Mystic Wolf

I could tell by the scent of Jasmine who was creeping into my bedroom so late at night.

“Hey, I’m staying with you.” I heard her silk voice whisper with the assumption that I had woken up to the movement of sheets just behind me. I hummed in response and fell right back to sleep.

Melanie became a fast friend when I was brought to their village even though she intimidated me upon meeting her. She held a serious expression that translated to me that she might be bitchy, but I came to learn quickly that she just had an IDGAF attitude and the kind of confidence that demands attention.

If I’m being honest I was immediately jealous of her style and looks. She has perfect brows, long brown hair that curls very loosely on the ends, and red lips left to be desired. I was almost her complete opposite in all my light features.

As a human I was never meant to find this village deeply embedded in the mountains away from my version of civilization. Werewolves did not reveal themselves to humans, but under a strange set of dire circumstances I became the exception just short of a year ago.

Many of the people weren’t too keen on my presence there at first but with my people pleasing tendencies I made sure I went above and beyond to give back to the community that took me in.

I was an excellent cook for the Alpha house and dedicated my time to helping others with odd jobs around the village or collecting groceries for the elderly wolves who found it difficult to get around.

In time I won the people over. I had only one fear, that when the Alpha’s son returned from his two years of training to take on the role of Alpha that he wouldn’t be so kind.

I had yet to meet either him or his Beta and I worried about their temperament since being a young wolf in power often came with ego. Or so Jasper, the Delta, told me. He wasn’t a part of the training just yet so he was my second fast friend just before Melanie.

In the morning I found a sleeping she-wolf in my bed with her head buried under one of my pillows. If she was here without warning that meant she had been with Lyson last night. I’m pretty sure they are going to be mates but since they’re both only 19 years old they won’t know for sure until at least their 20th birthdays, if not 21.

Melanie’s parents felt strongly about not dating before finding your mate, so Melanie would lie and say she was with me when really she was trotting the woods with Lyson. I didn’t mind.

This wasn’t the first time I woke up to my best friend hogging half the bed and it certainly isn’t the last. I was up earlier than she’d ever agree to because I was in charge of the food here in the Alpha house.

Quietly, I made my way out of the room and down to the kitchen to start breakfast before the wolves would begin trickling in. I had a less than desirable upbringing, but for a brief time when I had been taken away from my mother and staying with a foster family, I learned how to cook the way I do.

My brief foster ‘mom’ was a chef and in an attempt to bond she started teaching me everything she knew and I found that I enjoyed it. It was a glimpse into what my life could have been had I not been raised by a drug addicted mother and poor excuse of a stand-in step father. Really he was just my mother’s fellow drug and alcohol addicted boyfriend.

“Mira” a deep voice pulled me from my thoughts.

It was Alpha Conan. If his aged good looks are any indicator then I can assume his son is quite handsome. The man stands at least 6′2 in height and his eyes are ocean deep and compliment his darker hair. His wife had similar dark hair but dark eyes to go with them.

“Hello Alpha” I bowed my head in respect even though I’m not a wolf and don’t necessarily need to adhere to their customs.

“I’m sorry. Breakfast isn’t ready yet” I looked apologetically at the pans in front of me. “Don’t worry about that, sweetheart. I’m up earlier than usual. I have a lot to prepare for. I’ll just grab a cup of coffee if you have it and maybe a little something to go” he eyed the plate of muffins I had baked the night before.

“Let me warm this for a second while I make you a cup to go” I quickly lowered the heat of the stove top and made my way to the counter where the coffee pot was waiting.

“You’re the best” the grinning wolf stated as he gathered the muffin and mug in both hands. “So I’ve heard” I playfully hollered back as he'd already made his way out of the room.

By 7:30am Luna Leslie was in the kitchen chatting with me. And by 8 all the others had appeared to fill their plates with heaps of eggs, waffles, bacon, biscuits, muffins, hash browns, sausage you name it. Wolves ate a lot and I learned that quickly.

In the Alpha house lived the Alpha Conan, Luna Leslie, their soon to be Alpha-son Devran, the Elder Beta with his wife, and soon to be Beta-son Diego, and a daughter.

Also, the Elder Delta, his wife, and the soon to be Delta-son Jasper, along with Jasper’s younger brother and sister, and lastly myself and Alpha’s aging mother. In total it’ll be about 14 of us when the Alpha’s son and his ascending Beta return.

The ‘house’--if you can even call it that--was huge and easily held all of us but that didn’t mean it wasn’t often chaotic. I suppose it’s custom for the first, second, and third in command of the pack to live together to hold the integrity of the pack.

The coming and going of everyone didn’t feel too different to what I grew up with. Although I was living with my mom and her boyfriend they constantly had others staying with us just to make rent, and they were addicts too, so I guess it was just easier to get their fixes together in one single location.

At the sight of cinnamon brown hair and those hazel eyes I knew Jasper was awake and headed over. He was attractive in a way that was adorable more than anything else. It must’ve been the dimple and passive temperament.

“Hello sunshine” he gave me a crooked grin before taking the plate I was already handing him. He had a modest build but was much taller than myself. He called me sunshine due to my blonde locks and ‘glowy’ appearance as he called it.

“Mira, come eat” I heard someone calling from the room which hosted an enormous dining table. I took my small plate and walked over to sit beside Jasper where I usually would. Between mouthfuls he side eyed me as he spoke.

“I’m not going to be able to shoot today. I have ‘business’ to attend to” he rolled his eyes.

By shoot he meant photography. It was a hobby of his, more so a passion, and he was damn good at it. I had been posing for him for a few months now. Being in front of a camera made me sheepish at first but then I came to enjoy the art of it.

“Yeah, Alpha had mentioned things are getting busy with the guys coming back” I nodded, trying not to sound weary. Jasper knew me too well and could read my mind without my having to say a thing.

“They aren’t going to kick you out of the village when they get back. Those are my two best friends. They’ll listen to me” he assured me for the thousandth time.

“Hey, I thought I was your best friend,” I playfully pouted. With a chuckle he shook his head. “Ehhh” he teased but when I swatted him he quickly responded, “more so my muse.”

I caught Alpha Conan’s mother looking over at us with a sly grin. The woman wouldn’t let me call her anything but Gran. So Gran thought Jasper and I made a cute couple even though she knows humans aren’t able to be mates of wolves, which meant I was most certainly not his.

Besides, we didn’t hold romantic feelings for one another. It was a strong bond but one of friendship. My cheeks heated just by knowing the thought that was crossing Gran’s mind. Jasper was oblivious to it.

I ended up making a plate for Melanie and bringing it up to her. She had woken up too late but she was often hesitant to sit at the Alpha’s table anyways. She wasn’t of rank for it, but the Alpha was kind and fair and didn’t look down on his own people, especially friends of ours, to join us in his home.

In all my life I have never been treated so well as I have here. It took me a long time to begin to understand a true household and not respond in manners of past traumas. But people didn’t know my real story and didn’t know my docile yet alert demeanor--my always tiptoeing around-- as anything but shy.

Jasper knew some of my habits like how I needed the door to my bedroom kept open during the day but locked at night. That habit became futile once I learned Melanie knew how to pick locks. I had to explain to her why her sneaking into my room was a trigger for me, but instead of stopping she told me she was going to continue doing so to normalize the fact that I am safe here.

The stubborn girl was right because now I don’t even acknowledge her showing up in the middle of the night.

Now she and I were sitting cross legged on my bed as I listened to her raving about Lyson. “I’m telling you Mira you are missing out by not trying out a wolf. They’re insatiable, strong, have stamina for days” she grinned at the last part knowing I’d blush.

“Can you stop it” I covered my face. I’m only 17 going on 18 and I felt too innocent and inexperienced when I’d listen to Mel’s stories.

“We aren’t old fashioned about the Bond ties anymore. Everyone dates before they find their Mate. I know a ton of guys that would jump at the chance of getting with you” she arched a full brow in anticipation of my response.

“Oh stop, nobody is jumping at any chance” I laughed awkwardly at the thought. “Babes, you may be innocent but you aren’t naive. You’re like Angelic- kind of beautiful. You know you’re hot” she waved me off.

Funny thing is that I don’t actually believe myself to be attractive. Kind spirited and helpful, yes. Honest and loyal, of course. But beautiful isn’t even a thing I’ve heard anyone call me. I’ve been called ugly, disrespectful, ungrateful, pasty, dumb blonde, and much worse growing up where I did and to me that’s more believable than angelic.

That’s Melanie for you, over exuded confidence.

When we decided to go outside and enjoy the weather Melanie threw on her signature oversized jean jacket and red heart shaped sunglasses with dark tinted lenses. The bright color matched her lips. I simply threw on a blue and white striped sundress and left my hair in the very loose beach waves they naturally hung like before joining her outside.

“Tell me about the Alpha’s son” I glanced up at my friend, shifting my eyes again when she looked over at me.

“I’m surprised you’ve never asked me that before. Honestly, he’s so hot. I don’t think there is a girl in this village that doesn’t want him” she laughed, continuing to lead us across the town square.

“Jasper says he’s kinda...assertive” I fumbled for lack of a better word.

“An asshole?” she asked. I laughed but shook my head no. “He didn’t call him that. Just a young strong wolf with ego” I shrugged. She gave me an expression that told me that was true.

“So what else?” I further inquired. I couldn’t explain why I was suddenly so intrigued other than the fact that I knew he’d be replacing leadership and that he’s often talked about around town like he’s some big shot golden boy.

I spotted the quirk of my best friend’s full lips when she realized I wanted much more information than she was giving me. Pulling her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose she studied my face for a moment.

“Well...as you know the ascending Alpha and Beta always go away for a span of about two years to both train and sort of do a national tour of other territories and their future leaders, as a way to get acquainted with those of us who are allies, and...” she trailed off leaving me suspenseful.

“And?”

“And usually the tour sort of has to do with finding their mate. Not all mates are in the same pack so they always meet by the fate of the Moon Goddess. They could be coming home with two new members to our pack if they found their girls.”

I listened to her explaining until my mind wandered off. Would their homecoming include the new Luna? I’d bet anything if he has found his mate she is breathtaking. By the sound of him he’s too good looking not to have the perfect counterpart.

We spent the rest of our afternoon talking about the mysterious Alpha and what’s coming next.