Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Lyka
Today is one of those rare days that it feels like spring and after so long a cold winter I can sit outside for a few stolen moments. The air is light with a mild breeze. The sound of birds in the distance with the little coo of a mourning dove. These days are my favorite type of day. It almost feels like the sun will heal anything. The winter has been so harsh this year and today is the first day that it actually feels like spring.
The sun hit my pale skin, and I pulled out my ponytail, letting my light chestnut hair blow in the breeze. My hazel eyes are squinting, trying to get used to the sun and keeping a lookout for when they return.
For once, I am not being yelled at for things that I’ve done or haven’t done. I am a servant in Alpha Kohn pack and my main job is taking care of his daughter. She often unlovingly refers to me as her pet and I suppose that’s what I am, being the only human in a world of shifters. Not being able to shift and not having a real place is my lot in life and I have accepted it. I often hear other she-wolves talking about their mates and how they found them. Since I am human, I know that I will never have that, most especially because there’s no way Bela would allow it.
Alpha Kohn’s daughter Bela, is a beautiful she-wolf. She is 6ft with high hips and lovely curves. A lot of the boys like her and she attracts the attention of almost all of the high-ranking officers that visit the pack house. She is what I would describe as eccentric. Everything is bold with her. Even her attitude.
She makes sure that life is especially hard for me. If she is not yelling at me, then she’s giving me a good slapping. She has a lot of anger and I make a good punching bag. It is usually against the law for omega and werewolves to be treated the way I am, but I suppose she gets away with it because I am only a servant and a human.
I have on a servant's dress, dull and brown. I am not supposed to stand out at all. The only thing I have that is worth anything is my little necklace that sits on my collarbone. It has a small silver chain and a small sun pendant. It’s not real silver, I know, because when I was younger the werewolf boys would dare each other to touch my necklace to see if it burned, it didn’t. I was told I had it when I was found by the last Alpha, Alpha Kohn’s Father, before Alpha Kohn took over. I guess he felt bad for me, or I was of use to him, because I am the only human that lives in the pack house. But in fairness, I’m not sure you could say that I’m living much.
Since I am nothing but a lowly servant, my bed consists of a small cot that sits in the laundry room by the kitchen. I also have another cot in Bela's room, I am her little pet after all, and she often needs me all throughout the day and night to be at her beck and call. She would have me sometimes guard her door especially if she is in intimate moments with men. This is the task I most especially hated. A lot of times I think she does that just to degrade me a little more. I would rather be in the small laundry room truth be told especially during the winter when the dryer would run and keep me warm.
She would never allow her best little pet, her minuscule servant to be taken away from her control under any circumstance. Especially if it had anything to do with love. She couldn’t give me that kind of happiness. I would often daydream about what it would be like to have a mate and not be stuck doing her bidding, but that’s all just daydreams. Werewolves have very little interest in me because I am a human although I’ve been told I am somewhat pretty. That’s another reason for my simple dress.
I see them coming back now, sitting on the balcony of Bela’s room. My sweet moment is broken up because I know I must go back inside and prepare to help Bela for dinner. I must hurry before she sees me. That would earn me another beating because she doesn’t want me to be lazy as she calls it. I should always have something to keep my mind sharp and not complacent, she would say.
I slowly sneak inside and start to clean up her room waiting for her to return so that I can help her dress for dinner. I picked out a little pink dress and set out her pink glitter heeled shoes. Then I turned on her curler and straightener, and set up her makeup on the vanity. Bela had let me know long ago that she always wanted to look cute for dinner. She came into the room laughing and giggling in a good mood, which is fortunate for me.
“Oh, hello pet” she says as she sees me, her voice dripping with spite
“Hello Miss.” I say softly.
“ I’m glad to see you have everything ready. You need to be on your best behavior the next couple of days because we have a guest coming.”
“Of course Miss” I say automatically. I have learned not to provide ammunition for her mood swings.
“He is Alpha Stefen of the Blood Moon Pack, and he is GOING to be my mate.” She says with triumph as if she has already been mated and marked.
She makes her way into the bathroom to shower. Continuing to talk to me while she goes. “ He is said to be the strongest and most handsome Alpha. You know what they say about the Blood Moon Pack, right?”
“No Miss” I say, shaking my head. I don’t get told very much about other packs. I’m always told that it’s not my concern so any information I get is from overhearing or whatever Bela wants me to know. Not only that, but I feel this is just information to scare me into submission not that I need to submit any further, but I think she likes to see the terror in my eyes and my face pale even more than it already is.
They are the most vicious. They are all powerful, and he will kill anyone who does not do as he says.” she says with more triumph, as I cannot help, but give her the reaction she was hoping for. I shutter and terror and silently wish that he would not come.
She comes out after her shower and I gently brush and dry her hair. Then I straightened her hair and put on her makeup. She puts her dress on, and I zip the back. “Now move” she says as she walks out the door and heads downstairs to dinner. Leaving me alone again with my fear.
Stefen
Today was the first day in a while that I was able to get my work done early and go out and enjoy the evening. It is a perfect spring-like day and being in the forest going for a run was a welcomed change to the bitter cold of winter. Although we are wolves and the cold doesn’t really affect us, it is still nice to shift back as a human and enjoy the sun on my back. That’s something I haven’t done in months.
I am the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. We are the largest pack in North America, we also have the most feared reputation. When we strike it is always fast and brutal. Some stories are true but some of them I just don’t feel the need to correct. You can do a lot of things with fear.
I’m sitting by the water's edge, my body towering over the water. I am wearing only shorts and no shirt. My hair is midnight black, and it is cut short. I find long hair to be a nuisance. Being the Alpha I am bigger than most men. My wolf also is massive. Bigger than almost every Alpha I know.
I keep my eyes on the water, watching the fish reach out to Lily pads, and eat. They have been dormant most of the winter and this is the first time that I’ve really been able to watch them. When my beta comes and sits with me.
“Hey Stef, how’s it going?” my beta asked very casually. He knows he can get away with the informality of my name because there’s no one around.
“It's fine, Rowan. I’m enjoying today because I’m going to hate tomorrow.” I say with so much bitterness you would think that I was going to war. In a way I feel like I am.
“ It can't be all that bad. I hear that Bela is quite a looker.
I shoot him a glaring look, “Looks aren’t what I’m worried about. You know everybody says that she is conceited and outlandish in her looks. Her worthless Alpha father has been trying to pawn her off on a couple of Alphas already. I fear he is most interested in power and allies. He’s been at me for months.
“Yes she has not been directly turned away by the other Alphas; they all conveniently find their mate or are able to get out of an arrangement. The council expects you have to pick somebody to be your Luna by now. Your age is just catching up to you, my friend.”
I growl deep in my chest. “I am only 24. I am not ancient yet.”
“That is old and werewolf years.” he says, while putting his hands up in a surrendering manner.
He knows my age is a sticking point for me. I have been waiting for my fated mate for 6-years. But I have not found her. My father has always told me that my fated mate would complete and compliment me. I’ve gone to all the ceremonies and packs searching, but have not found her. Usually by age 23 if you have not found your fated mate you would not find them. That is why the council has been bothering me for the past year about finding a Luna. I have been able to ignore them up until now. Giving up on my fated mate has not been something that I’ve readily wanted to do, but I’m finding that I will have to do it out of necessity. An Alpha needs a Luna even if she is not his fated mate
“Have you drawn up the contract?” I ask looking down at the fish fighting at insects on top of the water.
“I have, sir”
“Well, then, I guess we should spare no time. We should make our way back and begin our travels to the Crescent Moon Pack.
I get up reluctantly with taking one last look at the serene lake as I turn on my heels and quickly shift into my solid black wolf. My beta, following close behind in his charcoal gray with white scruff.
