Treyton decided to drive to his main house in Big Bear; Maeve would wake soon, and he knew she would have questions. He didn't expect to show his form by defending her from a bear, but he wondered if it was fate. The Alpha eventually arrived at his home, which was small compared to what CEOs usually get. However, Treyton was the type of individual who didn't like to flaunt his wealth; he was also careful about how he spent his money. His pack also needs financial guidance since they depend on their Alpha to keep their small community afloat.
The Alpha parked his car on the parkway, exited, and walked toward his home, unlocking and opening the door. Then, Treyton carried his mate into the house, where he walked into the living room, where the drapes covered the windows. Maeve was gently laid on the lavish sofa while Treyton went on to open the drapes, making the light enter the household. Afterward, he went toward the fireplace, where firewood was lit to warm the household. As he looked at the fire, so many thoughts trailed in the Alpha's mind. "What am I going to do? What should I tell her? Should I beg her not to leave me? I-" His thoughts were interrupted when groans echoed.
Maeve slowly woke up, but her eyesight was slightly blurry. "My head...so dizzy..." she slowly sat up from the sofa. While her eyesight was returning, Maeve tried to remember what had happened, and that was when the memories slowly returned to her: the bear, the cubs, and Treyton. Her eyes slowly widened as her sight finally returned. "Treyton..." she said.
"M-Maeve..."
The young woman slowly looked to her right and saw Treyton before the fireplace. She realized they were no longer in the mountains but in what looked like a house. The fire crackles were the only things heard as the duo looked at one another. Neither knew what to say; Treyton felt frustrated with himself. "Say something! Anything!" He took a deep breath. "I-I'm so sorry, Maeve. I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. I wanted to tell and show you more appropriately, but life had other plans." When Maeve remained silent, Treyton's anxiety intensified. "Please say something, Maeve. I know that you have many questions and I would be more than happy to answer them." Treyton slowly walked towards her but stopped midway. "All I ask of you is not to be scared of me...please..."
Treyton's voice sounded pleading and quiet; his eyes gave hints of fear and sadness. He waited a long time to find his mate, and possibly she would leave him. Maeve's dizziness disappeared, and she couldn't help but feel his feelings. It was strange; she felt as if a pull tried to lead her toward Treyton. Maeve put her hand over her heart. "Y-You're a werewolf..."
"Yes. I'm sure you know the stories and legends of werewolves, and many of them are genuine since there have been witness accounts. However, as times changed, as did the mentality of humans, my kind knew that we wouldn't be safe. We know that we would be feared and that the wrong types of humans will hunt us down for their purposes. That's why we have to keep our identity as a secret." Treyton sighed, "Here is another truth, you are my mate. It's when-"
"I know and have read many stories about werewolves and how they find their mates." Treyton couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that his mate knew something about werewolves and their mates. "I thought it was romantic at first, but the more I grew older, the more I began to wonder if werewolves were only with their mates because they wanted to or because of what a being told them to do."
Maeve spoke about the Moon Goddess, and Treyton couldn't deny that Maeve did have a point. She believed he was only with her because she was chosen for him. "I-I can understand your thoughts and feelings, but if you believe in fate, that is what the Moon Goddess is. She pairs us with people that we have always truly wanted and need. However, we werewolves and our mates can choose whether to accept or leave. If you don't want me, then I would respect your decision since it's your choice to do so." Treyton let out a sad smile as he felt some tears wanted to form. He didn't want to show his hurt, and he didn't want to guilt-trip Maeve. The Alpha wanted her to make her own choice, even if it meant rejecting him.
"Fate, huh? " Maeve often thought about it. She always believed there was someone for everyone, but her duty was to find that person. She enjoyed reading and studying werewolves and other mythology, but she never imagined that werewolves and the topic of mates existed. Maeve read about how the werewolves revered the Moon Goddess, who chose their mates based on their personalities and what a werewolf wanted in a mate. "If what you say is true, then I was chosen because you wanted a partner with my attributes?"
"I always wanted someone who was kind-hearted, determined, intelligent, family-oriented, and who would love me for who I am. Even if you weren't my mate, and if I had met and got to know you, I would still have fallen in love with you." The Alpha stilled when he heard himself; he admitted he was in love with her, and they weren't an official couple yet. His face turned red and warm.
Maeve's eyes widened when she heard Treyton; he loved her. Her heart beat rapidly as she felt her face turn red and warm. "How could you tell me that? We barely met, and I barely found out your secret, but you still have chosen me as your mate because of your goddess." Suddenly, Maeve was forced to turn and look at Treyon; his eyes slowly watered, tearing her heart. She wanted genuine love, someone who would love her out of his free will. However, she is chosen by a being. "Treyton, how could you tell me that? You were even married before and-"
"Yes, it's true. However, my ex-wife and I didn't feel entirely in love. We had many differences but weren't the same; we didn't complete each other but stayed. You were the one I truly wanted. The Moon Goddess chose you because of what I truly wanted in a mate. That's what happened to my ex when she found the one who she truly wanted to be. I was angry and hurt because...I didn't want to be alone. I wanted someone to be my side; I was scared of being alone. However, I realized that the Moon Goddess found our true soulmates, the ones we were supposed to be with." He gently held onto her hands. "When you were with your ex, did you feel that he was the one?"
"Well, at first I did, but...it seemed he didn't see me the same way. When you saw me, how did you feel?"
Maeve struggled to speak and felt embarrassed. "I-I-I..."
"You felt your world shift, didn't you? You felt a pull so strong that it felt so right. Am I the type of man that you always wanted?" Treyton noticed Maeve looking away; she tried to hide her intensified blush. "Just like you are the woman I always wanted in a partner. The Moon Goddess is like fate and it was fate that brought us together. However, you still have a choice to decide whether or not you still want to see me."
It became quiet again; Maeve was still processing Treyton's truth and how his world worked. "What happens if I refuse you?"
The Alpha bit his lower lip but refused to let go of her hands. "Then, I will let you go. It will hurt, but I want you to be happy."
"I thought that werewolves die and become depressed."
"Many werewolves do die from the depression of being rejected because the thought of our soulmate not wanting us is the worst feeling in the world. However, if we know that our soulmate is happy, then it would be enough for us."
His words made Maeve's heart soar; he wanted her to be happy even if he wasn't in the picture. A person in love would want happiness for their beloved. Stephen never communicated his thoughts and feelings, and it took him years to finally admit that he didn't want her. Treyton, however, was willing to tell her the truth about his identity, even if it meant risking her to leave him. Treyton had more consideration and courage than Stephen and the other men she was used to. He could have waited until he had her completely, but he didn't. Treyton wanted her to know who and what he was because he cared for and loved her. Maeve didn't realize that tears had formed and dripped from her eyes; her lips quivered. Treyton..." She let go of his hands, put her hands on his face, and motioned him to hers.
She kissed him.
Her actions shocked Treyton; he didn't expect such an action. Her lips felt warm and right, and he couldn't hold his tears back; he let them fall. All his anxiety, fears, and sadness were swept away with the kiss. Treyton returned the kiss and slowly wrapped his hands and arms around her waist. Their kiss was filled with passion and softness and eventually ended as their eyes were locked onto one another. Maeve, does this mean you accept me for who and what I am?"
"I'm still processing the fact that you are a werewolf but you also made me realize that you always meant to be honest with me. ou could have lied but you didn't; it showed me that your feelings for me are genuine." Maeve smiled as she gently wiped his tears away. "I guess your Moon Goddess really knows what kind of person we truly want in a partner."
Treyton's heart was filled with joy and relief; his mate, his soulmate, had accepted him. "Yes, yes, she does." He also wiped her tears away.
"Hey, Treyton."
"Yeah?"
"We're still going to the Christmas Markets, right?"
He chuckled. "Of course."
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