The Start

It was the day of Eric’s eighteen birthday. The alpha and Luna wanted to do something big for his birthday, mainly because they were hoping that their son would find his mate from one of the alpha’s daughters invited.

The night started out joyously. Everyone was excited about the possibility of finding their mates. Eric was also excited; he and Maria had been busy with different duties on the day, so they had not met yet.

The future pack leaders were busy preparing for the young alpha’s birthday, sorting out the last-minute details of the party.

Maria only sent her best friend a text wishing him well on his day and promised to give him his gift when they see each other later.

Maria, the beta’s daughter, could not wait to see their future Luna and her best friend’s mate. She was sure Eric was going to find his mate this night. “Look who we have here, where is your twin?” asked the future gamma meeting Maria coming back from the border.

“In case you didn’t know dear Gamma, I am a year older than Eric, so he can’t possibly be my twin.” Maria liked Jacob but she hated how stupid he could be sometimes. “I know that but because you are always together one would swear that you are twins. Where is he?”  Maria wonders why he did not just mind link Eric like a normal wolf.

“Did you try mind linking him? I mean it’s easier than asking everyone where he is, and I have not seen him all day.” Jacob palmed himself feeling and looking stupid in front of Maria. “I forgot we could do that, tell me, what did you get him?” Maria started walking away from the man. “You will see when I give it to him if he wants to show you. Now be a good future gamma and go check the north border. I have checked all the others besides that one.” Maria said walking faster.

“I know that you are frustrated and maybe a little nervous. You could find your mate too tonight. Keep calm because whoever your mate is, he will love you. You are the best woman in this pack.” Maria smiled.

As stupid as Jacob could be at times, he was attentive and noticed the smallest things. He gave the best advice and was fierce in battle. The three of them were going to be the best leaders the pack has ever seen. So, say their parents, the current leaders.

“Thank you, Jacob. As usual, you know how to make me feel better.” Maria mind linked the gamma keeping the innocent smile on her face. “That’s what am here for, and by the way, I have already checked the north border.” Maria chuckled and cut the link.

She walked to her home and was welcomed by her mother when she opened the door. “Maria, mija! I have been waiting for you to come back and get ready. Where have you been?” questioned her mother just as she stepped into the house.

Maria smiled at her mother. “That’s why am here mom, to get ready and don’t worry. I will be done in no time.” She said then rushed to the stairs. “Maria Van Loveren, you better wear the dress and not the pantsuit!” her mother yelled after her, making Maria chuckle, shaking her head.

She was only teasing her mother when she said she was going to wear the pantsuit, but her mother took it seriously as she always did when it came to Maria’s wardrobe.

She was the beta’s daughter and her mother wanted her to look her best this night so that she would look her best when she meets her mate. But Maria being Maria and liking to tease her mother. She told her that she was going to wear pantsuit like a businesswoman and that drove her mother crazy.

Her mother stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting anxiously for her daughter to come down. When Maria finally walked down those stairs her mother’s jaw dropped. Her sweatpants wearing daughter looked like a princess.

“Oh, mija, it’s like I am seeing you for the first time as my daughter and not my son.” Maria laughed throwing her head back. “Oh, mom, you know I like sweatpants because they are comfortable and as a future beta there is no time for me to play dress up.”

Her mother did not care for her answer because this day, Maria was her daughter and dressed like it. “I don’t care for that because today you are dressed like my daughter. Your mate is going to fall head over hills for you. He will not be able to take his eyes off you.”  Her mother praised.

“Assuming I find him tonight.” Maria was worried that her mate was not going to be at the party that night. “Whether you find him or not, you will still be the best-looking woman there.” Maria gave her mother a smile.

She did feel beautiful as well and she could not wait to go into that hall and see what happens. “I have to go mom.” Her mother nodded. “I will see you there later. I must wait for your father first.” She kissed her daughter on the cheek and told her how beautiful she was and how much she loved her.

Maria went to the hall, everything looked beautiful going to the hall and other packs had started arriving. She had Eric’s gift in hand as she went into the hall. She looked around and could not find him.

She scanned the room looking for her best friend but could not find him. She shook her head thinking that he was waiting for the dramatic entrance as he said. She thought it would be a good idea to go and get him to welcome the guests and ruin his dramatic entrance.

She smiled as she thought about how pissed Eric would be when she showed up there to get him. Maria still had the gift in hand when she went to find him upstairs.

She frowned as she smelled the thick metallic scent of blood in the air. She got worried that something might have happened to Eric. Maria’s knees grew weak but soon her warrior instincts kicked in. She charged forward following the metallic scent in the air. Her heart was beating like an African drum in her chest.

She was afraid of what she was going to find when she got there, fear of finding Eric or any member of her pack injure on this day was something she did not want to think about. She hoped and prayed that it was just a small injury that someone got.

But the scent told her that the blood she was smelling was no small amount and that is what got her knees weak and her heart beating like is was about to jump out of her chest.

As Maria got closer to the guest bedroom, the scent was even stronger there. She wondered who could be in there but had no time to waste. The person could be dying while she was busy contemplating what to do.

Maria went and opened the door. Her heart stopped beating for a moment when she saw what was in the room. She did not expect to find what she found in that room. She did not react, she stood frozen in place.

The cold dead eyes of her father and the Luna of the pack were looking right at her. Their throats slit and dark red blood painted the while silk sheets. Their bodies naked as if they were sculptures of some artist.

Maria’s mind was working a hundred miles per minute trying to figure out what had happened. Who could have done it and why? Well, it seemed obvious why but who could be the culprit?

While she was still standing there not knowing what to do, she heard a voice behind her. “What the hell have you done?” the voice shook Maria to the core. It was a voice that held so much authority that at that moment it made her insides freeze.

She did not have to look behind her to know that the person was her alpha. “You fucking killed them!” he growled menacingly with deadly intent. Maria did not have time to respond or defend herself the alpha punched her hard on her rips making the air leave her lungs for a moment and she forgot how to breathe.

“You fucking killed them! You killed my mate!” The alpha did not wait for Maria to stand or say something as he kicked her hard, sending her flying a few feet.

Maria coughed a few times, she was not bothered by the beating she was getting, the pain in her heart for the loss of her father was what she focused on. She wanted to know who killed him.

“What the hell is going on?”