Chapter 1
The sun begins its ascent, casting its light onto the lake. I sit on the edge of the water and watch my reflection. With a full blooded Native American father and a mother of Irish descent, my looks are strange compared to those around me.
I have freckles across my nose and my skin is an in between color. My hair is the color of tree bark and I am tall and curvy. I always tell my parents they gave me all their bad genes. I’m an oddity. Completely different. And yet I am meant to be a leader.
I’ve patrolled these woods longer than I should have in order to give my parents the slip. Today they will travel from the Great Lakes to bring the bear and eagle shifters to our home here in these secret woods. They are hoping this PowWow will bring my mate to me. I am hoping they are wrong.
I take the trail to the cabin and sneak in through the back window. I use my supernatural hearing to figure out if anyone is still here. The front door shuts quietly and I breathe a sigh of relief. As soon as I do my bedroom door bursts open. I cringe.
“Hope, you cannot avoid your mother. You should know that by now.” I groan as my mother, Ely confronts me.
“How were you so quiet that I couldn’t hear you?” Maybe it’s because I’m half human. She’s a sneaky one though. She always knew what I was up to before I got the chance to do it.
“Mother’s always know. I have never met someone so bent on avoiding their mate since Rylin. He had a valid reason.” She chastens. She pulls me to my bed and makes me sit.
“Do you want to talk about it?” She asks sincerely.
“There’s nothing to say mom. I’m just not ready to settle down.” I blow her off. I don’t admit that I am scared. Scared of being a disappointment to the tribe and to a mate.
“I understand, but it is your duty to go to this powwow. Besides, it’ll be fun and most likely you won’t find your mate anyway.” She isn’t very good at convincing me.
“I don’t know the real reason why you don’t want to find your mate but I have to tell you, you cannot stop fate. Your father will be returning shortly with the tribes. At least make an appearance and then you can disappear.” She kisses my head and walks away.
The tribes will arrive any time now. I can’t sleep and I don’t want to force myself to awkwardly socialize just yet. I decide to take the path to Gram’s house. She’s always got something to say which means I can just listen. Since Gramps passed last year she always likes the company. I shift into my wolf and run free.
I’m halfway down the path when a gigantic eagle swoops in. Great, a shifter here already. He transforms into his human form at the same time as me. I stand up and I’m left staring at a very broad, muscular, naked man. I study the three claw marks that run from his left shoulder to his right hip before my eyes travel slowly up to meet his and I feel like I’m being electrocuted.
Dark eyes blink at me, seemingly unphased by my nakedness or our connection. He just stands there like I’m invisible. The only giveaway that he actually sees me is the slight quirk in his brow. I roll my eyes at the stranger and walk past him toward Gram’s house. Today is just not my day. I toss on some spare clothes I keep tucked into the porch chair and head into the house.
“Hope, aren’t you supposed to be greeting all the visitors?” Grams smiles knowingly, sipping her tea. I groan and plop down on the couch. She hands me a cup of tea. She must’ve had a feeling I would stop in.
“Oh, I’ve already met some of them.” I tell her vaguely, picking at a string on the throw pillow.
“Hmm. Any of them stick out to you?”
I choke on my tea. Yeah. He definitely..stuck out.
“Not really.”
“You’re a bad liar just like your mother, dear.”
“Can I just hide out here for a few days?” I beg and she cackles.
“Of course you can. But your father won’t allow that. You know how he gets.” The door slams open and the twins walts in like they own the place.
“Robert, Riley, you boys hungry? I made some pecan pie just this morning.”
Grams is already waddling to the kitchen serving up pie. The boys grin, kissing her cheek and gladly dig in while Rosylynn sits next to me.
Robert and Riley are my second and third in command, and their sister Rosylynn follows behind them. Rylin and Junie decided to repopulate the earth by having five kids plus one on the way. Soliel, Violet, and Thom are the oldest and the other two, Max and Maisie, aren’t old enough to shift yet.
“Your dad is angry. You’ve blocked him out. He still isn’t sure how you have such a strong will that you can ignore his commands.”
I snicker as Riley shakes his head.
“You’ve done it this time, Hope. I’ve never seen him like this. That vein in his neck is ready to pop.” Violet says and everyone laughs.
“Why are you hiding? You know we have to face the others. They are curious to meet our next leader. Leaders don’t hide.” Robert challenges me and I growl. He holds his ground.
This is why he’s my second in command. He is logical and honest like his dad, Koda. I can count on him when I get lost in my emotions. It's a battle for me some days. The others wait for me to respond.
“Fate chose you to lead us, Hope. We need you.” Riley encourages. He’s always so sweet.
“I am going. Quit with the puppy dog eyes.” He smiles, happy with his work of pulling at my heart strings.
“Who knows? Maybe you’ll have fun.” Maisie looks so excited about the powwow. She loves to dance.
“Just pray she doesn’t meet her mate.” Max whispers.
“I have a feeling it’s too late.” Robert grins.
“How would you know?” I snap, cheeks instantly aflame.
“Because you’re extra irritable when things don’t go your way. And I may have accidentally caught your meeting on my way to find you. I can’t decide who is more charming. You or him? Sheesh, I swear you both looked so unhappy.”
Everyone begins talking at once and my head hurts. I quiet them all and swear them to secrecy.
“You spied on me,” I growl out. I feel my wolf ready to pounce.
“If you wouldn’t block us you’d know where we are. I was coming to check on you.” Robert counters.
“It doesn’t matter. No one breathes a word. That’s an order.” Everyone nods in agreement.
“What’s his name?” Soliel looks so excited.
“Didn’t ask. Don’t care.” I huff.
“Dang, you're a cold woman!” Max shouts and everyone snickers.
“Alright, that’s enough. You all are going to laugh, dance, and have a great night meeting people. No one even thinks about this. If my father even sniffs out a glimpse of a thought I am done.”
“Have fun, kids!” Grams shouts from the porch as we all leave.
Robert grins wickedly at me, nudging me with his elbow.
“Oh, we will.”
