The only thing that was heard was the cold air that rushed past the two that sat on a log in the middle of an open field. Yellow, red, brown, and green leaves fell off the trees, slowly falling to the ground, covering the different shades of grass. Standing up, Maya began to walk away from Ace. "Maya! Wait!"
Shaking her head, Maya continued to walk. Tears silently flowed down her cheeks as she bit down on her bottom lip, keeping in the sobs. "Maya, please." Ace pleaded as he grabbed a hold on Maya's waist. She placed her hands over his, trying to pull them off of her waist. "Maya, please, just listen to me. I know it's a lot to take in, but please just understand what I am saying. Please?" Ace's voice began to break, letting Maya know that he was crying.
Maya turned her head so that it rested on her shoulder, looking back at him. Turning around in Ace's arms, only to be pulled into a tight hug. Ace hid his face in the crook of Maya's neck, his tears staining her sleeve.
Maya wanted to speak, but she knew she couldn't. She wanted to scream and yell all the words that were building up in her head, but instead, she just grabbed a fistful of Ace's shirt, pulling him closer, crying with him.
"Will you listen to me now?" Ace sniffled. Maya looked at the ground nodding her head. Ace removed his hands from her waist and stuffed them into his pockets.
"You are my mate. And before you run away again let me explain this a little more." Ace said, his voice raw and filled with emotions. "As I said before mates are soul mates for werewolves. We are destined to be with our mates, BUT you don't have to. If you don't want to deal with me anymore you can reject me. If you reject me, please just don't tell anyone that I am a werewolf, I can't risk-"
Maya smacked her hand lightly against Ace's lips, shaking her head. She slowly removed her hand, fishing for her phone in her back pocket. She unlocked the screen, her fingers swiftly moving across the screen. She lifted her phone up to Ace's face once she was done so that he could see what she had to say.
~Listen, I won't tell anyone that you're a werewolf, but I don't think I can be with you. I want to be able to freely choose who I love in my life, rather than being forced to love someone because I am supposed to.~
Ace re-read the words that were on Maya's phone. His heartbreaking a little more each time. It hurt Maya to tell Ace this as well but she didn't want to be with him because she was supposed to, she wanted to be able to love whoever she wanted, and she wasn't ready to handle another world when she can barely handle her own world. "Oh." Was the only words that Ace could muster to come out, he was completely heartbroken.
Maya quickly shot Ace an apologetic look before walking away, tears threatening to spill, and she had no idea why she felt this way. She spent the rest of the walk home crying and overthinking things. When Maya had finally arrived home, she was greeted by Hazel and Charlie. Hazel dark green eyes flashed with worry as she looked at Maya's red, tear-stained cheeks, swollen eyes, quivering lips and shaking body.
"Maya?" Hazel called out to her but Maya didn't look at her, instead, her gaze was stuck on Charlie. Maya's heart was beating rapidly. Charlie gulped and held Maya gaze, not once daring to break it. "Maya, are you alright?" Charlie asked. Maya shook her head, still not breaking eye contact.
Hazel stared at the two people in front of her a questioning look on her face. "Is there something going on between you two that I should know about?" The words left Hazel's mouth slowly and with caution, trying not to upset Maya any further. Maya finally broke the gaze she had on Charlie and looked away, shaking her head.
Hazel sighed knowing that nothing was going to be solved anytime soon. "Maya, what happened, why were you crying. And don't you dare try to say that you weren't because I know that you were." Hazel's voice was stern and demanding.
Pulling her phone out, Maya began to tell Hazel everything that had happened in the past week, including what had happened between her and Charlie, being sure to not include the fact that he was half animal. Hazel was beyond stunned when she was done reading what Maya had typed. Maya wiped away the few stray tears that spilled from her eyes. "Maya, I know that you want to independent and find love on your own, but can I ask you a quick question?"
Maya nodded her head while Charlie bounced his left leg in anticipation. "How do you know that he isn't 'the one' for you when he technically is the one for you." Hazel stated.
A frown instantly took over Maya's features. "Listen," Hazel paused while sighing, "all I am saying that you don't have to be with him, but why don't you at least try to get to know the guy, you may end up falling in love with him, but don't push him away because of your stupidity. 'Cause you never know what a great guy you're missing out on." Sincerity was laced in Hazel's voice with every word that she spoke. Maya knew that Hazel was right, yet she still didn't want to be with Ace because she knew that at the end of the day there was a good chance that she was going to fall in love with him. She was completely and utterly afraid of being hurt. Afraid of the one she loves most walking out her life one day.
Maya nodded her head, showing Hazel that she understands what she is saying. Charlie stayed quiet the entire time. He was hurting, he wanted nothing more than anything in the world for Maya to fall in love with him, for him to protect her as of she was his mate, to make sure that no harm came her way. He knew that if Maya entered a relationship in any sort of way with Ace, her life was on the line, and there was nothing he could say or do about it.
Maya ran through the woods, looking for Ace, wanting to speak to him. The sound of leaves crushing filled the silent night, Maya's palms grew sweaty with each step she took. Her breathing was getting heavier and heavier as she made her way further into the forest. "Looking for someone?" A deep and husky voice said from behind Maya causing her to jump in surprise. "Sorry."
Ace's body was leaning against a tree, his hands stuffed in his front pockets, his body tense. He was wearing black fitted, torn jeans that hugged his muscular legs, exposing come of his silky skin. A white muscle tee showed off his toned stomach, chest, and arms. His black hair was pushed away from his face, allowing Maya to clearly see his eyes which were a clouded mess, a thunderstorm.
Maya smiled and waved at him. Ace was shocked but did a small head nod towards her. "You know, it isn't safe for you to be walking out here by yourself." Ace said.
Maya began walking towards Ace, showing him her phone screen. A small smile tugged on Ace's lips as his eyes continued to read the small lettering. "Are you sure?" Ace asked, trying to hide his excitement.
Maya nodded her head, looking down at her feet. "Then I want you to meet somebody."
Ace lead the way all the way back to his house, he wanted Maya to meet his mother so she can give her some pointers on becoming a werewolf, and help her understand their world a bit better.
They soon arrived at the pack house, walking inside, Maya admired the beautiful scenery in front to her. "Ma! Where are you?" Ace's voice echoed throughout the enormous house. Maya looked at him with wide eyes.
"Office!" A feminine voice yelled back. Ace grabbed Maya's hand, guiding her throughout the house, making sure that she doesn't get lost. Knocking on the door, Ace's mother, Layla, yelled for them to come in. "Who's this?" Layla asked standing up and pulling off her glasses. She was wearing a black pencil skirt, with a baby blue blouse that complimented her light green eyes. Her black hair was put up into a messy bun with a few stray hairs that framed her pale face.
"Mom, this is Maya, my mate. Maya, this is my mother, Layla." Maya smiled brightly at the lady, Layla mirrored her actions. "Mom I was wondering if you could explain a little bit about our world to Maya. She's human and doesn't really understand much about us, and seeing that you are the current luna, I thought it would be best." Ace said smiling sweetly at his mother.
Layla's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Oh, of course, darling. Maya and I will be just fine, right dear?" His mother asked turning towards Maya with a wide smile.
Maya turned towards Ace, sending him a smile while nodding her head. "Alright then, if you need anything I'll be in my office." Ace said giving Maya's hand one last squeeze before walking away.
Layla grabbed Maya's hand and lead her over to the small couch that was placed in the corner of the room. "So Maya." Layla said while sitting down, "Any questions for me?"
Maya sat there for a moment, thinking of questions she could ask, but nothing came to mind. Shaking her head no, Maya crossed her legs, resting her hands on her thighs.
"Alright, so I'll tell you the basic background. So we are werewolves, half human, half wolf. The myth of us only being able to transform during a full moon is a lie. We are able to shift whenever we please, but your first shift won't be until you are a certain age. When you shift it is terribly painful, your body begins to bend in directions it shouldn't, your bones begin to rearrange themselves. When being a werewolf you have something called a mate, the person you are meant to be with. As well as an Alpha and Luna. Ace will be the next Alpha since his father is the current Alpha and you'll be the next Luna since you are his mate. Alpha and Luna rule the pack, Alpha is more of the one who leads battles and stuff like that while a Luna is there more for emotional support but she can still kick some butt." Layla said while winking, causing both of the girls to start laughing. "There isn't much that you need to know, but I want you to know that if you ever have a question, you are always welcome to come to me, whether it's about being a wolf or mates or even human stuff, I got you." Layla winked at Maya causing her to smile and pull her into a hug.
Maya went to find Ace, saying her goodbyes. Maya decided to walk through town on the way home. As Maya began to freely roam the streets, she felt as if she was being watched, and since it was nighttime, it didn't help Maya's anxiety any better. Maya was trying to walk calmly down the street, looking behind her every couple of minutes. This time when she turned around she ended up bumping into a tall and muscular man. Maya's body began to fall back but the man wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, keeping her on her feet. The man towered over Maya's 5'6 frame, averaging at the height of about 6'2. Power radiating off of him.
He wore a tight white shirt that hugged his torso, showing off his muscular abdominal area, a fitted, black, zip-up sweater, revealing every curve in his arms. A simple light grey beanie sat on the top of his head, his dark brown hair covering his forehead and eyes in a fairly cute way. His legs were covered by light blue jeans, that had rips in the knees exposing his olive skin. His eyes were covered by large rimmed sunglasses, that sat perfectly on the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry ma'am." The strange man said, releasing Maya's waist, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "I didn't mean to bump into you. Are you alright?" His voice was rich and smooth, like chocolate. His voice sent a line of shivers down Maya's back. Maya was completely mesmerized by this stranger. Tilting her head up, Maya wanted a full view of his face. He lifted his round-rimmed shades, placing them on top of his head, showing off his beautiful honey eyes.
"Excuse me?" The strange man spoke up once again. "Do you speak." He asked, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow. Maya shook her head no.
"No, you don't speak?" Maya shook her head once again, looking down at her shoes, trying to avoid his intense stare. He smiled warmly at Maya, "Well, is there any way you can tell me your name?"
Maya took her pointer finger and began to draw the name out in midair. "M?" The stranger asked. Maya gave him a simple and quick thumbs up. Maya drew another letter in the air, "A?"
Maya nodded before drawing another one. "Y? Let me guess Maya?" He asked. Maya nodded her head and a small smile played on her lips. "Well Ms. Maya, I'm Noah, Nice to meet you." Noah held out his hand, Maya wrapped her hand around Noah, shaking it.