Chapter 1: Volkan
I wake up before the sun the morning of my flight to America. The golden rays are just peeking over the nearby mountains, arms of sunlight stretching across the cold, snowy landscape ready to embrace it in a false warmth. It is the middle of winter in Russia. I turn from the window to survey my room. My bed is nicely made, my closet next to empty from packing, and the well-worn photo of my pack that I keep next to my bed is now in my rucksack. To finish packing, I put in two more shirts, my toothbrush, and toothpaste; I then decide to throw in a couple of extra pairs of socks to be safe. As I take one last look out of my window, the face of the mountain that I have seen every morning for my entire life stares back at me. I close the door behind me softly as I leave my room and proceed down the stairs to the kitchen.
My mother had protested me going to America for the Mates Ball for the last few months, but in the end, she gave in, understanding why I needed to go. The only way a wolf can be a rightful alpha is if it has its mate; without one, the alpha is weaker and poses a threat. The pack sees it as an instability, a lack of options if they is a dispute among the pack. As the new alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the world, I had to have my Luna.
Sadly, mates are becoming harder and harder to find these days. A few decades ago, an alpha could find its mate very easily, but there has been a significant decrease in available mates and the alphas of the world have become very concerned. Not because there are too few males or females, but because the bond between mates seems to be weakening somehow, making it harder for wolves to recognize. As a result, alphas in different territories began hosting huge get-togethers for all eligible wolves to come to and find their mates. There used to be many separate smaller ones, but now, twice a year, there is one very large one. Locations change from year to year, giving everyone the chance to meet other wolves in different territories. This year, the ball is taking place in a state called Colorado in the United States.
Because of the shortage of mates, there has been less war, because pack leaders worry about keeping their packs strong and together.. Wolves only get one mate in life, and the Goddess always brings them together, or at least she did in the stories we have been told for our entire lives. No one has seen or heard from the Goddess, not even the religious leaders of the packs.
I head down the stairs and drop my bag by the door, then go into the kitchen for a quick breakfast. Hot oatmeal with some milk and cinnamon. I chase it down with a glass of orange juice, and a shot of vodka for the flight. My dishes go into the sink, rinsed off and ready to load into the dishwasher. I am about to head out the door when my mother comes down the stairs of the pack house, and Papa is close behind her. I can see she’s trying to hide the sadness in her eyes, but it doesn’t last long before some tears escape onto her cheeks.
“Mama, I have to go; she is not here. I’ve searched all over Russia looking for my mate. Don’t worry, I will be back in a few months—unless, by some miracle, she is at the ball—and Papa can take care of the pack till then. He only stepped down two months ago. He is still strong enough,” I say as I give her a kiss on the cheek. I am excited to go, knowing I might finally meet my mate.
“You cannot tell a mother not to worry, son; it is my job,” she responds before going into the kitchen. My father stealss around the corner and kisses my mom on the cheek before coming over to say goodbye.
“Papa, I trust you can look after the pack while I am gone.” I try to look as serious as I can, knowing all too well he will call my bluff.
“I will take care of things. The title hasn’t been transferred officially yet, not until you find your mate. I will look after our family. Do not worry.” My father pulls me into a manly hug and he pats my back before letting go. “Be careful, my son, and enjoy the ball. I’m sure she will be there. If not, there are many pretty women to dance with,” he says, his beard swishing slightly as he talks.
Papa hasn’t been as concerned with appearances since he stepped down and decided to let his facial hair grow wild and free, instead of keeping it in the neat braid that is the custom in our pack. The longer the beard, the longer it has been since you have been defeated in battle. My beard is almost as long as my father’s, braided in two neat strands that hang down low. The y hair on my scalp is almost as long, following the same tradition, but I keep that in a series of hair bands to keep it together and out of the way. While Papa’s hair might be more loose and more gray than brown these days, there is no doubt that he is a capable leader and warrior.
I turn and grab my bag off of the floor and then go to the table by the front door to pick up my plane ticket, making sure I also have my passport, driver’s license, and visitors’ visa. The procedures these days for flight and travel to other countries have become insane, but I can see why humans take the extra precautions. With all the wars humans start with one another, they won’t find out the existence of supernatural creatures until I am long dead. I head out to my SUV, throwing my bag into the passenger seat as I slide in and begin my drive to the airport.
