I tilted my canvas to the left as I tried to get my paint brush at the perfect angle for my now fully developed yellow flower.

Anytime I needed to think, relax or just be at peace, I just grabbed my supplies and made art. A bird chirped beside me as the cool evening breeze from the meadow whipped my hair all over in messy curls. I frowned as I ran my hand through it, seeing it as yet another reminder that Niall wasn't here.

Since we've lived together, he had always combed my hair for me, simply because I could never tame the coily waves myself. However, since I had to go to bed alone last night, I didn't get my usual braids or twists, courtesy of my lovely mate.

But he didn't come home, and he still hasn't.

Sighing deeply, I tried to remember what Asia had said about him being able to take care of himself, which was further backed by his mom later that night at dinner. That didn't mean that I didn't miss him though, and I couldn't hide the hurt I felt knowing that he just left me without telling me anything.

I'm his mate. He knew damn well that I'd be worried sick and missing him. Whatever he had to do so urgently better be important.

I sighed, feeling defeated as I made the final stroke on my painting of the meadow. It was beautifully painted--maybe one of my best, but it didn't give me the same satisfaction I normally felt whenever I finish a painting. I knew that it was because of the immense frustration I was feeling, but I didn't even try and hide it.

This morning when I woke up, I laid in our bed, hugging his pillow for two hours straight. I then went down for breakfast, which I had no appetite for, so I grabbed my supplies and came here. So far I've painted a single green tree standing in the midst of a gray background, a bird, and finally the whole meadow.

Niall's room can't hold anymore of my paintings, so I concluded on just gifting them to his parents or leaving them in storage.

I leaned against my tree with my legs pulled to my chest, and my chin on top of my knees as I gazed into nothingness. I tried not to think about him too much, but I ensured to keep my link wide open so that if he just happens to step within linking range, I'd know immediately.

I let my thoughts drift as I allowed my eyes to flutter closed. I pushed my wolf forward in my head in order to connect to nature more, just to appreciate the brush of the wind, the quiet hums of animals and the melancholy sound of the stream flowing. Luka always helped me with this technique growing up even without my wolf. He always said that once my wolf comes alive, I'd connect better.

And he was right.

Within seconds I was one with my surroundings, just appreciating everything about the moment. Though my frustration was still on edge, it was now bathed in tranquility as I let myself go. I slowly filled my lungs with air momentarily, before letting it out again. I made a mental note to thank Luka for this as I felt myself drifting away. It wouldn't be the first time I fell asleep here, and no one else knows about the place so I was safe.

However, as if the universe couldn't give me a break, I suddenly got alert when I sensed a foreign presence near. I perked my ears and focused on the scent that was distant but strong nonetheless. I straightened my back as my eyes shifted to my wolf's amber ones, a sign that she has taken control. A growl rumbled from my chest as I looked through my wolf eyes around the area, just waiting for my intruder to appear.

I knew the smarter thing to do was run back for help, but there was a strong primitive instinct in me that glued me to my spot in order to protect the pack. And though I haven't had much fighting practice in wolf form, Luka and Beta Caleb ensured that I learnt how to fight. So if it should come to that, I'd be ready.

stepped back completely, leaving me defenseless

just a tad extreme? But in time I noticed that she wasn't sad or

mainly on instincts. It's what kept us alive all these years. So I trusted mine and let my guard down just to try and focus on the scent. But as the wolf got closer, I realized

yet she managed to find me. She obviously has something worthwhile to tell me, since it seemed like she has been

saw a shadow in the trees on the other side of the clearing. If my wolf wasn't so calm around her, I would've been really freaked

it that you want?" I shouted just loud enough

she came closer to me. I kept my wolf on edge just enough for if I will need to shift quickly. Even though she didn't seem like a threat, I still couldn't avoid the fact that she's a complete stranger. It's

ease than the last time I saw her, which made me feel slightly better knowing whatever she had to tell me

hair. Her eyes were big and bright, and her lips held a small friendly simper. She had a scar

would be slightly inappropriate, since she looked around the age of Victoria and Luka. It was for sure that

didn't go so well. What I need to say wouldn't sit well with your mate" She said once she was a few feet away from me. My eyebrows scrunched in confusion as I

tell me wouldn't sit well with Niall, then it wouldn't sit well with me either. The mere fact that she even

you? How do you know who I am?" I asked, just to get my mind

in front of me with her legs crossed over each other. I mimicked her pose as I readied myself to hear what she

know you because I knew your father" She stated, and I was

knew her scent was too familiar to his for it to be a coincidence. It just puzzled me how she's just finding me

relax. I'll tell you everything" She gestured for me to sit back down, which I slowly did. My excitement and anxiety was eating away at my mind. She offered me

born of the Gamma family of The Roseum Pack, deep in the forests of the Amazon. I was stolen by rogues from my family at age six, brought to the US to be exploited for my blood. You see, Zoey, we are very special wolves, but at

invested in her story even though there

even imagine doing their dirty deeds with me. He knew I was like him from the moment he caught my scent. But since I was a child without a wolf, he didn't know for sure. I was old enough to tell him where I was from, but I had no knowledge of English back then.

by him. I knew he

you. I can only imagine" I mumbled, feeling a rush of sadness sprinkled with an ounce of jealousy for this woman. I had no ill feeling towards her though.

when we were settled at a temporary home, he would tell me stories about himself, but he was never straight forward with anything. Eventually, I put it all together and figured out my own theory

my first shift, I understood completely. Once I caught his scent and realized how different it was from other rogues, I was able to understand why he fought for me, why he saved

the words stumbled from her lips. I mean, it would make sense why their scents were familiar,

are you saying we're related?" I questioned as I rubbed my temples

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