Chapter 4 Brian's Crush

• Jennifer's POV:
• Brian was already twenty-six, and he had gone through his Coming of Age Ceremony long ago. By now, he should have taken over the pack, but he still hadn't found his mate.
• This concerned the entire pack. A pack without a Luna would see its strength cut in half, and that was disastrous for everyone. Our Alpha wanted to wait for Brian to find his mate before holding the Alpha Succession Ceremony for him.
• For now, Brian was the acting Alpha and assisted our Alpha with various matters. He was the most formidable werewolf our pack had ever seen. We all believed his Luna would be equally remarkable. Everyone eagerly awaited the day Brian would finally find his mate.
• "What are you daydreaming about? Get on." Brian's voice echoed through our telepathic connection. This time it sounded a little impatient.
• I knew now that beneath his cold exterior, Brian had a warm heart. He treated me like a sister, and that small kindness filled my heart with warmth. At least someone cared about me; someone still thought of me.
• At this thought, I reached out and touched Brian's back. His fur wasn't rough or messy; it was smooth and soft, exactly how I imagined it would feel in his wolf form. God, how I wish I could shift. Maybe, if I could, Claude wouldn't look down on me so much.
• Thinking of this made my heart ache again, but I didn't want Brian to worry. I swallowed back my tears and shook my head at him. "Brian, I'm feeling much better now. I can walk home by myself."
• Brian let out a low growl before lowering his head and pressing against my legs. His hot breath sent a shiver through me.
• He gave me another telepathic command, "Don't make me say it a third time!"
• "Okay, okay."
• I mumbled as I grabbed onto his fur. I knew that even if I refused, Brian had a thousand ways to throw me on his back. It would just be more embarrassing if I didn't comply now.
• Upon landing on its back, Brian swiftly raised his head and sprinted ahead. It moved like a lightning bolt through the forest. The speed was exhilarating. I clung tightly to his neck, feeling the wind whip against my face. It stung a little, but more than that, it was thrilling. I had never experienced anything like this before.
• I was an Omega, the weakest in the pack. Anyone could push me around. If Alpha hadn't taken me in after my father's disappearance, my life would have been miserable. However, I also knew that many in the pack didn't think I deserved to be the Alpha's adopted daughter. Alpha and Brian were strong, capable of fighting off creatures beyond imagining, while I ... I couldn't do anything.
• Before my Coming of Age Ceremony at eighteen, I had always looked forward to that day. I wanted to see what my wolf form would be like. I often fantasized about shifting into a wolf, running freely through the woods, fighting off intruders for the safety of the pack. I was willing to give everything, even my life, for the pack.
• Then that dream was shattered. At the ceremony, I didn't awaken my wolf. That meant I couldn't fight and didn't even have a chance to find my mate. After that, I distanced myself from Brian and his family. I didn't want to be a burden or an embarrassment to them.
• Brian raced tirelessly through the forest, the sound of startled birds and rustling leaves filling the air. As I rode on his back, I saw a world I had never known, and the overwhelming rush of emotions in my chest made me tear up. I couldn't help it.
• Claude had never taken me for a run like this. He only showed affection behind closed doors, and even then, it was rough. I didn't like it, but Claude always said it was because he loved me and couldn't wait to be with me.
• I didn't know how long we ran. Eventually, Brian brought me to the top of a mountain. He stopped at the cliff's edge. I sat on his back, unsure why he'd brought me here. Then I saw it: a streak of light piercing the dark sky, followed by the fiery sun rising over the horizon.
• Gosh! It's the sunrise!
• Brian have brought me here to see the sunrise!
• I had once mentioned how much I wanted to see the sunrise from this spot, but Claude had said it was too inconvenient for me in human form, and getting up early was too tiring.
• My eyes stung even more, and the tears came pouring out. I lifted my hand to wipe them away, but the more I wiped, the more tears seemed to flow.
• This was embarrassing. Brian probably thought I was weak, but why did my heart feel so warm?
• "Thank you, Brian." I choked out, burying my face in his fur to hide my tears. I could feel the wetness soaking into his fur, but I didn't care anymore. "You're so kind. I hope you find your mate soon."
• Once Brian found his mate, he could officially become the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack and solidify his strength. The stronger the werewolf, the more dangerous it became if they didn't find their mate.
• Brian didn't respond. I felt a pang of guilt. Maybe I had touched on something sensitive.
• Just as I was about to think of something to say to fix the awkward silence, Brian's voice echoed in my mind again, through our telepathic link, "I only hope my mate is the one in my heart."
• What?! Brian had someone he liked?
• "Who is it? Who's the person you have in your heart?" Curiosity immediately overtakes my sadness. Oh my god, Brian actually has someone he likes? This is unbelievable!
• "Jennifer," Brian said without hesitation, speaking directly into my mind.