Wrong Turn, Right Path

Chapter 5 - Nate's POV

"I take it this is even more secret than Layl"

"Please don't mention her name again." He growled at me. "Yes this is more secret. I haven't told anyone about this, not even Amber. This is the one secret I've kept from her." He looked sad admitting he has kept a secret, a big one, from his mate.

"Okay man, I'll keep your secret." I said.

He didn't start talking right away and instead got himself another beer and one for me even though I hadn't finished my first one. I wasn't concerned with him getting drunk. Werewolves have extremely high metabolism so it takes a hell of a lot more than a few beers for us to even start to feel a buzz.

He sat back down and got a far away look in his eyes. "It was a crisp fall day during my junior year of college when I saw her across the quad. She was sitting under a tree with her head leaning against the trunk her eyes closed and a smile on her face. She was stunningly gorgeous. I walked over and introduced myself and we hit it off right away. We just, clicked. We spent everyday together. We watched movies, went dancing, went to parties. We were practically inseparable. We went to visit her family for spring break. Her Dad took me fishing. He thanked me for making his baby girl so happy. I loved her, I knew she wasn't my mate but I loved her. I hadn't told my parents about her. I hadn't told anyone. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops that I loved her but I felt like what we had was fleeting. I didn't want to let her go, I didn't want to lose the light that she brought into my life so I'd planned on going home and telling my Dad everything. I was going to ask permission to take her as my chosen mate and make her my Luna. I couldn't imagine that the mate bond could even come close to what I felt for her." He sighed with a look of heartbreak on his face.

"Why did you keep her a secret if she was so perfect for you?" I asked.

"Because she was human. I didn't even tell her I was a werewolf. I wanted to but until I got permission I couldn't. That was another reason why I wanted to talk to my Dad." he replied

"So what happened?" I knew this story did not have a happy ending, at least not for the human girl.

"Before I was able to schedule a trip home to talk to my parents the rogues attacked and my Dad was injured. When I came home I sent one last text to the girl telling her I made it safe and that I loved her. Then I walked through the door and there was Amber. My world shifted on its axis and Amber became my true north. After that everything happened so fast. My Dad passed, I became Alpha, the rogues kept attacking, Amber being my mate was the only thing keeping me sane. Her touch calmed my wolf and brought peace to my soul in away I never thought possible. By the time that I felt like I could come up for air I realized 3 months had passed. I in effect had ghosted that beautiful human. Shortly after my Dad passed I had a fit of rage and grief and I had broken my phone. When I got a new one not all of my contacts had transferred. She was one that was lost. I figured it was for the best. I had already mated and marked Amber so there was no place for that woman in my life anymore. Although occasionally she crosses my mind and I just pray to the Goddess that she has found love and happiness, she deserved that and so much more." he said with a glint in his eye that looked a lot like unshed tears.

"What was her name?" I wondered

"No, her name is for my memories, and mine alone." he answered

"Why did you tell me this story?" Sad as it is I don't see how it fits.

"All that to say I would have saved myself and that woman a lot of heartache and pain if I had just left her alone that day. If I had looked for my mate instead of filling my days with someone who I knew was not mine in the first place. I have felt love, but the love of a mate surpasses any other kind. There is nothing like it. Don't settle for a chosen mate, wait for your true Luna." He drained the last of his beer. "Okay enough of this mushy shit! What do you say we go out to the training fields and show those pups what Alphas can do?" He stands up quickly and starts walking towards the door.

 We spent the rest of the morning sparring and wrestling out on the training fields. By the time lunch was called I was completely exhausted. So after filling my belly, amongst complaints from Amber about my 'strong scent' I took another shower and crashed hard on my bed.