Chaper 1: Coming home
Lily's POV
The smell of coffee woke me. Looking over the clock to see, it was only 5 am. I knew my mom, Raya, was an early riser, but even for her, this was earlier than usual. She never had to start her omega duties before 7 am. I sighed, realizing something must be wrong.
I slowly sat up, making my way to the door with sleepy eyes. I opened the door more loudly than I had planned.
My mom shot up from the kitchen stool abruptly. Quickly wiping away the tears that she was clearly hoping that I wouldn't see.
I realized what was wrong without having to ask. Today was May 24th. This day 12 years ago, my father was killed.
I was only six and have very few memories of him or the life before here. The guilt rushed through me over the fact I hadn't remembered sooner. I was so consumed with graduation and finals that it slipped my mind.
The pain it sill brought my mom killed me inside. She never moved on. She said, "Nothing will be like the love and mate bond I shared with your father. It hurts to even think of loving someone else again."
I pulled her in a tight embrace. We sat like that for a while till I had no choice but to get ready for school.
She mentioned that luna Meghan had linked her that she was needed a little earlier today. mom was her personal omega or assistant. she got paid no matter what she was called, which was nice. Especially only having one income.
When my dad died, we moved to the black moon pack. She said we needed a fresh start and never talked about the past much. She wouldn't even mention the pack we came from, and I stopped asking a long time ago.
" Why does luna Meghan need you so early?"
"Luna wanted a head start on getting the welcome home party for Ben planned. It's going to be a huge bash with lots of other packs attending."
She looked at me like she said something she shouldn't have."
"Yeah, it's fine, I'm fine."
My wolf starlight started pacing and breathing heavy in my head. She never said much of anything. Just groaned or whimpered when I did something she didn't agree with.
I didn't get my wolf till I was almost 17, which was really unusual. Most got their wolves at 16 and some alphas at 14.
When I first shifted, it was a full moon in front of my mom. She told me I was never to shift in front of anyone but her. She looked so scared.
My wolf is pure white. Which is very rare. She told me I would be hunted if anyone found out. I haven't shifted since. Well, at least that she knew of.
The worry on my moms face made me wonder if that's why my dad was murdered.
My wolf never complained she was mostly mute besides a few grunts and sighs. Occasionally, she would use words but not often.
I couldn't help but feel she was upset with me. Maybe because of the fact I fell in love with someone that I didn't know was my fated mate or not.
Ben had been gone at alpha camp for the last two years. I've tried not to think of him. It's just easier that way.
"Well, you don't look fine. Luna Meghan says he will be taking a luna when he returns so he can take over being Alpha."
I nodded. Not really wanting to carry on with this conversation.
My heart sunk. Just by the mention of Ben's name. I haven't heard from Ben in two long years. Two very long years.
Raya POV
My daughter thinks I dont notice her mood and body language change every time Ben is mentioned.
I thought she knew he was coming home by the end of this summer. Maybe she did and was trying to put it to the back of her mind.
But she truthfully looked shocked when I said Luna Meghan and I were starting to plan his welcome home party.
I knew her and Ben had a childhood crush that turned into teenage love, but her reactions always made it feel like there was something more going on.
Luna Meghan and I thought they might be fated mates for a while. They were always pulled towards each other. It was like being away from one another was almost painful.
When Ben stopped talking to Lily, she wouldn't tell me at first, but when I came home early one day and heard her crying from her bedroom, I knew something was wrong.
She has been acting depressed and quiet for weeks. She was always quiet and shy, but this was different she was never that way with me.
I slowly opened her door without knocking. I didn't want her to send me away and act like she hadn't been crying.
She cried nearly every night for a week, and every time I asked, she would shrug me off like it was nothing. I tried to respect it. I figured she would come to me when she was ready. But I was starting to wonder if that was going to happen.
I didn't demand her to tell me. I just laid next to her in her bed. She spoke all on her. It was like she couldn't hold it back anymore.
She told me Ben hadn't texted or called her in almost a month and was ignoring every one of hers.
My heart broke for her. My motherly instincts wanted to kick his ass at first. But then the thought of him finding his fated mate at alpha school came to mind.
Maybe he did love Lily. At least it seemed that way to everyone. Maybe he just didn't want to break her heart.
I warned Lily that something like this could happen or vice versa. She could find her fated mate and break Ben's heart.
She insisted she would be fine. But I couldn't help but worry at the time, and I guess those instincts were right. I know more about that than she realizes.
Lily has a good group of friends. She spends most of the time with the gammas children, Myles and Amber. I knew I didn't have to worry about them. They would always protect her, and she would need all the help and protection she could get when my secret got out. It was only a matter of time, and she isn't a little kid anymore.
I noticed Myles was always so drawn to her, too. I really hope she wouldn't get herself into something that would end up with her having a broken heart again.
Myles was a good man. More on the goofy side. But fun.
I've sheltered Lily so much that I feel like she needs kids like Amber and Myles . Maybe more Myles than Amber. That girl is wild. One thing is for sure is that Amber will always be the life of the party.
I pushed all these thoughts aside and watched her walk away to get ready for school.
I rushed around myself to get to the packhouse. When I went to say bye to Lily, but she was already gone.