Chapter 1

Serenity’s POV

“Don’t you dare leave this house today.” Brady said in a firm tone and it irritates me that he lords over me. He might be the Alpha of our pack, but he is still my brother and the age gap is not wide enough to command his bossy ways. He doesn’t decide what I do.

“You mean like this?” I retorted as I stepped forward and held onto the doorway, teasing him.

A frustrated sigh left his face and I knew I was getting on his nerves like I always do. I found it exciting to taunt my brother and I got this satisfaction from doing that. But right now, I meant business about stepping out because my friends were waiting in the bullion van parked outside - hoping I’d go to the senior party that was happening by the lake at dusk. It was our last time together before the mating rites that will be happening during the weekend. Being that it was my birthday, I would finally find my destined mate and I wanted one last night with all my friends before we went our separate paths in life.

“Serenity, don’t push me to the wall! I mean it when I say you aren’t stepping an inch out of this house. Don’t try to change my mind.” Brady gritted as he pulled me back and started to drag me further inside the house.

“Let me go, Brady! I must away with my friends and there is nothing you can do about it.” I said to him as I tried to release myself from his hold, knowing that I didn’t stand a chance to fight against him.

“Looks like I have no other option than to do something about it.” He retorted, grabbing me to the grand staircase.

Using my last card of defence against Brady, I began to yell, “Mum!” Brady quickly tried to cover my mouth with his hand. But it was too late as our mother came rushing into the room.

“Serenity, what’s wrong?” She asked as walked towards us and then saw Brady’s arm on mine. “Brady, let your sister go,” Mum said reprimanding him and I couldn’t help but plaster a smile on my face as Brady let go of my arm and I stepped away from him, knowing that he’d have to face Mum.

“What’s going on here?” Our mum asked as she looked at both of us with hands akimbo.

“Brady is trying to order me around again. He is preventing me from going out with my friends.” I explain to my mum, who is now giving Brady a firm look.

“Brady it is a party. It’s graduation and they got to celebrate. You were once her age and did likewise.” Our mother reminds him and he is quick to respond. “And that’s exactly why she is not going. I know what goes down at those kinds of parties and she isn’t going to be a partaker. Period.”

“Cut her some slack. She is not that kind of person.” Mum stood up for me. Brady is not convinced.

“I won’t have one of those small wolves manhandle her.” Brady continued and I knew exactly what he was afraid of. He doesn’t want me deflowered before Saturday.

Fury filled my lungs as I spoke some impulsive words. “What difference between you and those small boys? You forget about those times you manhandle Lottie in your room every other night after sneaking her in.” Mum has her mouth opened wide and Brady lets out a sigh of displeasure. I knew at that moment - I took things a bit too far. In all honesty, he provoked me.

“Brady, how could you do that to such a fragile wolf?” My mum was in shock at the revelation.

“Mum, if you must know, I’m 25 and I have yet to find my mate. I’ve reached my quarter-life crisis. If it doesn’t happen on Saturday, I plan on announcing Lottie as my mate and the next Luna of this pack.” Brady’s statement shocked us both.

“But Brady, what happens to Lottie if you find your bond mate?” My mum asked him and a blaring horn from a vehicle outside waiting for me fills the air, but I stay glued to the spot hoping for a favourable response.

“Oh well. It is too late. I have already grown attached to Lottie. And I want her as Luna. I honestly don’t think any other mate will do. What we have is special.” Brady explains to our mum, and I can’t believe my ears.

“So if you find a mate at the Mating Ceremony on Saturday; then what?” My mother asked to know his intention. I’m impatient to hear his response, but I don’t move even with all the incessant honks emanating from outside.

Geez. My brother was so unbelievable. In love with Lottie and he is willing to let go of his mate to court her. The horn honked once more and I turned to look at the door waiting for me to escape now that I had my mother’s backing. But my heart began to weep at his words and I wondered why I felt so affected by them. It’s not like I knew his mate, but whoever she was, I was feeling her pain already; knowing that this could happen to me on Saturday too. What if my mate were to reject me like he plans to do with his bond mate?

I thought of just going to my room since I had this feeling inside of me now. I didn’t want to go out all of a sudden, but my friends were here now. And I had given them my word. Penn, all of a sudden, appeared in the doorway and when she saw me, she wore a frown on her face. “Why you looking so forlorn? Is your brother preventing you from going out again?”

She had never been one to be afraid of him. And my mum was there to protect us.

Turning to face my mum, she gives a nod signifying her approval, Then I look at Brady and he has a look on his face that says you are going to regret this.

I know he is only pained that I won against him.

“Time to have some fun!” I said to Penn who gave me a goal-getter smile, leaving Brady to stew.