by Tamara White
He sits down on the seat next to me, pulling me under his arm. I know by this one move that he has bad news.
“Dad, just spit it all out. I can handle it,” I tell him.
“God, this is harder than I thought,” he says running his hand through his hair.
“Firstly, we moved here because I heard there was a local pack here with unmated males. I actually know the Alpha. That doesn’t mean much to you right now, but by the end it will all make sense,” he says hopefully.
“The main thing you need to know is, your mom and I, we weren’t just regular wolves. Your mom came from a pack of what would be, essentially, royalty. Actually, she was the heir to become the Alpha Queen.
She was roughly your age when I met her, but she already had another three possible mates. One of whom, was not too happy to have me come into her life.”
He pauses, taking a drink from a glass of water from the table before continuing. “When a princess is close to ascending to the throne of Alpha Pair, she must face the trials, along with her mate or possible mates. The trials are usually combat and diplomatic exercises that show the people the Alpha Queen is fit for ruling. They look for defensive capabilities in the mates and look for diplomatic capabilities in the future queen.
Your mother and I got through all the trials, but the other man, Luke, didn’t make it past the combat trial. He petitioned for another chance, and, since his pack was high in rank, they agreed to let him fight against me. Luke, however, didn’t account for me being the better fighter and lost.
We were in love, the trials were going great, then the day of the coronation arrived. We were in our room when Luke burst in. He told us his father was hurt and needed our help, so we followed him. It was a trap.
Luke and eight of his wolves surrounded us. They held guns pointed at us, armed with silver bullets. He gloated about how easy it was to get us there and how everyone would believe I killed Blair then took off. He went into great detail about how he planned to dump your mother’s body into a vat of acid to eat away all evidence of what he’d done.
What he didn’t count on, however, was how much training your mother had been doing with me. She kicked out and took two of them down, while I took on the other six and Luke. Once her two were knocked out, she joined me in taking out another two, but we were overwhelmed and ran.
We hid out for a while, hoping we could go back, but got a whisper about Luke being Alpha King. Even though your line was matriarchal, they deemed, in light of the circumstances, he would rule until he had a daughter.”
I soak in all the information my dad is laying on me and just don’t understand. My mom was a princess to the wolves? We’ve talked briefly about who leads us, but never in this much detail. All I really understood was, there was an Alpha Pair. The Alpha Queen and the Alpha King.
I knew there was a lead Alpha that controlled all the packs’ individual alphas, but never did I believe that I could be related to them let alone the next in line.
“Your mother and I were one the run for three years, living with the constant fear of being found by Luke. Then we found out we were expecting you. Your mother was so scared that we came out of hiding to find a Seer she knew and trusted. She wanted to be assured you would be ok and not hunted, unfortunately that’s not what we were told.
You see, your grandmother never believed Luke’s version of events of the night we went missing, your grandfather, however, never believed in your mother. He always thought she was reckless and chose wrong by picking me over Luke.
The Seer confirmed this by telling us if we brought you to the pack before it was time, you would die in the trials or before they even begun.
We were told to hide you away until your 16th birthday, the day you were due to shift. After your first shift, only then would you and your mates be ready to face the trials.”
“Wait, how come I didn’t shift then? And what do you mean by mates? I only met one guy today before I bolted out of the school after he confessed he was my mate.”
My dad laughs, leaning back in the chair, “Oh, honey. Trust you to run away when a wolf says he’s your mate, but you wouldn’t run when we faced down a wild bear.” He continues chuckling, and I smile thinking of the memory.
It was one of my first hunts with my father when we found a bear. Dad started hunting it. I wanted to leave it alone, but it tricked us by taking us back to its lair where another bear was waiting, protecting cubs. Dad was hurt, and it was up to me to tackle the bear, bringing it down. I gripped the bear’s scruff of the neck with my teeth, growling like a wolf in a human body until its partner backed down. They slunk back into their cave defeated and, while I felt horrible for treating them like that, I was always proud of that moment. It made me feel like my wolf was with me. That was when my wolf and I first started seeing each other in my mind.
“Dad, seriously, what did you expect? All my life you’ve drilled into me how dangerous they were and then I run into my first one. I had to fight the instinct to defend myself in front of the human secretary. Then he followed me and pulled me against him, so I punched him! If he’s really my mate, I doubt he’ll want to be anymore,” I tell him, trying not to let the sadness seep into my voice.
Mates are the lifeblood to our society. Without one, you’d most likely go insane. As it is, I admire the strength my father has to live without my mother. I doubt I would be strong enough to live without my mate. Though if I had a child, I would do my best.
“Dani, I know you doubt this, but how many times do I have to tell you you’re beautiful, until it sinks in?”
I open my mouth to answer when he stops me.
“No. I know you think you’re average, and, yes, you still haven’t reached your shift, but I promise, after you shift, your body will fill out, your hair will change, and everything will be different, as much as I don’t want it to. Hopefully, you’ll be content then.
Now as for your mate, if he doesn’t want you after we explain who you are, then he’s not worth it and, even if he doesn’t, you’ll have more mates show themselves soon. Then the hard stuff begins,” he smirks at me.
“Dad, what hard stuff? How many more mates are we looking at?” I ask apprehensively. I don’t know why, but the thought of more than one mate excites me. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely terrified, but I’m also happy because my wolf will finally be free.
“I’m sorry, honey, I don’t know how many mates will come forward. They’ll sniff you out eventually. Your mother had four and, from what I was told, her mother had eleven. On the plus side, the trials are designed to weed them out until you’re left with the one most compatible for you. Hopefully by that time, you have developed feelings for a couple of them. That way when you have to choose, it will be someone you care for or maybe even love.”
“Are you serious? So, what, I have to date any wolves that come forward saying they’re my mate? And how did you know there were wolves in town?”
My dad just shakes his head at me and sits forward, looking me squarely in the eye.
“It’s my job to make sure you’re safe. I’ve been researching this pack for weeks to make sure you would fit in and they wouldn’t out you. The Alpha is one of the males who failed to win your mother, but he became Alpha of his pack not long after. I’m hoping to organize a meeting with him once you’ve found a few mates. If he knows they’re from his pack, he’ll be more willing to hear me out, I hope.”
Well, that doesn’t sound ominous at all. “So, my mates only come from one pack then?” I ask.
“Not necessarily. You may get one or two from his, then a few from others, or all from his. Who knows?” he shrugs, closing his eyes. I guess this conversation is making him as tired as it is me.
“Alright dad, I don’t know about you, but I’m knackered. I’m going to get a nap in before dinner. You should too.”
He sighs pulling himself up, offering me his hand. We walk back to our rooms, and he hugs me before I collapse onto my bed.
> “I love you, Dad.”
“I know. I love you too.”
***
“Hey, Dad? Are you driving me today?” I call out.
He’s having a shower but his hearing is strong enough to pick up my voice over the sound of the water. Thank God, I got in first. Dad takes forever in the shower.
“Yeah, honey I’ll drop you on my way to work. Be out in fifteen.”
More like thirty! I grab some cereal, may as well eat before I go. Oh, and I have to get Dad to write me a note to excuse my absence yesterday.
Exactly thirty minutes later, he comes rushing out of his room pulling on his shoes as quickly as he can. I laugh when he falls flat on his ass and huffs fixing his shoes.
“Jeez, are you ever going to be on time?” I laugh while he hauls himself up rushing around the kitchen, getting himself enough food to last the day. He never eats breakfast.
“Ha, ha, very funny, Dani. Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, but I need you to write me a note for skipping out yesterday. Just say I got scared or something. Oooh, PMS is always a good excuse,” I tease him, watching his face flame.
As much as he loves me, I’m sure I infuriate him more. Especially when I mention PMS. That’s a subject that my dad loves steering clear from.
We get to school in no time, and he thrusts the note in my hand. I can tell he’s worried about me, I just don’t know what to say to reassure him.
“Dani, I know you’re scared about your mate, but trust me, things will be easier once you start the trials. The best advice I can give you is give any mates that approach you, a chance. Your mother didn’t like me at first, but in the end, we fell in love. You never know what you’ll find if you don’t open yourself to them.
As much as I hate to tell my teenage daughter to get involved with multiple men, it’s the only way you’ll be able to go through the trials and take your rightful place. If you need me though, please text me. I know I’m not your mother, and this is more her area of expertise, but I’ll guide you through this as best I can. I’ll see you later, honey.”
Dad leaves me speechless. I get out of the car in a daze. Walking through the students, I don’t notice anything going on around me, until I run smack bang into someone.
I almost fall on my ass, but, at the last minute, arms wrap around me. That’s when the scent of mint hits me. Great, not even ten minutes, and I run into my mate.
“Well, hello, sweet thing. Guess you can’t help falling for me?”
I rip out of his arms to see him smirking, surrounded by humans. I don’t stop, I just walk straight past him and his friends, into the office.
“Hi, I’m here to drop off a note of absence. I had to go home early yesterday,” I tell the secretary, looking sad, as if it was the most horrible thing I had done.
“Oh sure, hun, that’s no problem. Our principal is out at the moment, so I’ll just pass it along later. He’ll add it to your records or call your father for confirmation. Better be off, sweetie, you don’t want to be late.” She smiles a little too sweetly for my liking.
“Okay, then,” I say, leaving the office, confused. Why was she smiling like that? It was if she knew something I didn’t.
“So, would you like a guide to class?” Pete asks, making me jump and turn. He catches my fist right before it hits his jaw.
“What is it with you and trying to hit me? Damn!”
I smile, dropping my hand to straighten my backpack. If he wants to follow me he can. I won’t encourage him, though.
“So, Danielle, you going to tell me why you freaked yesterday and took off? I figured meeting your mate would be a day to cause happiness, not terror.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I was surprised and panicked. I’m not exactly used to wolves,” I tell him, being honest. I could have lied, but if he ends up being my chosen mate, then I don’t want to lie to him.
“Okay, let’s start about not being around wolves. What do you mean by that? What’s your pack name?” he asks cocking his head, puzzled.
“Look, it’s a long story, and I’ll explain it, but not now. I’m going to be late for class,” I mumble, frustrated when I hear the bell ring. I take off at a run, hoping to not be late on my first official day.
Once I’m sitting down with my book out, I sigh, relieved at making it in before the teacher. I don’t want a late slip, as well as a missing day in my files.
No sooner do I relax, I smell them. Mint and orange? Or what smells like orange? Either way, it’s citrusy, and another wolf.
They sit on either side of me and my heart sinks. Something tells me this other wolf is my mate too. Call it intuition or a gut feeling, but I can sense it.
Class starts with the teacher droning on about some crap. I don’t think he even knows I’m here. He tasks us with reading pages from the text book, and tells us, once we’re finished, to answer the questions written on the board.
“Can I look at your textbook please? I don’t have one yet,” I ask, looking at Pete. I hear a thump on my desk and turn to see the guy on the other side of me looking pissed off. His dark hair, with cerulean blue eyes, make for a striking match when they’re sparked with anger.
Pete’s staring at the other guy, clearly confused. “Nate, what’s your problem, man?”
Nate is still staring at Pete and he keeps flicking his eyes from me to Pete. Pete seems to get what he’s communicating because his eyes fly open, shocked. He looks back and forth before he starts laughing.
“Oh man, we so need to have a chat when class finishes,” he chuckles, clearly amused.
“Whatever,” I mutter not knowing what he figured out. He stops laughing, just smiles my way.
They’re both staring at me, creeping me out with the heat from their gaze.
Ignoring their eyes on me, I open the book, placing it on the side of the desk so Nate can see. I tune back into the teacher, trying to listen to what he’s saying, but I’m still thinking about what to do next. I’ve barely been around attractive boys before, yet I’m faced with two who are so drool worthy that it feels criminal.
I hope I don’t screw this mate thing up.
***
Class is finally finished, so I pack up my notes. Handing the book back over to Nate, I thank him quietly. He takes it from me, brushing his hands against me as he does causing a shiver to travel up my spine.
We walk out of the classroom, one after another. Pete grabs my hand, pulling me after him. Nate’s on my other side following us until we turn a corner into a little nook that’s hidden from view.
Nate’s the first one to speak, “What the hell man? What’s going on? And why do you keep touching her?!” He snatches my hand from Pete’s and pulls me against him protectively.
I pull myself away from Nate, standing out of reach of both of them. “Seriously?! Do you guys not know the meaning of personal space? Jeez.” I mean, come on, it’s not fair that two attractive guys keep pulling me against them. A girl can only take so much.
Pete takes one look at my face and cracks up, laughing. “Yeah, man, you might want to let her go. She’s got a wicked right hook on her,” he says, between fits of laughter.
He takes a few seconds to compose himself enough to be able to talk without laughing. “Nate, did you smell your mate when she came into history?”
Nate nods staring at me as if I’m some fascinating creature.
“I thought so. Care to explain?” Pete asks, turning to stare at me.
“Look, like I said it’s a long story. My father has told me not to say anything until we’ve talked to your Alpha, but there’s the slight possibility I might have more mates out there,” I tell them, hoping I won’t cause a bloodbath. The stories my father has told me about mates, say they become very possessive and protective. I’ve got news for them though, that won’t happen with me.
I’m way too dominant to let wolves, mates or not, boss me around.
Chapter 3
Oh shit! I don’t think I can go in
there. I smell at least five wolves. I also feel Nate and Pete behind me. It reassures me slightly that my back isn’t open, but at the same time, I’m still waiting for them to attack. It’s ingrained in me to fear wolves other than my father.
I walk forward, almost freezing in my steps when the teachers scent hits me. He’s a wolf too. Is this some werewolf school?
The teacher is staring at me, sniffing the air discreetly. Oh come on, not this guy too! I shove my schedule out in front of me hoping it will stop him from smelling me in a class with other wolves.
“Hi, I’m new here. I was sick yesterday,” I blurt out, showing him my schedule and trying not to stare. He has to be one of the youngest teachers I’ve ever seen.
Dark hair, hazel eyes, chiselled jaw and a lean body enough to make any girl drool.
“Hello, Danielle. I’m Mr. Parks. Please take a seat. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you have any trouble,” he murmurs, checking me out.
I turn abruptly not giving him time to gawk and walk to the back of the class, where there are a bunch of spare seats. I sit down, moving my seat back far enough that I’m touching the wall. I’m feeling a little too exposed with so many wolves in the room.
I felt their eyes on me when I walked down the aisle, and I can still feel their judging stares. Pete and Nate have each taken a seat beside me but moved their desks closer.
Looking up at the class, I check out the other wolves and see four of them grouped up at the front of the class: the two girls that were with Pete yesterday morning just glare at me while two guys that look identical, glance back at us before saying something to Mr. Parks. He nods, giving them approval as they both gather their stuff heading back to me Nate and Pete.
They move the desks in so we’re all grouped together before turning to face me. They must be twins because they look way too similar. They’re both black haired and the same height, maybe 6’1”. The only real difference is the shape of their faces and eye colours. One has a more feminine structure and piercing green eyes, while the other has a more defined jaw and brown eyes, the colour of melted chocolate.
