Chapter 1

Rayne's POV

I stood in front of the floor-length mirror, with my nerves tied in my thoughts. Today was my 18th birthday, but that wasn't the most important part of today, tonight I'll officially be marked Luna of Oceanpearl Pack by Alpha Reynold. All my life, I've prepared for this moment, but staring back at myself in the mirror, putting on the Luna's ceremonial Oceanpearl dress, I wasn't so sure anymore.

Any girl in my shoes right now would be super excited, some would even kill to be in my position right now. I took in a deep breath trying to get rid of the feeling of dread that gnawed in the pit of my stomach. Different thoughts ran through my mind all at once. What if the prophecy was wrong? What if tonight turns out to be a nightmare instead of a dream?

A knock on the door snapped me out of my train of thought.

"What are you still doing in your room, Rayne?" My mum asked as she opened the door with a frown etched on her face. "Everyone is waiting for you at the Packhouse."

"Mom–" I took a deep breath as I searched for the right words to use to express how I was feeling right now. "I– I have this feeling that something wrong is going to happen?"

"Snap out of those silly thoughts of yours Rayne," My mom scolded me. "You've trained all your life for this moment."

"I know Mom. But what if Reynold and I aren't mates?"

"What nonsense are you sprouting girl?!" My mom growled as she walked towards me. "YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE LUNA OF THIS PACK," she said to me as she held my shoulders firmly and looked into my eyes as she spoke. "I don't care about those silly worries of yours, you're going to go out there, shift once the moon is out and Reynold is going to mark you, period!"

"B–but mom–"

"Jeez! Rayne!" My mom snapped. "I've had enough of this already!"

"Okay mum," I muttered, because I knew nothing was going to make my mum understand how I was feeling right now. "Ermm…mum?"

"What is it this time, Rayne?!" She snapped irritatedly.

"How do I look?" I mumbled, hoping to hear something nice to get rid of this ominous feeling I was having.

"You look the same way you've always looked," there was a certain indifference in her tone. "Now let's go. This is not the time for your insecurities."

"Okay, Mum," I mumbled, as my eyes welled up with unshed tears. I had hoped just this once I’d hear my mum say something nice to me, but that’s just wishful thinking. I sighed and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall, I wouldn't want to ruin my makeup.

My mom has always treated me like I was some sort of trophy and not her actual daughter. My father wasn't any different when he was alive, I was just a tool to elevate their status.

Quietly I followed my mum behind to our car which was parked out front.

"Give me a minute," My mum requested, and went back into the house, leaving me alone in the car with my thoughts.

After about five minutes, some omega’s came out with my luggage.

"What's going on?" I asked the omega's as I came down from the car.

"Mrs. Miller asked us to bring your things to the car," one of the omega's answered, as she opened the trunk and kept my luggage in it.

"Where’s my mum?" I asked.

"She's–"

"What's going on mum?" I asked my mum as she walked out carrying a small hand luggage. "Why are you packing my things?"

"Why not?" My Mom retorted. "You're going to be the Pack's Luna, there's no need for you to stay here anymore."

"But… Mom, I haven't even been marked yet. What if things don't go as planned?"

"There's no room for 'what ifs', Rayne," My mum said firmly. "You're going to be marked and officially made Luna. Get in the car,” she ordered. “We've kept everyone waiting long enough."

I stood on a spot, too stunned to say a word to my mum.

"Rayne!" The irritation in her voice cut through my thoughts.

Silently, I got into the car, and we drove straight to the Packhouse not saying a word to each other.

Arriving at the Packhouse, the Pack members were all seated outside in a semi-circle around a beautifully decorated stage where Alpha Reynold and the Council members were seated.

As I walked in with my mum who was swelling with pride, I got different looks from the pack members. Some smiled at me genuinely and it was obvious they were genuinely happy for me. I have proven myself to them by working my butt off even before I'm officially declared Luna. It was thanks to my efforts that we were able to defeat most of our rivals in the neighboring Packs.

While others were genuinely happy and knew my worth, there were some Pack members who thought I was just an entitled brat who got to where she was on a platter of gold. The kids weren't left out either, they all looked at me as I walked in like I was the goddess herself.

For as long as they could remember they've been told tales of the one that was foretold in a prophecy, and being able to see that person felt like such a privilege to them. Some even waved at me with a wide smile spread across their faces. I waved back also with a smile.

Moving on towards the stage, my eyes landed on Alpha Reynold, his brown eyes locked on mine for a second, and it made my heart skip a beat, and the knot in my tummy loosened in an instant. For one who has spent a lot of time around him, my heart flutters at the mere sight of him.

"Hello, Rayne," Reynold greeted me with a smile spread across his lips. I find his smile to be the most attractive thing about him. Reynold was handsome no doubt about that, he had dark brown hair which bounced whenever he was walking. He was tall and sturdy, and even in this relaxed environment, his pose held power. Well, he was indeed powerful, for a twenty-two year old he had achieved more than most Alpha's achieved in their entire life.

"Greetings, Alpha Reynold," I said softly, with a bow, trying to hide my flushed cheeks, as I took my seat beside him.

"Welcome everyone. Today marks the beginning of a new Dawn for Oceanpearl Pack," a council member announced, as the events began in full. "History would be made today, as we'll all get to witness the foretold prophecy being fulfilled," he continued. "This would mark the beginning of more prosperity for us all!"

The pack members clapped and cheered happily, and for once I felt so much pride within me. It was such an honor to be chosen amongst everyone else. I wasn't the prettiest, or most intelligent, in fact, I lacked in so many aspects, but the goddess found me worthy of such an honorable task.

The ceremony started in full as different groups displayed their various talents. Different games were also played, and we all laughed loudly at some funny jokes, while we ate and drank to our full.

Time seemed to go by really fast, and soon enough it was midnight and time for me to have my first shift.

The entire field became quiet and all eyes were suddenly on me. I turned to look at Reynold and he gave me an encouraging smile, and that was all I needed to calm my nerves.

I moved to the center of the circle, and took off the ceremonial Luna dress, leaving only my panties and bra on.

I sighed deeply, before freeing my mind and soul and giving my wolf control just like my mum had told me to.

I heard a sharp pop and cracks, as every bone in my body broke into a thousand pieces, and slowly reformed, as fur burst across my form. I could feel my wolf taking over as my teeth soon turned into fangs and my nails grew longer into claws. The experience was both painful and strangely pleasurable.

There was a hint of disappointment amongst the Pack members as they stared at me and whispered amongst themselves. I turned over to Alpha Reynold, whose looks weren't any different.

Curiously, I decided to know what was making them whisper and give me such a look, so I walked over to a nearby pond, and got the biggest shock of my entire life!

My wolf was small! I was two times smaller than an average werewolf. How is this even possible? I wasn't short? I'm 5 feet 8 Inches, that can't be considered short, right? So what happened?

"So this is the wolf of the chosen one, huh?" A familiar voice said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Well, I expected more from THE CHOSEN ONE."

The voice belonged to Sloane. I'll recognize her voice anywhere even if I was deaf. Sloane was an omega in the Packhouse and she has always hated me for reasons best known to her.

Reynold came down from the stage, and his expression darkened with every step he took as he walked towards me.

"I'm sorry, Rayne. You can't be my Luna," Reynold said coldly.

Even in my wolf form, tears streamed down my face at his words. My wolf, whom I'm yet to know her name, was hurt by his words, I could feel it.

"You can't do this Alpha Reynold," one of the most respected Pack Elders, Elder Shane, said.

Reynold turned to him sharply, with a frown etched on his face.

"W– What I mean to say is…." Elder Shane gulped. "Rayne was prophesied to bring good fortune to the Pack, you have to make her your Luna."

"Elder Shane is right," my mum chimed in, worry evident in her voice. "Rayne will bring prosperity to the Pack," she turned to the other Elders for support, and they all nodded in agreement. My mum sighed in relief for a brief moment.

"Her wolf is small, what good can come out of her?" Reynold mocked. "It would be best for everyone if I make someone else my Luna–"

"And risk bringing doom to the pack?" Elder Shane interrupted. "I think Rayne has a rare condition," Elder Shane continued. "I've heard of rare cases of people with small wolves at first, her wolf would grow bigger with time."

"You have to accept her as your Luna," another Elder chimed in, and the rest nodded in response.

I felt so embarrassed and useless at the same time. At this point, I just wish the ground would just open and swallow me up.

"Fine," Reynold said grumpily and turned to face me. "This is for the Pack's future," he said out loud. "Shift back," he ordered.

Without a second thought, I shifted back to my

human self and I stood butt naked in front of everyone. It wasn't new though werewolves to see each other naked.

Reynold held my neck as he stared into my eyes darkly, without being told, I tilted my neck to the right and closed my eyes as I waited for him to mark me.

Reynold dug his fangs into my neck, I shut my eyes tighter from the pain, and the next minute I felt a gush of pure hatred, I'd never felt anything like that before. Opening my eyes, I looked into Reynold's and I immediately knew where the hatred was coming from. Reynold hated me with every fiber in his body.

"I'll never love an ugly bitch like you," Reynold mindlinked me, his voice cold as ice.