Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Every girl dreams of their high-school prom and I was no exception. My friends are I were getting ready to go dress shopping but my parents were just not understanding how important this was to me! They believe I should refrain from doing anything that could affect my imagine and cause any negative attention to our family name. Apparently, being the beta’s daughter puts a leash on you having fun. Of course, I take every opportunity to enjoy my life and live MY life to its fullest. My mom said I remind her of who she was before she found her mate and tends to give me some leeway but dad is a huge stickler for the rules. My mom, Sarah, is 5’ 6” tall with a toned frame and light brown hair that is chest length. She is a warrior in our pack and has tought me to fight since I was 5. My dad, Ben, is 6’ 7” football build body that could bench a car. Tattoos covered him from head to toe with slick black hair. He has never gone easy on me and was upset I was not a boy, but that did not stop him from raising me as such. I competed in all the boy competitions but I have yet to get the best from him. He thinks I am just as good and should get the beta position when he retires if I can shape up and not cause him more headaches. I started laughing thinking about all the lectures he has giving me over the years. “What mate will want a girl who parties and is fast and loose with the rules, let alone an Alpha who would want you as a beta!” I laughed because I grew up with the future alpha, Damian. He is my best friend and occasionally we have kissed but I am keeping my virginity for my mate.  Damian is 6’ 8” of solid muscle, short black hair, a tribal tattoo from his chest to his shoulder around his neck and arm and across this back. He is a walking sex on a stick with piercing bright blue eyes. His temper does match his bad boy look but has always had a sweet spot for me. I know I have always caught his eye. Being 5’ 7” slender and toned body with waist dark wavy hair and emerald green eyes, I tend to catch a few guys eyes. However I think most of them think they will get the position of beta so I tend to ignore them. “Hurry up Nina!” shouts my best friend Holly. She is beautiful with her creamy mocha skin, shoulder length black hair. She might only be 5’ 5” but her attitude is that of an 8-foot-tall person. I jump off my vanity and ran to the front door before she starts to climb the stairs. I kept her waiting once and she almost broke my door down! “I am coming! I had to finish my makeup” I said slightly out of breath “Zach, Damian and Trevor are in the car waiting for us.” Zach is another warrior’s son. He is 6’ 6” with pale skin complexion, hazel eyes and shoulder length blonde hair. He is cute in his own way but has softer expression to him. He has always had eyes for Holly, not that she pays attention. Being the gamma’s daughter, she has also gotten the lectures I have gotten. Trevor is her brother and Damian’s right had man since they were only born few days apart. He is 6’ 6” darker complected than Holly with jet black hair and the same matching dark brown eyes with a gold flake in them that Holly has. Apparently, it is a family trait of theirs. “Bye mom and dad!”“Bye honey, remember to behave and mind-link me if you have any troubles! Do not get into a fight this time!” Dad yelled from the kitchen. It was one time and I won the fight, not my fault a guy couldn’t understand no. Dad is not too worried this time since I promised the boys were going along this time and could “protect us”. Like it need a guy to protect me. I just rolled my eyes and walked out the door with my arm on Holly’s shoulders. “Hurry up girls! I don’t have all day” yelled Trevor. “Oh shut up Trevor, you got nothing but time today” Holly mouthed off sliding into the back seat of Damian’s Cadillac Escalade. I of course hopped right into the front seat next to Damian. Some people thought I was Damian’s mate, we didn’t believe we were but we weren’t against it either. I was treated at such though and never minded. “I should be able to sit up front, my legs are a lot longer than yours Nina, and if we needed to get out quickly and fight, I would need better access than the 3 rd row.” Grumbled Zach “Oh really, do you want another rematch Zach?” I arched my eye brow at him. Last time he questioned me, I laid him out more times than he can count but he still said he “let me win”. Everyone laughed out loud except Damian who just cocked an eye brow at Zach. Zach was a great warrior but when you have beta blood running through your veins and been trained since you were 5, not a lot of people can compare. “I am just trying to be a gentleman here Nina, I would like to treat you as the princess you are” Zach joked with me. He just earned a snort and an eye roll from me and a chest growl from Damian. “Anyway” Holly smirked “What kind of dress are you wanting to get today?”“Hmm” I mused, “Maybe a skin tight one that stopped right below my ass with a deep V-neck line that is sheer”“The fuck you are!” growled Damian. I busted out laughing, “I am just joking, jeez, I don’t really know. I want a floor length one though!”“Well I want a short one that will make my legs look longer and that will hug my curves”“Holls, mom and dad will kill you, you know that right?” asked Trevor as he rubbed his hand down his face.  “You will be what gets me killed” he whispered but with our wolf hearing, we all heard him. “I am their princess, they won't! Plus, if I find my mate, they can’t say anything!” Holly said with a determined look in her eyes. I knew that look, there was no changing her mind. Our “prom” was a prom per say. It did start out as a traditional prom but over the years, all the 18 year-olds that were unmated crashed other packs “prom” night in hopes to find their mate, or get a quick lay if not. My birthday was the day before prom, one week away and I was so excited. I will finally get to see if Damian is my mate or not. I get weird feeling in my stomach every time I think about this. What if he isn’t my mate and he finds another girl. Would I be okay with that? Deep down I have always liked him being protective of me but he did it in a way that I was still able to smack a guy around and he would be there watching making sure I didn’t get hurt in the process.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

“You okay there kitten?” Damian asked quietly. I was in deep thought and didn’t realize the conversation drifted off in the back and he noticed I did not have my usual sarcastic remark back to them. Kitten was a nickname he called me when we were little because apparently, I have a temper and feisty personality that did not quite match my size. I didn’t hit my growth spurt till I was 14 so the nickname stuck. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I sighed “It will be okay, not matter what happens, I will never forget you” he mind-linked me not wanting everyone else to overhear. I turned my head and gave him a sad smile. He has always said that but I know when he finds his mate, she will be all he will think about and she will not want us to be as close as we are. I will understand, but doesn’t mean it won't hurt like a bitch. You don’t know who your mate is until you both are 18 so even though Damian is 19, we won't know till next Friday. “YYYYEEAAAHHH, we are here” Holly sceamed snapping Damian and I out of our conversation. I quickly got excited again. Six stores later I emerged in a stunning silk deep red gown. It was a sweet heart next line with a corset top that hugged my hips and ass and cascaded downward. It had a high slit that showed off my toned thigh perfectly. Hearing gasps, I looked up and everyone was staring with their mouths on the ground. I am not stupid; I know how good I look and how to make a statement. This dress was all statement. Damian recovered first and let out a low growl, everyone immediately shut their mouths and turned their heads. “OMG Nina, that dress what made for you” Holly said after finally emerging herself. She was wearing a short thigh length satin royal blue dress. It looked like a goddess dress the way it wrapped around her over and over, giving her curves and legs for days with the silver peep-toed heels. “Thanks” I beamed, “that looks amazing on you too!”“Well, that does cover more than I was expecting” Trevor grumbled still not pleased with how short it was. “Okay boys, time to check out and find you all tuxes!” I said. Suddenly I hear Damian’s voice in my head as I am stripping, “Kitten, I hope you’re not too fond of that dress because even if I am not your mate, I will be ripping it off you come Saturday night” I smirked, my cheeks got red and my panties instantly got wet. “And who said I will let you?” I teased back. “I will come up behind you, pin you to a wall and take you right here women” he teased right back. “The whole store is about to smell my arousal, you want that?” I whispered trying to get ahold of myself. I didn’t heard anything back but him chuckle. “Come on boys, lets get a head start on those tuxes” Damian said out loud, “Hurry up girls, we will be on the other side of the store!”“Ass” I mind-linked him with no effort in it. After we changed out, Holly and I find the boy and they have already finished so we head home. Zach, Holly and Trevor are in the back arguing about who is the better dance and I find myself looking out the window spacing out. I feel like my life is going to change in a week and I just don’t know why. I just have this bad feeling. I have always had this knack for knowing things. Like if something bad was going to happen or if someone was lying. Maybe I am just in tune with nature or whatever but I feel more at piece when I can run or be in the woods. Maybe that’s why I feel am ominous feeling. I need to go for a walk in the woods around our pack. We finally get home and I quickly tell people I am tired and I am going to call it a night. Thankfully my parents were not home yet so I hid my dress and went for a walk. It was starting to get dark out and I loved this time of day. Dusk was so beautiful with the reds and oranges painting the sky. It is late April and it is starting to get warm out but I still wanted to bring a jacket. I hate being cold and dusk in April is still a bit chilly. There is a small meadow about a half of a mile from my house that I love. I like to lay there and look up at the stars. There is a small opening in the canopy that allows the sun or the moon rays to peak down. Even though the stars are not quite out yet, I still lay there and let my mind wonder. That is still I hear a stick snap and the smell of coconut and rain water to fill my nose. Damian. “I knew there was something wrong with you”“I have no idea what you are talking about”“Oh really, this is where you run off too when your stressed about something so talk to me kitten” I sighed, he knows me too well. “I just have this feeling like something bad is going to happen next Saturday. There will be like 500 kids from all over here for the prom, things are going to change, I just don’t know if it is for the better” Damian knows of my “feeling” I get. Multiple times my instincts have never been wrong and have saved us a time or two. He laid down beside me and was quiet for awhile. The stars are out now and they are beautiful. “I have always liked you and admired you. You would be a perfect Luna and I would be proud to be your mate. Even if we aren’t mates, we will find a good balance. I will be jealous of any mate of yours that is not me but as long as you are happy.”“If only it was that simple” I said quietly. I know we have talked about this multiple times and we have fooled around too but I will be heartbroken if we aren’t mates. I have secretly wanted him as a mate since we were little. “Do you feel like it’s something else that is going to happen?”“I just don’t know”“Kitten…. Just then I feel my mom trying to get through via mind-link, “Honey where are you? We just got home.”“I went for a walk, I will be right there!” and shut the mind-link down. I turned to face Damian and he can already tell I needed to leave. “It’s okay, we will finish this talk later, okay?”“Okay” I gave him a small smile and I headed home.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

“Nina! Get up, you’re going to be late for school!” my mom shouted from down the stairs. Shit, its Monday, this weekend went by quick. My senior year is almost over. I have senior prom this Saturday and graduation next Saturday. Rolling over and sliding out of bed is the hardest part. I have a very loving relationship with my bed. I quickly take a shower, and get dressed. I always wear comfy clothes but since I have to go to training today, I let my hair air dry with leggings and a sports bra with a crop top. “NINA!!! Your friends are waiting outside!” mom shouted right as I hear an impatient horn honking. As long as I can remember, Holly and Trevor always pick me up and drive us to school. It is only a 10-minute walk but it’s nice to not have to walk when its cold out. With a granola bar in hand my mom is standing at the door and gives me a big smile and hug goodbye. Jogging down the steps from my wrap around porch I hear them already arguing. “Trevor, I told you, I am old enough to make my own choices!” Shouted Holly angerly As long as I can remember Trevor has always been overly protective of Holly. He does not like her training, flirting, dating and anything he said that it would give a guy the wrong impression. He wants to her to a princess and not lift a finger. Unfortunatly for him, she has a passion for fighting and an attitude to match it. We are twins in that aspect. “Already arguing? Why now? “Trevor thinks I should stay home and learn to cook or work at the daycare instead of going to the field after school to train. Apparently it gives guys a chance to look at what isn’t theirs and isn’t lady like. It doesn’t matter if I know how to defend myself or that I am one of the top female warriors” Holly lashed out “Trevor, you know you wont and have yet to win this argument. She is going to do what she wants and you need to love her for who she is not try to make her into being a submissive trophy wife” standing up for my friend. Mainly before I love her but also, I don’t want to be put into that category either. “Whatever” Trevor commented under his breath as he floors his Dodge Charger. Finally school is over and I can let out some of my frustration on someone’s face. Running to the field, I see my dad walking out to the field to start training, giving me a head bob he yells at everyone to start with ten laps for a warm up and then pair off and work on offense and defense. On my second lap I suddenly feel a presence behind me. “Hey there good looking” Coconut and rain rushing into my senses. I didn’t need to turn around to feel Damian’s eyes on my ass as I run. Rolling my eyes I suddenly swerve to the right and kick my foot out and send him flying forward. However since Damian is over 18 and has gotten his wolf, he is able to nail the landing and glance back at me with a wink. Slowing his pace he looks at me and this time I almost fall. The look he is giving me is filled with so much love, desire, and longing. My mouth goes dry and I can’t seem to find the words to snap back at him. “Something got your tongue?”“Oh, just this cocking future alpha that thinks he is hot stuff” Faking hurt and a hand over his heart and a pained look on his face he asked “Well then I guess you might want to be my partner and show me how cocky I am?”“Sure, I would like to knock you down a peg or two mister” Finishing our laps we all break off into groups of two and start to spar, Damian knows I need to let out some frustration so he takes defense first. I get in a few good punches but I seem to be in more pain. Although I am the top female warrior, I am no match for a future alpha. I do feel better though and I was able to get my pent up energy out. All these feeling for this Saturday seem to be getting stronger each day. “Feeling any better kitten?”“No, It only seems to be getting worse. The feelings are getting stronger each day” Damian looks at me worried, he glances behind me and dips his head. “Nina! We need to go over your birthday party Friday as well as Holly’s” Since We share the same birthday we always have a party together. We are both looking forward to it since we get our wolves and get to possibly meet our mates! “Yes Luna! I was thinking since prom is the next day, why don’t we just do a little party before prom and then we can all head over to the dance after?”“That sounds perfect dear, I will organize it for you!”“Thanks mom!” Damian said to him mom, The Luna is the sweetest person you will ever meet. Just standing over 5’ 4” with a petite frame, long blonde hair she was a beauty. She is where Damian got his blue eyes from. I don’t think she knows how to raise her voice at all. I watched Stephanie walk away, the Alpha is the scarest person I know. He is like barely taller than Damian of solid muscle and is bald, he has this look at makes you squirm without even using his aura on you. How they every got paired together is beyond me. “So will you go to prom with me Nina?” Damian asked pulling me out of my train of thought. “Took you long enough to ask, what if I already found a date?”“Please, everyone knows you belong to me, no one would dare ask you without running it by me first”“Oh really, and what makes you think I belong to you?” I challenged “Don’t make me laugh kitten, I claimed you when you were 5”“Yeah well we will see Friday wont we?”“About that” Damian suddenly takes a step back and rubs his neck “What?”“Dad has me going to a few meeting with alphas who have teens coming to the prom so I will be busy Friday. I wont get to see you till Saturday at your party.”“What the fuck? Seriously? That’s perfect, how long have you known about this and didn’t tell me?” I feel my eyes burning with tears. I am beyond mad. That is the biggest thing I hate about myself. I cry when I am mad. “I just found out I swear! I am so sorry Nina, I really wished we would have been able to figure how if we were mates before the party so we could decide on what was going to happen. I didn’t plan for this” Damian looked at me pleading, begging for me to understand. The only thing I could think as I turned and walking away was this is the beginning of a very bad week.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

I haven’t seen Damian all week with my own studying, finalizing all projects so I don’t have to go to school next week. I am in all advanced classes and I have a feeling I will not want to go to school next week so I busted my butt with Holly to get it all done. “Are you excited for our birthdays tomorrow?” Holly squealed Rolling over in bed I said “Hell yes! I am so excited to meet my wolf! I wonder how big she will be, what color, what her name is”“Me too! I am so glad your parents let me stay over tonight, I am glad we get to share this together”“Well we have been busting our asses all week so we didn’t have to go to school today and next week!” Holly suddenly gets a serious look on her face, “what will you do if Damian is not your mate?” Holly knows of my thoughts and fears. I tell her everything. Sighing I respond, “I honestly don’t know, lets go to sleep, I have a feeling tomorrow will be a long day”“Wake up sleepy head!!!!!” I suddenly hear yelling in my head. Maybe I am still dreaming, “I am not a dream girl! WAKE UP!” I snap my eyes open and realize I got my wolf! “OMG, what is your name, what color are you, I love you already!” I yell, I am trying to lay still so I don’t wake Holly up but I am so excited! I hear her giggling, “My name is Raven, and you will see what color I am when we shift!”“Damn, can I shift now?”“So impatient but yes you can, it will hurt really bad but I will help you through it.” Raven said Very quietly I got out of bed and tip toed down the hair and went outside. “Okay now what?”“Go into the woods, you might want to get naked and get comfortable, this will take awhile.” 30 minutes late there is a fire burning through my body. I am biting my tongue to keep from yelling out and making my presence aware. Suddenly I hear my bone start to snap. “RAVEN what happening?”“Imagine your hands are paws and you are a wolf” Raven instructed.  “I know this is going to hurt but it will only last a short time, you can do this!” I am laying on the fetal position hearing my bones breaking and next thing I know I am looking at the earth. I am smelling the wet earth and more scents I didn’t know what they were. Looking down I see a dark brown and reddish paws. Looking around everything is clearer, brighter, louder and more scents than before. “Wow” that is all I can say right now. Laughing Raven said, “Lets run!” and we did. We can up to a stream and I looked down. Raven is beautiful. She has my emerald green eyes and dark brown fur with almost a red tint to it. We ended up running for a few hours before we found ourselves back at my parents house. “You should probably shift and get some sleep, you will need it for today!”“Um exactly how Raven”“Imagine yourself as a human again” roller her eyes at me. I did as she requested and suddenly I felt cold, looking down I saw I was naked and put my clothes back on. Slipping back into bed and I felt drained. “You will be tired for the rest of the day but also, Happy Birthday!”“Thank you Raven! Goodnight!”“OH GOD OH GOD!” I heard screaming and I sat straight up in my bed. Wiping the hair from my face I looked around to see Holly jumping up and down screaming. Clutching my heart and try to get my barings but just as I am about to ask Holly what the hell, my parents bust through the door! Almost taking it off its hinges! “What happened, What is wrong?” My mom ask us. “I got my wolf! Omg she is so sarcastic and funny! She is just like me and can’t wait to find our mate!” Holly sings while twirling around and around like a kid after they get ice cream. “What is her name?” I asked. I can’t wait to tell my parents about Raven. “Is she always this loud” Raven asked, her tone was of annoyance and amusement. “Yeah, that is just Holly. A very large personality in a little body”“Indy! I can’t wait see shift and see what she looks like!”“After breakfast Holly! You need your energy for it!” Mom scolded lightly but there was a smile on her face so we knew she wasn’t upset anymore. “This calls for chocolate chip pancakes!” I hear dad grumbling about how he never gets waffles anymore and my mother’s laugh as she scolds him for trying to be difficult. As rough and stern he is, there will always be a soft spot for myself and my mom. “My wolf’s name is Raven! She is just like me also and has brown hair with a red tint to it!”“You already shifted” Holly asked with a fallen sad look to her face. “I thought we would shift together” sighing she sat down on the bed. I wiggled my way over to her and gave her a hug. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Raven woke up me last night and I just couldn’t wait. I don’t have much energy but I would love to shift again with you and go for a short run! “Oh, yes please! Maybe mate is out there. I could use some sexy time with mate” Raven sang as she twirled in my head “Girl please, control your thoughts.” I rolled my eyes, if her thoughts are as bad as my own…. “Ok yeah that would be okay. I am not mad really, just bummed. I totally get it though. I probably would have done the same” Holly said as she came to terms with the situation. She figured we would do everything as the same time as one another. Find our mates, get pregnant and everything at the same time. I never felt like that was going to happen but I never really put down her dreams. Honestly, I didn’t want to. I would like for us do experience it all together but it never felt right. “Girls! Breakfast!!!” Mom yelled from the kitchen. Holly shoved me on the bed and darted for the door, Unfortunatly, I have always been quicker and was able to trip her foot and send her flying into the wall. She landed with a thud. I didn’t stop because we have done this so many times and now she has her wolf she will head faster. I made it to the kitchen just seconds before she did. “Honestly girls, aren’t you a little old for that childish stuff?” Dad scolded us. I have him a peck on the cheek while mom told him to leave us along, it was our birthdays and just eat. We hide our smirks and shoved our mouths full. Mom and cook. I got my skills from her too. “What are your plans today girls?” Mom asked “After breakfast we are going to shift and go for a run but then probably just lay around all day, eat junk food and watch movies. I hear shifting for the first time takes it out of you so we are doing that today so we have energy to dance tomorrow!!!” Holly said. “I know the boys are busy with pack stuff today so it would just be you two today.” Dad said. They are trying to get everything ready so dad and the Alpha can retire and Damian and Trevor take over. Zach has boarder patrol today since he switched so he had tomorrow off so it’s a girls day! “That’s fine, they wont want to watch our movies anyway!” I said slightly disappointed. I knew Damian said he wouldn’t see me today but I was holding out hope.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

“Hurry up Nina! I am ready to go!” Holly said impatiently I was already feeling sluggish so I wasn’t in a hurry “Girl you better move, my tail needs to stretch!” Raven said. Rolling my eyes I shove three bites off my plate and hand it to mom to clean. “Thanks mom!” We ran out the door before she could even respond. “Where should we shift at? It needs to be deep enough that no one sees us naked but close enough to home.” Holly asking deep in though. I see her rolling her eyes and I know she is talking to her wolf. “Ill show you where I went last night” We find the clearing and remove our clothes and sit facing each-other. “Will it hurt?” Holly whispered “Yes but only for awhile. Once you shift, it will all go away and it will be the best feeling in the world!” 2 hours later and a screaming Holly, I finally see a small grey wolf standing in front of me. I also shift but this time it only took my a few seconds. It was still painful but not near as bad. Once Raven and Indy get to know eachother, they take off. Jumping over logs and even catching a rabbit to eat. After about three hours we find our way back to our clothes and slip them on. “That was the best feeling I ever had. It is so freeing. You see and smell everything differently now!” Holly said in awe “I know, I feel like nothing can touch us when we are in our wolf forms. Lets go take a nap, I am so tired though” I said struggling to make it to my house. “Yeah, defiantly not doing anything today!” As soon as we get inside I take the couch and curl up with a thick fuzzy red blanket with tribe patterns on it and Holly takes the recliner with a grey blanket with a wolf on it. Grabbing the remote I flipped the channels till I found a horror movie. “Look at the blankets we chose? Interesting colors isn’t it?” I laughed but it fell on deaf ears as Holly was already asleep. Girl could sleep through a bombing. Sighing I wiggle my way into my pillow and close my eyes. “Girls! Are you going to wake up” Something well yelling at me and I couldn’t figure out why. Just let a girl sleep, I need 5 for minutes! “GIRLS!” Shit, I opened one eye and look at my dad standing before me with a smile on his face. Groaning I just rolled over and was about to settle back in but I suddenly felt cold air! “AAAARRRR Why did you do that?” Holly screamed. Dad had pulled off both of our blankets and successfully dumped Holly on the floor. “Well girls it is almost supper time and you have slept the day away! We have cake and presents plus Holly’s family is coming to dinner so get upstairs and shower and be ready in 2 hours!” Dad said taking his place on the recliner and turning the T.V. on. Holly was rubbing her hip as she sprinted to the bedroom to get in the shower before me! I let her win because I wanted another 5 minutes of sleep before our little family party! Soon we were shower and Holly was fussing over my hair and making up. I honestly hate doing my makeup and wearing dresses was not my thing. “I have to wear a dress tomorrow, don’t put me in one tonight as well! Plus it is my birthday too so I can chose to be comfortable!” I stated firmly “Fine but no sweats! Holly stated back with a determine look on her face. Rolling my eyes I picked out a pair of black holey skinny jeans and a cream sweater. Holly had on a long sleeve dress that had a high neck line and stopped just above her knees. It was white with yellow flowers on it. Walking into the kitchen we smelled the wonderful smells of pot roast, potatos and carrots. One of my favorite meals. I ended up eating three bowls as getting my wolf made me hungry! Dinner went nicely and small talk was made. I suddenly didn’t feel good. I knew it was about tomorrow. I have managed to forget about the feeling all day since shifting and sleeping the day away. Holly and I both got matching necklaces that had a wolf emblem on it. Mine was white gold and Holly’s was gold. Finally Holly’s parents said goodnight and we headed up to bed. This had been a great birthday but I KNEW everything was changing tomorrow. “Happy birthday beautiful” Damian whispered in my head. “OMG he sounds yummy” Raven said “Raven!” I said laughing but agreeing “Thank you! When will I get to see you tomorrow?”“Not till the party, unfortunately, I have a few things to finish up.”“Okay, well I will be the one in red”“Ugh, I am going to have to kill someone if they look at you or even touch you” Damian said growling “Hmm well we will see lover boy” I teased, I needed to stop this before Holly smelled my arousal. She was already looking at me smiling. She knew I was mind-linking someone and by the smile on my face I knew she knew who it was. “Goodnight my princess”“Goodnight my prince”“Sooo how is Damian?” Holly asked as I turned to her. “He his so perfect. If I am not his mate I will be so heart broken. I have been in love with him since we were kids. What if I am not his mate and he finds someone else? “Oh girl, that wont happen, you guys are made for each-other. Everyone can tell he loves you too. Even if he had another mate, I bet he would reject her for you. I would put only on it.” Holly stated firmly “Idk, I just have this bad feeling. I hope your right but I will not let him reject his mate if it isn’t me. That isn’t right. The mate bond is made from the mood Goddess herself. I can’t come between that.” We are tough our whole lives that nothing is above the mate bond. You are suppose to cherish and love them. It is something every girl dreams of finding. We are no exception there. “Well I think tomorrow will be perfect and we will each find our mates and live happily every after!” Holly state but she even had a worried tone to her. “You are probably right” I say rolling over and ending the conversation. “Raven, what do I do? What if he isn’t our mate and my fairy tale end here? What if he is my mate and my bad feeling in something much worse?”“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but I know regardless, we are strong and we will make it through whatever happens. Nothing can break us.” Raven stated flatly “Good night birthday girl, we have a long day tomorrow too” Raven said softer.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP the alarm is going off signaling it is 9am. We don’t have to be at the pack house till 3pm. The party is at 3pm till 5pm then go to the dinner before prom and the dance following. It will take us 3 hours to get ready go we have a few hours to kill. We ended up looking at our grades and they were posted Gasp “OMG I passed everything” Holly said I looked over and she had tears in her eyes. School was always harder for her but she kept pushing herself. She wasn’t a straight A student but never had a C. “I passed too!” I said proudly “Let me guess, with all A’s too probably” she said slightly annoyed but happy “Yes but Susan got valedictorian and I am okay with that. No speech for me!” I laughed slightly hurt but mainly relieved. Public speaking is not my thing. “Let’s watch a movie till we need to get ready!” Holly said “Okay, I’ll go get snacks and you and pick the movie out.” Coming back with sausage, cheese and crackers in one hand and chocolate, popcorn and pop in another. We managed to snack and laugh all morning. Feeling so relieved from knowing we passed our classes! I didn’t even have my bad feelings! Soon Holly was pulling at my hair and assaulting my face with makeup. She tired half of my hair back with an elegant braid and left pieces framing my face which she curled and curled the back. She applied a smoky eye with a slight blush since I seem to bush enough to bring out the color on my cheeks. Slipping onto my gown I looked into the mirror. I didn’t even recognize myself. I was stunning. My wolf necklace just brought everything together. Holly came out with her hair in a low side bun with pieces framing her face and a dark blue smoky eye to match her dress. She was a vision to see. “Damn girl! I will be jealous of whoever is your mate!” I said making a show of my heart hurting. “OMG Nina, you look better than I imagined you would! I’ll take partial credit of course!”“Of course you…. “Girls, its time to go!” my moms voice sang out cutting me off. “I can’t wait to see your pretty dresses”“Oh great, she already sounds like she is crying” I grimaced “I heard that now get out here!” Mom said sternly Giving Holly a smirk we made our way to the living room. Looking at my mom, she was wiping the tears from her face and my dad looks pained. “What is wrong dad?” I asked slightly concerned “Well I would prefer a turtleneck dresses but you girls look beautiful” he whispered “I love you too dad! “Alright enough of this lovey stuff, let get you girls to your birthday party!” Dad said He had work to do regardless so he was taking us to the packhouse in his truck. Suddenly I felt it. The feeling of dread came over me. I tried to act normal and keep my heart rate the same but it spiked a little. I caught dads eye from the rearview mirror and he looked at me questionly. “You okay hun?” dad asked via mind-link. Thankfully Holly was too excited to notice “Yeah, just a bad feeling about night. I am sure it will be nothing. You know how they can be” I tried to sound reassuring “Hmm well just mind-link me if you need me and I’ll be there any time you need sweety”“I know, thank you dad. I love you”“I love you too” Pulling up into the pack house it was already busy with kids. They changed the game room into a party. Removed all the games and added tables and snacks and drinks. There was alcohol because if you are of age, you can drink at 18 because it takes so much to get a wolf drunk. However 17 and under it was not allowed but not enforced hard since we are staying on pack grounds. We make our way to the drinks and we both pour ourself a drink. Holly like the sweet drinks and goes for a Sex on the Beach and I like my whiskey so I pour a crown and coke. “I have to go to the bathroom!” Holly said loudly so I can hear her over the music. “Okay I am right behind you” We get about half way and Holly suddenly stops. She starts smelling the air and moving away from the bathroom. What is going on with her? I tried to follow her but she was moving too quickly with how many people were here. I finally catch up to her and she has a deer in the head lights look to her and she is staring straight head. Turning my head I look to see what she is looking at and it is Damian. I get a sinking feeling in the pit on my stomach as I hear Holly whisper “Mate” No no no no, that can’t be right, he is suppose to be my mate, not Holly’s. I am in a trans looking at him. I can feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. I haven’t taken a breath and Damian is looking between Holly and I unsure of what to do. Trevor and Zach are on either side of him with shocked expressions on their faces. No one can believe it. I was supposed to be his mate, ME! “Nina, I….” Holly stammered unsure of what to say or do. Everyone is waiting to see how I react. Snaping out of my trans, Raven is howling loudly in my ear. She can feel my heartbreak as if it was her own. My whole life is lie, all of the make out sessions, all the midnight talks and I know are gone. Damian takes one step towards me and suddenly we all hear a growl that makes him stop. I look over and Holly has her mouth covered and a shocked expression on her face. I have told her all my feelings towards Damian and she knows how much I love him. Our friendship will not survive this. Of that I am sure. She is already being possessive of him. She is probably afraid he will reject her. My heart is breaking for her too. She knows her mate is in love with another girl, and that other girl is her best friend. I did the only think I could think of that that was to turn around and run away. And I ran fast. I could hear everyone yell at me from behind and I could hear the paws hit the ground so I shifted mid stride and took off. I managed to out run everyone. I let Raven take over and I just cried. Cried for my long lost friend and lover. Raven found a cave and crawled into it. I build a wall up around my mind. I cried myself to sleep while blocking out all the mind-links I was getting.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

“Nina wake up, something is happening, something doesn’t feel right!” Raven whispered urgently. Sitting up in my wolf form still since I didn’t have any clothes, I felt it. A very bad feeling. I assumed the bad feeling was Holly being Damian’s mate but now I wonder if it was more. Slowly we creeped out of our cave and strained my ears. I heard growing and smelled blood. “Dad, what’s going on? I mind-linked my dad “OMG NINA! Are you okay? Where are you? We are under attack! Get to the safe house NOW!” Panic sank into me. I ran to our house and under the kitchen island is a bunker. I can clearly hear the growls and cries of wolves. I sink into the mattress we have there and wait it out. It happens, I feel a snap. I scream as loud as I can. I can’t believe it my MOM is dead! I felt her life being cut from mind. I hear my dad’s wails in the distance and I know he will not survive tonight either or will be dead in months. No one survives a mate dying. Your wolf will eventually go bad and you will turn Rouge. I didn’t think I have anything left to cry but I did. I cried for my mom and when I finally felt my dad’s connect snap I cried for him too. I am now an orphan, and my best friend is mated to my childhood lover. I cried till I passed out again. Raven kept watch in case she needed to protect me while I mourned. It is finally morning and I wake up. This isn’t my bed I think and last night comes rushing back to me. I know I shouldn’t stay down here but I need to find my parents body and say goodbye. I walk upstairs looking at all the pictures my mom has hung on the wall and I lose it. I smash everything in sight. I am going to town when I feel strong arms around me holding me still. Tears are pouring out and I don’t have energy to fight with anyone. “I got you Nina” Trevor said I was thankful it wasn’t Holly or Damian. I am not ready to face them yet. I quickly realized I am still naked and so does Trevor as he lets me go and turns around. I sprint to my room and put on black joggers and a sports bra and crop top. I pull on my Nike sneakers as Trevor walks in and sits down on my bed. He has been here before but it just feels different now. His sister will be Luna. “I don’t know what to say Nina. I am so sorry about your parents. I am sure you already know. Holly had no idea what was going to happen. She feels like the worst person in the world. Damian in worse. He didn’t reject Holly but didn’t accept her either. Everyone assumed it would have been you…” his voice trailed off. We sat in uncomfortable silence for awhile. “Take me to my parents” I said finally Trevor just looked at my and nodded. He was always like a brother to me and I let him put his arms around me and comfort me. We walked in silence and I kept my head down. I could feel everyone stares and I couldn’t look into the eyes that I am sure are fully of pitty. The girl whose boyfriend was mated to her best friend and lost her parents. I was going to be the packs member that everyone felt sorry for. I hit me right then that I wasn’t going to be able to take the Beta position. How could I? Work under Damian and Holly and watch their love story grow? I am not that strong. I guess Trevor was going to get a promotion. Finally we made it to where they were preparing for the funerals. Pack life is different. Here at the Red Moon pack we don’t have funerals in these situations. If someone dies of natural causes then yes but with warriors that die on the battle field get the honor funeral. Everyone gathers around. The Alpha will say a few words and then they will be set on fire. Their ashes fertilizing the ground in believe that we are giving back to the Moon Goddess by keeping her creations alive. Circle of life. Trevor was sent to come get me for the ceremony I realized in that moment as we approach the whole pack. He guilds me over to where my parents are. “Nina” I hear softly, I turn and see Holly and a tear soaked face and Damian looking at me from behind her. Next to him is his parents the Alpha and Luna with sorrowful expression on their face. I can’t do this now so I just turn around and walk away to my parents. We lost 27 warriors altogether. I grabbed my parent’s wedding rings and my mom’s necklace she had on. I had giving to her for their 25 th wedding anniversary. It was a simple single princess cute emerald on a white gold chain. Putting their rings on the necklace and I get Trevor put the necklace on me. I hear the Alpha speak but honestly I am done being here. Zoning out I can’t help but think what will I do now? Do I stay in the same house? Where do I work? I know mom and dad had a saving saved up so I am not hurting for money but I can’t rely on it. I was planning on going to college anyway so maybe I will go to one outside of this state. I can’t stay here is all I know. Finally they start to get fire to the bodies and I watch my parents become ash. Well I know one thing for sure now. My mate is not in this pack. I would have smelled him today. I don’t know if I should be happy about that or not. Happy I am not going to be stuck here looking at Damian and Holly for the rest of my life but sad I will have to leave into the unknown to find him. Trevor starts guiding me back home since I don’t want to go to the meal after. I can’t eat. Walking into the front door I find the couch and lay down. I hear a door shut and glass moving and I realized Trevor is cleaning up my mess. Working on auto piolet I stand up to help him. “Nina, don’t. I can handle it. You need to eat and relax.” Looking down I whispered, “I can’t sit still, I need to keep moving.”“Okay, well, why don’t you make us some lunch since we missed the meal. He suggested I nodded and went to work. I wasn’t really thinking and I just made everything. I started with boiling the noodles and cutting the chicken and adding it to the pan. While that was cooking I made the dough for chocolate chip cookies and had them in the oven by the time the noodles were done. My chicken was cooked and I added the Alfredo sauce and added the noodles. It is my stable mean and apparently everyone will say how amazing it is. It is another comfort food for me. “Nina, we need to talk” I hear a high sqeeky voice from the door I straighten my bad and prepared myself. I was not ready for this but here we go. Time to be the daughter my parents raised. And Since Raven as been absent from my mind all morning, I am on my own. She stayed up all night to make sure we were protected that she needed to sleep today. Turning to look at Holly I can tell she has been crying. Her cheeks are red and nose from blowing her nose, her eyes are swollen and red. She is earing leggings and a tshirt and her hair is in a pony tail. Standing behind her is Damian. His eyes reflect the pain and turmoil he is in. Hearing black gym shorts and white wife beater looking sexy as ever. Trevor has his head showing from the door way with a nervous look to him. Like is she going to go all crazy? I had to smile internally cause that is exactly what I would do. I am born fighter, trained and at the top of my class. I wouldn’t be able to kill Damian or Holly but I could get a few hits in before I was pulled off. And they knew it. They were standing tense and waiting to see what I would do. Glancing nervously between them both. Sighing I said, “Nothing to talk about. You guys are mates. You will not reject each other. Damian our fairy tale of love has come to an end, Holly our friendship is done, and I will be leaving here soon once I get everything in order. I can’t stay here and watch you two in a mate bond being in love and running the pack as Alpha and Luna even if I am not made Beta. Being Beta would be worse, having to work closely by your guys and seeing it every day. Trevor can be Beta. Zach can be Gamma. I wont be the pathetic ex-girlfriend you can’t get away from. I have more pride than that. I might eventually feel different about things but right now I need to not see you guys ever again.” I finished my speech and Holly has a shocked and hurt expression on her face. She burst into tears and runs outside through the front door. Damian looks back at her and turns to look at me opening his mouth to say something but I stop him before he does. “Just leave” I feel a mind-link from Damian, I allow it through. “I am so sorry, I will forever love you, Please forgive me” I shut if off and don’t reply. Looking out the window I see him bring her into a hug. He tilts his head and sees me watching through the window and gets a pained look in his eyes. All I can do is turn away before I head to bed and cry myself to sleep letting Trevor to clean the kitchen.