Page 2 of His Mate's Curves

Chapter Two

Darya had just come back from the cubs’ entry into the pack, a monthly meeting she had with the other council members. As she walked back into her mother’s cave, they discussed her time and future.

“Mother, when do you think I will be able to mate with him?”

“His alpha ceremony was today. Don’t you think you should give him some time?”

Confidently, she reminded her mother, “I am his only choice. What does he need time for? I am on our pack’s counsel; he is an alpha of his pack. There are no female alphas around Dallas, and there are only a few counsel women. One of them being you.”

“Yes, my dear. I’m sure he will choose you. But you have to give him the time to come to that decision on his own. Love feels better when it’s by choice, not by coincidence.”

“I know you’re right, but I’m just too impatient. I want him now. He’s perfect, mom. Absolutely perfect. His eyes are so… deep, and his hair is so luscious. When he almost died for his pack during that dry summer, I cried. He’s so passionate and warm, like a deer on a summer day.”

Rolling her eyes, her mother said, “Yes, yes. I’ve heard it all before. He’s the most handsome; you love him to death. Now, give me room to relax. It’s been a long day.”

Nodding her head, Darya obeyed her mother’s wishes. She walked out of the small cave and stood on top of the rocks, overlooking the Jade Pack’s ceremony. Gazing at her soon-to-be husband, she pictured the two of them together. He was by far the most handsome in town, not to mention his strength and loyalty to his pack. It was inevitable that they would get together. Everyone had talked about it. They were meant to be.

Though they only had a few conversations, she believed they both would agree that their connection was stronger than any other. She knew she was beautiful; her smoky coat was smooth, and her legs more muscular than other females. She was strong, powerful, a great leader, and most of all, beautiful. Eyes greener than the blades of grass and black ears that perked up when she felt prey was near.

She watched as they all bowed to their new alpha, allowing him to lead and provide for them. He went off on his first hunt, and she imagined their time together for the years to come. Leading beside one another, it was all a were woman could dream of.

As she saw them return, she giggled with joy. Knowing that her love was home safely, she waltzed around the pack camp. She got her dinner from the latest pack hunt, and as she ate, she remembered the first time she ever met Andreas.

“Did you want some?” he asked her in the middle of the woods with his latest catch.

She sighed, “No, it’s alright. We’ll search the south side.”

“There’s nothing there. It’s really slim this year. The human hunters are driving everything to the outskirts. This is the first catch I’ve had in a week.”

“It’s tough out there this year. Shouldn’t you bring it back to your pack?”

He hung his head low, “I haven’t been taking any of my shares. You can have some, and I’ll tell them it was mine. You need your energy to keep hunting. I can tell by your legs, you haven’t had much this year either. We all need a share.”

“Thank you.”

She took just a few bites of meat to keep her going for the day. The hard years were terrible on the hunters. Andreas was so kind that they talked for a few minutes, getting to know each other. It wasn’t that they didn’t know who the other was. It was that they then realized how much they had in common. How strong of a bond they could share one day. It was almost love at first sight, as corny as it sounded, for Darya. She was strong, but she melted when she looked into his eyes.

Back into her reality, Darya realized that she was on the edge of her pack’s base, close to Jade Pack.

Maybe I should pay him a visit,she thought.

As she ran through the woods, she saw him. She began to run through the bushes to surprise him when she noticed he wasn’t alone. He was with another female, a low-level female. One that wasn’t fit to mate with him. Darya’s full stomach turned to knots, anger rose within her. Why would he be alone with another female, especially a half-breed with no admirable qualities?

She peeked through the branches in the nearest tree, trying her best to keep her coat invisible behind the surrounding bushes. Her reflexes wanted her to go in there, to protect her man, the love of her life. It took everything inside of her to watch them silently. The pressure built in her chest as she tried to keep the tears in.

Between the leaves, she saw Hanalei lean in, embracing Andreas tightly. As the moon went down, Hanalei changed quickly into her human form. As she turned, so did Andreas, continuing their loving embrace. As they arose to their feet, Hanalei brought her head in close to his. Slowly, their lips touched as they held each other. In her grief, Darya ran carelessly away from the awful sight.

Hearing the footsteps, Andreas pushed Hanalei away gently as he searched the surrounding woods. He looked left and found the tail of a familiar wolf, one he’d never forgotten. One he wished wasn’t here at that exact moment. He looked at Hanalei, in human form, confused and flustered. Without a single word between them, he turned back and ran to the pack.

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