5|Best Friends

Before I could turn around, something powerful slammed into my body. Fortunately, I was fast enough to grip it and throw it away from me. A familiar laugh echoed in the forest. I looked at the attacker with a sneer. He needed to change his trick because it was boring and predictable.

He stood up straight and got in a position ready to attack. His mouth formed a grin. Other wolves might be scared to see that, but not me. I had never even bowed to him, let alone flinched against him.

“Why are you standing still? Come and get me!” I challenged.

With a stomp of a foot, he ran over. I prepared to tackle his blow. His right hand clenched into a hard fist and launched toward my face. A few inches before he could reach my cheek, I dodged.

Suddenly, he shifted and increased his movement speed significantly compared to mine. Cheater! I couldn’t transform that fast. While dodging strike after strike, I looked for an opening to distance myself.

‘Now!’ Lou commanded as I saw the chance to escape.

I lowered my body, caught his foot aimed at my waist, and pushed it away. His hands were protecting his body, preventing him from reaching me. Once I was at a safe distance, I shifted.

Lou let me control her. She was a beautiful purplish-gray wolf. I couldn’t believe the Moon Goddess gave me a wolf I could be proud of. Not only was her physical appearance gorgeous, but she was also strong, fast, and clever.

The half-wolf Maddox moved faster than me, but I avoided his blows. One time, he almost hit my cheek. Tired of playing around, I caught his hand with my teeth, then kicked him until he fell on the ground.

‘We’re not attacking the Alpha, Cora,’ Lou said, warned me.

“Yes. We didn’t attack Alpha, Cora,” Maddox taunted.

“He started it.” I let go of his hand and backed away.

But Maddox grabbed my front leg, then pushed me with all his might to the ground. He held all four of my legs with his hands and feet. I struggled to break free, but none of my efforts worked.

He chuckled. “You are stubborn. You know you’ll never win over me,” he said smugly.

“At least I’m trying instead of just giving up,” I retorted with a ragged breath.

He didn’t move, so I turned my gaze toward him. His eyes locked into mine, then he leaned closer and breathed in my face. His quietly beating heart started beating faster and faster, along with mine. He let go one of my hands, and then stroke my cheek with his free hand.

“Maddox,” I said, trying to remind him.

We had been friends since childhood, making us close. We knew each other's strengths, weaknesses, and our darkest secrets. We went through many things together, from the proud to the embarrassing ones. We even wished we were mates.

But the Moon Goddess had other plans. Once we turned eighteen, we didn't smell anything near each other. He was an Alpha, so he needed a Luna who was destined for him. That person was not me.

“I know.” He was quiet for a while before distancing himself from me. He shifted in his wolf so that I saw Atlas, his black wolf. His silky fur shined under the moonlight. “There are still two years before the King calls you to serve in the palace. You will meet your mate soon enough.”

“Thank you for your empty consolation, Alpha.”

He chuckled. “I meant it.”

I turned around to put my feet in front of my body and stare at the almost full moon. “I believe the Moon Goddess has not forgotten me. If She wants me to serve as a servant in the palace, then I will.”

“You love our pack and never talk of leaving. You say this because of Aspen.” He glanced at me, but I kept my eyes on the moon. “She just needs time to adjust. Once she believes there’s nothing between us, she won’t come to disturb you again.”

I snorted. “If you want to convince her about it, you should be in your room making love. Not here with me.”

“Did you forget? It was my turn to patrol last night.”

I came home with my muscles aching. Damn Maddox. If he hadn’t asked me to duel earlier, I would not feel any pain all over my body. Seeing Garrett walking sleepily towards the bathroom, I quickened my pace, so I entered first.

“Cora! I was first in line!” he protested while banging on the door.

“You’re not standing in front of the door. That’s not queuing!” I retorted.

“Mom! Please, ask Cora to come out now! I’ll be late if she takes a shower first!” he complained.

What a whining big brother who had no dignity. It’s such a small matter to complain to Mom. I wasn’t even scared of her. My bath didn’t take long. He was just impatient, waiting for me to finish cleaning up. His ignorant wife was the one who took a shower forever and used up a lot of clean water.

“You’re adults. Stop acting like children!” Mom exclaimed from the kitchen.

“But, Mom, I’ve been waiting for you to finish showering!” he protested again.

After the shower, I put on my T-shirt and shorts. I left my hair damp so Garrett wouldn’t keep banging on the bathroom door. He ruffled my hair when I came out of the bathroom. Huh. I had proven to him I took a quick shower.

I helped Mom prepare breakfast. The delicious smell of bacon filled the room, making my stomach churn. I then set the table. I rolled my eyeballs as I put down a plate for Tyra.

The lazy woman deliberately lingered in her room, took a long shower, and was the last one eating her breakfast. What a shameless woman. Her parents were good people, a world away from the spoiled, arrogant, and self-centered woman she was.

“I’m leaving. Thanks for breakfast, Mom.” I kissed my mom on the cheek. “See you later, Dad.” I hugged and kissed my dad’s cheek. “Don’t be late, Garrett.”

“Shut up!” he said sarcastically.

“Heeyy!” scolded Mom and Dad simultaneously.

I just laughed and rushed out of the house. The distance between my home and the training center was very close, so I just walked. Some people in their front yard greeted me kindly. I also saw happy new faces.

We got an extra member from yesterday’s annual event. The female wolves became the mates of the male wolves in our pack. A welcome ceremony for them will be held tonight, as well as their wedding ritual. Tonight was the full moon.

It will be held in the courtyard of the town hall. We were all working together to prepare it. There was setting up the stage, decorating, cleaning up, and cooking a lot of food. I got the part of taking care of security around the hall.

Maddox and Garrett arrived at lunchtime. Alpha gave us some instructions regarding the evening’s events. He approved all the strategies we had prepared. I volunteered for patrol, but he didn’t allow it.

So, here I was. I wore my best dress and attended the mass wedding ritual on the main field. The men who were my friends were already with their spouses, so I stood with my parents, watching the elders marry them off.

Once they were officially husband and wife, we roared our congratulations. They then went off in pairs to the forest to consummate their union. Those of us who stayed could enjoy the meal prepared by the organizers.

“Aren’t you embarrassed to attend this event and be a senior without a partner?” The one I avoided the most came from behind me. “I know what you’re waiting for. You only want to marry an Alpha. No one is single, so you’re flirting with a married one.”

What did she mean by that? I wasn’t flirting with any Alpha who was already a couple.

“There’s no way a Beta’s daughter would marry a man below her level,” Luna Aspen snapped. “Stop dreaming, Cora. Maddox is only mine. Do you think I don’t know you made out with him this morning? His whole body was full of your foul scent.”

O, my Goddess. I forgot about that. We fought this morning, so I touched him and vice versa. Of course, my scent would linger on his body. But she got it wrong. Maddox and I did not make out or something like that.

“Every Alpha in the land has found their mate, including Maddox. You’d better start hoping that some snot-nosed boy will become your mate. As long as he’s an Alpha, right?” Tyra laughed mockingly. “Do you know what people will say? You’re a pedophile.”

‘Let me kill him, Cora.’ Lou growled, holding back anger.

‘That’s what she wants. You shouldn’t take offense because we’re not what they say we are.’

‘You should take it up with Maddox. I’d love to see Atlas punishes Tyra.’

The newlyweds returned from the forest with happy faces. They held hands, gazed lovingly at each other, and didn’t stop stealing light kisses. What a beautiful sight. I didn’t know when it would be my turn to experience it.

Alpha gave a toast to all the new couples, so we held our glasses and gathered around. I was free from Tyra and Aspen. They loved to pour acid on my fresh wounds. Did they think I wanted to live like this?

I wanted to find my partner and get married, too. I’d tried by accompanying Maddox and Garrett to every event or festival and met with the other wolf packs. I even tagged along when they went to the neighboring kingdom, to no avail.

I couldn’t close my eyes as I lay in bed that night. Lou was very agitated for whatever reason. Remembered that she was holding back anger when facing the two evil women, I decided to calm her down by letting her run free in the forest.

We accidentally saw a couple making love in the trees. My eyes heated up at the beautiful sight. Lou quickly chose another path, but the same scene greeted us. With my heart aching, I closed my eyes and let Lou take us where she wanted.

‘Oh, Moon Goddess. Am I cursed? Do I not have a partner that you have destined for me? Am I born without a companion to accompany me until we die? Will my fate be the same as the servants in the King’s palace?’

I smelled something as we were getting near the river. ‘Lou? What was that?’

I took a deep breath. Where did this smell come from? It was the scent of fresh water and pine. No one in this pack had this wonderful scent. Did we have an intruder? Oh, Goddess! Did they choose our pack as their next target after they took down Scarlett Sky?