Aldric could hardly believe his eyes. There she was, standing before him like a vision under the moonlight. She was human, but that didn't matter. The bond he felt was undeniable. His wolf stirred within him, recognizing his mate, and Aldric had to summon all his strength to keep his transformation at bay. He couldn't frighten her, not now.
"Who are you?" Clara asked, her voice trembling slightly, though it held a note of curiosity.
Aldric took a step forward, careful not to startle her. "My name is Aldric," he said, his voice deep and soothing. "And you… you are my fated mate."
Clara's eyes widened. "Mate? I don't understand."
"You may not understand it yet, but we are connected, you and I," Aldric explained, trying to find the right words to convey the depth of their bond. "It's something that goes beyond this world, something ancient and powerful."
Clara could feel the truth in his words, but her mind struggled to keep up with the emotions that surged through her. She had always been sensitive to others' feelings, but what she felt from Aldric was unlike anything she had ever experienced. It was as if his emotions were wrapping around her, pulling her into a warm embrace that made her feel safe and cherished.
"I can feel what you feel," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Your love… it's so strong."
Aldric nodded, taking another step closer. "It is. I've waited my entire life for you, and now that I've found you, I can't imagine being without you."
Clara's heart raced as she looked into his eyes. There was something in them that drew her in, something that made her want to trust him despite the impossibility of the situation. "But how can this be? We've never met before."
"Not in this life, no," Aldric said, his voice tinged with a sadness that made Clara's heart ache. "But our souls have always known each other. This is our time to be together."