Conrad was the oldest son of Alpha Carlos from the Snow Mountain Pack. Their pack was suitably named as they resided near the mountains, which became covered in snow during the winter season. Also, their wolves normally had white fur. Those native to their pack, anyway. Since there’d been a mix-up with other packs due to mating, not everyone had a white wolf. The Alpha family, though, carried the dominant gene. Regardless of mating with someone outside their pack, the resulting offspring would be white wolves.

Conrad had a younger brother named Caleb. They were two years apart. And though their father and the elders wanted to train Caleb as well, his brother wasn’t interested. He’s a good fighter, though. He trained hard as a pack warrior.

Their mother was sweet, gentle, and kind. She had a very nurturing nature and was helpful to everyone. She rarely raised her voice. Her boys wanted to have mates as wonderful as their mother. Of course, she taught them that, too. As pack leaders, their mates should understand the responsibility as well.

But Conrad was now twenty-eight years old and hadn’t met his mate yet. This did not discourage him. Their pack was only one of many residing in the country. They had allied with the others, and there was an existing agreement of peace to make finding mates easier for everyone. Mates were very important to werewolves. It’s the moon goddess’ choice for every werewolf. There’s a certain pull towards one another, though it doesn’t exactly override one’s choice or will. Mates could be rejected. You could mate with someone else of your choosing. There were second chances, too.

Conrad’s confidence and hope waned every year that passed by. He hoped to meet his mate before he turned thirty. His Luna. He had already visited the majority of the packs in the country. The scope of his search was getting smaller each month.

Who knew that it was her who would stumble into their territory?

The premise wasn’t good, though. A group of rogues had stepped into their grounds while being pursued by hostile wolves. The report came to his father, and Conrad joined in checking the situation.

He perked up when his senses caught her scent. It smelled like fresh apples. He lightly growled. There was fear in the air, and he heard a woman scream. He ran faster. He hoped that scream didn’t originate from his mate. She’s finally here! He’s finally gonna see her!

His father did sense the change in him and asked him through the mind link. He merely replied with one word, ‘Mate!’

As the next Alpha of the pack, his mate was considered someone just as important. Carlos ordered everyone in his command to protect the newcomers, especially the women.

‘Your future Luna may be one of them,’ he directly informed them of the reason. That would make them take it seriously. Given that those wolves were rogues, it’s common to view them with suspicion and hate. There’s no genuine desire to help them.

That wouldn’t be the case today, though.

Alice rarely transformed into her wolf. She’d only done it twice before. While everyone was already fighting in that form, she remained in her human one. She gripped in her hands two daggers that her mother gifted her on her eighteenth birthday. They’re sharp, and she’s used to using them to protect herself. Against huge wolves, though . . . it didn’t seem much. They hoped this pack that they encroached upon would help them, but her hopes weren’t that high.

Alice only met this group a couple of months ago. Everyone had been running for quite some time. Her? She’d been on the run for almost a year now. Someone took pity on her early on and gave her a potion that masked her scent. It ran out a couple of days ago.

She didn’t fight well. The way she defended herself was haphazard. When Conrad approached her, she almost sliced through him.

“Hey, there . . . easy.” It wasn’t the time to admire her, Conrad reminded himself, but he could really spend days just looking at her.

Alice looked at him, confused. He’s in his human form, and though he’s taller than her, she immediately noticed the way he protected her. Only then did she realize the newcomers? Were they safe now? She wanted to sob. Her legs gave in from a combination of hunger and fear.

“Are you okay?” His voice . . . that’s when the scent hit her, and her eyes constricted. ‘Mate! No!’

He had one arm around her waist, having held her when she slumped down. He was reluctant to leave her but knew he must.

“Stay here.” His voice was soothing the fear in her heart, and she watched him transform into the whitest wolf she’d ever seen. Her body trembled. Was he . . .? Was he her mate? She took a deep breath, and his scent was mixed in it. It was calming her nerves. It must have been from exhaustion, but she felt her body weaken, and she couldn’t keep her eyes open. Softly, she slumped on the ground, covered in a thick layer of grass.

Their pack warriors drove most of the hostile werewolves away. Some were killed. They were tough and put up quite a fight. The rogues who encroached on their territory were rounded up and taken to a hall. As for his mate, he didn’t allow anyone else to touch her. He carried her in his arms.

His mother and a few other pack members checked the wounded.

“Do you want to bring her to the infirmary, or are you taking her to your room?”

There was that teasing tone from his mother, and he knew his father had told her.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”

He appreciated her compliment, but he had no answer to her question.

“I don’t know yet.”

“She doesn’t have any fresh wounds on her, just scratches here and there. You can take her to your room if you want,” his mother instructed, and he obeyed. He needed to go and check on the group she came with. ‘Rogues, huh? She doesn’t have a pack?’

After tucking her into his bed, he pressed a kiss on her forehead. A smile slowly appeared on his face. Mate. He finally found her. As he gazed at her face, he couldn’t be more thankful.

He only left her alone when his father mind-linked him and asked for his presence in the conference hall. He wouldn’t be gone too long anyway.

When he arrived at the hall, he counted eleven rogues in total. Her mate would make that a dozen. Three were currently being treated for serious injuries.

“Have you interrogated them already, Father?” he asked as he stood next to the Alpha.

Before his old man could reply, a middle-aged woman directed a question at them.

“Where’s Alice? What have you done to her?”

His father turned to him, allowing him to answer.

“Is that her name?” he asked, repeating the name in his head. It’s as beautiful as her.

“Where is she?” There was a concern and worry in her voice. Conrad didn’t think she was a threat.

“She’s safe, sleeping soundly in my room. You don’t need to worry about her.”

“In your room?” Now, there’s a hint of anger in her tone. Her eyes were glaring daggers at him.

Conrad sighed, but his father decided to answer on his behalf.

“She happens to be my son’s mate. She will not be harmed if that is your concern. Now, tell us how you stumbled upon our territory and who was after you earlier. Which hostile pack are they from?”

"It was the Silver Crescent Pack," a man among the group replied. He was the oldest and acted as leader. His answer didn't need any additional explanation. Silver Crescent was notorious for its bad reputation. They were cruel, vicious, and unreasonable. It hadn't been that way from the beginning. It started about five years ago. Their leader turned evil and inflicted pain on anyone who went against him. Several good men tried to beat him, but none succeeded. He was ruthless. Just last year, a piece of news said he killed his mate. It was terrible. The Alpha's name was Walter, and everyone had been wary of him and his attacks on neighboring packs.

The allied packs had yet to make any decision on attacking them. In a way, Silver Crescent was the biggest pack in the northern territory. It would take many resources to attack it and ensure a win. Coordination between the allied packs was the biggest challenge. If they didn't act like a unified pack, they couldn't triumph over Silver Crescent.

What madness ruined that pack? It remains unanswered to this day. Only insiders knew the story. There were several theories; the latest one was that the Alpha's mate was unfaithful. That's why he killed her. It was only a theory but the most plausible out of everything from the vine.

"How did you piss off Silver Crescent? Are you from there?" the Beta asked.

Most of them shook their head in response.

"It was the girl they were after. Alice." The man sighed deeply.

The middle-aged woman threw him a dirty look. But, of course, she understood his sentiments. They probably wouldn't be haunted if Alice weren't with them.

"She has this bottle of potion to hide her scent. It ran out a few days ago, and they found us quickly." He was tempted to blame her, but the woman wouldn't let Alice go alone.

Conrad looked at his father and talked to him through the mind link. It turned out it was his mate that caused them trouble.

"Do you know why they were after her?"

"She's the one which originated from their pack. She said she escaped death and has been on the run for months. You haven't talked to the gal yet?" The same man replied. Why were they the ones answering questions about her? Wouldn't speaking with the class and getting direct answers to be more convenient?

"She hasn't told us everything she knows. She's timid, just following us around. She doesn't talk much. We only heard limited information from her." Someone else added.

"She's still young. Only nineteen. To be hunted so young . . . a few times, she offered to leave the group and go on her own. We met her a couple of months ago. That poor child," the woman defended her.

Conrad was now getting a better picture of his mate. Her situation seemed dangerous.

'We will protect her, right?' He couldn't help asking his father through the link.

'Of course. It is your fate to have her as a mate. This must be your trial. Protect her, and you will be more able to protect the pack. With her experience, she should be able to stand next to you as a Luna.'

'That's a good way of putting it. But aren't we going to endanger the pack if we keep her with us? ' Conrad replied. Those mad wolves could return with more numbers and wreak havoc. He's not feeling too good about it. They hadn't had any severe problems in the last few years. It had been peaceful, with only the occasional minor disturbances from rogues. No attacks. Today was the first in a long time.

The Alpha replied to his question. 'Then, it must be time you prove yourself. Are you saying you would turn her away to ensure the pack's safety?'

"No!" The moment his father asked that question, he replied loudly. He wouldn't do that. Never. He'd been searching for his mate for so long. Nothing would take her away from him. The Alpha's right. This had to be a trial for him. How would he keep his mate safe while also protecting the pack?

The others in the room stared at his outburst. He calmed himself quickly.

"I will let you speak with her, but I must emphasize the importance of getting as much information as possible to understand the situation better. The soonest you can. As for the others, I'll let Marco ask about their particular situation." The Alpha also gave his instructions to the others, and everyone reacted accordingly.

Conrad would check with the Beta later.

"Understood, Father." He nodded before leaving the room. The others soon followed, leaving only the Beta's team in the room.

"Let's make ourselves comfortable, shall we?" He frowned as he turned to one of his men.

"Where's the food I asked earlier?"

"The kitchen is still preparing them. It coincided with their dinner preparation," someone answered.

"What nonsense? It's only a dozen more meals. Quickly get the food and some warm drinks." Marco wasn't the type to intimidate weakened rogues. His approach was more rational than most. He's not entirely trusting of the newcomers, but his way lowers their guard. It allowed them to talk more freely, seeing he was acting approachable and friendly.

He asked them the usual. Their names, where they're from, why they have left their packs, how long have they been wandering around, what are their plans . . .? Those kinds of things. The next day, he planned to talk to them individually. They might not have been willing to talk about some things with others listening in.

As for Conrad, he dropped by the kitchen to get food for two. Afterward, he returned to his room. He breathed in relief seeing her still sleeping soundly in his bed. He had her scent etched into his mind now. He sat on the bed for quite some time, staring at her. When his stomach rumbled, he moved to the table to eat his share of the meal.

At this point, she moved, her sleep turned restless, and she was almost thrashing on the bed. Conrad went over to check on her, concerned. Her face showed an expression of worry and fear.

He reached out to touch her face. The moment his fingers touched her cheek, her eyes flew open. She gasped upon waking and stared at what was before her in confusion.

Realizing it was a man, she scrambled backward on the bed. She quickly looked around the room and eyed the door.

Conrad was reminded of a scampering rat by how she moved so quickly.

"Did I startle you? I'm sorry. My name is Conrad." Slowly, he sat on the edge of the bed, letting her accept his presence.

"Where . . . where are the others?" She grimaced as it hurt her to speak. Her throat was dry.

"They're having a chat with our Beta. Do you want some water?" Conrad ensured his movements wouldn't scare her as he went to the table to get a glass of water.

When he turned to face her again, she looked around, seemingly searching for something. She pulled the blanket off the bed and whimpered in frustration.

When their eyes met, she asked weakly, "Where are my daggers?"

She couldn't lose them. They were a gift from her mother. The only possession that she had since she ran away from her pack.

"What daggers?" His question made her heart sink lower. Did she lose them?

Seeing her defeated expression, he remembered how she almost sliced through his flesh in their earlier encounter.

"Ah, those daggers?" He searched his mind for the memory of it. She was holding them, but he didn't notice them when he carried her.

"They're probably in the woods. I'll have someone get them."

Hearing that, she calmed down a little. Only a little. She removed herself from the bed and straightened her clothes. She dashed towards the door and looked at him expectantly.

Conrad frowned. "Where are you going?"

"The woods," she answered, worry still etched.

He sighed. "For the daggers? It's dark outside, and searching for it now would be not easy. Let's wait until morning."

Her eyes moved, and she stared at a lamp in a corner. Couldn't she mean...

Alice never wanted to lose those daggers. She couldn’t lose them. She pleaded to the man with a look.

Conrad took a moment to sigh. “Why don’t you drink first?” He gave her the glass of water, and she carefully took it. She’s really thirsty. After finishing the glass, she realized there was food on the table. She stared at them almost longingly.

“I don’t think bringing a lamp would help much. Let’s wait for morning to come. Are you hungry? You should eat first.”

When he gestured for her to move towards the table, she was slightly taken aback. The food . . . she could eat them? It’s been so long since she had a proper meal. On a table. With utensils. But her daggers . . . she hesitated to move.

“I promise we’ll get your daggers back tomorrow.” His voice seemed to be pleading.

When she stared at him, he had this calming effect on her. She frowned for a few seconds before gasping again. This man . . . his scent . . . was he her mate?

Seeing the changes in her expression, Conrad could only guess what went on in her mind.

“What’s your name?” Although he already knew, he wanted to hear it from her.

She hesitated a moment before giving him her name. “Alice. My name is Alice.”

His was Conrad, right? Was he really her mate?

He moved back and gestured for her to sit by the table. As she did so, Alice frowned. She couldn’t help staring at him some more. He was doing the same as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Eat.” With this prompt from him, she picked up the utensils and started eating everything on a loaded plate. As she chewed, she would glance at him and stare. Her desire to see him overrode the shyness she was feeling at being stared at.

“My mother told me . . . about mates,” she spoke up, and she wondered what made her do it. She didn’t normally speak to others, especially to strangers.

“So, are you feeling the mate pull?” he asked with a small smile and leaned back on the bed.

“Aren’t you?” she asked back with a hint of worry.

“I do.” There was silence after that.

Alice continued eating and finished everything in ten minutes. It was a very delicious meal.

“Thank you for the food. Everything tasted delicious.”

“Glad you liked it.”

Alice fidgeted in her seat. What was she supposed to do now? She looked around and saw a smaller door near a corner.

“Is that the bathroom?” she asked while pointing at it.

“Yes,” Conrad replied before getting up. He asked his mother to bring clothes and supplies for her. He looked through his closet and found nothing.

He turned and walked to the bathroom. He saw a pile of clothes and a small bag on the counter. He looked at her, who had been following his movements.

“My mom brought you a change of clothes and some supplies. It’s inside. You can use them.”

Alice was glad to hear that. She was relieved and moved towards it. Conrad quickly made way for her.

She frowned, thinking his actions were akin to avoiding her proximity. Her mom said mates normally stick together, especially in the beginning. Mates were intimate and loving towards one another. They couldn’t bear to be away from each other. She had no experience with being intimate with anyone except her mother. And those were only hugs and kisses.

Alice stared at him for a moment before getting inside the bathroom and closing the door. She picked up the small bag and found toiletries. She sighed in relief. From what? She was not sure. She brushed her teeth and washed her face. Seeing a mirror available, she quickly checked how she looked now. She’s probably thinner. She was a little chubby when she celebrated her eighteenth birthday. Her cheeks were plump back then.

She looked around before looking through the available clothes. They were dresses. Three of them. Sets of undergarments were also included. They were soft and made of cotton. Looking at her current state, she couldn’t help the tears falling from her eyes. She looked pitiful. Dirty, tattered clothes . . . maybe that’s why he was keeping his distance. She tried sniffing herself and knew she must’ve smelled bad. When was the last time they bathed? When was the last time they had a proper change of clothes? Clean ones? She felt overwhelmed by the sudden availability of these good things.

They made her so happy she was crying happy tears. She smiled while looking at the beautiful dresses. She quickly turned on the shower and removed the rags she was wearing. She didn’t feel bad throwing them in the waste basket. As for the dirty shoes, she set them aside under the sink. She looked for slippers but didn’t see a pair. She shrugged and decided to go barefoot. The place should be cleaner than the forest.

She spent quite some time under the warm water. She scrubbed herself clean, using the body wash and shampoo about three times. When she was satisfied, she dried herself and wore the dress she liked the most. The hem of it touched her knees. It wasn’t a tight fit, and she liked that. She’s able to breathe properly.

Conrad cleaned up while she was gone. He asked someone to bring more clothes for her.

When she got out, though, and he saw her bare feet stepping on the floor . . . he sighed. He looked through his shoe cabinet for fluffy slippers. He was sure there were a couple of pairs somewhere in there.

Alice curiously watched him as he rummaged through something in a corner. Then, she looked surprised at seeing what was in his hands. He walked over to her and bent down to set the slippers by her feet.

“Thank you.” She quickly wore them. They were soft to the touch, making her smile. Such comfort . . .

She looked at him again. He was scratching the back of his neck as he stood a few feet away from her. This made her frown again. She didn’t smell bad now, did she? And the new clothes were clean. She was disheartened by his distance, and she decidedly looked down at her feet.

“You look beautiful.” His words made her look at him. He was smiling at her, and she returned it.

“Thank you.” She looked uncomfortable as she didn’t know how to proceed.

“Aren’t you tired? Why don’t you sit down? Or do you want to sleep already?”

The prospect of sleeping . . . in his room . . . she assumed this was his room. She walked towards a chair and sat while facing him.

“Where are we? What’s this place?”

“Our pack is called Snow Mountain. One side of the territory is protected by a mountainous area. It gets covered in snow during winter.”

“Your wolf is white . . . as white as snow?” Alice couldn’t remember seeing white wolves before. He was the first she’d seen. Of course, she’d seen others earlier. He seemed the whitest, though.

“That, too.” Conrad grinned.

“You have a very nice room. You must have a rank.”

Conrad was proud of his rank, so he promptly answered, “My father is the Alpha.”

Her expression showed surprise. She wasn’t expecting him to be of the Alpha’s family. But then again . . .

“I see . . .”

Silence ensued after that. He didn’t like how she seemed unimpressed.

“Why . . . why are you distancing yourself from me?” She’s curious about this.

Conrad frowned at her question. “I thought you would feel uncomfortable. I’m giving you space and time to get used to my presence. I don’t want to startle you.”

“I see.”

His explanation satisfied her, and they stared at each other again. Conrad was finding it more and more difficult to stay put with each passing minute, maybe even seconds.