DANIEL

'It has been four days! Where did she go!?' I stressed internally, I have been out of my mind and my wolf is on edge, Gods above... I sleep in her bed like a lovesick fool and it's only because It is the only place that smells of her and the only thing that calms my wolf.

I owe Patrick big as I wasn't as attentive as I should have been and Angela was beautiful, I caught a tear in my Beta's eyes as she walked down the isle, but he wouldn't admit it and I couldn't be more happy for my Beta.

'Now if I can only find the same for myself' I thought, skulking, I have not been a particularly good best man, but I did manage to get through the wedding and genuinely toasted Patrick and Angela, even in my anguish.

I left shortly after as I could not sit and watch them and their Blanton love for one another as I am in agony at the loss of mine.

'She said she would be back... That she was safe' I thought as I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. I do not know how Patrick went a whole month without his mate, I cannot go four fucking days!

I retired into my office after I bid the new couple goodnight and now I am nursing a 100-year-old Irish scotch that will light your ass on fire. Brutus grumbled and I looked at him, "you miss her too don't you boy?" I said and he seemed to know I was talking to him because he came over and laid his head in my lap.

Reflectively I petted his head, "I am Alpha of the West Mountain Pack… I should not be skulking!" I said to no one,

"let's get out of here Brutus, how does a run sound" I said and got up heading out the door.

'She said she will be back and I must trust in her,' I chanted to myself as I walked down the stairs and towards the back, when Patrick came out of the kitchen.

A tray of different fruits with a can of whip cream and chocolate syrup and I just raised my eyebrows as Patrick stared at me for a moment.

"Yes... It's exactly what it looks like" he said and I laughed, glad for a brief change, but only for a moment as gloom filled me up and my smile lessened, which Patrick noticed and gave me a questioning look.

"Fuck... I don't know how you went a whole month, I'm going crazy and it's been only four days!" I confessed in exasperation and it was Patrick's turn to laugh and I pouted... Me!?

'Alpha's don't pout' I thought to myself trying to pull it together and that only made Patrick laugh more, "I'm glad my misery entertains you" I replied dryly as he walked over to me with a smirk and clasped my shoulder,

"I courted her the first night... Stay strong Alpha, you'll be the envy of everyone." He replied and walked up the stairs, leaving me standing there in shock as I processed that.

Courting is a animal version of an engagement ring, where we hunt out food and present it to her, if she accepts, then the male wolf bites their mate and mixes their scent with hers, letting everyone know she's taken.

It is forbidden to mark or mate any female who has already been courted, deflated, I headed to the edge of the forest and I stripped off my clothes, letting my wolf take over. When a wolf shifts for the first time it's excruciating, but overtime it comes on with ease, 'like a tingling sensation.' I thought as I felt my body contort and crack.

Changing to a new form, my claws popped out and black fur spread across my body and along my face as it elongates, sprouting my canine's and I opened my eyes to Brutus laying on his back in submission in front of me.

I huffed as I took off into the forest with a start, Brutus following behind and we came through the trees, chasing after small game that we saw along the way, Brutus huffing with exertion.

'Poor guy isn't a wolf and I'm sure I'm giving him a run for his money,' I thought, changing direction and heading a little more north. After about five minutes a waterfall with a pool came into view and I shifted back into my human form and turned towards Brutus.

"We had a good run boy" I said rubbing his ears as he came up to me and I jump in the cool waters of the pool as the moonlight spills through the trees to light my way.

Brutus following behind me with a big splash, lapping water as he doggy paddled and I chuckled at his enthusiasm.

"That feels great, doesn't boy?" I said as he just paddles across the water, trying to cool himself off and then climbed out shaking off the excess water.

Brutus and I stayed out in the pool a little while longer, while he regained some energy for the trip back and when the sun started to peek in the distance, I turned to the rising sun with Brutus at my side.

My thoughts always going back to Cassie's beautiful face and the last time I was with her, Gods when she looked at me innocently and said she has never lain with a man that almost undid me!

I had enough semblance to control my urges ans get up from her, but when she looked down in shame and embarrassment, I had to take her in my arms, if only to soothe and assure her.

I told her she was my mate and I hadn't been lying, but she is not a wolf, so what does that mean for her... Am I her soulmate?' I asked myself, I do not know how Sentinel Beings find their other half, but I can only hope it is me because I do not know if I could live without her.

The very thought of another man makes my blood boil and I got up from my thoughts, Brutus is lounging in the grass,

"Come Brutus… let's us get home and get some rest." I said and he grumbled and he got up reluctantly.

'I sure wore this pup out' I thought with a grin and shifted back into my wolf and we walked home slowly, when we reached the edge of the forest, I switched back to my human form again and dressing quickly and walking back to the mansion.

Entering my room, Brutus lay at the foot of the bed, grumbling his exhaustion and I headed into the bathroom, turned on the shower and stripped, stepping under the spray and easing my aches as exhaustion sets in.

I hopped out of the shower and threw on some basketball shorts and t-shirt, heading out the door and down to the third floor, where Cassie room is and I walked in, closing and locking the door behind me.

I looked at the empty room with all Cassie's things she brought and I fell in her bed with her scent surrounding me and my wolf curled up, settling inside as sleep overcame me.