Chapter One
1386 Words
Four Years Ago...
Ella
“Stop cheating, Ella! You know we can’t catch up with you just yet!” Daviana shouted as we kept running through the woods, my skin being caressed by the night breeze, under the full moonlight.
We were headed towards a clearing, where at this time of the season, wolves and she-wolves would find their mate. If they were eighteen, of course. I was only fourteen, but I was already feeling the pull towards a boy, who I hoped would be my mate when we turned of age.
“Daviana is right. You have shifted since you were a baby. It’s not fair to the rest of us,” Duncan spoke, doubling over as he tried to catch his breath, feeling suddenly dizzy.
“Don’t worry. My father has already claimed that you two will be the strongest warriors in the pack. Just give your wolves time to show up as they should. They might be a little shy.” I teased them, but I felt sympathy for them.
When I turned one, according to my parents as of course, I couldn’t feel anything, they said they walked into my room and saw me in the crib, the sheets torn and the wooden rails scratched and bitten.
It was strange for a wolf to shift so early in their years, but I guess I was just a special kind of creature. Having a wraith as a mother, and an Alpha as a father might have something to do with it.
But it’s not certain. The Moon Goddess must have blessed me.
Duncan lifted his gaze, his eyes focusing on me, making my heart race.
Please, let him be my mate when we turn eighteen. I pleaded in my mind.
“Well, good for you,” Kellina said with a harsh tone to her voice, finally catching up to us. She was not a happy camper. Ever. Her fiery red hair like her mother's and gray-ish eyes made her look a bit intimidating. “You are the Alpha’s daughter. So you get the benefit of being better than us.”
“Kellina, of course I don’t get that benefit. I am just… lucky, I guess.” I sighed, looking at my other two friends who just stared down at the ground, not saying another word. “You are important to me; all of you. Let’s not fight over something so petty. You will all get your wolves to come out.”
“In time? We were supposed to get them before the age of thirteen. Who knows if I have one, considering I have more witch genes than wolves.” Kellina crossed her arms on her chest, looking away.
“Not everyone is the same, Kell. You’ll see it will come to you. Now, let’s see the ceremony. I don’t want to miss it.” I mentioned, leading the other three towards the clearing, where we could witness the mating ceremony from behind a tree.
My father stood by the made-up stage in front of the rest of the pack, a giant fire pit in the middle of the clearing, where older wolves stood behind the younger ones, parents and grandparents eager to know if their cubs would find their mates that night.
“Welcome, you all. These young ones here tonight are about to turn of age in less than ten minutes. So, there might be a chance where some of you, if not all, would find your other half. Your mates.” He expressed, and I couldn’t be any prouder of being his daughter.
My mother stood by his side, looking regal in her black gown, her hair down in long waves and her majestic silver crown with black diamonds as she smiled kindly to the young wolves. Oh, how I wish to be there already, finding my own mate.
At the thought, I looked to the side, Duncan staring straight at me as if knowing what I was thinking and smiled. “Miracles can happen. And I hope that one day, that would be us standing there, finding the way to each other.”
“I hope so, too,” I whispered, kissing his cheek. His blush was clear even in the dimmed lights of the fire.
Soft howls were heard around the woods, and as midnight hit, they were scrambling around, searching for their fated ones as we witnessed the wonderful and chaotic event.
“Congratulations to you all! It’s the first time in pack history that every single young wolf here finds their mate. Now, spread around and run, spend some time under the moonlight with your mates!” Father shouted in glee, ushering every wolf to shift and go for their mating run.
“It was beautiful,” Daviana mentioned. “I hope to find my mate one day.”
“Me too,” Kellina said, her voice bitter as he stood by our side, but I could see a glint in her eyes; as if hoping she would find her mate one day as well.
She was sort of my cousin, from my father’s side, but also the twins’ from their mothers’ side. No, I was not related to them. It is all complicated, but whatever.
It was still great, considering I am feeling this pull towards Duncan. If only Kellina changed her attitude towards life, we would get along so much better.
We were so engrossed in the ceremony, I hadn’t realized the strong scent taking over my senses.
“Oh, no,” I said, my heart racing as my wolf whined knowingly.
“Oh, yes.” My father’s deep voice resonated behind us. We turned around and stared at him, all of us giving him shy smiles. “You are all on curfew. What are you doing all the way out here? There are enemies lingering around, and you can all get in trouble.”
“But, Father. I thought you had gotten rid of all of them.”
Father sighed, looking around the woods, trying to catch any foreign smells. “That doesn't mean more won’t come. So I need you all four to go back to the packhouse.”
My friends all looked down in shame. “Yes, Alpha Atwood.”
They all headed back as I stood there, not moving a muscle.
“What are you doing, Ella? You, more than anyone else, should know how to keep them safe. You’re the future Alpha, and it’s your job to take care of them.”
“But, Father. We were just having fun. I didn’t want to miss the ceremony. Besides, I am old enough to know that…”
“You’re not old enough to lead a pack yet, but you can show me how to protect your friends. Most of all, Kellina. She didn’t get the wolf genes, so she needs it more than anyone in the pack.” His confession froze my blood. And here we were, thinking she would shift any day.
Turns out, she wouldn’t. Kellina would be disappointed to find out for sure.
I looked down and nodded. “Yes, Father. I understand. But that doesn’t mean we have to stay in the packhouse like prisoners. We need to run around and explore. We’re curious teenagers.”
I frowned as he approached me, his tall figure way above my head as he leaned over and studied me. “You’re as stubborn as your mother. But here in this pack, everyone has to obey the rules. And that applies to the Alpha. Now, go back to the packhouse before you disturb the rest of the mating ceremony.”
I crossed my arms on my chest and puffed my cheeks, seeing my mother approach us, and I knew I couldn’t argue with them. She was a bit scarier than Father, especially Violet, who knew with just one glowing look, how to make me follow rules.
As I rushed back home, a cold shiver came through my soul, and Azandra, my wolf, growled softly as if feeling the dark presence deep in the trees.
As brave and curious as I wanted to be and check it out, I had to make it home safely, or else I would be in trouble with not only the Alpha, but my entire family.
- Writer
