The water was cold today, sending chills down his exposed form. He had finally gotten a chance to go to the river, sinking into the frigid water. Reuben sighed, closing his eyes, sinking beneath the surface. It almost burned his skin, making his nerves stand on edge. He enjoyed these small moments away from the pack.

While he would do anything to keep them safe, he also needed a break from time to time. It was difficult being the alpha. He always had so much on his plate. Especially since the recent addition. That gangly man…Anders. Made his blood boil. At least in this cold river he could forget about him for a moment.

Reuben resurfaced, breathing in the chilled air. The forest was quiet today, the only sound he could hear being the ripple of water against his neck. His dark hair was slicked back, having fallen out of his normal bun. He could feel his chest hair matted against his body, keeping him somewhat warm.

He was about to sink into the water again when he suddenly smelt something. It reminded him of jasmine, albeit subtly. Like a soft hint of the flower mixed with a harsher pine smell. It wasn’t the forest, and something about it stirred the wolf within him. Reuben’s heart accelerated, and he snapped his head to the right, his eyes narrowed.

Standing there was a figure. As he laid eyes on them, Reuben felt his body light up. His neurons began firing, begging him to rush towards the figure and take them. Immediately his hackles raised. There was no way. They weren’t real, especially not for him.

He refused to accept his mate. Especially when they were human.