The Alpha's Beastly Luna

(Lumi) "Lumi! The ceremony is about to start. Get your butt down here!" I could hear my mom shout from down the stairs. "Be there in a second!" The stress in her voice was not going unnoticed as I quickly glanced back into the mirror, messing with my white hair one last time. Every wolf who is born in this pack has white hair. The only ones that don't are the mates who come from outside of our borders. But once they mate and start their own families, those pups will have white hair too, just like us. It is our connection to the moon goddess. The Snow Ridge Pack is the closest descendant to her, after all. It is said our ancestors were the first werewolves ever to be gifted with their wolves. So we take much pride in our white hair and tend to grow it out as long as possible, even the males. I gently arranged the blue flowers in my long white braid as I couldn't help but smile triumphantly. I looked perfect. It's rare we get visitors. In fact, it only happens once a year. The reason why our pack has survived this long is because our ancestors were able to put a barrier around our packlands. The walls only lift for 48 hours out of every year, making it so we can wander beyond the forest that surrounds us. But not only that, we use this time to meet with other packs during the winter Solstice. It is our only opportunity to find our fated mates if we are lucky enough that they were invited to our celebration this year. That is unless our mates were born within our pack. Most seem to be, but there are a few who still haven't met their mates. Considering I am nineteen now, I just so happen to be one of those unlucky wolves. Pulling myself up from the cabin floor, I quickly dusted off my light blue dress and looked myself over one last time. I felt like I had finally become a woman. I had filled out into an hour glass figure, and my smooth olive skin seemed to be glowing against my stark white hair. My eyes were a glacial blue with a gold ring surrounding the pupil. They were the same as my mother's and grandmother's. Considering I am the alpha's daughter, one day I will run this pack, and I can't wait to finally meet my mate to prepare ourselves for when that time comes. I have a feeling tonight will be the night. Something is going to change, I just know it. My wolf Cascadia can feel it too. 'I bet he will be the strongest member of the pack.' She cooed, her excitment causing my own to burst inside of me as I couldn't help but dance around happily. "Lumi! If we are late, I am letting your father know that it was you who made us that way!" My mother warned, making me roll my eyes before racing towards the wooden stairs and climbing down. "I'm here, mother, just calm down. You act like this is your first winter Solstice or something." I teased, making my beautiful mother glare at me. "You know how stressful this is, Lumi. If word ever got out about our wereabouts to the wrong pack-" "That won't happen. Daddy has been preparing all year. Besides, the Blue River Pack has always been a trusted ally." I reminded her. We usually cycled through the three surrounding packs that sat on the bottom of the mountain we resided on. This year was the Blue River Pack's turn, and last year was the Midnight Pack. Five couples were mated last year, and this year, we are expecting even more. "Let's just hurry before I start stress eating." Mom grumbled as she shoved one of the two pies she baked into my hands. I tried not to laugh as she quickly stepped into her boots and stomped out of the front door. It was just mom, dad, and I. Mom and dad tried for more pups after having me, but I guess the moon goddess only wanted to bless them with one pup. I know it was hard on Mom, but dad always said I was more than enough for him. But with that came the overprotectiveness. Not only because I was the Alpha's daughter, but also because I was his only daughter. I could handle myself, though. I used to run wild with the other pups as a kid. I might've had to sneak out to do it, but boy, did I have fun when I did. That was until I got caught. "Lumi, make haste now, I can hear the music already starting." My mom rushed, pulling me back to reality as I quickly slipped on my boots and walked out of the cabin behind her. We had gotten six inches of snow just last night, but I loved the snow. It felt like home to me. That was Cascadia's favorite part of winter, playing in the snow. 'I can't wait to chase our mate around. I bet he has no idea how big and fast we will be.' Cascadia squealed. "Luna Evangeline, let me help you with that." My best friend Sasha rushed before coming up beside me with the biggest smile on her face. "Oh, I'm glad you're here, Sasha. Make sure you keep this girl in line. I don't want that dress to see a single spot of dirt, do you understand me?" Suddenly, without warning, a snowball came flying out of nowhere, hitting me right on the side of my dress. I watched as my mom's eyes widened in horror. But I knew who threw that snowball immediately. Sasha's younger brother, Zane. "Sorry Lumi! I was trying to aim for Sasha!" Zane explained sheepishly as my mother began to pat my dress off frantically. "Mom, it's snow, relax." "Zane! You jerk! I'm going to get you for that!" Sasha yelled, making Zane let out a burst of laughter before running off. "Come on, we are going to be late, remember?" I rushed, walking past my grumbling mom as I headed for the lodge. We didn't necessarily have a pack house here like other packs. We each had our own cabins that were spread out across the forest. But when we ate dinner, we all did it together in the lodge where a kitchen, bathroom, and large dining room were all held. This was also where the mating ceremonies and celebrations were held. Our pack loved to celebrate one another. Walking towards the lodge, I could already feel the drums beating beneath my feet. The rhythm matched my heartbeat perfectly as I took a deep breath. The air was charged. The excitement was all around us as I tried to keep myself from running off and dancing with the other she wolves already down by the bonfire. 'Look! There's Lenore with Felix. Her birthday was just last night, and they have already marked one another.' Sasha linked to me, making my eyes widen as I saw Felix standing behind Lenore protectively, watching as she hung a lantern on one of the tree branches above. 'That quickly? I didn't even hear it was official yet.' I responded, feeling happy for my pack mate but slightly jealous at the same time. You can kind of know early on when you are mated to one of our pack members. There is already a slight pull to them even without having your wolf. So Lenore and Felix being mates wasn't a secret, but until they both have their wolves, you can't know for sure. 'That's going to be us tonight. Do you think you will let your mate mark you right away?' Sasha's voice echoed in my head, making my cheeks turn pink as the mere idea made butterflies flood through me. 'Won't it be weird considering they will practically be strangers?'I asked, feeling nervous about all of this now. I mean, Lenore and Felix have known one another all of their lives. So there is no wonder why they didn't want to wait. But to have someone you don't even know mark you right away, it would be strange. 'But we will know them. The moon goddess made our mates just for us, and the moment we meet them, it will be like coming home for the first time.' Cascadia explained, and I hoped she was right. Meeting your mate is supposed to be the most special thing in your life. I guess I just feel nervous to finally meet them... if I do. Maybe that's also why I'm slightly skeptical. I thought for sure last year I would meet my mate, and when I didn't, it stung. Some unmated wolves do end up taking a chosen mate if they have been waiting for too long, but the idea of that terrifies me. It would be like giving up on your destiny. I get it though. The bond they eventually form is just as strong. Sasha's parent's are actually chosen mates, and they love one another just as much as any other couple. I'm just trying not to worry about it. I am only 19 after all, so there is no rush. "There you two are. Hurry now, the boarder is about to open!" Dad rushed before taking my mother's hand and pulling her to his chest. That's when I decided to look away. Us wolves are known to show pda, but when it's your parents doing it, yeah, I would rather look elsewhere. Suddenly, a loud horn blew off in the distance, making me almost drop the pie in my hands as I felt my heart leap into my throat. They're here already! 'Mate! I can feel him close by Lumi! Our mate is here!'