Chapter One: The Mating Hunt

Sera’s POV

The Still Moon Pack, Werewoods, Norrwick

The dreaded day is finally here. The day I appear before the Alphas and the Council as Alpha of the Still Moon Pack. Lots of people would like to see me fail my first appearance. Many await an opening to swoop in and claim my Pack for themselves.

Glancing at my outfit in the mirror makes me wonder if I am making the right choice. I am wearing a casual black top and grey pants. I aim for a relaxed, effortless look; this outfit should do the trick. My green eyes reflect through the mirror, and I wonder how I would survive the scrutiny of everyone. Today is the mating festival, and I must appear before everyone as the Alpha of my Pack.

I exit my room to go downstairs for my meal and meet Millie, my Beta, on my way down. “Morning, Millie.” I smile, taking a seat at the table.

“Good morning, you mean?” She stares at me in disapproval, arms akimbo.

“There is nothing good about mornings, especially not today of all days,” I said, groaning as I reached for a bread slice. Unlike Mille, I am not a morning person.

Mille rolls her eyes in exasperation. “It’s just a mating hunt and not a monster. Besides, your mission is not to find a mate. Those people are the ones to worry.” We burst into laughter.

The mating hunt is an infamous event in the Werewoods. Future alphas or mateless alphas come to choose from a selection of shifters, their potential mate. The event has yielded a few mated peers. The Council expects mateless alphas to attend. And since my mate is dead, I am considered a mateless alpha.

My attendance is even more critical since I hope to stabilize my position.

Mille looks at me in concern. “You know you have nothing to worry about. You are a great Alpha. This Pack is lucky to have you, no matter what others or the Shifter Council think.”

Mille has always been supportive. She stood as a shoulder to cry on when my parents and brother died in the battle with former Beta Ralf, which almost destroyed the Pack. She helped me hold up pack duties and care for my baby siblings when I got overwhelmed and just wanted to cry in some corner. I am so grateful to have her.

“I know that, but I can’t help but worry. The Council does not care what the Pack thinks. Once they find a cause for concern, they won’t hesitate to assign the Pack to another alpha. We both know many alphas have their eyes on my Pack.” I sigh in frustration.

The Shifter Council oversees the Werewoods, ensuring each Pack is protected. It comprises the strongest and most influential retired alphas whose reign has been successful. The Council has five elders, only one of which is female. This makes my situation even more challenging.

The recent bouts of territorial wars in the Werewoods have alerted the Council. The Council tries to ensure the safety of pack members in the wars and minimize the causalities. This danger places my Pack, weak from recent wars, under much scrutiny.

“The Werewoods is a small place. Alphas want to expand their packs, and we look like easy prey to them.” In the Werewoods, power is king. Pack ranking was determined by strength, and any sign of weakness was considered dangerous. Our dwindling number and lack of a male leader is news to Alphas like Lucian, who are obsessed with expanding their packs.

I can’t help but worry, and my wolf is not helping matters. It has been restless all morning. I glance at the watch on my wrist and frown. It is time to leave for the hunt.

Millie and I make for the doors of the pack house. Most pack members are still in bed, and we try not to wake them up when we leave. We move towards the minivan packed in front of the pack house, and Mille takes the driver’s seat. Dreadful thoughts of my impending meeting with the Shifter Council fill my mind. The meeting was to discuss my Pack’s situation and our progress so far under my leadership.

We are considering bringing in new members to our Pack. The Pack is almost empty after the battle with Beta Ralf and his men, now turned rogues. Thoughts of the battle remind me of my fated mate, which sends searing pain through my heart, and I clutch my chest. Vivid memories of when I learned about his betrayal keep flashing through my mind.

Flashback**

It was our first anniversary as mates, and I was running to Dylan’s room, intent on surprising him with gifts, when I overheard his conversation with his father.

“It is time, Dylan. I can’t continue this pretence anymore. I feel so disgusted seeing Aidin’s face. He thinks he can order me around because he is the Alpha, but not for long. I have reinforcements surrounding the Pack, ready to attack.”

“We have to act smartly. Marc already suspects something. You know he never liked me for his spoilt brat of a sister. I already sent rogues to distract him so we can execute our plan,” Dylan replied.

“Boy, now we catch them unawares and end them.” Ralf’s evil laugh came through the door.

I couldn’t believe my ears. My face went pale, and I started trembling from head to toe, my eyes blurred with unshed tears. I could feel my heart break into a million pieces. An intense pain shot through my heart, and I was short of breath. I froze for a few seconds and couldn’t think straight.

No, not my parents and siblings. My thoughts raced with a sense of urgency. I had to act fast without alerting the enemy. I slipped away and went to Dad’s office. On opening the door and finding it empty, I raced to my parents’ room. My Mom had just had my younger siblings about three months ago and was still weak.

I burst into the room and ignored the shocked look on my parents’ face. My Dad looked concerned. “Baby, what’s the matter? I thought you’d be with Dylan by now.”

My Mom said mischievously, “Honey, stop teasing the girl.”

I burst into tears at their little banter. It hit me again at the level of Dylan and his father’s betrayal. We trusted them. My father trusted his father as his Beta, and I loved Dylan as my mate. I guess that was not enough.

“Sera, are you listening to me?” Millie’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and I realized I had stopped listening to her. We are discussing the new members arriving in the Pack the next day. We welcome misplaced shifters into the fold to make up our numbers and give them a home. This move is risky, but we must do it because the Pack needs protection. We hope to have the Pack running smoothly as soon as possible.

“What time are the new members arriving?” I turn to Millie in the driver's seat.

“Anytime from noon. Max says he wants us to do a thorough screening for them. He still thinks this is risky, seeing as the Maniac Rogue is still on the loose.” Millie looks at me in disapproval. She does not support the idea, but the benefits outweigh the risks. We must convince the Council that we can function well as a pack, and a populated pack is what we need.

Millie turns to me with a concerned look. “Were you thinking about Dylan again?” Millie’s sadness was evident in her voice.

Dylan had been her best friend, too. His death still feels surreal, but the painful betrayal of his father, Beta Ralf, is even more disappointing.

Mille places her hand on mine and looks into my eyes, her deep blue eyes equally reflecting the pain in mine. “What happened to Dylan was no one’s fault. You must be strong now. The Pack needs you, and you still have the twins to care for.”

I know Mille is right. It’s essential to stabilize my position as an Alpha with the Shifter’s Council. The focus is on rebuilding the Pack and forging powerful alliances. I shake my head to clear my mind, taking a deep breath as the Mating grounds appear in sight.

The mating ground hosts the annual mating hunt, where mateless shifters gather, hoping to encounter their fated mates. I found my mate on my 18th birthday in the Pack, so this is my first mating hunt. It has only been two years since, but it feels like a decade ago. A bitter smile crosses my face at the memory of Dylan. We were happy together until that fateful day.

Mille unlocks the door, and we move to get down when we hear footsteps. I know without turning, trouble has come knocking.

“Well, who do we have here? If it isn’t the Alpha!” A familiar, condescending voice sounded behind me.