Creatures Of The Shadow

I'm Calla Snow, the oldest of my brother and me by a year. Eighteen years old is the age young adult wolves start finding their mates. Eighteen is how old I am, which means not only will I be taking over my father's pack as the first female alpha, I'll be finding my mate- whether I want to or not. I'm no ordinary werewolf. I'm a combination of both vampire and werewolf. A hybrid of the two, and no one but my family and my pack knows of what I truly am. My father James Snow is the alpha werewolf of the second strongest pack in North America, and my mother is the queen of vampires in the whole world.

Ansel Tor, my brother, well, half brother, is just a werewolf.

My family isn't normal. But then again, our pack isn't normal, the life we live isn't normal, there are werewolves, vampires, witches, and now hybrids. Few humans know about us, and that in itself is dangerous.

"Calla wake up! You're going to be late for school!" my mother yells upstairs.

Groaning, I roll over in my bed, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hands. "I'm up! I'm up!" Standing up, I scratch the back of my head and walk into my closet to look through my outfits. I showered, fought my unruly mass of curly brown hair into some semblance of a style, put on some makeup, and got dressed. I blew out a sigh as I lined my eyes. I wasn't making myself pretty to attract the mate I didn't want. Hell no. I liked the way my mascara made my big eyes look even bigger. And the way the dark liner gave me a fierce, don't fuck with me demeanor that reflected my inner wolf. A fighter. A leader. An alpha.

After slipping on my high heeled ankle boots, that perfectly compliment my black skinny jeans with ripped holes at the knees, black shirt with cap sleeves, and mesh from my neck to the top of my chest, I head downstairs.

"Morning little twerp." I grab the un-bitten apple from his hands and sink my teeth into it.

"Calla! Come on I need to eat too," my brother whines.

I roll my eyes, and lean against the counter top, taking another bite of the juicy apple.

My mother walks into the kitchen and kisses my temple "Happy Birthday Calla. I can't believe you're going to be the new Alpha of this pack. I'm so proud of you." She slides a small box to me. Her green eyes flash as she slides a small box across the granite counter top toward me. Anticipation sparks in my chest. My mouth goes dry as I open the box. Car keys. I glance back at mom as realization sets in.

"No, Mom! I can't accept this!" I stare at her and then smile. "Thank you anyways Mom, I love you for this." I hug her and kiss her cheek. "Alright Ansel, let's go." I grab my purse and school bag heading out to the family garage, which held my old car, a red Jeep Wrangler, which would now go to Ansel in a few months and my new car, a brand new black CR-V. Climbing in I start it, smiling at the sound of my new car purring rather than roaring, I turn and look at my brother. "Ready to start your junior year bro?"

He looked at me and grinned, his canines showing. "You know it, Cal."

I smile and pull out of the driveway, heading towards North Mountain High school. The drive was difficult seeing as I was in a new car. The smell was like pineapple and apples. I had to search for the windshield wiper fluid control, readjust the mirrors multiple times. I love this car so far, but I know I'm still getting used to it.

"So, what will you do if you find your mate?" Ansel chirps up, turning in his seat to face me.

I breathe in, hating that this was what he chose to ask me. "Honestly An, I don't know. He'll probably be stuck up and insist that I submit to him, which we both know how that'll end."

He throws his head back and laughs. "I feel sorry for that poor guy, whoever he is. He'll have a lot to keep up with."

I roll my eyes and pull into the school parking lot, struggling to find a parking spot. "You're just saying that hoping he'll take my attention away from kicking your ass."

He cringes back, shivering. "Anything to help take your attention away from me, I hate our training sessions. I'm still healing from the one last month!"

I grin at him as I climb out of my car, waiting for him to grab the rest of his stuff, I grab my purse, close my door and lock the car. "Yeah well, we have one coming up next week, so let's hope you're fully healed by then," I nudge his arm as we begin walking towards the crowd that's gathering.

"Awe, Cal come on. Give me a little more time than that." He pouts besides me as we begin walking up the steps to the front doors.

I shake my head, "Nope, not happening little bro." I pat his arm and we were greeted by my best friend, Bryn who was smiling and giddy. "Okay Bryn calm down before you lose your head." I motion towards her, then turn to Ansel who strangely walks away from us.

She smiles again, "I can't help it, we both turn eighteen today and could possibly find our mates!" She grips my arm so hard I thought she'd break the skin.

I look at her, a growl forming in my throat. "I don't want nor need a mate Bryn. I'm strong enough without one. A mate will just get in my way of leading the pack." I open my locker and grab my math book, upon closing it, I'm hit by the most delicious smell ever; mint mixed with vanilla "No." 'Mate!' My wolf Lily growls in my head, as she stands up and starts packing around in the back of my mind. 'Lily, please!'

I look around anyways and soon find a hand slammed on the locker next to my head, pinning me to the wall of lockers. "Mate." A voice growls into my ear, which sends shivers down my body. Without seeing the face, a small smile forms on my lips, as my arms slowly start to snake around my mates neck. Over this stranger's shoulder I see Bryn smirking at me, as if saying 'Told you so.' I send her a warning glare with my canines bared.

When the mystery person pulls away from me, my whole world falls apart. Shay Rivera. The playboy of our high school, he sleeps with every girl that falls to his feet and gives him his every need. "You've got to be fucking kidding me." I glare and push him away fast, causing my wolf to whimper and a deep growl to erupt from his chest.

Shay glares at me. "You better watch who you-"

I cut him off. "No. You better watch who you're talking to." I allow my aura to grow, causing Bryn to shrink back. Shay's eyes widen. A low warning growl comes from deep within my chest. "I am your equal. I'm an alpha too. Not just some girl you can toss around, I don't care if you are my mate, or are the alpha of the strongest pack in North America." I stalk towards him, like a predator tracking its prey. "I'm already pissed that you above all people are my mate, don't piss me off more." My canines pierce my bottom lip as they grow in reaction. I flash them. My sharp nails press against the soft flesh of my palms. "I don't need, nor want a mate. Especially one like you." Whirling, I slam my locker shut and then sweep past him. "Come on, Bryn." I glance back feeling a tiny feeling of pride swims through me at the obvious shock on his face.

Bryn races along beside me, trying to keep pace. "Calla Snow! He's an alpha...and your mate... and you just told him off!" She breathes out, letting out a small whistle. "That takes balls. You really are badass."

I smile at her, my canines still sharp. "That's why I'm your boss." My smile fades into a frown. "I don't care if he is an alpha, he's not my alpha, he's an alpha. I know my alpha and soon I will be that alpha, your alpha might I mind you. I will not be mated to an ass like him." I sit next to her, my arms crossed. "So I'm guessing you have prepared a big party for us tonight?" I turn my head to look at her, the dread already forming in my gut. I hate parties.

She grins wildly at me. "You know it Calla, only the best for the next alpha and beta of the Shadow Moon pack." She gives me a mischievous glare. "Who knows maybe we'll both get lucky tonight."

I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to the front when the bell rings, my thoughts drifting off to how good it felt to be in his arms. And his lips, I wanted to- No! No Calla. Focus on class and the party coming up soon.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur, without Shay pulling another move, which is making my wolf and me very anxious, plus the fact that Bryn hasn't told me any more details about the party she's throwing for us both, besides the fact that I need to wear something sexy, and a masquerade mask with my outfit. I wrap a piece of my hair around my finger. Why the hell did she plan a masquerade party of all things?

Back at home, I plop down on the couch and rip open the packet of pop tarts I bought on the way home. Turning on the TV, I crane my head to watch the show on the screen while eating my Cookies N' Cream pop tarts- Which was soon interrupted by Ansel running in and throwing a bag at me.

"This is from Bryn! You have three hours!" He yelled, running away before I could get up and grab him.

I groan, my wolf groaning as well as I head upstairs to begin the process of getting ready.

With fifteen minutes left to spare, I hurry into my close toed black heels and head towards my bedroom door.

Ansel stands outside my room and gives me a boyish grin. "You look beautiful my dear sister." He holds his arm out for me.

I grin back, looping my arm through his. "And you little brother, look dashing." We head down the stairs. "Mom and dad are out, right?" I smile when he nods, my wolf purring in delight. "Perfect." We stop at the front door when I stop him, he looks at me in confusion. "An, just be prepared that you might find your mate tonight."

"Cal, I'm aware. Plus I think I already found her."

"What? Who?" My wolf pokes her head up, ears twitching.

"You'll find out soon enough." He winks at me. We peek out the window when we hear a car horn. "Bryn's here." He opens the door for us both, allowing me to step out first.

We step outside and the cool night air fills my lungs, stinging them. I watch as he looks up and turns back towards me. "Let's go." We walk towards her car waiting at the end of our driveway. I smile and nod my head a little when he opens the passenger door for me. "Thank you." I climb in. "Is this acceptable?" I motion towards my tight black thigh length dress and heels.

She whistles at me, looking me over up and down. "Hot damn mama!"

I roll my eyes and cross my arms. "Can we please just get tonight over with already?"

Ansel chuckles in the backseat. "Just wait till we get there, you'll be wishing you stayed home instead."

Bryn laughs along with him, causing me to slam my head back, groaning. "Kill me now." She continues to laugh as she takes off through our giant pack grounds.

After an hour of Bryn driving down the winding roads, we finally reach another pack's main house. After parking the car, I climb out of the car and stare up at the house in utter shock. It was filled with people, practically the whole school. Bodies were on the lawn, filing out of the house and backyard. I walk towards the front of the car, and turn my body, sending Bryn a glare. "Bryn...." Groaning, I watch her curls bounce and swirl around her as she looks at me. "This is basically the whole school."

She shrugs. "Calla, we're both turning eighteen, we deserve this. So let's get in there and party our asses off."

Slumping my shoulders, I give in and walk inside with Bryn's arm linked through mine. People flood the house as we walk through, all of them wishing us both a happy birthday and staring at me as I walk past them. I break away from Bryn, who gladly walks away with Ansel, and grab a cup from some random guys hand and chug it down. Without saying anything I walk away from the two gawking guys staring at me in shock. My head snaps up when I catch a whiff of a scent I know all too well, mint and vanilla. "Damnit." I wander through the crowd when I find Bryn and Ansel making out "Bryn! What the hell!"

She pulls away and looks at me guilty. "Calla...I'm sorry but your brother is my mate."

I shake my head. "I knew that, I could practically smell the arousal off you two. Hybrid nose remember?" I point towards my nose. "What I mean is, did you invite my mate?"

She looks at me shocked. "What? Shay's here?" She looks around then back at me. "I promise you right now I didn't invite him." She looks at Ansel. "Did you?"

He shakes his head. "No. But you have to remember that the entire school is here, someone in his pack must have let it slip."

I sigh, turning my attention back to the crowd. "Well he's here and I really am not looking forward to seeing him." I turn back and look at the two. "Have fun you two. Just not too much fun, he is still my little brother." I watch them both smile and walk away to a secluded room. Walking into the crowd, I attempt to relax my body, and start swaying to the music. Swaying my hips back and forth, a pair of hands grip onto my hips. I relax and let myself melt into the body on me, I turn around, and stare into the strangers eyes. "Don't scream, this won't hurt." I compel the human, allowing my fangs and canines to sharpen, I bring his neck to my mouth and finally sink my teeth into his neck, allowing his alcohol tainted blood to swim into my mouth and flow down my throat. A small groan escapes my mouth, willing myself to pull away I bite my wrist and feed him my blood, as I feed him my blood I look back into his eyes. "You'll forget all about this, now go away." I push him away hearing a growl from somewhere in the crowd. I watch the boy walk away, dazed by everything and I wipe away the blood from the corner of my mouth. I hear a low grow and a pair of strong hands grip my hips. A pair of teeth pull on my ear.

"You're mine." Shay whispers into my ear, pulling my back close against his chest, swaying us to the music.

I take a deep breath and turn around. I feel my chest tighten at the sight of him, those dark jeans, his black dress shirt with the top three buttons undone, showing off his amazing toned chest, his beautiful smooth tan face, those green eyes hidden behind his black mask, his lips slightly plump and wet, his dirty blond hair gelled back, but also slightly tousled up. I turned around and place my hand on the back of his neck, the other on his chest and bite my lip. "Well, took you long enough to find me." I sway against him and tilt my head a little. "You came to my party? Should I be flattered?"

He growls a little, his eyes wandering over my body, he growls again, pleased by my looks. "Don't push it Calla, I'm fighting off every urge I have to throw you over my shoulder and claim you."

I smirk and roll my eyes. "So now you want to be a good mate? Please Shay, save me the gentleman act."

His grip on my hips tighten. "I said don't push it. I don't want to do something I'll regret later."

I leaned up and lick his bottom lip. "And what would that be, big alpha?"

He breathes out and connects his forest green eyes with my doe ones. "You really don't want to know."

I smirk and pull his face down, crashing my lips onto his. Every nerve in my body courses with electricity. Every bone in my body is yelling at me to back away now. His growl rumbles through my body as he bites my lip, causing my knees go weak.

Shay picks me up, and wraps my legs around his waist. He starts walking and I soon found my back hitting a mattress. He pulls away for a second and looks over my body and my face. With one hand his pulls of my mask, and with the other he reaches under me and unzips my dress.

Arching my back, to allow him better access to the zipper, I rip open the rest of his shirt and lick my lips at the sight of his chest, my wolf purring at the back of my head in approval.

Eyes rack over my body, a small pleased rumble coming from his chest, seeping into my body, Shay takes this chance to pull my dress down, slowly and teasingly, my strapless black lace bra left in sight, pulling my dress all the way down, he throws it somewhere in the room, matching thong and heels are all that's left on me, and within a heartbeat my shoes are off. He leans down placing his lips on the spot where my mark would be, but he doesn't mark me, he just sucks on it, causing my body to shiver under his touch.

I reach down and slowly push his pants down, kissing him as I tear the rest of his clothes away. I breathe out as I feel a moment of pain, then nothing but pleasure and bliss. Unaware of the consequences awaiting me after this. But at this moment I couldn't care what happened, I had my mate, despite my alpha instinct telling me I needed to push him away, to stop this before it was too late.

The morning comes in a blur, I slowly opened my eyes and groan. Sitting up slowly, I look around the unfamiliar room I was in, everything was coming back to me, the party, dancing, feeding, then the rest of the night was flooded with images of Shay and I.

I look to my left and saw that the bed I was sharing with him was empty, I breathe out and stand up, gathering my clothes in my arms. "I knew this would happen." I shift into my wolf and take off towards my pack house. Once I reach the front door I change back and head inside closing the door silently, I tiptoed upstairs and into my room. Pacing around, running a hand through my tangled locks, I bite my bottom lip. Tearing off my clothes, I lay down in my bed and close my eyes. "Damnit Calla." I close my eyes and wish to sleep the next two weeks away. I decide to skip school today, and just stay in bed.

Over the next few weeks things haven't been the best for me, no sign of Shay at school or the meetings all future alpha's have to attend. Nothing. It's been four weeks since the party and still nothing from him, stupid asshole. But recently, I haven't been the same either. I've been rather sick lately, throwing up, eating more than I should be, I've been moodier than I normally am, sleeping a lot, my hormones have been all over the place, and my mom, dad, brother, and even Bryn have all pointed out I've been putting on some weight.

But finally, another week starts up, and I opened my eyes, smiling to myself, grateful Bryn stayed in my room last night, I had called her in tears and panic, not really sure why, but she came up to my room instantly and never once left my side, I smile again, but that smile is soon replaced by a frown, using my vamp speed I rush off to my bathroom and fall to my knees throwing up all the food she and I ate last night. I breathe out as I sit back on my heels "This bug needs to go away.." I stand up, and walk to the sink and start rising my mouth out and doing my normal daily routine, brush my teeth, fix my hair, put on makeup. I walk out and see Bryn already getting ready "I'm shocked you slept through that, I just threw my guts up." I groan out as I walk into my closet.

"Again? Calla, that's like the third time in less than twelve hours. Are you sure you're not like knocked up or something?" I know she's joking, but the words that just came out of her mouth made me freeze in my closet. Is there a chance I'm pregnant? Possibly, I don't remember if Shay used a condom or not. Hell I don't even know when my period was suppose to come. But it's not possible, no way. I can't be pregnant. I start dressing; a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, which I had to use my strength to finally button, a loose flowing light grey tank top, light grey combat boots, a black sweater that goes past my back side, and a black yarn scarf. I walk out of the closet, her words still eating at me, plus the fact it was a struggle zipping and buttoning my jeans. "Don't say that Bryn. Please." I grab my bag and head downstairs with her.

"I'm sorry Calla, but my sister was the same way before she found out she was two months pregnant with my nephew. It's a possibility. But I won't say anymore until you're ready to take that as an option." She walks out with me towards my car. "Ansel said he's already at the school, he got a ride with Sabine." She climbs into the passenger side and closes the door.

I push the button to start my car and breathe out. "I'm not ruling it out Byrn, I'm just saying that's at the bottom of the list okay? Don't say anything to anyone else. I mean it, not even Ansel. He'll say something to Sabine by accident, and as much as I love Sabine, she's really good friends with Fey, and it'll come out, Fey will tell Dax, and then Dax will have to tell Shay. I don't need this right now."

She nods, focusing out the window. "Of course Calla, I understand." She watches the trees go by as we drive off towards the school.

Once at school I stand near my locker trying to explain what happened to my best friend "No Bryn. We kissed, went upstairs and had sex, didn't even ask if I was a virgin or not, he just went into it. Then I woke up and he was gone. So when I see him I'm going to kick his ass." I slam my locker door shut and turn around to see Shay walking down the hall with a blonde on his arm, licking his neck. I bite the inside of my cheek and walk over punching Shay in the jaw sending him flying into the locker "What the hell Shay?! You have sex with me at my birthday, realize what you did, regret it then leave? I knew you were low, but I didn't think you'd be this low to your own mate." Ansel and the rest of my pack and Shay's pack pushes through the crowd and looks between Shay and I. At this point the whole school was pretty much watching us.

Shay stood up straight and glared at me "Calla, stop now."

I step forward, letting my aura grow again, I watch Bryn grab on to Ansel's arm, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, my pack shrink back, Shay's pack and the humans step back. Good, let them see this, it'll bruise his ego. "No Shay! You're not my alpha. You don't own me!"

Callie, the blonde steps forward. "Back off my boyfriend bitch." Her voice comes out loud, but her body is shaking, her eyes full of fear.

My eyes move towards her body, this stupid omega in his pack. I growl and allow half my true form to come forward, my fangs and canines push through my gums, my doe eyes are now glowing gold, the whites of my eyes have now turned black, and small black veins are running up to my eyes. "I would suggest you step back, omega."

Ansel runs forward and grabs my shoulders, forcing me to look at him "Calla, calm down. You'll blow everything. Breathe."

Callie backs up, her face masked with fright. "What the hell are you?"

Shay's loud voice snaps my head back to look at him, forcing my gaze from my brother, and instantly my anger rises again, but he looks at me with a curious look on his face, unsure of what I am, seeing as everything that just happened is not normal for werewolves. "Calla! What the hell?!"

I glared at him my eyes going back to normal. "You sleep with me and then leave? I mean I'm not that shocked but I thought if I were your mate it'd be different-" I'm cut off by the next few words out of his mouth.

"I, Shay Rivera of the Blood Moon pack reject you, Calla Snow of the Shadow Moon pack." As soon as the words left his mouth a burning, shooting pain hits my heart, I stare at him with tears in my eyes, as my vision slowly fades away, black dots clouding my vision. I grab my chest with one hand, and my stomach with the other. I feel the ground getting closer as my knees hit the ground. Screaming and yelling is what I can hear, but it's all muffled.

Bryn runs over and catches me before my head could hit the ground. "Calla!" She calls out, as she cradles me close to her chest, but everything she's saying is muffled and quiet. "Calla, open your eyes!"

Everything goes blurry, I watch Shay get pinned to the lockers by Ansel and I hear Bryn call my name one last time before everything goes black, my body now limp.

The darkness is all I can see, I can't hear or see anything else, but I can finally see the light poking through, luring me back. I wake up to the soft sound of beeping and a bright white light in my face, I sit up fast, which is soon followed by a burning pain shooting up through my body, my mind spinning.

"Easy Calla. Easy." My mothers soft hand on my shoulder pushes me back against the bed. "Honey, are you okay? Bryn and Ansel haven't told us, they thought it would be better if you did."

I did the one thing I've never done in my life, I broke down and sobbed. "I hate him mom!"

She looks at me, then my father and Bryn and Ansel, who shockingly didn't have any cuts or bruises on his face after challenging an alpha. "Who Calla?"

"Shay Rivera. He's my mate, we slept together and then today he rejected me." I sobbed even harder as the pain came back.

My father growls and grips the seat. "Calla sweetie, you've been in the pack hospital for two days nows. After he rejected you, you went unconscious and you weren't responding to any of the tests they did. We were scared we were going to lose you."

"I don't understand, why did it affect me so much?" At that moment a wave of sickness washes over me and I grab the closest thing to me and throw up.

The doctor walks in, pulling the door closed behind him. "Oh my, this is interesting. Alpha, Luna, could you have Ansel and Bryn leave the room, well just Bryn. This is a family matter I need to discuss with you."

Bryn looks at me, looking for my answer, I nod which tells her to leave. She sighs, standing up she walks towards the door, looking over her shoulder she gives me one last look before leaving and closing the door.

I look at the doctor "Is there a problem?" I lay back still feeling sick

"Well first I'm Doctor Nick, the pack doctor, when we brought you in we had to do many tests on you to make sure you weren't dying. We thought you were going to, seeing as you weren't responding to anything, and well, while running the tests we came across something that you and your family should know."

"What is it Nick?" My father growls, growing just as impatient as I was to know what was wrong with me

"Calla, you're two months pregnant."

Those words crash down on me; pregnant. I'm pregnant. Bryn was right, I was pregnant. Everything that I had been feeling and experiencing the last two months were because of a tiny life growing in me. In the background, I could hear a growl and a pair of sharp nails scraping the ground. "James turn back now!" My mother screams, but I wasn't really listening or caring. I was more focused on the small soft second heart beat I heard coming from my lower stomach, my baby. Shay and mines baby, the life we created, the life he rejected when he rejected me. At that point I was already pregnant. That could have been the day I lost my child.

Tears. I felt hot liquid roll down my cheeks. "Calla?" I snap back into my thoughts and look at the doctor. "Yes, doctor?"

"I understand that your mate is the alpha of the Blood Moon pack, and that he rejected you, there are options if you don't-"

I growl lowly at him. "I'm keeping my baby. No one is taking it away from me."

My mother looks at me and touches my hand. "Calla, maybe you shouldn't stay here."

"What do you mean?" I look over at her, my brows furrowing.

"I mean, maybe stay here in Denver until you start to show then leave. You could go live in Arizona with your aunt for the last 5 months of your pregnancy. You don't have to decide now, but Shay could try and take the baby from you if he finds out." She smiles sadly. "Don't think about it too hard. Okay? It's just a thought."

I look down and breathe in. Was she right? Should I leave to make sure he can't take my baby?

Hours later I'm laying on the couch in the living room watching television, my feet laying in Ansel's lap and my head in Bryn's lap, my hand protectively laying over my stomach, rubbing small circles around my small baby.

Ansel looks down at me. "So I'm really doing to be an uncle? Already? Damn Calla..."

I glare at him and look back at the television. "Yes you're really going to be an uncle Ansel. Get used to it, Mom said this is normal for alphas and mates in general. Not the rejecting part but still." I sit up and yawn, stretching my arms above my head. "Well guys I'm going to bed, I'm really tired and I have to get ready to deal with school tomorrow. And the other pack mates." I stood up and walk up to my bedroom, I stand before my bed and look down at my stomach, which looks slightly bigger, but not much. "Soon I'll see you my little baby. Mommy loves you no matter what, don't forget that okay?" I lay down and close my eyes, letting sleep take over my world, seeing those forest green eyes I didn't want to see.