to reveal ourselves to anyone until we decide if we want to. Finding our mate is important, but we're not obligated to accept them. Not unless it feels right."

Simoné felt a wave of relief at Shaney's words. Masking her scent wasn't a common practice, but it wasn't unheard of either. It gave her control over the situation, allowed her to choose when to reveal herself. She wouldn't be rushed into anything—not by Clint, not by Keenan, not by the bond itself.

"That's smart," Simoné agreed. "I don't want to be forced into anything. If it's Clint, I don't want him to know unless I'm sure I can handle it. And if it's Keenan... well, I'll deal with that when the time comes."

"Exactly," Shaney said with approval. "We'll be prepared. And if neither of them is our mate? Then we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Simoné lifted her head, feeling more at ease now that she had a plan. Masking her scent would keep her safe, would give her the time she needed to figure out what she really wanted. And if the bond was strong enough—if her mate was truly the one for her—then the decision would feel right when the time came.

She stayed on the boulder for a while longer, watching the sun slowly rise above the treetops. Tonight, would be the night that everything could change. But she wasn't going to let fate make her decisions for her. She would choose her own path, her own destiny.

With a final deep breath, Simoné stood and stretched, shaking out her fur before leaping down from the boulder. The sun was now fully up, casting a warm glow over the lake, and she felt ready for whatever the night would bring.

"Let's go," she said to Shaney, turning back toward home. "We've got a party to prepare for. Let's go find Romeo!" Shaney shook her head snickering.

With that, they ran back through the forest, their thoughts clearer and their heart lighter as they made their way back to the packhouse. Tonight, they would find their mate. But whether they accepted them or not—that was entirely up to them.

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What do you think of Shnaey and Simoné's decision to mask their smell and hide from their mate? Please like and comment if you are enjoying the story. Would love to get your positive feedback.