Chapter 1: Aurora

"Rise and Shine, Sweetheart." My dad calls up the stairs.

I open my eyes with a massive grin on my face. Today was the day. Today was the day that I was meeting with Alpha Ramano, the day that I would finally get the chance to ask for his permission to leave the Blue Moon Pack. Today was the very first day of my new beginning.

I quickly get out of bed, grab my towel, and head toward the bathroom to shower. I'm only in the shower for about fifteen minutes before I hop out and run back to my room. I've already picked out my outfit for the day. I shimmy into my favorite black leather leggings and throw on my blood-red crop top, the sleeves sitting perfectly off my shoulder. I pair my outfit with my signature black choker and red combat boots. I hastily brush my blond hair back into a high ponytail pulling a strand down on each side to frame my face. I grab my favorite lipstick and coat my lips with it, the red stain making my bow shape lips stand out, the red enhancing the vibrancy of my green eyes.

Giving myself a once-over in the mirror, my eyes catch their reflection. My once completely jade-colored eyes now swirled with an amber-brown, my only sign so far today that my wolf was reaching the surface. I already knew that I would meet my wolf before the night came and learn who she was. I would learn about her likes and dislikes. I would see how she felt about leaving our pack and finding another. I was beyond excited to meet my wolf. She would be the first person who chose to be a part of my life aside from my parents.

I smile at my reflection before leaving my room and skipping down the stairs. Mom's made my favorite breakfast, Oatmeal banana pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs over easy. It smells delicious, and I cannot wait to gobble it up and down at least two cups of coffee before leaving for the day. I couldn't sleep for the life of me last night. My thoughts flickered back and forth between leaving the pack and meeting my wolf.

"You look, beautiful princess." My dad stated as he looked over the top of his newspaper at me while I took my seat at the table.

"Thanks, Dad." I reply, smiling back at him, "Anything interesting in the pack times today?"

"Nothing too interesting, although there's a small segment here about the young Alpha Grayson, holding a banquet tonight, he is requiring that every unmated she-wolf attends."

"Well, thank the goddess Selene that we have been banished to the outskirts of the pack. I would hate to have to attend that." I replied, rolling my eyes at how obnoxious pack politics can be.

"Aurora, it does state all unmated she-wolves. You are still unmated." My mom replies, turning her attention away from the griddle and looking at me.

"I'll just ask the Alpha when I see him this afternoon if I am required to attend; hopefully, he'll have already granted my request to leave the pack by then, and I won't have to attend his silly banquet," I reply before taking a large gulp of my creamy hazelnut coffee, breathing in the intoxicating aroma.

"Are you sure this is what you want, Princess?" My dad asked; he had never been keen on me leaving the pack.

I try to bite down the irritation in my voice when I reply to him, "Dad, we've talked about this. The only way I can truly live my life is if I leave the pack. I'll forever be known as the pack traitor's daughter if I stay. I will continue to be ridiculed by the pack, and I'll be forced to live my days out on the outskirts of the pack. I'm meant for more than that, dad. I can feel it in my bones."

"Of course, you are, Aurora. I can't imagine my little girl leaving."

"I know, Daddy, but as soon as I find where I belong, I will be sending for you and mama. Then we can live the life we all deserve."

My mom brings a tray full of pancakes and bacon to the table, setting them down in the center. I can see tear stains on her cheeks. I wonder if they're from this morning or if she'd been up all night crying again. It breaks my heart to hurt my parents like this, but I know our lives would be different if we left the Blue Moon pack. My parents' love wouldn't be labeled as traitorous.

"Alright, enough of this talk. Let's all sit down and enjoy this lovely breakfast as a family." My mom stated as she came back into the dining room with three plates, each holding an over-medium egg.

I took a bite out of my pancake, letting out a loud moan, "Mmm, this is delicious, mom." I reply.

"Only the best for my baby. It isn't every day that your baby girl turns eighteen." My mom responded to me, dabbing at her eyes, which had begun to water again.

"Oh, goddess!" I exclaim, jumping up from my seat, "Is that the time?" I ask, scarfing down the entirety of the contents on my plate. "I've got to go before I'm late meeting the Alpha. Bye Mom, Bye Dad. I love you both; I'll see you later tonight." I wave goodbye to them as I rush out the door.

Sighing with defeat, I pick up the pace, knowing that I will have to run the entirety of the way there to make it on time. I couldn't afford to be even a second late. The Macafee family had already disgraced the Ramono family once. We couldn't afford to have another incident happen.

When I reach the packhouse, my entire body is covered with sweat and panting hard. I have to hold myself up with my palms against my knees as I try to catch my breath.

I let out a slight wheeze as the Packhouse warrior walks my way, my face turning a crimson color as he raises his eyebrows at me.

"May I help you miss?" He asked me; his face slathered with concern.

"I'm okay," I reply, my heart rate finally slowing down. "I have a meeting with Alpha Romano today."

"Oh, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, especially seeing as you ran here, but Alpha Romano's meetings have been canceled today in preparation for the Maiden Banquet Dinner. " Seeing the disappointment on my face, he began speaking again, "Former Alpha Milo was supposed to send out notices to all the people meeting with Alpha Grayson today."

"Well, that explains why I didn't get my notice," I mutter.

Let me get your name; I'll send him a mind link and see if he has any spare time to meet with you this morning." The warrior replied, his face friendly towards me.

I huffed once more. I didn't want to ruin this moment. For the first time that I can remember, someone other than my parents was nice to me, and I knew that the second I mentioned my name, that would end. "Uhh... I'm Aurora. Aurora Macafee."

I watched as his smile turned into a thin line, his eyes frowning into tiny slits. All the warmth he had towards me earlier was now gone. I wasn't some random girl who needed help; I was a traitor, even though I had done nothing wrong. Being a traitor was my birthright. A title my parents had earned when my mom chose my father over the previous Alpha. I hadn't even been born at that time, so why had my mom's choice for love been something that I had to be punished for.

By the glazed-over look in his eyes, I could tell that the warrior was mind linking. I waited patiently, still hoping that the Alpha would give him the okay to let me into the packhouse to see him.

"Alpha Romano said he will talk with you at the Banquet dinner tonight. He wanted me to remind you that the dinner will be formal and that you're expected to wear a dress. Oh, and he says to leave the choker at home." The warrior replies to me, a laugh reflecting in his eyes. I wonder what joke was shared at my expense now.

And how did the Alpha know I wore chokers. Yes, I had picked my choice in clothing to rebel against the pack norm, but I have never met the Alpha before, so unless he has spies watching our family, he shouldn't know about my choker collection.

Suddenly I felt the hairs on my neck stick up; the unease feeling of someone watching me crept up my spine. I casually glanced towards the packhouse, hoping the warrior didn't take note. In the furthest corner, off to the right, I see movement in one of the windows. As if looking into my inner soul, Staring right at me was a pair of blue eyes so vivid it felt like I was looking into the ocean's depths.

Could those eyes belong to Alpha Grayson? Why was he studying my interaction with the warrior? Why not just come down and greet me himself? I felt my anger start to rise. I was angry that nearly thirty years later, my family was still being treated like garbage. I was mad that Alpha Grayson had time to meet with me, but he pushed me aside like I meant nothing; and I was livid that he was forcing me to go to the banquet, knowing that the pack females would torment me for being a Macafee.