Instead of calming him, talking and skyping with his mate was making him even more impatient. He wanted to hold her in his arms, needed to lose himself in the warmth of her body as he sated the deep need that was riding every instant of his existence. Hearing her sweet voice everyday was slowly driving him mad. Seeing her over the screen was an exquisite form of torture.

He wouldn't traded it though so he chose to train more to release his pent up energy. He wanted to at least be somewhat sane when at last he met her, when her scent would overwhelm him and all he'd want was to tear her clothes off. She was too innocent not to be scared by that.

For now he did everything he could to appear normal when he talked to her. Like he wasn't watching her lips and imagining them wrapped around his cock. Watching the stretch of her top across her breast and picturing them bared for his pleasure.

Gritting his teeth, he tried to concentrate on his routine, going through the forms of his kata. It was a powerful form that was meant to expend energy and hopefully leave him mellow for when he'd speak with Cari later on.

"Andreas." He jumped as the king's voice intruded on him. He grit his teeth, realizing that once again he'd lost awareness of his environment.

"Sire." He acknowledged as he turned to face the king.

Come." The king said. "I will spar with you."

Andre raised a brow at that. He'd never sparred with his grandfather before. He knew the king was a better warrior than him, with more experience. He was going to enjoy this. Just the challenge he needed.

Grinning at the king, a menacing grin, he got into a fighting stance. As irrational and idiotic as it was, he blamed his grandfather. He could've been in the highlands by now, with his mate. Instead he was performing meaningless duties that didn't really require him and could wait.

His grandfather favored the high guard stance with forward weighting. Andre raised a brow at that. He'd thought the king with his muscular bulk would've favored the low stance and not the more agile one. Then he remembered his fighting master telling him never to make assumptions of an opponent.

When the king attacked, he revised his opinion that his larger built made him slower. Andre had a muscular but athletic figure and was a bit taller than his grandfather. His body was as agile as it was strong, the king was stronger.

He quickly found himself on the defensive, realizing just as quick that he was vastly outmatched. All he could manage to do was defend himself with the king not giving him an opportunity to attack.

He danced away from the powerful, precise strikes. Dodging and just managing to stay on his feet. He felt himself being driven into a corner but was powerless to stop it. Every other avenue was blocked.

As he managed to block the king's strikes he felt the power in them vibrate through his body. Soon enough, some of the king's strikes were connecting. Andre had never been hit as hard could never have dreamt a punch could be that painful.

He soldiered on, delaying the inevitable just for his pride's sake. His wolf came to the fore, also unwilling to give in. Though he was more powerful than his grandfather, he was outclassed.

At last, his grandfather delivered a quick succession of punches and kicks that left him on the floor and unable to get up. Only then did he realize his grandfather had been taking it easy on him. He also realized they had a silent audience to their fight.

Once again, Andre had failed to be aware of his surrounding. Inward he cursed as he groaned and closed his eyes, lying on his back. Breathing hurt, he was sure a couple of his ribs were broken and his right shoulder was at an odd angle.

Without preamble, his grandfather caught his arm and popped it back into place. Biting his teeth to stop himself from screaming, Andre growled. A low threat that had his grandfather raising a challenging brow.

Yeah, he wasn't going to rise up to that. Not when he hadn't even landed a single punch on the ginormous brute. "What lessons have you learned?" The king demanded.

"That you're the head Alpha." He gritted out.

His grandfather dismissed that with an arrogant wave. "That is a given."

Andre couldn't think. "What am I supposed to have learned?" He asked instead.

"That you should never let anger be the reason you fight. It defeats you before you even start. That you shouldn't make assumptions about people's style and ability. And that you're still very much a pup. But most of all, you've learned that I will not allow you to terrorize my pack."

Damnit! He had been in control of his emotions! Hadn't he? After the talk with his grandmother, Andre had kept himself on check especially with talking to Cari. Well maybe not that much if he was losing his mind with his need for her. He sighed his defeat.

The king patted him on the cheek, stood up then walked away. As he passed through the door, his retinue that had witnessed the fight fell in behind him. None of them sparing him a glance or saying anything.

Until his fighting master and his two friends were all that was left. Andre closed his eyes again, not wanting to face the humiliation he'd just received. Their association with humans sometimes led weres Andre's age to believe they were more grown than they were. With how long their kind lived, Andre was still very much a pup and he'd been reminded rather brutally.

"Get up!" His fighting master commanded.

With another groan, Andre livered himself up. His right leg gave out and he stiffened it, wincing as pain raced up his thigh muscle. He could feel his ribs mending themselves and it was much worse than when they'd been broken.

He breathed thorough his mouth to contain the pain and stop the scream that wanted to escape. Putting much of his weight on his other leg he ground his teeth through the healing of his leg until he could stand in it. As a royal he healed faster than any other were but still his muscles were really sore and his bruises still evident.

"Now that you're all healed up, we'll train. I don't ever want to witness or hear about another such humiliating fight. What must the king and everyone else think of my teaching skills when you couldn't even land a punch!" The master shouted.

Andre doubted even his teacher could've done much against the brute that was the king. He might've landed some punches but he'd have lost.

"Yo do know the king wasn't even trying right?" His teacher demanded.

"Yes sir." He agreed.

"Now, we will not leave this arena until the three of you have managed to put me on my back. Just once."

Andre felt his wolf try to come forth and tear into the man. He clenched his teeth as he fought to reason with and control the beast. They had planned to call their mate within the hour, had already set up the date. Their relationship was still new, still fragile. She was still fragile and might think he'd stood her up.

The master watched him as he struggled to control his wolf, unafraid. While his wolf would never be a match for Andre's, should he ever attack the master would mind link the king as his alpha. Andre would be in the dungeons faster than he could stammer an explanation.

Three months, the amount of time a royal would spend in the dungeons for unlawfully attacking a pack member. It was steep and could be increased per case but it was a deterrent as the royal line was a single line with no spare heirs. Which meant they couldn't afford a royal killing. If he attacked, he'd miss seeing Cari in two days. His talks with her would be limited to only the amount that'd keep him sane.

His wolf whined and completely backed off at that thought. "Yes master. May I sent a quick text to my mate?" He tried to sound humble, he really did, but his voice came out as a growl. The master nodded his ascent and Andre made his stiff way to his bag.

Sorry love, I won't be able to make our date. My training master has us training for the next couple of hours.

He sent then waited as she typed her reply, then smiled as he read it.

Please don't get hurt.

Are you doubting my warrior skills? )-:

No, I hate the thought of you being hurt. She quickly sent back.

I won't risk not meeting you in two days.

I can't wait either.

"Andreas!" The master called to him.

I have to go love. Know that I cannot wait to have you in my arms.

Neither can I. Bye.

Bye.

***

They landed after a six hour trip and Andre wasn't looking forward to the two hour road trip ahead of her. The airstrip was in the middle of nowhere, the only flat plane in miles. He remembered the rough terrain that was to come and how uncomfortable it'd be.

Everyone wanted to take a break but there wasn't anywhere to rest. Aside from the airstrip everything else was mountains. Heights that defied logical understanding of possibility. He'd enjoyed them ten years back and knowing his mate awaited within their embrace he was eager to tackle them. His companions, not so much.

He could see most of them intimidated by the cluster of imposing mountains. The castle was surrounded by mountains and was in a lush magical valley. These though, dwarfed the serene mountains of his packlands. These were stolid, a testament to hardiness that stood still against the tide. They intimidated even the werewolves, beings that should've been at home in the wilds.

"I can see why the highlands pack members rarely come to the capital." Gabris said over his shoulder as he took in the rugged scenery. "Everything else must seem small and tame after this."

"Ya," Richard agreed. "Your mate must be expecting a pampered little boy playing royal guard." He teased.

His wolf leapt to being the dominant personality so fast he didn't even have the time to register. With a growl he lunged at Richard while still in human form. His friend, being the warrior that he was, managed to evade the attack. Rich immediately fell to his knees and bared his neck in submission as far as it could go. He didn't make a sound as he waited.

Andre stopped in his tracks, everything in him wanting to open up the jugular vein exposed. Was that why his true mate had set him aside? Would Cari do the same? He refused to lose her!

"Andre catch!" A voice he'd never heard before intruded and he turned to it with a low growl.

He easily caught the thing flying towards him. A pink blur that gave to the force of his hand. His eyes snapped to the tall bulky young beta who'd dared to disrespect him and bared his teeth, ready to fight. Then the sweetest scent he'd ever had the pleasure of coming across assaulted him, unmanned him.

It was like raw juicy strawberries under the gentle embrace of a light summer rain whilst the sun still graced the day. It held the promise of carefree days in that rain, under that sun whilst enjoying the sweet taste of nature. It calmed him, called to him.

"Lan?" Someone questioned.

"It's Cari's sweater, the one she was wearing yesterday. I figured he'd be on a hair's trigger by now."

His mate's sweater. He took a deep breath to savor it, to bask in the calm it provided. Goddess it was the most divine scent! He couldn't wait to meet her, to touch her. To lose himself inside her.

"You actually came up with that on your own?" The other voice cut in, incredulous.

"You wound me cousin." Lan mocked.

"Just stating facts."

"No, you're just jealous." He sighed dramatically. "It's so hard being both smart and good looking. Lesser men are always so jealous."

Andre tuned them out as he held the soft fabric to him. His mate was so close and everything in him was fighting to bridge the distance between them as soon as possible. Only the members of the Nightwolf and Darkpaws packs were setting up refreshments for them under already set up tents. Andre was amazed at his quickly those tents had come up.

Werewolves were generally big boned but as he watched these mountain pack members he realized they were a bit bigger than his pack mates. Their physique was more muscular, yet they were built for speed. Somehow they reminded him of his grandfather's built. Though the king was bulkier.

He hoped his mate wouldn't be as big boned. Her picture had showed a curvier smaller frame with delicate fine features that showed a mixed heritage of some kind. Her fine eyes hadn't had the hardness that seemed to characterize the mountain packs. Though strength of will still echoed in their sad depths.

All he wanted was to erase the echo he'd still seen even as a tentative hope bloomed as they got to know each other. He went through the motions as Cari's cousin and brother introduced themselves. Since he was posing as a mere guard he didn't warrant an introduction to the Alphas and Gammas that came to escort them. Vin and Lan pointed them out and Andre pretended to memorize them while concentrating on his mate's scent.

"I'm sorry." He said to Rich at some point when it was just the two of them.

His friend grimaced. "I should've had enough sense not to tease you." Richard stated. "You're not in the frame of mind to accept he joke."

Andre grunted his agreement still feeling a bit ashamed of his lack of control. He was getting worse and just hoped he wouldn't end up hurting his mate. She was so innocent and would need him to be more controlled. As he watt to eat food he couldn't taste he tried to talk his wolf down from his raging eagerness for their mate. Though he himself was no better.

He looked down at the sweater he still gripped in his hand and isolated it's scent to help him calm. Only it triggered his need to bury himself inside her, to inhale the core source of that delicate scent. He was in trouble and his mate might end up being the one to suffer.