Chapter 1 - No Choice
Serena stood in her fathers office, arms crossed angrily over her chest. She wanted nothing to do with what her father was proposing. "Please Serena, hear me out. This is a great opportunity for you. The pack is paying for you to go to college, so you can help run some of the businesses. You were always a great student, so I don't understand what you're so hesitant about." Beta Gene leaned back in his chair, with an exasperated look on his face. This is the third time they are having this conversation, his mind is made up. Serena is going away to Montana for college, no question about that.
"Dad, I don't want to go to college right now. I'm going to be 21 in less than a year, and surely I will find my mate here in our pack. I just know it. I don't understand why I can't be a warrior, that is a noble path for me to follow and I am a great fighter", she huffs as she shifts on her feet, trying to get her point across. Serena was born into the Half Moon Pack, to her parents Beta Gene and his mate, Trina. She has never wanted to leave the pack, never wanted to venture anywhere else, this is home. Serena was set on becoming a warrior, and helping her father with some of his duties, until her little brother Elijah was of age to take over. But that wasn't going to be for another 11 years. Elijah was only ten, their parents had all but given up on having any more pups after Serena hit the age of 10, but they were surprised with Elijah and now had a male heir to take over as Beta, as Serena had made it clear she didn't want to take her fathers seat, when she had a brother who could do it. No, she had other plans for her life.
"Serena, this is our third time having this conversation. The arrangements have been made. You will go to Montana and your Mothers old pack has agreed you can come there while you're in school. You will stay with your cousin Amanda. You're the same age and she is also going to school in Billings. It's a good opportunity for you to get to know some of your mothers relatives too. Your grandparents are so excited to have you around for a couple years", Beta Gene explained.
"A couple of years?" Serena choked out. She did not want to go away for a couple of years. She spent that last two doing college online, and she had just completed her Associates in Business and Finance. She thought for sure that the Alpha would find that sufficient for her to help out. It seems she was wrong, as he was adamant about sending her away to get her Bachelor's. The pack had a lot of businesses to run, but Alpha John wanted someone with the know how to help run the businesses, as his father had not done the best job and he was still trying to dig the pack out of the hole he put them on. Don't get it wrong, the pack had money, and they weren't struggling now that John had taken over, but there was a lot of damage done by his late father, and he needed someone with brains to help clean it up. That was Serena, top of her class when she graduated two years prior.
To make matters worse, Serena was excited to turn 21 and find her mate. She had her eyes set on Alpha John's son, Damien. She was sure he was her mate, they had grown up together, they were always great friends, and spent a lot of time training before Damien was sent away for his Alpha Training. He'd be returning next year, and she would be 21. Damien would be 22 when he returned, so he could also find his mate. Serena felt in her heart they were destined to be together. Her father and Alpha John didn't see it that way, they both thought Serena wasn't being honest with herself and setting herself up for heart break.
"Yes Serena, it will take two years for you to finish your degree. Just feel glad you already did two years online, so you won't have to be away for so long. This is for the best. You have no choice in the matter, now I suggest you run along to training, you're late." Gene leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, giving his daughter the look that said this conversation is over. He did feel bad sending her away, but everyone had to make sacrifices for the pack, his daughter was not excluded. After all, she is the Beta's first born, and since she made it clear she didn't want his title passed down to her, she had to offer something more to the pack, and Alpha John was certain that with her intelligence, she could get the pack businesses back to their former glory. Serena let out an audible sigh, "Fine, I will get myself mentally prepared to go, since I have no "choice", Serena Air quotes with her hands, turns on her heel and walks out, slamming the door behind her. Beta Gene just shakes his head and gets back to work. Serena will be fine, she always is.
As Serena stormed out her fathers office, she passed her mother in the hallway. "Serena, where are you off to so angry?" her mother asked her. Serena looked so much like her mother, and both had a fiery temperament. It definitely kept Gene on his toes with the two fiery women of his house. Serena paused, pushing her long blonde lock back behind her ears. "Training, I'm late for training. I'm not in the mood Mom. Beta Gene is sending me away for school". She had a habit of referring to her father by his title when she was angry with him. Her mom just sighed and said "Oh honey, its going to be fine. Your father really wants what is best for you and the pack. This is not only a great opportunity for you, but you will be able to give so much more to the pack. It's important to remain useful my dear".
Serena stood tall, she was a good bit taller than her mother, standing at five foot nine inches. She puffed up her chest and looked her mom right in the eyes "I am an asset to this pack, I am a great fighter." Trina looked at her daughter with pride and spoke softly while stroking her daughters forearm. "Oh I know Serena, but you are so much more than that. You have a brilliant mind, lets not forget about that. You can still be a warrior. I spoke to your grandfather, he will have your Uncle Milo continue your training while you are in Montana. He's one of the best you know, now run along to training, take out that frustration there." Trina walked away towards Beta Gene's office without another word.
"Can you believe my father won't even hear me out? They don't care that I don't want to leave the pack, that I don't want to go away for school. He flat out said I have no choice," Serena was complaining to her best friend Amara, as they walked out of the training grounds for the locker room. Amara was just shaking her head and laughing as she looked at her friends crystal blue eyes fill with unshed tears. "Serena, it can't be that bad. I hear Montana is beautiful. Besides, your Mom is from there. Don't you want to see where she grew up, spend some time with your grandparents?" Amara was trying to give her perspective.
Serena wasn't so sure she agreed with any of it, but she did think Amara was making some valid points. She had never left their small town tucked away in the mountains of Colorado. She hadn't even ventured into the human city, Denver. She had been content away from all of that noise. But here she was, about to go off to Billings, be surrounded by humans half the time, and thrown into her mothers family for the rest. It sounded both scary and exciting. Serena sighed, turned to look at Amara, who was just smiling at Serena, always the one with the ability to make Serena see reason. "Maybe you have some points here. Maybe. But what about when Damien comes home next year? I won't be here. We won't know if we are mates, how can I wait another year, when he's already been gone for three? That's five years I won't get to see him."
Amara just shook her head, "Come on Serena, you really believe he is your mate? If he is, he will wait for you. But what if he isn't? I say just take this chance and run with it. Go out to Montana, train with your Uncle, get to know your grandparents better, and learn whatever you can. When you come home, you will be that much stronger, and we will all be here. Besides, you can come home next summer, so it's not technically two years you will be away."
"I guess", Serena breathed as they walked into the shower rooms. "Let's get cleaned up and then do some shopping. If I have to go live far away from friends and family, at least I should look good doing it." That made Amara laugh, "ok that's my girl, a little retail therapy".
An hour later, Amara and Serena are walking down main street of their small town, deciding which store to check out. "Let's go in here," Amara tugs on Serena's arm and pulls her into Le Boutique. It had all the cutest fashions, and you didn't need to go to the city to find what you wanted. The chimes on the door rang, and Carolyn came out from the back. "Hey girls, what can I help you find today?"
"Serena here is going to be heading up to the Ridge Mountain Pack for a bit, attending college in Billings. She needs some new clothes to make her feel better about being away from us," Amara smiled and winked at Carolyn. Carolyn appeared a little surprised at first, then a huge smile came across her face. "Ridge Mountain huh? You're one lucky lady. I hear the Alpha up there is absolutely gorgeous, and at 25, still hasn't found his mate."
Serena shuffled uncomfortably, "Um yeah, I don't care about that to be honest. When I come home next summer, I will let you know if he's all that, but I'm not there to ogle any Alpha." Carolyn shrugged, "suit yourself".
The girls spent about an hour in the boutique, laughing and trying on clothes. Carolyn had just gotten a new shipment in, so there was plenty to choose from. In the end, Serena walked out with two pairs of jeans, a teal sweater that brought out her eyes, and a few dressier outfits for school functions. The girls then made their way to diner, plopped down in a booth with their bags, and ordered lunch.
"So you don't care about the hot Alpha up at Blue Ridge huh?" Amara asked while sipping her caramel latte. Serena laughed out loud, "Why would I? I told you, I'm hoping Damien is my mate. Besides, I'm there for school and training. I need to keep my focus, so I can get home as soon as possible. Maybe if I double up on classes, I could knock this out early and not be gone so long," Serena tapped her temple to show she was thinking. Amara shrugged, "Ok, well I guess we will see".
The waitress came to the table with their burgers. "Hello ladies, here are your burgers. I see you have done some shopping today, looks like a lot, special occasion?" She asks and she sets the plates down. Amara pipes up "Yeah Serena is going away to college, up to Billings. You know, Mountain Ridge Pack." The waitress looks thoughtful for a second, then says "Oh yeah, I went up there two years ago. The Alpha had some sort of gathering, for all unmated wolves over the age of 21. I guess he was trying to find his mate and luna. But he didn't. He is one fine specimen though, I would have loved to be his mate. That was before I found mine." She smiles and walks away.
Serena is looking at Amara who has this look on her face, like she's about to say something Serena doesn't want to hear. Serena shakes her head, "Oh no you don't. Don't even say a word." Amara just smiles, nods and digs into her burger.
