Dear Mate, You're Mine！

The meeting.

LEON’S POV

The pack banquet was in full swing, the lights dazzling and music weaving a melodious spell over the guests. They were dressed in their finest attire, laughter and conversation filling the space. To everyone else, it was a grand celebration. To me, however, it felt particularly dull.

I stood on the outskirts, nursing a drink and watching the festivities with a sense of detachment. Suddenly, Ryan, my wolf, stirred within me.

"Mate," he whispered, with excitement. My heart skipped a beat. I began scanning the crowd, my eyes searching for the source of this sudden revelation.

And then, I saw her.

Amidst the sea of elegantly dressed guests, she stood out like a beacon of light. Irene. The world around her seemed to blur and fade, leaving only her in sharp focus. My emotions surged, with curiosity and undeniable attraction. She was stunning, her presence commanding my attention entirely.

Ryan urged me forward.

"Go to her," he insisted. But I hesitated. She was the Luna of Matthew’s pack, my mortal enemy. The Moon Goddess had a cruel sense of humor, it seemed. Why would fate arrange for a woman from my arch enemy’s pack to be my Mate? For goodness' sake, why would Mathew's wife be my mate?

My mind raced with questions, but my heart, and Ryan, were both clear in their intent.

"She’s ours," Ryan growled softly, filled with possessive desire.

As if sensing my turmoil, Irene began to walk towards me. My breath hitched, and my pulse quickened. The closer she got, the more I could smell her scent – a blend of sweetness and warmth that made me feel both calm and desirous.

She was now only a few feet away, and it felt as though the entire room had vanished, leaving just the two of us. Our eyes locked, and I saw a flicker of recognition in her gaze. Did she feel it too? The bond, the pull that drew us together?

"Hello," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

"Hi," she replied, her voice soft yet firm. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue, filled with a mix of curiosity and caution. What was she doing here in the first place?

"I’m Leon," I introduced myself nevertheless, extending a hand.

"Irene," she responded, taking my hand. The touch sent a jolt through my system, and I could see the same reaction in her eyes.

The moment was charged, the air between us thick with unspoken words and emotions. I struggled to find the right thing to say, torn between my duty as an Alpha and the overwhelming desire to get to know her.

"Enjoying the banquet?" I asked, more to break the silence than out of genuine curiosity. I had nothing sensible to say to her asides that. Weird!

"It’s... lively," she replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. "But I’m not much for these kinds of events."

I nodded, understanding perfectly. "Neither am I. Too much pomp and not enough substance."

Her smile widened, and I felt a strange sense of pride at making her smile.

"Exactly," she agreed. "I prefer quieter places."

The conversation flowed easily, and I found myself drawn to her even more. She was intelligent, kind, and had a quiet strength that intrigued me. But the reality of our situation loomed over us. She was part of Matthew’s pack, and I had to know more about her situation.

"So, what's the Luna of my enemy's pack doing here? Without an escort at that?" I ventured. It was time to get right into it.

"Guess it really took you long to ask the important thing," she replied, her eyes meeting mine with genuine interest.

She took a deep breath, and I could see the sense some uneasiness before she even spoke.

"Are you uncomfortable?" I blurted out unreasonably. Dammit! Ryan didn't let me a chance without pressuring me about her.

"Not that, actually. I just don't know how you're going to take what I'll tell you." She said. From the way she talked, it was obvious that something was wrong and different. Her being there in the first place said a lot.

"Then, let's have it."

"I need your cooperation to achieve a revenge plan." Nice! She shot her words out swiftly.

"Okay, that was a bit unexpected."

“Leon, you might not know this, but—” her voice resonated with the pain of betrayal. “Matthew... he betrayed me.”

Her confession hung in the air, and I felt a flicker of joy at the prospect of Matthew’s downfall, quickly replaced by a burning anger. How could he do this to her? To my Mate? Sympathy surged within me, along with a strong urge to protect her, to comfort her in any way I could. But I knew I had to be careful. I didn’t want to scare her away. Neither have I confirmed the credibility of her words.

Irene continued, her voice firm. “That said, I have information that can destroy Matthew. I need your help to fight against him. Here,”

I looked at her, my eyes searching hers, and slowly extended my hand. She placed a small USB drive into it, our fingers briefly touching. The jolt of the bond between us was unmistakable. I held the drive, feeling its while thinking of what it probably contained.

“Why do you think I should help you?” I asked with a stone cold glare.

She met my gaze, her eyes filled with a mixture of desperation and resolve.

“Because Matthew is a threat to both of us,” she began. “He’s not just a personal enemy. He’s a danger to everyone who opposes him. You’ve seen his actions, his ruthlessness. If he continues with everything going his way, it won’t just be my life he destroys. It could be yours too. And your pack.”

Her words resonated with me. Matthew’s ambition and lack of morality had been a thorn in my side for years. But hearing it from Irene, knowing the personal cost she had paid, made it all the more real.

“He’s betrayed me in the worst way possible,” Irene continued, her voice trembling slightly. “He cheated on me with my own sister, and now he’s thrown me out, calling me unfit to be his Luna. I need to make sure he pays for what he’s done to me.”

I clenched my jaw, anger flaring at the thought of Matthew’s uncalled for attitude.

We talked for a little while longer, discussing the specifics of the information she had and how we could use it to bring Matthew down as she tried to convince me into helping her.

From the way she talked, I could deduce that Irene was smart and resourceful, and I admired her strength in the face of such betrayal.

Eventually, she had to leave.

“I need to go,” she said softly. “Check it, you'll know if I'm bluffing or not.”

I nodded, watching her as she walked away. My mind was racing, filled with thoughts of what kind of woman she was, the strength she possessed despite everything she said had endured. She definitely would be a force to be reckoned with.

As the door closed behind her, I stared at the USB drive in my hand, lost in thought. This woman, my Mate, had come to me with a plea for help and a plan for revenge. Has the time finally come?