The morning had started badly, with screams coming from every direction—apparently they were fighting, but that didn't matter. Farkas huffed, rising from the fur bed and running a hand through his graying hair as he stared at the entrance to his house.

He looked at the makeshift bed, slowly running his hand through the soft fur, warm from his own body heat. Mating season was approaching; being cooped up at home listening to the sounds of his friends and their mates wasn't the best option; it was his only option.

He stood up, walking outside the tent, the bright sun made him squint, it was too strong for the first rays of the morning, but that didn't seem to matter now.

Arriving at the center of the tribe, he saw the warriors grabbing their weapons and preparing to hunt. He sighed; he knew he needed to go too, but he was almost irritated at the thought of having to leave the comfort of the tribe so soon.

Leading a small group of younger wolves through the winding forest, he scanned the trees, his senses heightened for danger or potential prey. He signaled for the younger ones to split up, not to go too far, just far enough to better scout the area.

Taking a few more steps forward, he heard something, the sound of a twig breaking. Is it an animal? He turned quickly toward the source of the sound, hearing the footsteps increase, faster but erratic, like an animal fleeing.

too weak, not a wolf... but too fast, not a rabbit. He narrowed his eyes, moved closer, throwing to the wind all the caution he swore he had gained over the years as a hunter and warrior.

Finally, emerging from behind a tree, he found the reason for the quick footsteps and the sounds that had guided him there. a human. His eyes widened softly. They were small. Too small. Cute and scared.

bruised. He noticed, the line of blood running down the leg of the small creature that tried to keep running away, but without success.

It was as if the gods had smiled upon him, as if all the years had been worth it, as if everything was finally right and finally where it was meant to be. mine. The word echoed in his head like an endless loop, full of strength and conviction. mine. My mate. My destined one

Heart pounding in his chest, he approached, his eyes shining with adoration and care as he slowly approached the injured little human. He watched her flinch and try to walk, almost amused, but unable to.

"Are you hurt?" His voice came out harsh, harsher than he'd intended. Don't be stupid, what do you think that blood on her leg is? Idiot! He mentally scolded himself, clenching his hands into fists at his sides, fighting the urge to walk over, pick her up, and carry her home, finally telling her he had his mate by his side.

"I can take care of you," he said seriously, taking a few steps forward, trying to keep a safe distance, even though all his instincts screamed at him to pick her up, throw her over his shoulders and carry her away right then and there.

gods! He was on the verge of committing a madness!

A young voice behind him caught his attention: Sureen, a young wolf who was constantly under Farkas's supervision. He sighed, running his hand over his face as he listened to the young man's worried words, "Is everything okay?"

He resisted the urge to simply shout that he was more than fine, that he was happy! That he was fulfilled and that he had simply found everything he had been searching for his whole life. So he just nodded.

"We have an injured human, I'm going to take her home and tend to her wounds. Can you handle it on your own?" He asked the younger man, but without looking at him, too preoccupied with picking her up in his arms and carrying them away.

She was perfect, she fit perfectly in his arms and looked so comfortable there that it almost made him fall to his knees and thank the heavens for the gift.

"We can do it, sir," the younger man said as he watched the scene unfold, his gaze wavering between curiosity and disbelief.

"Good," were Leon's last words before he simply began walking with the struggling, wiggling little human toward his home. "Don't be scared. I won't hurt you, bunny."