48 Hours Earlier....
Michael...
The sun was brutal on Michael's back as he carried wood across the field. Sweat dripped down his face and his soaked hair was pulled back in a bun. The bark bit into his skin, a dull and exquisite pain, but he ignored it and threw the load into a pile by the porch. He heard laughter and footsteps behind him, making him smile.
"Dude, all I'm saying is my wolf is faster. That's all."
"Well, my wolf is bigger and way more attractive."
He turnes to look at his life long friends, Sebastian and Gabriel, both around twenty years old. Sebastian stood about six foot one with his pale skinned elbows propped up, hands behind his head as he laughed. He had a shaggy red mane on top of his head and his skin was covered in freckles. Sea blue-green eyes light up the room every time he smiles or laughs. He was mildly attractive, leaning more towards cute than handsome.
Gabriel scowled at the shorter man. He stands about six foot three, with black hair and deep brown eyes. Sometimes people just stare at his eyes and get lost in the endless abyss in his eye sockets, borderline demonic. The pink scars from brawls scatter across his cheekbones, adding to his attractiveness. Gabe has always had an anger issue, and a sex issue, but at the end of the day he's an overall good guy.
He slapped both of their shoulders, laughing.
"Ladies, ladies. You're both pretty." That earned him a rough slug in each arm and a scowl from each of his friends.
He walked over to the log pile and wiped his brow before he lifted a bundle of five logs tied with hemp rope to his shoulders and walked towards the porch. Gabe and Sebastian followed behind him closely.
"Why havent you taken your place as Alpha, yet, Mike? Nervous?" Sebastian chuckled, nudging his shoulder. He laughed. "Man, you know it doesnt work like that. I havent found my mate yet, and a pack cant run without a Luna." He dropped the logs in front of the porch again and dusted the remnants off of his white tshirt.
Gabe scowled. "Mike, just pick someone. The soulmate thing is just an old fairytale. You'll never find 'the one' because she doesn't exist."
Anger swelled in his chest and he growled. "The Alpha has to go by tradition, Gabe, so if I have to wait a year or another hundred for my mate, I will. Got it?"
Gabe just scoffed and walked away, meanwhile, Sebastian patted Michael on the back. "Haven't you been looking for a while? Howd it go with that Chelsea wolf?"
The thought of Chelsea made sorrow and pain flicker deep within his soul. Wolves have a legend about the perfect halves of their kind: Soulmates. People - no matter shape, size, or species - that are perfect for one another. Made for one another. Recognizing a mate can be instantaneous or can take years, but it always begins with a spark. A touch, a look, a word.
Michael had been following sparks for years, searching for his destined mate. Eventually, he met Chelsea. She was a blond wolf of decent size, a born alpha, and was sweet and kind. The minute he touched her hand, it was like a firecracker. But when they finally went to bed...
"There was no knot, Sebastian. She isnt the one," he muttered sadly. His friend sighed sorrowfully and patted his back. "Its alright, man. You'll find her. You'll see." A sly smile crawled across his face.
"Also, I came down here to let you know that your Mama wants you." Michael huffed. "Really, Sebastian? You couldnt have told me that 20 minutes ago?" He just chuckled.
"I'll race ya there."
He paused and watched him shift. It's a wonderous thing, the way a man morphs into a wolf. The first time is always the hardest, the most painful. At 16, a wolf reaches maturity and the barest wind of strong emotion sends them into the bone crunching phenomenon. The transformation is slow the first time, feeling the snap of every bone over and over until the body has reformed. Over time, the body becomes numb to it and the change happens faster.
Sebastian's wolf sat at Michael's feet, his tail wagging as the sun reflected off of his red fur. Michael smiled and shifted into his wolf, running for the woods. He could hear his friend yip his protests behind him as his paws hit the ground. The sounds of playful yips and growls filled the air with joy, the scents of the forest around them. Trees and plants flitted by in a blur, the sun and shadows melding together. Small animals scattered along the underbrush as they ran by.
Sebastian's goofy grin is plastered to his wolf's face, making him recognizable in every group. Michael laughed to himself, sounding like a pups howls, as he pulled ahead. His mother's house appeared in the distant forest just in line of sight. He increased his speed and heard Sebastian whine behind him at being beaten as Michael halted at her porch. He quickly shifted back and pulled on some clothes that were left on a chair.
"You knew I would beat you, man. I'm an Alpha. You're speed would never match mine." Sebastian huffed his displeasure and slugged Michael in the arm. "Well, I beat Gabe fine and he's the Beta's brother. I had to try." The sentiment made Michael laugh. Poor fellow. Always striving to be the best. He patted Sebastian's shoulder.
"You'll make a fine warrior some day. Maybe even in my personal gaurd." Sebastian smiled at that, his freckles smiling with him under the mid-day sun. He wrapped his arm around Michael's neck, a bit of a stretch from Sebastian's height to his.
"You're my best friend, 'ya know that?" He smiled at him. "Everyone is your best friend." Michael earned a solid punch to the ribs, making him laugh, but his laughter was cut short by someone clearing their throat. He looked up to an elderly woman standing on the front porch with white hair and golden eyes with flecks of blue, scowl on her face. He straightened himself.
"Hello, Mother."