Dana POV

　　"I want to start a new life with you. I want to experience what it feels like to be loved by someone who truly cares for me..." I whispered, allowing the words to flow from my heart and mind, knowing that I was speaking sincerely.

　　I didn't want to utter empty words; I was conveying my genuine feelings to him. Despite my hands trembling with nervousness, I remained steadfast in my truthfulness.

　　He pulled me closer, holding me tightly against his body. His words were filled with disbelief as he shook his head. "This feels like a dream..." he murmured, his hand slipping away from me.

　　"It feels like we've just met, and I don't want you to feel pressured or forced to like me back-" he began, but I interrupted him, reaching out to touch him in return. Despite the uncertainty, I felt a sense of comfort in his presence, and as our eyes met, I confessed, "I already told you what I feel, Bathel. I like you too."

　　"You're testing me..." he whispered, his tone tinged with a mix of disbelief and desire as he pushed me against the wall.

　　I yielded to his advance, allowing him to press me against the wall. With a surge of boldness, I reached out and grabbed his necktie, pulling him closer as I kissed his lips passionately. He responded eagerly, and our kiss deepened, consuming us both in the moment. With closed eyes, I pushed aside any thoughts of the past, focusing only on the intense connection shared between Bathel and me, leaving behind all memories of moments with Ares.

　　Amid our passionate embrace, my thoughts were consumed entirely by Bathel. Every touch, every kiss, sent waves of pleasure coursing through my body, and I found myself completely lost in the moment.

　　His hands caressed my waist, igniting a fire within me, while his lips trailed lower, planting tender kisses on my neck. I closed my eyes, unable to contain a soft moan as I surrendered to the sensations enveloping me.

　　"You're running out of time," I gasped, the urgency in my voice heightening as he continued to explore and tantalize me.

　　It's my weakness. Neck kisses.

　　As he abruptly halted his ministrations, confusion swept over me. I couldn't fathom what had prompted him to cease, but the need within me still burned fiercely. My wolf was in heat, and the overwhelming sensation left me feeling drained and vulnerable.

　　"What are you doing?" I inquired, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

　　Pressing his forehead to mine, he spoke softly, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

　　I stole a fleeting kiss from his lips, my desire evident in the gesture. "I want this," I affirmed, reaching out to trace his lips with my fingertips. He responded with another kiss, filled with passion, though it was all too brief.

　　"I want you to think more about it, Dana," he urged gently. "I want us to get to know each other better. There are things I still want to experience with you." His words held a depth of meaning that I couldn't fully grasp, but I understood the underlying message.

　　He wasn't ready to take our relationship to a more intimate level, and I respected his honesty and restraint. My desperation had clouded my judgment, but he was right to encourage patience and deliberation.

　　Nodding in agreement, I offered a shy smile, feeling somewhat awkward. His hand gently gripped my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze.

　　"I want to see you tonight," he declared, glancing at his wristwatch to check the time.

　　I nodded, returning his smile.

　　"Alpha? You're 10 minutes late, we have to go now," Adrian interjected upon entering the room.

　　"I'll be there," Bathel replied, unfazed by the interruption. I could sense the surprise on Adrian's face at the sight of us in such proximity.

　　"So..." I murmured, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of seeing him later.

　　He kissed my lips before stepping away with a nod, leaving me feeling breathless and flushed.

　　"Oh my God," I whispered to myself, my heart still racing as I watched him depart. "He's meant to be..."

　　As I made my way to the pack's lobby, Xia's exclamation, "He's a second chance mate!" filled me with a sense of joy and hope for the future.

　　As I pondered the possibilities, uncertainty gnawed at me. Could I truly be Bathel's chosen mate, or was I merely a temporary distraction until his true mate ascended to the role of Luna? The thought left me feeling uneasy, and my nerves only heightened when I spotted Anna standing, engaged in conversation with Bathel before he departed with his beta.

　　Approaching her cautiously, I stood beside her, bracing myself for the conversation that lay ahead.

　　"How have you been?" Anna asked, her gaze fixed elsewhere.

　　"We talked so well..." I replied, recalling our previous interactions with a hint of happiness.

　　Abruptly, she turned to me, her expression one of confusion. "What happened to you?" she inquired.

　　Perplexed, I shrugged. "What do you mean?" I asked, uncertain of where she was going with this.

　　"You look like a mess. Your hair is disheveled, and you're sweaty," she remarked, her tone laced with disgust as she gave me a disdainful look. My throat tightened, and I instinctively ran a hand through my hair in an attempt to smooth it down.

　　I chuckled at her assumption. "No, no one attacked me, especially not those girls," I assured her, still amused by the thought.

　　She nodded, seemingly relieved. "Well, it's nice to hear that," she mumbled.

　　"Thanks," I replied with a smile.

　　"But you should go fix yourself. I have something to attend to, and you can resume training," she suggested.

　　I nodded in agreement, grateful for the chance to compose myself. "Of course," I replied, rising to my feet and preparing to rectify my appearance before continuing with my activities.

　　Feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension, I took a deep breath as I picked up the letter that awaited me in my room.

　　"You should see me at 8 PM tonight."