A Royal Mate

***I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. I am really loving the way it's coming together but get ready cause it's about to get crazy!***

We got to town just as the music was starting. The vibe was addicting and just watching everyone having a good time kinda turned my mood up. Val was dragging me into the crowd when suddenly, she stopped. She was frozen like a statue staring across the street. I followed her eyes to a very gorgeous man with blonde hair and gray eyes who was holding her stare with a lustful one of his own. Then she ran through the people just as he did and collided with his rock hard body.

"MATE!" They said simultaneously and embraced each other in a rather risqué kiss. I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face. Well I'll be! Val found her mate! I wonder what pack he's from. I let the two love birds get acquainted while I went talk with Zel.

"Did you see that? Wow I could almost feel the energy all the way over here!" Zel said with a wink. She looked at me as I watched them with the verge of a tear brimming my eyelid. "Come. Let's get a drink."

I followed her to the bar where she ordered us each a beer. I took a huge sip then wiped my mouth with my hand glancing around the street when I saw a flash of black just like I had seen a couple of days ago. I blinked a few times wondering if I was starting to see things when a familiar pair of white eyes was watching me. Then just as they appeared, they disappeared back into the forest. I took off towards them as Zel shouted my name but I just kept running. I needed to know if it was him. I just needed to know that he was alive.

I reached the woods and stood there peering into the darkness. The trees were swaying and the leaves were rolling on the ground. There was an eerie feeling in the air and just before I stepped into the woods a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

"Anna. What are you doing? Are you crazy?" Val said as she held my hand while her mate stood protectively by her side scanning the woods at any potential threat.

"Val...I thought...the eyes...his eyes." I tried to hold back the tears but they just came spilling out. She pulled me into a hug

"Come on let's get you home." She threw her arm over my shoulder and nudged me towards the apartment.

"But what about your mate? You just met him you can't leave now!" I said as I looked back noticing that he was following us.

"I'm not leaving him. He's coming home with us. If that's alright with you?"

"Of course. I'm so happy for you!"

She squeezed me tighter as we walked home. It was just a short walk but I could feel an electric charge in the air. It made me shiver and shake. I wrapped my arms around myself as we made it to the building. We walked up the stairs and into the apartment. I went over to the chair in the living room and wrapped myself in a blanket.

Val and her mate sat on the couch. She turned to me with the biggest smile and said "Anna, this is Beta Reynolds, my mate." I gave her a nod of approval and wiggled my eyebrows. She snagged herself a Beta! She blushed then looked at him with a sparkle in her eyes and growled seductively.

"Please, just call me Austin. It's nice to meet you, Anna." He extended his hand to me.

I reached over and shook his hand taking note at how strong it was and studying his stern features and such formal introduction. Something about him seemed familiar and safe like Jack. I stiffened and took my hand away trying not to give off my sudden reaction. He cocked his head at me and nodded his head slowly as if he was agreeing with me. "It is very nice to meet you as well. I think I'll leave you too alone I'm a little tired."

"Anna are you sure you're ok? You seemed a little distracted out there tonight." She said with a worried look in her eye.

"I'll be fine Val. Quit worrying about me and take care of that man!" I said with a big smile on my face as I walked to my bedroom. Truth is I wasn't fine but I wasn't going to tell her that. I saw him. I saw his eyes in the woods. I couldn't have been imagining that, could I? When I got in my room I ran straight to the window and looked out hoping to see him but there was nothing there. I continued to stare for another hour but it was hopeless. Even if he was alive he wouldn't be looking for me.

A tear slipped down my face as I turned from the window. I slid into bed wrapping myself in the blankets trying to hide from the cruel emotions that had taken over my life. It had been 2 1/2 months since I told him I didn't want him. 10 weeks since I had his beautiful naked body on top of mine. 75 days since I felt his hands exploring all of me. 1,800 hours since his lips brushed mine sending shivers down my spine and tingles throughout my entire body leaving a trail of heat behind it. I turned on my side as the tears stained my pillow and closed my eyes hoping that sleep would take over. But just like all those nights before I tossed and turned at the memory of him. My heart ached and my body craved his touch. Then I realized, the blue moon was coming up and I just knew I would be going into heat soon. When my wolf left me before my first heat hit 6 years ago, I never thought I would have to go through this. And now, with this being my first heat, I knew that the pain would be unbareable especially since now I was still an unmated, unmarked shewolf. Again!