RILEY-
We made it back to the "vacation house" and all split up. Oddly for some reason Max was still down to his underwear with out a care in the world. I couldn't help but sigh at the thought of him being my best friend and Beta.
Our Vacation house wasn't exactly a vacation house, more like a headquarters for our pack. The higher ups: my family, Max's and my Gamma, Anthony's family pretty much resided here as well as whatever wolves were on guard duty at the time. We tell outsiders that it's a vacation home because mere humans wouldn't ever understand, and we couldn't afford the questions. Another reason why not too many of us have stepped foot out of the reserve. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how my strict nut of a father let his two sons and a soon to be Beta out of arm's length. After meeting Violet though, I no longer had any reason to question his motive.
Peeping my head in my father's office, I see him neck deep in documents that are surrounding him on his desk. Father was always hard at work, considering he was Alpha of our pack he's also Chief of the town. Everything went through him, construction, realty, events, meetings with allied packs, you name it. With me being first born by the time I was able to speak, walk, and write, he was already training me for the time when I would succeed him.
Everyone in our pack highly respects my father, and I only hope I can be half of the Alpha he is. Now that I am 18, it is getting to be the time where he gives the reigns to me. Though also, now that I am 18, he has been hounding me about if I have met my mate, our packs future Luna, yet.
Father is extremely old fashioned, telling stories for as long as I can remember of when the Moon Goddess first lived, thousands of years ago, and how she created each and every one of us werewolves. How we are incredibly fortunate that she inherited the Crescent Black Moon's pack to their family. We all pray to her every morning and night; father is especially strict about that.
No story has yet been told of a human being a werewolf's mate; I can't imagine father finding out about Violet. Just the thought brings chills down my spine. If it was up to me, I would have already howled her name from the rooftops letting everyone know I have found her. But the Moon Goddess and her sick taste in fate, mated me with a human. If father ever found out, he would surely force me to reject her.
I shook that thought out of my mind and entered his office. "Father, we are back, checking in to see how everything is going around here." I walked over to his Mahogany desk and sat down upon one of the brown leather chairs that were facing him.
He was wearing a crème long sleeve sweater from Ralph Lauren and his white hair was slicked back.
Father took off his spectacles and placed down the documents he was holding. "Where have you all been? Your mother was up worried sick last night. Not a text from any three of you."
"We told you we were going to a birthday party. There was also an incident, so I ended up staying the night. Mother worries too much." I replied
"Yes, but I have to listen to it all night." Father huffed "Anyways, have you met your mate yet?"
Wow, straight to the point, isn't he? A small drip of sweat started to perspire on my forehead and I was unable to keep eye contact with the man who's grey eyes resembled my own.
"M-mate…?" My eyes started darting all across the navy blue office. "No unfortunately, not yet. I'm sure it will be any time now; I have a strong feeling." I could sense Maddox rolling his eyes at my 'strong feeling' bit. "You'll be first to know father."
Father sighed and leaned back in his chair. "All in due time, all in due time. You can't rush these things no matter how hard you try evidently. What training regimen are you getting into today?"
Not realizing I have been holding in my breath, I let it out in one go and wiped away the sweat from my forehead. "I am holding off on training for the moment and will be attending a carnival outside the reserve with some friends from school."
Father chuckled and closed his eyes "a carnival? You are going to a carnival with friends? You're joking with me, right?"
"Why would I joke about that, it isn't even funny?" I asked
Slowly, father reopened his eyes, staring me down, right to my core. Out of no where my father's fist came slamming down on his desk, and documents went flying everywhere.
"Chief! What the hell are- "
"DAMNIT RILEY! Are you even taking the position of future Alpha seriously?! I mean a carnival?! You should be studying, practicing combat, training the other pack members, or what the fuck ever, anything else! I allowed you to go to that party last night, you didn't even come back to the reserve after, without any communication might I add, and now you return talking all types of nonsense about a carnival with humans. What on earth has gotten into you?" Father shut his eyes once more and pinched the bridge of his nose. His infamous vein on his forehead was starting to pop out.
His reaction wasn't shocking in the least. I have never wanted to even step foot out of the reserve, not once. When father told me I was going to be transferring schools, I was furious, and father didn't hear the end of it for weeks on end. Now I'm telling him that I am attending a carnival of all things, it was completely out of character for me. At this moment he is probably suffering from major whiplash.
"Do you not realize that you are the most important being in this pack?! Your status goes above my own now. Stop messing around with talks of birthday parties and carnivals and on the name of the Moon Goddess, get more serious Riley!" By this point I knew father's words could be heard throughout the building.
"Father, I know the importance of my position!" Father scoffed at my arrogance, and I rolled my eyes. "All my life I have trained without question or complaint. I know all too well of my status in this pack. Not once have I given you any reason to question that." With that, father's vein started to slowly vanish. "But you are the one who insisted in my attending as well as Kyle and Max, Willow High out of the blue with out any reason for why. Now we have all made friends and have been invited to the outsider's annual carnival and we told them we were going."
There is no way I am going to miss out on the chance of taking Vi to a carnival. Violet had been avoiding me like the plague for weeks after the bathroom incident. Anytime I tried to talk to her, she would give me some excuse about how she was busy and didn't have time to chat and then run off as if I was some loser kid with BO. That was until last night. She finally started coming around, and letting me in, like hell if I'm going to waste that opportunity. Also, carnivals are known to be romantic, ergo every romcom movie out there. What if some random punk asks MY mate to go on a ride with him, or what if they win MY mate a prize and she has a memento of the time they shared together forever and ever. Scenarios started dashing through my brain and my heart sped in an alarming rate.
Taking all of this in account, I looked at my father dead in the eye "Are you not the one who raised me to never go back on my word, father?"
Father looked back at me with just as much intensity in his glare and broke the silence with a defeated sigh. "Fine. But you will have Anthony accompany you three."
Anthony is our packs future Gamma, he's also six years older then I, making him 24. He's always been looking after me like an older brother. Even though I am our pack's future Chief and Alpha, I still go to him for advice and learn a great deal from his wisdom. One of the main reasons I respect him so much was that he doesn't let status get in the way of our relationship, he's treated me just as he would anyone else. He wasn't afraid to scold me when I was wrong, and he showered me in praise when I succeeded.
"I don't need a babysitter, and I'm sure Anthony has better things to do with his day then tag along at a carnival with teenagers."
Father stayed silent and placed his spectacles back on his face. Without a word he got up from his white leather chair, patted down his khaki pants and made way for the window. He pulled back the navy blue curtains and glanced out into the reserve.
The headquarters was built on a giant hill, so we were able to see the entire town from his window. Growing up, father would take our family on top of the roof at nights, and we would have our dinners. He always ended the night's getting really sentimental telling us kids to look out and take it all in. Never forget this is all ours and that it will always be our home.
"That just might be, but you are not some random kid, you are- "
"I know, the future Alpha of the Crescent Black Moon Pack." I rolled my eyes.
Father glanced at me with an unusual expression on his face, almost sorrowful look in his eyes, and looked back out the window. "Right. And with knowing that you ought to realize that you need more protection, especially with you being outside the reserve. After last night, I obviously need someone more responsible with you." Father let go of the curtain and turned facing me. "Oh, speaking of last night, what is this I hear about Max arriving to HQ in his underwear?!" Father closed his eyes and clenched his fist. Oh man, his vein was starting to make another appearance, I got to get out of here. Quick.
Jumping up from my chair, I escaped for the door. "Hear you loud and clear father! You're absolutely right. And you know what, I haven't really hung out with him too much since school besides with training, so it'll be nice to have him around." Waving my hand good-bye, I ran out the door. I could still hear father repeating my name trying to get me not to leave, but I was not trying to stick around all day being lectured. I still needed to round up Anthony, and I wanted to get a run in before I got ready and left for the carnival.
"Phew." I was able to escape father's grasp. Now that that is over with, I need to get a move on. Though what is that familiar scent I smell, is that cotton candy? Wait.. is that?
"Where have you been, handsome?" A woman whined from behind.
Without having to turn around, I already knew who awaited me. Candace. If you want to talk about mistakes in life, she was the biggest one of mine. So much for getting a move on. I turn and see Candace laying across my bed, naked, nonetheless.
My 18th birthday marked the night of that such biggest mistake. When I realized that my mate wasn't a part of our pack, I got really depressed at the thought that she was somewhere far in the world, and I wasn't certain if I was ever going to be able to meet her. Who knew she was just a town over? That night I drank my sorrow's in wolfsbane and ended the evening with Candace. Who so happens to be one of our allied pack's, the Blue Mountain Rock chief's daughter.
I needed something to help get the mate situation off my mind, or in this case, someone, and Candace so happened to want to sleep with me since the day we met when our alliance was made. That night I was a mess, and weak, and also, she's hot. She has barbie platinum hair, light blue eyes, huge rack, tiny waist, any man would want to get into bed with her under those circumstances. Back then I hadn't met Violet yet and was reckless.
My only problem now is the fact that she wont leave me alone after. For the reason of us sleeping together, she thinks that we're some kind of item and does as she pleases around HQ. And since she's the Blue Mountain Rock chief's daughter none of my men on guard duty are obliged to question her.
"Tsk". Anxious of the situation I was in I bit my thumb nail, I have to be careful with the way I handle her.
"What are you doing here Candace? Put some clothes on." I said sternly
"Aw boo!" Candace pouted. "Is that anyway to speak to your lover?" Candace held herself up by her hands and pushed her boobs together with her arms.
"You're hardly my lover." I scoffed and threw her clothes at her that were laying on the floor.
Candace furrowed her eyebrows and started to tense up at my coldness. "Daddy had a meeting this morning and I overheard that you were away last night and would be home at any time so I thought I should surprise you when you returned." She jumped up frantically. "Where were you last night, and why are you in pajamas? When I heard you were away, I expected it was something work related!"
This is starting to get annoying. Not only is she shouting at a future chief, in his own territory, but she is also still naked in my room. There's a chance if one of the guards or someone from any three of our families hear her, it'll be whispered about. The morning after we slept together the whole reserve knew about it. Gossip around here runs like wildfire, if this were to get out, it would only be a matter of time until it reached Isabella's ears, and then I could kiss any future with Violet goodbye.
"Enough! I have no reason to answer any of your questions, and you have no authority to demand anything of me! We were a one time thing, that I barely even remember, how many times do I have to tell you? I feel nothing for you, now if you don't mind, leave. I have somewhere to be later." With that I turned around and made my way for my walk in closet so I can finally change out of Cal's clothes.
"This bitch is crazy!" I whispered to myself. Hopefully she got the message and will leave. I raised my arms and formed a praying gesture with my hands. "Please Moon Goddess, help a fellow wolf out here!" I cried softly
Once I entered into my closet, I took off my t-shirt and tossed it in my laundry bin. Reaching my dresser, I bent over to the second to last drawer to grab a pair of disposable running shorts. Considering werewolves grow 5x during their transformation, any clothes they are wearing will all be torn to shreds.
As I'm reaching to grab the shorts, I froze in my tracks. Cotton candy aroma overflowed into my nostrils. Promptly following soon after, two soft well-stacked breasts grazed across my bare back and the touch of a small hand wrapped around my member.
"Candace what are you doing?!" Grabbing her hand, I swiftly turned around so I could face her. When I looked upon the blonde culprit, she had a wicked smirk on her face and her cheeks were blushed. Candace licked her pink lips and moved in closer. Instantly I dropped her hand and put some distance between us.
Apparently, that only made Candace more determined, her eyes changed to a predator preparing to catch its prey. She got on all fours and seductively crawled her way back to me. This bitch really is crazy.
"Let me at least take care of you before I go." Rapidly she grabbed onto my length through the pajama pants and started rubbing down the fabric. For any other guy this would be a massive turn on and who knows the past me probably would have gave in a long time ago, but that wasn't the case anymore. In fact, I was enraged by her actions, my blood was boiling to the point where I want to throw her out by her hair, naked in the hall so everyone can see how pathetic of a being she is. Unfortunately, there are too many reasons why I can't do that. For one our fathers are allied forces and I don't want to cause any friction between our packs and then of course there's Violet. Out of everything Violet was my main concern, I could feel more rage forming in my body thinking about the possibility of what would happen if she got the wrong idea.
I roughly swatted her hand away causing her to lose balance and fall over. "I am not attracted to you in anyway Candace. You were a mistake that never should have happened. We are both firstborns to Chief's, have some more dignity and contain yourself. I will no longer give myself to anyone until I have found my mate, and I suggest you do the same."
Tears started pouring out of Candace's crystal blue eyes, I almost felt bad for her. Almost. She raised herself back up and dried her faced with her arm. "But you have yet to meet your mate, what's wrong with having fun while you are still unattached?" she whispered.
"In the name of the Moon Goddess, LEAVE!!!" The power of my voice echoed in the room. Now I've done it, someone is bound to have heard that. Tsk.
Candace startled by how I raised my voice at her jumped up in fear, her face went pale. With haste she grabbed her clothes and finally put them back.
Phew. I fell back first into my bed and didn't look up to see if she took one last glance before leaving. Hearing the door open and shut, I rolled back up placing my elbows on my knees and grabbed my hair in frustration. I hope I handled that well, I couldn't think of any better way to get her to leave without having to include another party, but with me raising my voice like that. My mind started to wonder off and I shook the negativity out of my head.
"Maddox lets go for a run!"
"Where you off to in a hurry?" Mother chuckled from the kitchen seeing me dart to the back door.
Turning around on my heels, I came up and kissed her on the cheek. "I need to let off some steam, I have a lot on my mind."
Mother's smile warped into a displeased frown, and I could already tell her motherly instincts were kicking in. "Anything I can do to help?"
Her gentle voice miraculously made my body feel lighter, and a faint smile formed on my face. Mother reminded me of Snow White, with her kind soul and empathetic heart. All the new generation wolves call her mom because she really did treat everyone as her as if they were own child. Sometimes it was bittersweet, but mostly reassuring to know that there are actual compassionate beings out there. She was polar opposites to father, frankly if mate's weren't around, I always wonder if they would still have ended up together.
"It's same thing different day with father. No matter how hard I work, it's never enough for him. All my life I have tried to prove to father that I can be worthy of his title, and I have enough to show for it. I've never questioned father's regimens, but then he goes and transfers me into a new school, my senior year, and outside the reserve of all places? He doesn't tell me why, only that he has a purpose for everything." I could sense that my speech was starting to escalate, and I couldn't control it. "Now I've made friends there who don't know anything of my status or who my family is, and they treat me just like they would anyone else. I tell father I have made plans with them, and he flips out saying I am not being serious enough. There's nothing I can do to please that man."
Mother rushed over and squeezed me into a hug. Though since she was only around 5' 2", she was pretty much only hugging my legs, but it was sweet, nonetheless. I patted her on coal black hair, and she let go of my legs and walked back some so she didn't have to crank her neck up to look at me.
Mother sighed, "I know your father can come off a bit rigid and strong headed-" I scoffed and rolled my eyes at the analogy she referred father with. She ignored me and continued "it may not look like it at the moment, but your father is doing what he believes is best for you, and one day soon you will understand why he is the way that he is."
"What does that even mean, mother? What is with that vague response?" I pleaded.
"That is a topic that will have to be discussed with your father. You won't always be in the dark, cherish these times when you have minimum responsibilities." Mother hummed, "just know your father does love you, and he very much acknowledges all the work you put in, he might not be able to show it up front, but when it's just us two talking, he is always beaming with pride for the man you are becoming." She giggled.
"Beaming with pride, you don't say?" I chuckled at the thought. Leaving it at that, I messed up mother's hair, and walked out the back door.
I have wasted far too much time; I wonder if Violet and them have already made way for the carnival? I never even got the chance to ask for her number because of idiotic Max pushing us out the front door in his underwear. That damn guy. I'm going to have to give him a smack upside his head for being the worst wingman as of lately. It's as if anytime I get a chance to get closer to her, he miraculously appears out of nowhere and intercepts.
Speaking of the devil, I spotted Max and Kyle leaning up against one of the trees in the forest. Were they waiting for me? I cut the distance between us, and the atmosphere was heavy. I've never seen either of these two goons look so down.
"Woah you guys, what's wro-"
Max cut me off, "she's your mate, isn't she?"
I gulped. So, they have been playing dumb. Stunned, I stood there wide eyed, not knowing what to even say back.
"With how distressed you look right now, that's all the answer we need." Max said heavy-heartedly.
"Does father know?" Kyle chimed
Snapping back to reality, I answered back "Of course not, no one does. You two know just as well as I do why I've kept it quiet. How do you buffoons know any how?"
Max and Kyle exchanged looks like they were telepathically telling an inside joke and looked back at me and started belting with laughter.
"Anyone with eyes can see you have it bad for Violet. I've never seen you try so hard with any girl; I think this is the only time I've seen you try at all. It's refreshing to say the least. Knowing who you are, we knew something had to be up." Max was holding his stomach from laughing so much.
I could feel my face heating up, and I quickly broke eye contact and looked in the other direction. That only made Max laugh even harder.
"I mean look at you man!" Max pointed at me "You are blushing, actually blushing. Who even are you?"
Wiping away pretend tears from his eyes, Kyle got serious again. "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. This is unheard of and given who I am it makes things that much more difficult. I understand greatly what my role is, and what I need to provide for the sake of our pack, but I never thought the Moon Goddess would turn around and do this." The boys nodded in agreement, and I bent my head down and kicked a rock.
I mean what was she thinking? How is her pairing me with Violet best for anyone, when all I can see is this ending in anguish? The story told is that Eons ago, the infamous breath-taking Moon Goddess once walked this very earth and created hundreds of wolves and separating them into a handful of packs. Our pack, the Crescent Black Moon, was actually the first pack ever created and that the Moon Goddess favorited us highly. Because of that we were named royalty and ruled over our own kingdom. Centuries later there was some kind of internal conflict from beings wanting more power and started a war. In the end, the Moon Goddess used what life force she had left and helped the remaining wolves that were still alive, escape. Since this legend goes down as mythology, there isn't any more details of how it all went down, or if the story was even true. For hypothetical reasons, let's say it is true, why on the name of all that is right, why would she pair me with a human?
"We are here for you brother." Max says confidently. I glance up at him and his smile went ear to ear. "The way you are around Violet is reassuring. I've never witnessed this whole other side to you. At first when I had a hunch, she might really be your mate, I got scared of what might become, knowing the consequences and tried to cockblock in any way I could. Sorry." He rubbed the back of his head seeming apologetic.
That explains why Max has been the biggest pain when it came to me and Violet. He didn't want to see me get hurt knowing that I can't have a future with a human. Even though these two numbskulls give me such a hard time, they're generally worried about me.
"Max…Being all sentimental isn't befitting for you." I joked back
"Ha. You're right, I don't know what's come over me."
Kyle put his hand on his face as if he was thinking of something. "All jokes aside though, I get a strange feeling of nostalgia when I not only hang around Violet, but Cal too. I can't put my finger on it."
Max tilted his head, "what's this? And here I thought you were butt-buddies with little Trevor?"
"Shut up, you incompetent bird brain. I am being serious here." Kyle snaps back
Max throws his hands up in defense "kidding! I actually agree with you. I've thought that since the first day we all ate lunch together. And the fact that we actually are hanging out with people who live outside the reserve, let alone humans is shocking on its own."
I nod my head in agreeance. "Well, there's no use in thinking about it standing here. I came out here to go on a run so I can clear my head to begin with."
"We'll join you brother." Says Kyle and max nodded in return.
We three transform into our wolf state and run off without realizing that someone had been eavesdropping on their entire conversation from behind the shadows.