Her Mistake

Anabelle

I wake up feeling warmth on my skin. The sun is shining through the window of my room and hits my bare leg, almost burning me. Just then, I remember waking up to the same sensation yesterday. Even the sun seems to tease me by waking me up the same way every day.

Since I graduated last summer, I just don’t know what to do with myself. It’s not that simple; you can’t just dream of becoming anything you want, not when you live in the middle of nowhere like I do. Also, I am a she-wolf, mingling with humans for education could be very dangerous since they know about our existence and not all of them like us. Some even try to hunt us down but that is another story and not mine to tell.

I was born on a cold winter night during a supermoon event in a small village in the mountains of the Caucasus. On that special night when I was born, she had a vision of the Moon Goddess, Selene. My mom tells me the story over and over again as if hoping each retelling might reveal a new insight.

Apparently, Selene spoke to my Mom and told her that once the time was right I would want to visit her. That’s all. It’s like a riddle without any hints. She told my mom how to reach her, once I wished to get some answers. I would need to call her name three times while standing under the tallest tree in our forest.

It had to be done when the moon was at its fullest and I was not allowed to bring someone with me. I can’t imagine why I would want to seek her. To what question would I need answers to? Even if one day I find out and go searching for her, I’d probably just get lost in the woods.

The forest here is rich, and the view of the mountains is breathtaking. Getting lost here would be a blessing. Especially for me, as an only child loved and overprotected by my parents so nothing bad could ever happen to me. I love them but they can be too much sometimes. They barely let me go out of the house alone and I hate it.

So while I got the chance to get lost, I’d watch the sun rise and fall between those glorious mountains, standing all tall and proud against the endless sky. Oh Goddess I wish I had their confidence. I’d look to the beautiful sky and admire the birds, flying free when and where they pleased. No expectations. No responsibilities. No consequences.

My parents and I live not too far from our packhouse, where almost half of our people stay. We, along with all the others of our peaceful pack, reside in small wooden cabins within the territory of the Black Forest Pack. Our Pack is quite small and very peaceful. With almost 300 members, we are like a big family.

Our leaders are very kind. It’s a shame that due to the lack of an heir, Alpha Alex and Luna Nova are forced to announce an Alpha of their choice next Saturday.

The whole village is preparing to welcome some mysterious guests from all around the world by decorating the streets leading to the shops, cafes and restaurants in the center not far from our cabin.

The Council invited werewolves with special powers to fight in a duel. I assume the winner will become the next Alpha of our pack and take over Alpha Alex soon. I am not sure about the details though. I don’t like politics, although my father is one of the advisors of the Council. He works at the pack house and has his own office.

While Mom is always busy at home with cooking, baking,cleaning.

“Ana!! Are you still dreaming?” My mom calls, laughing.

“No, mom, I am awake. Just give me a second.”

“Just hurry up; your father and I need to go to town for some shopping. I want to see you before we go; we won’t be home until dinner.”

After a quick morning routine, I make my way downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of freshly brewed coffee greets me as I enter, and I can’t help but smile at the familiar sight.

My mother is standing at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. She always makes the best meals. I love her for spoiling me with food. It’s her way of taking care of me, even though I am already 19 years old and can take care of myself.

“Morning Dad, morning Mom.” I say, crossing the room to give them both warm hugs.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” my mother replies, returning the hug with a smile.

“Did you sleep well?”

I nod, taking a seat at the kitchen table across my Dad. He talks only when necessary, so I don’t bother him with small talk and give all my attention to my mother.

“Yeah, I did. Thanks for breakfast, you’re the best .”

My mom chuckles while setting a plate of maybe 8 pancakes down in front of me.

“Of course, dear, now eat.”

I happily dig into my breakfast. As I eat, I can’t shake the feeling that today is going to be different somehow. Little do I know just how right I am.

“So, what are your plans for today, honey?” My mother asks and I snap out of my thoughts.

“I am going to meet Lena as usual” I say, while eating the last pancake. I am so full I can’t breathe.

“Have fun and be careful, don’t go too far, call me if anything happens.” She says in a worried tone, kissing my hair and heading to the door.

Dad just sits there and looks at me with his loving eyes. If he could, he would keep me safe under his roof and never let me, his little princess, go out. And that’s his way of showing his love to his only child. I am just happy he doesn’t argue with me today for leaving home with my best friend.

Without a word, he gets up and kisses my head at the same spot where my mom just kissed and walks to his wife. They both look at me for the last time and smile before they go outside. It takes a while until I hear the engine start, and the car drives away.

After I put my plate into the dishwasher, I go to my room and search for my phone. It must be somewhere between the sheets. Where is it?

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

I smile at my phone while reading. This girl has no patience.

Lena: Hey Ana, you awake,or still dreaming of the new guys for the Alpha titel?

Lena: 📣Anaaaaaa.

Lena: Anabelle, wake up. They are not real!!!

Lena: Anaaaabelle.

Lena: Stop dreaming about hot wolves and answer me.

Lena: Where are you😭!!!

Anabelle: Lena, sweety 😍 you really need to work on your patience. I am here, where else should I be??

Lena: Are we going to the lake? Please say yes!!!

I love Lena; she has been my best friend since kindergarten. We spent all our lives together. She is like the big sister I never had, although she is only one year older than me. Born in the summer she can’t get enough of the sun and water and if i’d agree we would go to the lake everyday.

She is also the most beautiful girl I have ever met. Her smooth and shiny golden hair matches perfectly with her honey color eyes. She looks like the goddess of the sun. Warm and soft. Like the season in which she was born.

Although I am not as beautiful as Lena, I get many compliments for my green eyes. Also, my wolf is very unique. While other wolves look similar to their human futures, mine has white fur and silver eyes. My mom thinks it’s a blessing from the Moon goddess.

I don’t know if it is, but I think she is the most amazing wolf. We are one, always on the same page and I trust her with my life as she trusts me with hers. She is also very funny and makes me always smile.

Anabelle: It’s a yes, as always.

Lena: You’re the best, you know that? Don’t forget your 👙.

Anabelle: Yeah, I know. See you there in 15 minutes xo.

I grab everything I need and step outside the house. The air tastes sweet today.

As I reach the edge of the lake, I spot Lena sitting on a nearby rock, her feet dangling in the water. Lena waves excitedly as she sees me approaching, a wide grin on her face.

“Anabelle, you made it!” Lena calls, jumping up from her perch and rushing over to greet me.

I return the smile, feeling a sense of warmth spread through my chest at the sight of Lena’s familiar face. “Hey, Lena. Sorry I’m late.”

Lena waves off my apology, her grin widening. “No worries, girl. I was just enjoying the view.”

We sit down on the soft grass and unpack our bags. We have fruits and snacks, iced coffee, and sodas. The perfect picnic, if you ask.

“Shit, I forgot my bikini!! Do you mind if I go home to grab it quickly?” She asks.

“You remind me to bring mine and forget yours?” I laugh.

“I’ll be back in a minute.” She shouts while already running into the forest.

Her house is not far, but it will take her at least 15 minutes to get back. I smile in disbelief while dropping my yellow summer dress to the soft blanket underneath my feet. I am already wearing my white bathing suit, so I am ready to head to the lake.

It’s too warm today, and I am not willing to wait for her to return. The cold water is just too tempting. I close my eyes and float on the surface. It calms my soul and lets me drift away. Far away from everything into a beautiful daydream.

Suddenly, I feel movements in the water. Small waves start to hit me gently.

I smile again and greet Lena, still floating, with my eyes closed. “I am impressed; it took you really just a minute.” I say. She does not answer.

“Lena?!” I ask, a little annoyed. But still nothing.

I turn in the water, and my feet touch the ground. It’s not too deep, so I can stand easily. Where I think Lena should stay, I see a handsome young man, his gaze burning on me. I look behind, just to be sure I am alone and it’s me whom he is staring at. I blush before he speaks. Then I hear the most powerful voice I have ever heard in my life.

“Hello beautiful.” His lips part, he smiles at me. Two simple words meant just for me.

He looks like those figures chiseled into pure white marble with details to every muscle in perfection. Those sculptures showing off their masculinity in shameless nudity. Those you want to touch so desperately just to feel the smoothness of the smooth material under your fingertips. Thank the goddess I am still in the water otherwise he could see my shaking legs. One look at him made me all go juicy and jelly.

As I look from his navel to his face, I wander in slow motion with my eyes glued to his tan skin like I found some hidden garden full of beautiful flowers and hidden secrets. His body is trained like a warrior and I wonder who he is. I stop looking upwards, at his perfectly straight nose. Do I dare to look into his eyes? No, I don’t. Why am I even asking myself? He clears his throat, probably waiting for me to answer.

“Hello,” I say in a high-pitched voice. Well, that was embarrassing.

Why am I blushing again? I ask myself, crying in my mind. And where is Lena? I need her to rescue me. Like right now.

He just chuckles and moves toward me slowly. I back up when I notice that he is closer to me now. He stops moving and I think he even stops breathing. I don’t know.

“I am Max.” He says. I assume that he wants to know my name now as well?

“A- Anabelle.” I stutter. “I am not here by myself, my best friend Lena will be here soon, she just went home to grab something she forgot.”

I don’t even know why I give him all the information, and because I still don’t dare to look him in the eyes, I look around, searching for her in the distance instead.

“Anabelle, look at him. NOW.” My wolf Blanca insists.

“NO.” I answer in my mind.

“I am sure he is someone special, I can feel it the way he looks at us. He is different.” She says.

“It doesn’t matter. He is not our Mate.” I hiss back at her.

“How can you be so sure about that? Look at him now!”

“If he was our Mate, we would have smelled his scent already.” I explain, not that she doesn’t know what I mean.

We should be able to recognize our Mate by his scent before we even look at him. This Max guy is special. I can feel it too. But also, something is missing. I don’t smell his scent. I am confused. I feel the pull, but it’s not what I expected. It doesn’t feel right but it doesn’t feel wrong either. I am unable to figure it out just yet.

“Why am I not smelling him?” I ask my wolf in frustration.

“I don’t know, maybe because we are in the water and we smell like fish?” She says, laughing in my mind.

This really is not the right time for jokes. But i Guess there is just one way to find out. Finally, I lift my head slowly and meet his eyes. We both freeze.