CHAPTER THREE

LUKE

Mia tried to distract herself from the pain of her broken heart by throwing herself into her work. She focused on her duties as a member of her pack but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the thought of Elijah from her mind. It seemed like everywhere she turned, she was reminded of him - the way he smiled, the way he smelled, the way he made her feel.

One day, as she was out patrolling the territory, she caught a glimpse of someone from the other pack that they had been in contact with. It was Luke the guy she had been crushing on for a while, but had never been able to approach because of her feelings for Elijah.

At first, she tried to ignore him and focus on her duties, but the frustration and sadness she felt from her situation with Elijah bubbled up inside her, and she found herself walking over to him.

"Hey," she said, trying to keep her voice casual.

"Hey," he replied, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

They talked for a while, and Mia found herself opening up to him in a way that she had never been able to with Elijah. She felt a connection with him that she had never felt before, and for the first time since Elijah had broken her heart, she felt a glimmer of hope.

As they parted ways, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew that there was something between her and the guy from the other pack, but she didn't know what it was or where it would lead.

All she knew was that, for the first time in a long time, she felt alive. She felt like there was a world of possibilities open to her, and she was ready to explore them.

As Mia continued to explore her feelings for the guy from the other pack, she found herself drawn to him in ways she had never experienced before. They would meet up secretly, sneaking away from their respective packs to spend time together in the woods. They talked about everything and nothing, but the connection between them was undeniable.

One night, as they were sitting by the fire, the air between them became charged with electricity. Mia could feel the tension building, and she knew that something was about to happen. The guy reached out and took her hand, and Mia felt a shiver run down her spine.

Without a word, he pulled her close, his lips capturing hers in a fierce kiss. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before - a raw, primal hunger that left her breathless. She melted into his embrace, their bodies pressed together as they explored each other's mouths with a passion that left them both reeling.

As the kiss deepened, Mia felt her inhibitions slip away. She wanted him - wanted him in a way that was almost painful. She reached up and ran her hands through his hair, pulling him closer as the fire between them continued to grow.

The night was filled with passion and desire and they knew that their love was forbidden, but in that moment, it didn't matter. All that mattered was the fierce connection between them, the way their bodies fit together perfectly, and the fire that burned between them.

As they continued to kiss each other, Mia and the guy from the other pack paused for a moment, their foreheads pressed together as they caught their breath. Mia looked into his eyes, and for the first time, she felt a sense of fear creeping in.

"What are we doing?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

He leaned in and kissed her gently, his hand stroking her hair. "We're exploring," he murmured against her lips. "We're living in the moment, and we're not thinking about tomorrow."

"But what happens tomorrow?" Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled softly, his eyes shining with love and desire. "Tomorrow, we'll deal with tomorrow. But tonight, let's just be here, together, in this moment."

Mia felt a sense of peace wash over her as she gazed into his eyes. In that moment, she knew that he was right. She couldn't control what would happen tomorrow, but she could control the way she felt right now. And right now, she felt alive - more alive than she had ever felt before.

With a smile, she leaned in and kissed him again, her heart filled with joy and passion. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be - in the arms of the person she loved, exploring the depths of their desire together.

With Luke, Mia felt alive in a way she had never experienced before. They laughed together, played together, and loved together. They were each other's everything, and nothing else seemed to matter.

As their relationship deepened, Mia knew that she had a decision to make. She couldn't keep seeing Luke in secret - she had to choose between him and her pack. It was a decision that would change her life forever, but she knew that she couldn't keep living a lie.

As they took a walk out of the woods back to town, Mia took a deep breath and looked into Luke's eyes. "I have to choose," she whispered. "I can't keep hiding like this."

Luke took her hand and kissed it gently. "I know," he murmured. "But whatever you choose, I'll be here for you. I love you, Mia."

Tears welled up in Mia's eyes as she realized how much she loved him in return. With a deep breath, she made her decision. She would leave her pack, leave everything she had ever known, and start a new life with Luke.

It was a risky move, but Mia knew in her heart that it was the right one. She was finally following her heart, and with Luke by her side, she knew that she could face at all.