Unmated and Unloved

Run in with Fate

Dalia awoke slowly, her senses alert to an unusual sound. As she raised her head, her eyes widened in surprise and uncertainty. Before her stood the same large wolf she had encountered in the field earlier. Conflicting emotions swirled within her—should she be terrified that this wolf was following her, or should she embrace the rare presence of another of her kind?

She stared intently at the wolf, her body tense, ears flattened against her skull, and a low growl escaping her throat. Have you been following me? she questioned, her growl growing more pronounced. Picking up her bag of clothes, she walked toward a massive rock formation nearby and shifted back into her human form behind it, keeping an eye on the spot where the wolf had been. Maybe he didn't want to talk.

Xavier, watched her closely, mirroring her actions as she dressed. He, too, shifted back into his human form behind a cluster of trees. As she turned around to leave, he couldn't resist the urge to approach her. Xavier knew that a connection between them had ignited, one they couldn't ignore. "Don't you want to talk?" he called out, extending his hand toward her. He knew she would sense the same electrifying attraction that had been tormenting him for days. "I'm Xavier Cade, Alpha of The Dusk Tooth Pack, and you are?"

Dalia hesitated for a moment, her eyes locked onto his as she heard the name of his pack and his Alpha status. She stared at him, absorbing the information before finally reaching out to shake his hand. As their hands met, they both felt a surge of energy, and it only took seconds for Dalia's wolf to make her presence known, whispering that Xavier was their mate.

Xavier, too, sensed the bond between them strengthening. He slowly released her hand, a sly smirk forming on his face as he turned away from her. Although he knew exactly what he was doing, his wolf was growing impatient. Why are you not going to her, we've waited too long! his wolf chided, but Xavier dismissed the impatience with a roll of his eyes.

Dalia, baffled by Xavier's actions, couldn't contain her emotions any longer. "If you want to reject me, I'd rather have it told to my face!" she exclaimed loudly. Her words hung in the air as she watched him pause, disappearing from her line of sight. Within seconds, the unmistakable sound of rapidly approaching paw steps reached her ears. Dalia began to back up cautiously before abruptly turning and sprinting away. In an instant, she shifted into her wolf form, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and adrenaline.

Xavier, however, perceived her reaction differently. She thinks we rejected her! he muttered, rolling his eyes once more before shifting into his wolf form and pursuing her. The chase was an attempt to convey that he had no intention of rejecting her; he merely wanted to engage in a playful game.

Inside Dalia's mind, her wolf began to howl, acknowledging that Xavier wasn't rejecting them. Though she knew this, she preferred for Dalia to discover it herself. She cast a brief glance back at Xavier as he closed in on her, pushing her to run even faster. Eventually, Dalia came to a small cliff, skidding to a halt. She turned around, her growl signaling that she wanted to be left alone.

Xavier approached her, standing tall while catching his breath, and locked eyes with her. Now why would I do that? You ran, so I gave chase. After all, we are mates, he remarked, his voice softening. Slowly, he walked up to her, his body brushing against hers, creating sparks of electricity between them.

Each time their bodies touched, Dalia felt the electric shocks course through her, making it harder to think. I never agreed to be your mate. I don't even know you, besides the fact that you're the Alpha of my rival pack, she said, her voice trembling with a mix of emotions. She watched as Xavier sat down on his haunches, his eyes focused on her, waiting for her to speak. I'm not rejecting you or anything, she finally said, I just want to know more about the person that fate has paired me with.

Xavier nodded in agreement, respecting her desire for answers. That seems fair to me, he replied with a friendly tone. Well, let's see, I'm 21 years old, became an Alpha at a young age, my favorite meal is spaghetti, and my favorite color happens to be Amethyst, which seems to match your eye color, he shared, watching her intently. As he slowly laid down on the ground, he maintained his awareness, ears alert, and head held high. I do believe it's your turn.

Dalia observed him carefully, her curiosity growing stronger. I'm turning 20 in a few months, she began. I was born a Beta, but have a lineage that traces back to the first Alphas of my former pack. My favorite meal is pot roast, and my favorite color is sterling grey. Her thoughts drifted momentarily to Celestria's words, but she pushed them aside as she started to walk away.

Xavier watched her as she moved away, but curiosity got the better of him. Why did your Alpha attack you? he asked, the question lingering in the air.