Chapter 0001

Kelly’s POV-

One hour!

I’ll be 18 in one hour!

My sisters and their mates are here, all the Alpha’s and Beta’s arrive tomorrow for my Birthday Celebration Ball, everything is ready. If tradition holds I’ll meet my mate at the ball and be marked by this time tomorrow! My sisters have my hopes so high, I hope I’m not disappointed. They all met their mates within an hour of greeting people.

Fifty-nine minutes.

I’ll meet my wolf!

Yes, my wolf, I have been feeling her stir and she’s been sassy and pushy all day. Earlier I was training with the Alpha and I felt her trying to break free. I tried to relax and let her forward but something was holding her back.

I couldn’t concentrate like normal.

Alpha was irritated with my lack of focus.

“Kelly, get your head in the game or lose it,” Alpha bellowed as I fell on my ass again.

I’m the top female warrior even without my wolf, he expects a lot out of me. I expect a lot out of me too. Today I was not up to either of our standards.

Oh I just have to stay awake fifty-eight more minutes.

Tomorrow is the Alpha’s birthday too. I’ll walk up the fight of stairs between the Beta floor where I live and the Alpha Floor to wish him a happy birthday before anyone else. It’s our tradition.

It started when I was three. It was my first night on a cot. Alpha was turning 18 and I creeped up to his room as the sun was coming up. His bed was too high to couldn’t reach him. So I pulled on his arm.

“What are you doing little wolf?” Alpha is half Lycan so really all Lycan.

“Happy birthday my Alpha,” I said staring up at him.

He smiled at me that morning a sleepy happy smile. He got up put a shirt on and then let me sleep next to him.

It was six years ago when he started to make sure to already be awake and fully dressed when I arrived. I guess he’ll be waiting for me tomorrow morning too.

Tonight at dinner when all my sisters and their mates were here I couldn’t help but look at Alpha. He is 33 and unmated. His mother is a Lycan princess and he favors her in looks. Tall, Blonde, Blue eyes. He inherited his body from his father, broad shoulders. Stone sculpted chest and arms of muscles. Even 15 years my senior he is HOT.

My eyes are heavy, I’ve never been a night person. My bed and I have a special relationship. The blanket has accepted me as one of its own. My pillow is firm and cool. My mattress is formed to me perfectly, cuddling me in all the right places.

I just have to *yawn* stay awake for fifty- seven minutes. Screw this.

I’ll meet my wolf in the morning. The pillow is so soft and blanket is warm. This very well could be the last time I sleep alone in my bed. Just Fifty-six minutes......

Sleep over takes me before I can control it.

I’m playing in the snow! It’s clean and fresh. I can’t believe how good it feels on my face. The Sun warms my cheeks where the snow was.

Mace-MATE

Me- Hello, who are you?

Mace-I’m Mace, and I sense our mate. Wake up

I hadn’t realized I was asleep the dream was so real. I bolt myself awake. The smell is so strong. He must be close. I check my clock 12:05. I’m 18.

I get out of bed still in my night shirt and open my door. I look down the darken hallway and see a figure standing at the end of the hall. He is massive. Over 6ft tall hair a mess from sleeping, shoulders that took up most of the hall, oh my goddess- it’s the Alpha.

My heart is about to explode. I’ve known him my whole life. We share a birthday, we share a table, we share a pack, can we really share a bed? I’m not going to lie, he is extremely handsome. I’ve dreamed since I was 16 that he was my mate. I asked the goddess for this, I want him. But will he want me? He has never been a playboy. He doesn’t sleep around. Many have tried but all have failed. He didn’t even take a chosen mate like most older men would have.

I’m walking to him, trying not to seem too eager. It’s never good to seem eager. But dang it I’m eager and ready. Can he smell my arousal? I can see his. Those boxers aren’t hiding much.

He stands so proudly, he’s the Alpha Lord, the head of all Alphas. Of course he stands proudly, he doesn’t know any other way to stand. Alpha Lord the most powerful werewolf in the United States. Every Alpha respects him, most fear him. Never lost a fight, never hurt or harmed. Always the winner.

I’m only a few steps away now. His breathing is off. Is he panting? Is that a little drool? Oh dear goddess is his, holy crap, coming out of his boxers?

“Mate” I whisper.

****************************************

Lucas’s POV

“MATE”

I’m shaken awake to the smell of fall apples roasting and my wolf screaming in my head. I look at the clock. 12am- midnight- Happy Birthday Alpha you are now officially the oldest unmated Alpha in the history of the pack. Thirty-three! Congratulations to you!

Calvin-MATE

Me- What on earth are you saying you crazy mutt?

Calvin-MATE

I take a deep sniff and all I smell is roasting apples. I shake my head as I remember it’s midnight, I’m 7 floors above the kitchen, how the hell am I smelling apples?

Calvin- MATE

Me- After all this time.

Calvin- I don’t pick the time, the goddess does. Find her now! Mark her before dawn

Me-Let’s not forget who the Alpha is here. I’ll find her, but I’ll mark her in my own time.

Deep in my mind Calvin, my wolf, growls.

I smile a little. But the urge to find my mate is overwhelming. I get up and forget to put on clothes, as the smell takes over. Damn it’s strong. I’ve never been so drawn to a smell ever.

I leave my room and the smell gets stronger. I follow it to the Beta floor. I breathe deep and it’s coming from the girls hall. My heart stops. I may be Alpha of this pack but no way am I going down the girls hall at midnight in only my boxers.

Calvin let’s out a massive growl. The smell is drawing me down the hall. There is only one unmated female on this hall. Dread falls over me, and she turned 18 at midnight.

She opens her door. I want to run away, but I’m frozen in place. Well damn she sees me.

She lowers her head. I can’t run now. I motion for her to come to me. I have to show control. She’s only 18. I have to keep reminding myself and Calvin she is only 18.

“Mate,” her little voice fills the space around us.

Why did she have to say that?

Calvin- Why aren’t you screaming it? MATE MATE MATE. What kind of idiot am I bound to for all time?

Me- Would you stop already? She is 18 fucking years old!

Calvin-Finally legal!

I block him out so I can think.

She is in arms reach. I smell how aroused she is. Intoxicating. Don’t touch me Kelly, for the love of the gods don’t touch me. I’ll lose control I know I will.

She is reaching, I want to step back, I need to step back, but feel Calvin about to take over. I push him back down, but Kelly doesn’t stop reaching.

I need to reject her, she is my Beta’s daughter. I need to give her a chance to meet someone younger. I can’t be this selfish. I have a plan. I don’t need a mate.

Her hand makes contact with my bare chest. I feel the bond start to become solid. I breathe deeper. I’ve been panting as she walked toward me. I feel the spark between us. I’m holding control by a thread.

Her hands reach around my chest and her cheek lands against me. Oh sweet goddess the tingles, the sparks, oh sweet mercy!

“Mate,” her sweet voice saids again.

All I can do is growl and throw her over my shoulder. Before anyone can come out, I run!