Fated To Love Again

Evelyn's POV

"I'm getting married."

The words tumbled out of my lips as I announced the news to Sophia.

"No freaking way!" Sophia gasped, practically lunging across the table to grab my hand. "Victor finally did it? Tell me everything—how, where, what did the ring look like?"

"Victor proposed last night," I said, holding out my hand so Sophia could get a better look at the ring.

"Future Alphas from two powerful packs? You and Victor are basically a political love story waiting to happen," Sophia teased.

"Yeah, I know," I said. He's the most suitable choice. He is strong, capable, the kind of Alpha wolves respect without question. Even if we're not fated mates, he checks every box.

I didn't hesitate when he asked me last night. It just felt... expected.

'We still haven't found our mate!' Ava growled in my head, her voice sharp with frustration.

'Don't start again,' I sighed inwardly, trying to keep my thoughts level. 'You know Father would never let us marry anyone else.'

Ava let out a low, dissatisfied rumble, but she didn't argue, she knew I was right. This wedding… it wasn't just about me. It was about duty. Politics. Strengthening the Pack's future.

But Ava couldn't let go of the dream, the mate bond we never had. Ever since I accepted Victor's proposal last night, she'd brought it up more times than I could count, like she thought sheer stubbornness would summon him out of air.

'Even so,' she snapped, 'don't think I'm giving up on finding our mate before the wedding. You don't think Victor's a little… off?'

Though, if I'm being honest, there was something a little off about Victor. A stiffness. Like he was playing a role someone had rehearsed with him.

But that's fine. I'll just take it as the first time in his life he's ever had to kneel in front of someone. Just take of it as his first proposal.

My father's already talking about the wedding like it's going to be the event of the century—something that'll shake the entire Pack alliance. I can already foresee what the scene will be like at that time.

"So, you will be my bridesmaid," I said, glancing at her with a small smile.

She rolled her eyes, but her lips curved up. "As if that was ever a question."

Sophia was my best friend, my future Beta—the sister I never had. So of course, she was the first one I asked.

Then she smirked. "Though… if Eliza were still around, maybe you'd be hesitating right now."

I let out a soft laugh. "You're impossible."

Eliza was our close friend back in university. She's no longer part of our pack now—married into another, far from here. I wonder if she'll come back for the wedding. I'll surely send her an invitation, of course.

She was one of the very few who knew about me and Nathan.

The boy who shattered me. The one who showed me a kind of passion no one else ever could.

If Nathan had returned back then… maybe something different now.

"In college, you two were practically inseparable. Honestly, sometimes it felt like you liked her more than me."

"She helped me sneak out to see Nathan back then."

"Eliza helped you sneak out?"

I nodded. "Talking about it now brings back so many memories. I had to be careful, you know? My father would've lost his mind if he found out."

Sophia smirked, crossing her arms. "I thought she had replaced me," she teased.

I reached out and lightly tapped her arm—"You'll always be my best friend."

Back then, every moment with Nathan felt like stolen time, but worth everything. He made me feel fearless. We never had the chance to see what could've been, and sometimes I wonder… if he had lived, would I even be here, planning a wedding to someone else?

But there's no point in thinking about all this now. I should just think about how to make Ava accept the relationship between Victor and me.

Then my phone buzzed on the table.

I glanced down. My father.

I hesitated, then answered.

"Evelyn," he said the moment the call connected, voice crisp and commanding. "Victor and I were just finalizing a few details for the ceremony—wanted your input."

Victor chimed in immediately after. "We're thinking late summer, maybe at the lakehouse estate. Feels symbolic, right? New beginnings by the water."

I gave a polite hum, trying to keep my voice steady. "Sounds nice."

"What kind of flowers do you think would be better?" my father asked. "I think jasmine would be more elegant, but Victor prefers violets."

I didn't even have time to answer.

Because something shifted.

A prickling sensation raced up my spine, electric and sharp, and then Ava stirred—hard.

'Evelyn.'

Her voice was low, urgent.

'Something's here.'

I froze.

My fingers clenched around the phone. My breath hitched.

And then it hit me.

That scent.

Warm, rich, intoxicating, smoky and sweet, like coconut laced with aged tequila. The world narrowed, tunneled into that single inhale.

'Mate!' Ava howled inside me, her voice wild and aching.

My pulse spiked. My throat dried. I nearly dropped the phone.

Not now. Not here.

Voices still filtered through the phone—Victor, my father—but they might as well have been miles away. I couldn't hear them anymore.

Because Ava was clawing her way to the surface.

And all I could think was—

He's here.

Our mate is here.

-Seven years ago-

Evelyn's POV

I laid on the bed, with my body still trembling, my breaths rising and dropping quickly as if I'd just run a marathon.

Maybe I had, though it wasn't the kind measured by miles.

I gazed at Nathan as my hand moved to softly brush the scar on his side.

"The scar seems to have become a little lighter," I said.

His Adam's apple bobs and his eyes narrowed before he says, "Those injuries happened a long time ago."

"Protect yourself and don't get hurt again." I said, "My wolf is coming, I can feel it..."

Beside me, his arm draped over my waist, pulling me closer as I felt his warm skin on mine. His hands slid over my waist.

Our faces are so close, I could feel his breath on my face, and it was filled with the fresh scent of mint, which made me break out in a sweat.

Nathan's hand lifts, fingers brushing a strand of hair behind my ear before trailing down to rest at the curve of my jaw. "Do you ever