Howling Moon

I allowed mum and dad to grab my bags and usher me into the house. Nothing hadn’t really change, I noticed as we made our way through the house and up the stairs to my old room.

I saw a few new touches, some paint here, new photos there,mum’stouches evident throughout all the rooms.

“Here we are” dad said, placing my bags down on the ground, at the foot of a new four poster bed.

“What do you think?” He asked pointing it out.

“Dad, you didn’t have to.’ I tried to say.

“Nonsense, you have to be able to get a good nights rest now that you’re sleeping for two.” He said with a wink. I shook my head good naturally.

“Thanks dad, I love it.” I took in the rest of the room that had been my sanctuary many moons ago.

“Why don’t you get some rest. There’s a little get together later tonight.” Mum said.

“A party! I don’t need a party mum.” I tried to beg out of it.

“Nonsense,” mum said waving away my words.

“It’s just a small gathering of your friends and family, we want to welcome you back home is all.” Mum explained.

I sighed, there was no use trying to talk my way out of this, mum was very stubborn, when she got her mind set on something that was it. Dad chuckled off to the side.

“Fine, but just for one hour okay.” I tried to reason with her. Mum smiledplacatinglyand hugged me one more time before leaving the room.

“Welcome home baby.” Dad said giving me one his famous bear hugs, I didn’t realize till that point how much I’d miss them.

“Thanks dad.” I replied sinking into the hug, he squeezed me one more time. With a kiss to my forehead he left closing the door behind him. I looked down at the bags that I knew I needed to unpack and put away, but I just wasn’t in the mood. I climbed up onto the bed and soon fell into a peaceful sleep.

I’m not sure how much later it was but soon mum was knocking on my door letting me know they’d be leaving soon. I sat up in bed, with a stretch and a yawn, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

The sun would soon set and the moon would quickly make an appearance above the mountains surrounding the town. I took a quick shower, pulling out a dark mauve thigh high dress, I pulled on my sandals and made it down the stairs, where mum and dad sat waiting.

“Where are we going exactly?” I asked as we drove out thecul-de-sacback onto Crescent Drive and then out of town.

“Oh we’re heading to the alpha’s house.” Mum said distractedly.

‘Oh great’ I thought.

“Hmm.” I said, not really caring for more information I settled in for the rest of the drive. Mum and dad talking quietly as we drove to the outer limits of Howling Moon and made the turn onto the semi-hidden path that took us straight to the alpha’s residence.

I’d been to the Alpha’s house a couple of times in the past. Often times for pack runs, until I was old enough to stay home alone. Sometimes there was a mating ceremony; those were always beautiful to watch.

I didn’t really have any memorable memories of the place. If I wasn’t trailing behind my brothers and their friends I was more often than not off to the side by myself, head buried in a book as I tried to escape my sad reality.

The Alpha’s compound came into view around the next turn and a gasp left me.

“Whoa!”I said out loud . Things had definitely changed here. What once had been a large two story log cabin with an out house, had been transformed into a log mansion. With multiple floors and more log cabins dotting the surrounding area.

I looked around in wonder as I got out of the car. Dad had pulled the car onto a graveled car park in front of well manicure lawns with fire pits.

“Things have changed huh.” I wondered out loud.

“The new alpha made some improvements to the compound.” Mum said. I was just about to ask who the new alpha was when I was grabbed from behind and swung around in a circle.

I squealed then broke out in a laugh as I was passed from one brother to the other. Cody and Bryan shouted joyfully as they passed me back and forth littering my face with kisses.

“Put me down you big brutes.” I joked with a laugh.

“Sydney!” Cody my older fun loving brother shouted as he swung me around one last time and then planted my feet on the ground. I swayed a little dizzy from their antics and leaned back looking at the two giants in front of me.

“What the fuck guys, have you been eating steroids.” I exclaimed surprised at their appearance. The last time I’d seen my brothers, they’d been tall for sure a little buff as they both had gone out for sports at college; football and basketball. But I didn’t remember them being this huge.

“Sydney language.” Mum gasped shocked. We laughed at her. She had no idea how much of a sailor mouth I had, thanks to the many nights I spent with Andrew and his Marine buddies.

“Sorry mum.” I saidplacatingly.

Bryan giggled, I smacked him.

“Good god its like hitting a brick wall.” I complained shaking out my hand.

“Come on sis we’re not that huge.” Bryan said.

“Uh yeah to me you are.” I replied.

Cody laughed shaking his head he dragged me in for another bear hug, kissing me on my forehead.

“Gosh we missed your sis.” He said. I blushed a little ashamed I’d not kept in touch as much as I should have, especially in the last couple of years.

“I’m sorry..” I started to say.

“Oh hush. We understand sis” Bryan said hugging me tightly as well.

“Cody, Bryan” two female voices said behind me.

“Hey sis we want you to meet our chosen mates.” They said pulling away going to meet the two women coming down the steps to the car park I stood waiting.

I gasped, ‘NO fucking way!’ I thought. ‘This wasn’t happening.’ I thought as my high school nemesis and her sidekick approached latching on my brothers arms. I schooled my face and pasted on a fake smile.

“Sis I’m sure you know Whitney and Crystal from Howling Moon High” Cody said as they came to a stop in front of me. The girls looked at each other, none making a move to be the first to speak.

“Uh yeah, I remember them. Hi.” I said before things got awkward. I gave a small wave and sweet fake smile, my brothers posture relaxing.

“Hi Sydney, nice to see you again” Whitney; the nemesis said with a sickly sweet voice.

“Guys come on, let’s go inside.” Mum said waving us in. I sighed and hurried after her, happy to be away from the awkward situation. As they moved to the back of the house I saw some familiar faces, some not familiar. Everyone was smiling and laughing having a good time. Some waved at me, saying welcome home and I politely smiled and waved back.

The back of the log mansion opened out onto a paved terrace with a large pool and a barbecue grill set up to the side. The smell of barbecue permeating the air; shifters do love their meat.

From the pool onward was a thick forest as far as my eye could see. Taking in the children playing and running around, I realized there was a very relax feeling in the air. Mum and dad tried to introduce and re-introduce me to as many people as possible, but I was sure by the end of the night I wouldn’t remember half of their names.

I settle at one of the tables with mum and dad. Dad brought over plates of food for mum and I, as we dug in I tried to take it all in. I couldn’t believe that I was back in Howling Moon, that my brothers chosen mates were bitch one and two. This was going to take some getting use too.

Suddenly a hush fell over the back yard as the patio door swung open. My breath caught in my throat, as a beautiful man stepped out onto the patio my brothers in tow. He was tall, actually taller than my brothers, probably almost 6” 9 feet. His hair was shaved low on both sides and a man bun sat in the middle. It made him even more beautiful.

I’d never paid much attention to guys with man buns before, but his made me sit up and take notice/pay attention. He had a strong jaw and a well trimmed mustache that drew my attention to his pink kissable lips.

‘What the hell’ I thought shaking my head. I didn’t know where those thoughts had come from but they needed to stop immediately. Andrew had only be gone for a few weeks and I shouldn’t be checking out other men, I told myself a little ashamed and embarrassed by my thoughts. I looked down at my food my appetite gone, I pushed the plate away.

Laughter drew my attention back to their corner, he was standing by the grill with my brothers, they were having an animated conversations, hands flailing and laughter shaking their bodies. My brow scrunched, ‘wait I know him’ I thought. He seemed so familiar.

A throat cleared to my right, Whitney and Crystal sat looking at me as if I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t. A blush spread across my cheeks, I ducked my head and tried to hide behind my hair.

I pushed away from the table, gaining my parents attention;

“Hun is everything alright?” Mum asked with concern.

“Uh yeah, I just have to… where’s the bathroom?” I asked, anything to get out of here quickly.

Mum gave me some directions and after ensuring that I was indeed 100% okay, I went in search of said bathroom. As I entered the house his voice followed me in, I slammed the door shut, cutting off his enticingly smooth voice.

LincolnPOV

I called everyone to attention; “Welcome Howling Moon Pack, Blessed be.” I said in greeting.

“Blessed meet.” The pack responded.

“It’s so good to have all of you here today as we welcome home one of our pack.” They clapped in excitement Bryan and Cody cheered at my back, we all laughed at their antics.

“It’s also the first run of the season as pack.” I continued. A wave of excitement swept through the crowd. I smiled;

“Enough words, lets run.” I said cutting to the point. Immediately wolves begun to undress and shift. I nodded to my betas and proceeded to join our pack.

My wolf had been anxious and excited all morning. At first I’d though it was because of the pack run, but I realized that it was more so because Sydney was coming home.

Sydney and I had grown up together. When it became evident that I was nothing more than the runt of the litter my father; the Alpha at that time had ignored me. As the first born son it was I who was supposed to take over the pack, but when my first shift came and past without me shifting my father turned his attention to my brother; grooming him to take over.

That’s when I begun to spend a lot of time over at theDecklan’shouse. Cody and Bryan had took me under their wing, offering protection, much like how’d they’d done with their human sister Sydney. This meant we got to spend a lot of time together.

I chuckled remembering all the times we got up to mischief and Sydney was right there with us. She was amazing, I’d had a crush on her when we were younger. But then the guys and I had gone off to college and my focus had turned to college girls.

When my fifth shift came around my wolf made a spectacular appearance. I’d gone from a runt to a huge hulking black wolf over the course of a night. My alpha powers surging to the forefront. My wolf immediately choosing Cody and Bryan to be my betas.

I’d come home that winter, challenged my father, won and had taken over as Alpha of Howling Pack. It was a learning curve for sure, but my wolf wouldn’t have it any other way.

I brought my attention back to the present, pushing the past behind me as my wolf flanked by my betas lead our pack on a run through the forest on our property.

After an hour or so I lead everyone back to the pack house. We shifted and fell into comfortable companionship as the barbecue continued. I went around saying hi and touching base with members of the pack. All the while my wolf riding me to head into the house.

No longer able to ignore him I moved to the house. Immediately upon entering my wolf caught a scent, it was intoxicating, I swayed on my feet as a rush of heat washed over me, a flicker of lust whipped up my spine and pooled in my groin, making me hard instantly.

My fangs descended as I blindly followed the sweet scent of toasted almonds,carmeland vanilla. I stumbled into the living room, my eyes laser focused on the form laying on the futon.

I approached quietly, coming to a stop and falling to me knees beside the prone figure of Sydney; ‘MINE’ my wolf announced sending up a howl to the pack who responded in kind happy that their Alpha had found his Luna.

‘Oh Shit!’ I thought Sydney was my mate.