“I thought you weren’t coming anymore. Where’s your friend? I thought he was coming with you!” I said as I got into Jake’s car, and he started driving towards the Diamond Claw Pub.

“I had to run some errands. He’ll meet us there,” Jake said.

“Today, I heard some gossip at the hospital. Chloe said that the Alpha of this pack kills someone every full moon as if it were something fun. She said that he turns into an uncontrollable beast, and no one can stand to be around him,” I told Jake, usually when we come home, we always talk about our day.

“You’ll be surprised then because we’re going to meet Alpha’s Gamma.”

“I’m glad you warned me. Imagine if I said that in front of him? I would die of embarrassment. By the way, Laila said she found her mate.”

Jake pressed his lips together, took a deep breath, and said, “Good for her. Not everyone has that sort of luck.”

I feel so sorry for Jake. A wolf without a mate is the saddest thing ever. Waiting for someone who might come into your life in the next five days or five years is not easy. I can see how sad he is that he hasn’t met her yet. I know that when he found out I wasn’t his mate, he got a little frustrated. It would have been great if we were fated mates since we’ve known each other since we were kids, and he wouldn’t have to wait for someone with no date to appear. He is such a good person, I hope his mate knows his worth.

“You’re going to find your mate, Jake. The wait will soon be worth it!” I said. He nodded and smiled sadly as he drove.

This uncertainty of when he will find a mate is sad and agonizing, but I would give anything to take his place. Being human means I’ll never know what it feels like to find your soulmate, the feeling of belonging to someone special. I can even be someone’s mate, which would be almost a miracle since a werewolf rarely can mate with a human. Usually, they reject and choose a mate, a chosen mate will never be a fated mate, but anything for them is better than being mate with a human. That way, even if I have a mate, there is still the risk of him rejecting me. I don’t know why I’m thinking about it so much, I’ve never dated, I don’t even know what it feels like, I’ve always saved myself for someone special. Even though I’m wolfless, I always wanted to wait for someone worthwhile, and while I waited, I focused all my energy on studying as much as I could to be someone better and honor my parents and my pack.

“Katie, let’s go!”

When I looked to the side, we had already arrived. Jake had already parked and was knocking on the glass at my window for me to go. “You’re very distracted today. I think I need to work harder on tomorrow’s workout so you can concentrate more,” he teased me.

“Ha-ha-ha, very funny. I’ll remember this when I’m making your lunchbox for the week,” I snapped as we walked into the Diamond Claw Pub.

The place is very cozy. On the right side, there is a space where, some days a week, some musicians sing; the decoration is very jovial. When we entered, we went straight to the table where we usually sat.

“Jake!”

The door swung open, and in sauntered a figure that exuded both strength and charisma, filling the room with an undeniable presence. This tall, muscular guy moved with the kind of fluid confidence that demanded attention, his brown hair casually tousled, a crown of effortless allure. As he approached, I couldn’t deny it — I think he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen here in the pack.

Those penetrating brown eyes, framed by lashes that seemed to frame his intensity, locked onto mine. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and as if under a spell, I couldn’t help but smile back, the warmth of the moment dancing across my cheeks, igniting a blush that betrayed more than I intended.

“Hi Chad, this is Katie,” Jake introduced with a knowing grin, almost reveling in the charged energy between Chad and me. Traitor! He playfully nudged me into the spotlight, his eyes twinkling. “Katie, this is Chad. He’s the pack’s Gamma,” he added, his words momentarily fading to the background as Chad’s gaze continued to hold me captive.

With a warm smile that seemed to hold secrets, Chad extended his hand in greeting, a gesture both casual and deliberate, never breaking eye contact. As his fingers brushed mine, I felt my cheeks blushing even more. “Nice to meet you. So, you’re the famous Katie,” he said, his voice carrying a casual charm that only added to his appeal. “My name’s Chad. Wait, Jake already said that,” he continued, a chuckle underscored by the unbroken connection between us.

“My pleasure, Chad,” I managed to reply, though his unwavering gaze was a heady distraction. There was something intriguing about how he held my gaze as if he saw more than what met the eye. “I’m afraid to ask what Jake said,” I broke our eye contact and looked suspiciously at Jake, and noticed that Chad was still holding my hand and looking at me.

“He only said good things. I thought you were his girlfriend because of how much he talks about you. I was happy to know that you weren’t, especially when meeting you in person.” His smile only widened, still holding my hand. I tried to let go, but he looked lost in my gaze and didn’t even move to let go of my hand.

“Shall we sit down? Order something, Katie. The usual?” Jake spoke and put his hand on my shoulder. Chad noticed and let go of my hand. By the look on his face, he looked a little upset.

After two hours, we had already eaten, drunk, and already knew a lot of information about Chad. Jake also made a point of talking about me every time he said something about him. Jake ignored my ‘What are you doing?’ face. Chad said he’s been waiting for his mate for ten years, at which point he thinks she’s already dead. He said he was looking for someone special to be his chosen mate. When he said that, then I realized what was going on.

Jake planned this meeting!

Bastard! When I get home, I’m going to tear his hair out.

“How’s your job, Chad?” I asked to deflect the many questions he was asking about me, which, by the way, Jake didn’t stop answering.

“Well, it’s bustling. We have a tough Alpha to deal with, but he is very competent. I’m always by his side, but the one who follows him the most is Jason, the pack’s Beta. Beta Jason believes in solving everything through brute force, whereas I believe in finding smarter solutions!” he said and nodded at Jake.

“Oh, so you also work at Jake’s Elite Training?” I asked, and the moment I spoke, he turned his attention to me.

“Yes, I taught Jake’s class last semester, and now I’m training him as my pupil,” he said proudly of Jake.

We continued the conversation for another 2 hours and only stopped because the pub was about to close. When we went to say goodbye,

Chad asked for my number and said he would love to get to know me better. When he said that, I instantly got so red that I looked like a tomato. Then, he got my number, and we said goodbye.

“You bastard! I can’t believe you made me go on a date without even letting me know, Jake! What’s gotten into you? You’re not like that,” I said as we got in the car.

“Katie, you are one of the most important people in my life. I consider you a sister. When I met Chad, I started to admire him, especially after finding out how much you have in common. I didn’t know he would be so happy to meet you. I swear! I didn’t know he would ask you for your number and talk about his mate,” he tried to justify himself.

“Unbelievably! You sold me like I was desperate for someone,” I yelled at him.

“Katie, it wasn’t like that. He seemed the desperate one in the situation. I just think you should give him a chance. He’s a nice guy, and I just want the best for you, Kitkat,” he said, my nickname smiling, and I rolled my eyes.

“He’s nice…” I said softly.

“I KNEW IT! I knew you would like him,” I chuckled as he went on, “I would never introduce him if I didn’t think he was someone who could be taken seriously, Kitkat.”

The rest of the way to the apartment, we continued talking about Chad. He sent me a message on my cell phone.

‘I saved your number, princess. Meeting you was the best thing that happened to me lately!’

I read it with a big smile on my face. Okay, I know that was cheesy, but for the first time, I felt noticed by someone who looked like it was worth it.

And just like that, in that unassuming moment, the encounter with Chad took an unexpected turn, becoming something I never saw coming.