---- 18 The car slowly stopped at the research institute entrance, but I suddenly grabbed onto the car door with both hands, my knuckles white from gripping so hard. "Garrett, let's wait a bit longer. I... I'm not ready yet." My heart was racing like I'd just finished a sprint. The thought of meeting a potential mate-someone Garrett had specifically chosen for me-made my stomach twist with anxiety. Garrett's eyes darkened, his expression becoming more serious than I'd seen in years. His tone carried unwavering firmness. "No, Sage. He's been waiting for you for a very long time. Now that he's finally got the chance to see you, we can't make him wait any longer." Something in his voice made me pause. There was an intensity there that seemed almost... personal. I froze, studying his face. "Waiting for me for a long ---- time? Does that mean he's... had a crush on me for a while?" "You could say that," Garrett replied carefully, his jaw tense. "How long?" I pressed. "Since I left for the northern territories? Or longer?" Garrett didn't answer directly. Instead, he got out and walked around to my side with determined steps. "Garrett, I'm serious. I need to know more about him before-" He opened my door and gently but firmly pulled me out. "You'll understand everything soon enough." Panic fluttered in my heart like a caged bird. I couldn't resist his Alpha strength, and despite my protests, I had to follow him toward the building. "At least tell me his name," I tried one last time. "Or what pack he's from?" "Patience, Sage," Garrett said, his voice softer now. " Trust me." ---- Pushing open the protective door to the top floor, my pupils contracted in amazement. The space was incredible-full-spectrum experimental lights were evenly distributed across the ceiling, casting perfect illumination over everything. Corrosion-resistant workbenches were arranged in neat rows, each equipped with the latest healing technology. A holographic anatomy projection platform was suspended in the center, displaying a detailed wolf anatomy that rotated slowly. But what really took my breath away was seeing the portable healing device prototype sitting next to the gene sequencer. I'd only mentioned it once, casually, ina letter last year. "Garrett, this is... amazing!" I couldn't help but exclaim, temporarily forgetting my nervousness as I moved deeper into the lab. "This equipment is worth more than most pack's entire medical budgets!" Garrett smiled, and for a moment, his expression was purely proud and indulgent. "I'm glad you like it. I ---- wanted everything to be perfect for you." "Perfect for me?" I turned to look at him curiously. " But I thought this was for the pack's healers?" "It is," he said quickly. "But you're our most important healer." He turned toward the door, suddenly seeming almost nervous himself. "I'll go bring him over. Take a good look around and see if there's anything that needs changing or if you want anything else added." Inodded, still overwhelmed by the generosity of the setup. "Garrett, you didn't have to do all this just to impress a potential mate. This must have cost-" "Don't worry about the cost," he cut me off gently. " Nothing is too expensive when it comes to your happiness." After he left, I couldn't help but explore every inch of my new research lab. I ran my fingers over the smooth surfaces of the workbenches, tested the precision of the measuring instruments, and marveled at the advanced gene sequencer that most