1. Meeting A Stranger

I hissed as the sharp end of the needle pricked my finger. The blood that dripped from the small injury annoyed me for some reason but I paid no mind to it, instead I sucked the finger into my mouth, wincing at the bitter metallic taste of blood.

As expected the moment I pulled out my finger there was no more blood coming from the injury, the only thing that remained was a numbness to that finger but I didn’t let it deter me.

I continued to sew the patch in my shirt and when I was satisfied with my work, I lifted the cloth to inspect it. It was a neat, triangular patch which resembled the work of a three years old but as I expected, there was no more hole in my shirt and that was all that really mattered.

I smiled with pride at the beautiful work and i could even feel my wolf roll around in satisfaction, causing me to roll my eyes. It’s not as if she had done any work.

I slid the shirt onto my frame, smiling when the large hole that had occupied the front of it when I picked it up only minutes before was completely disappeared.

I slipped my worn out sneakers onto my feet and picked up the bag that contained my drawing materials, once I was satisfied with the way I looked, I headed out of the door and towards the kitchen, where I could hear my mom humming a broken tune as she cooked.

“Mom, I’m heading out.”

“Oh honey? Where are you going? I thought you didn’t have to work at the pack house today?” She asked, worry creasing her forehead.

“Oh I don’t, I’m just heading to the hills to draw.”

“Be careful then and be back before dinner.”

“I will bye.” I replied, moving away from the small stuffed up kitchen and in the direction of the door.

“Catherine.” My mother called once more and I closed my eyes, took a deep breath before turning around to face her once more. Using my full name was never for the best, I knew that already.

“Stay away from trouble, okay? No matter what you do please mind your business, keep your mouth shut and try to stay away from trouble please.” My mother pleaded and I had half a mind to smirk at her tone but I didn’t want to upset her so I didn’t.

Instead I nodded my head and even gave a small salute that made her laugh.

“I promise mom. Bye.”

This time she let me go and I was thankful for that.

Being an omega in a pack where omegas where treated like, well for lack of better word, shit, wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. And maybe the Goddess hated me because she just had to make the most stubborn, hard headed girl in the entire pack.

I was popularly known for causing trouble, being in places where mischief ruled and being ridiculously stubborn and only the Goddess really knew how much trouble that I got into for it. Maybe it was the reason I was yet to find my mate, this was probably my punishment for all the trouble I had caused.

But I didn’t care. Not in the least.

I hummed to myself as I walked and it wasn’t until I was almost at my destination that I realized that not one other troublemaker had said hello to me. In fact the streets had been very empty while I went through and I had only encountered very few people on my way.

I didn’t stop to think through it though, instead I reached my destination and once I had climbed up to the point that was the most comfortable for me, I settled down and just closed my eyes, allowing the evening breeze wash over and comfort me in a way that nothing else ever could.

This was my safe spot, my happy place, this was the only place in the world where I could be the most comfortable and be myself. This was this place where my creativity flowed and I reached my highest peak.

Once I opened my eyes, it locked on the setting sun and I smiled, opening my bag to bring out my pencil and pad, I began drawing the beautiful landscape before me.

My fingers worked fast against the paper and little by little my drawing came to life. I became lost in it all.

So lost that I didn’t hear when a presence joined me and it wasn’t until they cleared their throat that I jumped in my spot, if I hadn’t been sitting properly then I would have tumbled down the hill since I was sitting at an edge and I would have most likely met my death.

“Are you crazy? You almost killed me? What happened to clearing your throat quie-“ The last words got stuck in my throat when I turned around and I was face to face with the most handsome man I had ever met.

His brows were raised in the most perfect arc and I took a moment to observe his features. From the swirl mop of brown hair that sat atop his head to the matching brown eyes that came with it, his high cheekbones were the most perfect touch to his almost angelic features and from there my eyes trailed to his luscious lips that were curled into a smirk.

“I don’t think there’s a way to actually clear the throat quietly but thanks for the tip. I’ll try it next time.” He said and I might as well have fainted and gone to be with the Goddess because his voice was pure sin.

Sultry and silky like the purest velvet but with a touch of husk that made a slither crawl through my spine with each word that he spoke. I swallowed like an idiot and bowed my head when he only continued to smirk at me.

“I-I didn’t know.” I said and he nodded his head.

Who was this stranger? He was dressed simply and I was sure that I had never seen a face like this anywhere around before, there was no way I wouldn’t remember.

“I Thought it was banned for people to come here so what are you doing here?” He asked and I immediately frowned.

Handsome or not he had no right to question my presence here. This was my spot! And I wasn’t willing to share neither did I need anyone to remind me for the stupid laws that governed this equally stupid pack.

“Well you’re here too so I guess we are both miscreants.” I murmured bitterly, turning back around to finish up my drawing.

The sun was beginning to disappear and although I could finish up the drawing from my memory I needed to be able to capture it in the moment.

I worked peacefully for maybe a few seconds before a warm scent was filtering into my nose. The stranger had settled beside me and to my surprise he had inched very close to me to peek into my drawing book.

His scent reminded me of cinnamon and something else, something burnt. I couldn’t place the smell and instead of figuring it out I simply breathed it in further, allowing my knees to buckle a fraction. The scent was unusual but oddly intoxicating.

“That’s a beautiful drawing you have there.” He complimented and just like that my cheeks were back to being rosy at his words.

I knew how good of an artist I was, I had been doing this for as long as I could remember after all, but what I wasn’t used to was getting compliments for it. Or being told how good I was.

Well, except it was coming from my mom. Whom I never believed because I mean, it was her job to make me feel good about myself and my drawings whether or not they were shitty.

So hearing it from someone, a total stranger that didn’t have to be nice about it, was strange, different.

“Thank you!”

“Well-“ He began looking at me expectantly.

“Catherine. But everybody calls me Cat, which is ironic I know because I’m a wolf but yeah.” I supplied, explaining more than necessary because I was a messy nineteen years old girl with no mouth filter.

“Well Catherine. It was nice to meet you. I hope we can see again sometime soon.” He said and before I could put in another word he was jogging his way down.

I was about to shout after him, warning him to not jog because he could slip and fall but a much important thought hit me.

I didn’t even get his name, I had just spent the last couple of minutes with this ridiculously handsome stranger and I had not even gotten the most basic thing he owned. His freaking name.

Then it also hit me that he had called me Catherine even when I told him not to. I hated that version of my name and just preferred when people stuck with Cat. I needed to correct him, I didn’t need one stubborn head going around calling me a name I didn’t like.

Well let’s hope we meet again.

I put the finishing touches to my drawing and once I was satisfied with how it looked, I rose from my spot and put away all my supplies before zipping up my bag and making my way gently down the hill.

I had fallen off so many times and acquired many unnecessary injuries that I was now very wary of coming down the spot.

The moment I was down though, I began skipping once again in the direction of my home.

“Cat! Where the hell have you been? Jason will have your ass if he finds you here and not in the kitchens.” My friend Athena called out to me and I frowned.

“It’s my day off. Why would he be looking for me?” I asked.

“Well we all have to be present to prepare for the feast tonight. Sucks it had to fall on your off day. I have to go now, I’m not going down with you when Jason finds you.”

“What feast?” I asked, confusion taking over my being and my frown deepening.

“What? Cat are you serious? Have you forgotten about the feast of the Alpha and to welcome the Alpha King happening tonight?” Athena asked but before I could ask any further questions she turned around and left.

Oh that feast. That was tonight? Damn, I was really looking forward to it.

No, I wasn’t. That was just pure sarcasm.