Stolen by her Wolves

III – Mating Season

Crystal

The evening sun cast a warm glow on the dining room of our home, as Marla, Maurice, Gary, and I sat around the table. It was a rare moment of peace in our tumultuous household, but it was also an opportunity for Marla to exert her control and put on a facade of a harmonious family.

Marla, who had a sickly sweet smile on her face, turned to Gary and asked, "Dear, how was your meeting with Alpha Zoren? Is the alliance with the other packs progressing well?"

Gary, who sat at the head of the table, nodded as he took a sip of his drink. "Yes, Marla. The meeting went quite well. We've managed to solidify alliances with the Green Eyes Pack and the Red Moon Pack. It's going to make the Crest Moon Pack even stronger, especially with the recent vampire attacks in the region."

I couldn't help but listen intently, both relieved by the news of strengthened alliances and anxious about the upcoming mating season and Moon Festival. The thought of finding my mate and potentially escaping the torment in this household filled me with hope.

Gary continued, changing the topic, "Speaking of the Moon Festival, it's just around the corner, and the mating season will follow shortly after. Crystal and Maurice will both turn eighteen, giving them a chance to find their mates."

Marla's gaze fell on me, her eyes cold and calculating. "Yes, they will, won't they?" She turned to Maurice, a sly smile playing on her lips. "It's an exciting time for both our girls."

Maurice, who had been watching the conversation with a mischievous glint in her eye, spoke up. "Oh, Mother, I can't wait to find my mate. I hope he's as strong and handsome as Zoro or Zake."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of dread. It was clear that Marla and Maurice would stop at nothing to secure their positions in the pack. And I knew that they would see the upcoming events as an opportunity to further their goals, even if it meant making my life even more unbearable.

Gary, ever the supportive figure in my life, turned his attention to me. "Crystal, how are you feeling about the Moon Festival and the potential to find your mate?"

I took a deep breath, my voice steady. "I... I'm hopeful, dad. It's a chance for a fresh start, a chance to find someone who will treat me with kindness and respect."

Marla's eyes flickered with annoyance, and she interrupted, "Well, Crystal, it's important that you make a good impression during the festival. No one wants a mate who's seen as a burden or a troublemaker."

Maurice chimed in with a mocking tone, "Yes, Crystal, you should really think about how you present yourself. It's not like you have much to offer anyway."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger rise within me, but I bit my lip and forced a smile. "I'll do my best to make a good impression, Maurice. I want to find my mate just as much as you do."

Gary, who had been observing the exchange, gave me a reassuring smile. "Crystal, I believe in you. You're a strong and kind-hearted young woman. I'm sure your mate will see that."

His words were a source of comfort in a household filled with cruelty and deceit. It was a reminder that there was someone who believed in me, even if it was just one person.

As dinner continued, the tension in the room was palpable. Marla and Maurice maintained their facades of support and enthusiasm for the upcoming events, but I knew that their true intentions were far from genuine. The Moon Festival was approaching, and I was determined to make the most of this opportunity, even if it meant enduring more hardship and cruelty from those who sought to hold me back.

Marla reached for Gary's hand and looked at him with a determined expression. "Gary, we need to make a way for Maurice to be the mate of Zoro or Zake. It's essential for the future of our family and the Crest Moon Pack. She should be the next Luna."

I could feel the tension in the room, and I held my breath, dreading what would come next. Marla had always been manipulative, but her words now seemed to carry a heavier weight, as if she had a plan in mind.

Gary sighed and gave Marla's hand a gentle squeeze. "Marla, you know as well as I do that I can't push anyone to be with another person, even if it's for the sake of the pack. The Moon Goddess will determine who the fated mates are, and it's not within our control."

Marla's eyes narrowed, and she leaned closer to Gary, her voice barely a whisper but filled with venom. "Gary, you have influence in the pack. You can make things happen. We need to ensure Maurice's future and the future of our family."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Marla was willing to go to great lengths to secure Maurice's position, even if it meant manipulating the very fabric of the pack's traditions. I felt a growing sense of unease, knowing that her ambitions had no bounds.

Maurice, who had been silent until now, spoke up with a hint of excitement in her voice. "Yes, Father, we should do whatever it takes to ensure my place as the next Luna. It's for the good of the pack, after all."

Gary's expression remained firm, his loyalty to the pack's traditions unwavering. "Maurice, it's not that simple. The Moon Goddess has her own plans, and we must respect her choices."

I couldn't stay silent any longer, not when I felt the weight of their ambitions bearing down on me. "Father is right," I interjected. "The Moon Goddess will determine the fated mates, and we must trust in her wisdom. It's not something that can be manipulated."

Marla's gaze turned to me, her eyes cold and filled with disdain. "Crystal, you always seem to be on the wrong side of things. You're a disappointment to this family."

I bit my lip, refusing to let her words break me. "I believe in fairness and tradition, Mom. It's not about taking sides; it's about doing what's right."

Gary nodded in agreement, his support unwavering. "Crystal is right. We must trust in the process and have faith in the Moon Goddess."

Maurice huffed in frustration, her plans clearly thwarted for the time being. "Well, it's not fair. I should have a say in my future, and I should be the next Luna. No matter what!"

Gary sighed and took a deep breath. "Maurice, Crystal, the upcoming events will reveal the truth. The Moon Festival and the mating season will bring clarity to these matters. Let's not dwell on this any further."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Gary was standing up for what was right, even in the face of Marla and Maurice's ambitions. The Moon Festival was fast approaching, and the fate of our pack would soon be determined by the Moon Goddess herself.