Helpless that's what she felt, but using that on her family isn't want she wants.
" I'm sorry Ethan for my tone"
Ethan nodded quietly, understanding. He knew that words weren't always enough to fix the pain she felt. "I'll let you be. Just... please try to talk to someone, okay?"
He turned to leave, but Sarah reached out and grabbed his arm, her eyes filled with a quiet pleading. "Stay with me for a little longer," she said, her voice barely a whisper, laden with the weight of unspoken thoughts.
Ethan nodded and sat down beside her on the ground, the two of them sitting in silence as the moments stretched on. The silence around them was deafening.
Sarah felt the familiar ache in her heart, her wolf pacing uneasily within her. The restless energy inside her refused to settle, its frustration growing by the minute. The longer she stood there, the more it felt like she was suffocating under the weight of her own thoughts.
Her thoughts drifted again, this time to the many nights she had spent dreaming of her mate. She had seen his face, though it was always a blur, always just out of reach. In her dreams, she could feel the strength of the connection, the warmth of his touch, but anytime she reached for it, it slips away.
For a long time, they sat there in silence, neither of them saying anything. The wind began to pick up, carrying with it the scent of the forest and the promise of something new on the horizon. But for Sarah, the horizon felt distant, a place that seemed unreachable.
How much longer would she have to wait? Her body ached, her wolf restless, but there was no relief in sight.
Sarah felt like pouring out her feelings but she wasn't sure if talking would do any good, but she knew he was right. Her mother had been through the same thing waiting for her mate, longing for the connection that hadn't come easily. Perhaps talking to her might help Sarah understand the uncertainty she felt.
As Ethan walked away, Sarah remained standing, her eyes fixed on the vast expanse of trees in front of her. Her thoughts drifted once more to her mate. She didn't know who he was, or even where he was, but every fiber of her being longed to find him. To feel the pull, to sense the bond that was supposed to complete her. It was a desire that burned through her, one that would not be extinguished.
Her mind wandered to the countless times she had heard the stories the tales of the instant connection, the overwhelming sense of rightness when a mate was found. Every time she had listened, a small pang of jealousy would twist in her chest. To have that connection, that certainty, that knowing, would be like finally breathing after holding your breath for too long.
But no matter how much she yearned for it, it hadn't come. Her dreams had been filled with shadows, faces that blurred away before she could fully see them. Her heart had reached out, only to grasp at emptiness. Her packmates had found their other halves, and Sarah had watched, feeling left behind, like an outsider in her own life. Yet, she couldn't shake the deep-rooted belief that something was missing, that she was meant to find someone.
The days passed, and as they did, Sarah tried to ignore the ache in her chest. She had duties, responsibilities to her family, to the pack. She could keep busy, keep her mind occupied. But when the sun dipped low and the quiet of the night set in, it was there again, the deep yearning, the endless waiting. It would come with the quiet stillness, making the emptiness feel like a weight.
Her mind kept returning to the scent, the way it lingered on the breeze when she walked through the trees. There were moments when she thought she could almost feel a presence just out of reach, a sensation that made her skin prickle, but it was always fleeting, like a half-formed dream.
"Maybe this mate thing it's not meant for me," she whispered softly to herself.
Her wolf, as though sensing her words, stirred restlessly beneath the surface. It had been silent for most of the day, but now it seemed to awaken, pacing with agitation. Sarah could feel the frustration within her, the longing, the anxiety that gripped both her and her wolf. Every time the connection felt just within her grasp, it slipped away, like chasing after something in the dark. Her wolf was tired of waiting, of the silence that stretched out endlessly between them.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard footsteps approaching from behind. She turned to see her mother, a woman with a quiet strength, standing at the edge of the clearing.
"Sarah," her mother called softly. "I thought I might find you here."
Sarah gave a weak smile. "I needed some space."
Her mother, standing tall and graceful, didn't press further. She understood Sarah better than anyone. After all, she had once stood in her daughter's shoes, having waited for her mate just as Sarah had been waiting now. But her mother had been lucky she had found him.
"I brought you something," her mother said, holding out a small bundle wrapped in cloth.
Curious, Sarah accepted it, unwrapping it carefully. Inside was a beaded bracelet with a small gemstone embedded in the center.
"It's beautiful," Sarah murmured, tracing her fingers over the smooth surface. She looked up at her mother.
"Why did you...?"
Her mother smiled, a sad, knowing smile. "It was mine when I was your age. It's meant to remind you that even when things seem uncertain, even when you don't understand why things aren't falling into place, there is a path waiting for you. Your mate will come when the time is right."
"I don't know if I believe that anymore," Sarah whispered, the weight of the words heavier than she expected.
Her mother didn't respond immediately. Instead, she placed a gentle hand on Sarah's shoulder, her grip firm and warm. "I know it's hard. I can see how much this is hurting you. But I promise you, the wait will be worth it. And in the meantime, I'll be here. Your family will be here. You're not alone."
The words felt comforting, but they didn't ease the storm within Sarah. She hugged her mother tightly, feeling the softness of the embrace, but all the while, the ache in her chest remained.
The night fell, and Sarah found herself wandering the forest once more, unable to sit still, her mind racing. There was something about the forest that always calmed her, the rustle of the leaves, the chirping of the night creatures, the whisper of the wind. It helped ground her when everything inside her felt unsteady.
But tonight was different. As she walked deeper into the woods, the air seemed to change. It was almost as if something had shifted, the scent of the trees, of the earth, now mingled with something new. A scent so faint at first, she almost dismissed it. But it was there, subtle yet undeniable a rich, earthy musk that made her heart beat faster.
She paused, taking in a deep breath. The scent was unmistakable now. It wasn't like anything she had smelled before, and yet, it was so familiar. It was almost as if it called to her, beckoning her to come closer.
Her pulse quickened. She couldn't explain it, but there was an undeniable pull, something in the air that made everything inside her stutter to a halt. It was like a thread had suddenly connected her to something,someone,far away. She couldn't see it, but she felt it, a quiet hum in her veins, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to unfold.
Her wolf stirred once more, anxious, hopeful, but still silent, as if it, too, was trying to make sense of the sensation. Sarah felt a shiver run down her spine as the air seemed to thicken. She tried to push it away, to ignore the growing anticipation that had taken root within her. But the pull only deepened, the tug on her soul stronger than before.
She looked around, searching the trees, trying to catch sight of whatever was drawing her. But the forest remained still, dark and quiet, hiding whatever mystery lay within.
The silence stretched on, and Sarah couldn't help but wonder if it was all just her imagination, or if this was the beginning of the end of her wait. But deep down, she knew one thing for sure whatever this was, it wasn't just a fleeting sensation.
It was real. And it was calling to her, the connection she so desperately longed for. She didn't know what would happen next, but one thing was clear she couldn't keep living in this state of restless longing.
The silence of the forest surrounded her, but the storm inside her was far from over.