CHAPTER ONE

Screaming in agony, as every limb in her body is being broken, every muscle torn, tendon stretched to accommodate her changing form, bones elongating forcefully. Sierra watched in fear for her child, who was wrapped just a few steps away. Wind blowing, dead autumn leaves rustling in the dead silence of the night; the moon shining and basking in the silence. What if I hurt my baby? She thought to herself. With the transition intensifying, she breaks free from the aconite soaked chains which subdued her. Realizing what had happened, Sierra tries to move as far away from the child as possible but the pain grows more intense with each breaking limb.

“Oh! This is excruciating!” Sierra cries out: in that moment, she wished she was with her family. The transformation is slower because she lost her protective stone that controls her ability to turn on full moons. Now covered in snow-white fur, canines formed, claws clearly visible, the heightened strength and uncontrollable rage in her bright blue eyes, she howled at the moon as it reached its apex. 

Growling lightly, Sierra walks slowly to where her baby is sleeping peacefully. Interestingly she didn’t wake up amidst all the screams and cries. Watching guard beside Twyla, Sierra takes a stance; daring any predator to come for her and her baby.

This is her first full moon since she got pregnant, ran away from Pasteria to Astrina a small quiet town far west of the six surrounding towns to hide from her powerful family, her pack and give birth to Twyla. 

She wasn’t looking forward to this night at all, some might say she dreaded it because of all that change her body had to endure during the transition.

In spite of the fact that she wasn’t looking forward to the full moon, Sierra made preparations to keep her child safe and ease the process. Taking into account the increased strength that comes after transitioning, she made some tea from the aconite plant to decrease her strength. She soaked thick iron chains in aconite as well to bind and subdue. At the foot of the forest, she found a hidden cave, where she bounded herself and kept her baby at a safe distance. Nervous as Sierra was, she had everything handled in time for the entire episode, 

…or so she thought.

Fearing that the residents of the village might have heard her screams, Sierra was on alert as she guarded her baby. Now she could sense a predator a mile away and attack if the need arises. No way was she going to let the only person that mattered in her life get hurt!

Pondering, she decided the next course of action was to take Twyla further into the cave. So she carried her gently with her fangs, being very careful not to leave a scratch. Few dried leaves scattered around, she gathered some and used them to cover Twyla.

“How did I get here?” She thought to herself. “Since I left home, I can barely breathe, all I do is look over my shoulder. I miss my mum”; heaving a sigh while dropping her head slowly, with eyes looking really sad, her stance is more relaxed now. As Sierra looks over her child, a wave of regret hits across her face as she recounts the days leading to when she left her home.

Sierra’s family is the most powerful in Pasteria. Although born in a bloodline of werewolves, Sierra didn’t fancy the idea of being one. The killings, unexplainable rage, heightened emotions, super strength as well as the yearly family rituals. None of that made sense to her: all she wanted to be was ‘normal’ with a simple quiet life and maybe a husband and babies, but of course, her family had other plans for her.

Both her parents were from the two greatest packs in the history of Pestoria, betrothed to each other at birth to form alliances and make the pack stronger, preventing their bloodline from being tainted by unworthy spouses as well as the ability to have control over the transitioning. Her parents, Damian and Caithlyn got married and gave birth to their heir, Sierra and her two brothers Ezra and Maxwell.

Sierra wouldn’t say her parents were in love growing up, but they respected each other a great deal and that meant something to her, even though she never really fathomed the concept of love.

Damian didn’t care much for love, so when his good friend brought up the idea of joining their families, he jumped at the idea and betrothed Sierra to his son Nathan. With their parents aging, Sierra and Nathan both became Alphas of their respective packs. Caithlyn was reserved; but was shy to show her children how much she loved them, especially Sierra. They were really close. The mother-daughter bond between them was refreshing to witness. Sierra told her mum everything, including the fact that “she had met her soul mate, Bran”. 

I’m going to marry him mum, she

said. He’s everything I want in a man; strong, bold, intelligent, caring, handsome, he’s just amazing. Then

she drops the bomb, “I love him”. On hearing this, Caithlyn with a shocked expression and a subtle look of worry walks away leaving a rather oblivious Sierra in the dark.

Caithlyn quickly walks to Damian in the study, obviously upset. Look at what you caused, he raises his head frowning at her quizzically, he asked “what did I do?” I told you, I told you we should tell Sierra about Nathan so she could prepare her mind for what is coming, and you insisted we wait. Well guess what? Sierra just confided in me, she met someone and claims she’s in love with him. Visibly upset, he drops the cup of hibiscus tea in his hand.

“What?” He asks. “No way Sierra does that! How dare she?” Sierra followed her mum down to the study, unknowingly to her eavesdrops on the conversation in shock and enraged about the ridiculous plans her parents made for her without her consent, she ran to her room quickly gathered few clothes and everything she felt were important including her protective stone into a duffel bag and ran out of the house before either of her parents could catch up with her. 

Bran! Bran!! Sierra screamed as she reached closer to his house. Puzzled, because he didn’t understand why she screamed his name at the top of her voice or why she ran like her life depended on it.

Bran came out—

We need to leave now! She said panting. “Why?” Bran asked. My parents are going to make me marry someone I don’t know. They’ve had this planned out for a while apparently and I’m only finding out today. I can’t bear the thought of being without you my love; we need to leave please let’s go far away from here, Sierra said, holding his face in her palms and immediately hugged him. Bran hugged her back and released himself from her grip, swiftly packed a few things in a cross bag and into the sunset, they ran