Chapter 1

 Chapter 1

Darkness. Nothing to see. No light, no shadows, nothing. I tried to feel out to make sure I wouldn’t fall and get hurt, but there was nothing.  The more I tried to run to find a source of light, the more it felt like my feet started getting stuck in mud. What is going on? I don’t understand.

Far off in the distance there was a dot of light. Like the size of a pen cap beckoning for me to come to it. As hard as I try it’s not doing any good. Why is this happening. I want out. I want to go home. I’m scared, full of fear and helplessness. I notice the light is finally getting closer, bigger. I am so close but so far away.

“Someone, please help me!” I screamed, knowing no one will hear me in this vast place.

Out of nowhere I see a silhouette in the light I’m going towards. They are holding out a hand waiting for me to come closer.

“Come now my love. Grab my hand. I will love you, cherish you, and make you mine.” Said the mysterious. When he said this it sent shivers down my spine at his deep voice.

Holding out my hand as I’m trying to get closer for this stranger to help me, I asked “Who are you?”

“I am your mate my love.” He said and I can tell he was smiling.

As soon as he said that my hand touched his and the feel of electricity shooting down my arm made feel like I was losing control. Before I could look upon his face I was pulled out of my dream from rapid knocking on my door.

“Liz, get up or you will be late for your first day of senior year!” said my before barging in.

She was holding a steaming cup of hot coffee waiting for me to get up before she hands it over. I looked at my mom in all her pre morning glory. She had her hair tied back in a messy bun. Her beautiful hazel eyes had black circles under them and a little puffy. She was still wearing her scrubs from work. Wait, why was she home. It’s only 6 A.M. and she should still be at work for a couple more hours. Mom noticed me worrying as I untangled myself from my blankets. 

“Don’t worry honey. I went in a few hours early last night so I could be home for your first day. I wanted to wish you luck and see you off. This is your last year. Before you know it, you will be off to college and I will be here by myself.” Mom said as she handed me the cup of coffee.

I took a sip moaning as the taste was heaven on my tongue. She knew exactly how I liked my coffee. A little sugar, caramel sauce and whipped cream with chocolate sauce on top.

“Thank you, mom, but you didn’t have to do that. Do you want to go down and have breakfast together before I go to school or would you like to go to the diner on the corner?” I asked. I love having breakfast with her. We don’t get to do it very often since she normally doesn’t get off until after I’m already at school.

“Yes! I would love that darling. Go take your shower and get ready. I’ll go put on some normal clothes and get out these scrubs.” She said as she walked out the door closing it behind her. I smile. I love my mom more than anything. She is the one who raised me and taught me how to be a decent human being after my father left us when I was 2. She taught me how to stand up for myself and not take anyone’s crap and speak my mind. She is the most amazing person I now.

As I get in the shower and let the warm water run over my body, I notice a bruise on my wrist. I wonder where that came from? As far as I know I didn’t have it last night. Oh well I thought as I grabbed my shampoo and started washing my hair. When I was almost done rinsing my body, I started to remember the dream I had. It made me feel tingly and weirdly happy.

As I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body I went to my closet and picked out my outfit. A somewhat fitted shirt, not one of those skin tight ones most girls wear but one that showed I had curves but still left the imagination open. A pair of high wasted boot cut jeans and my mid-calf high boots. I go to my mirror and brush trough my dark brown hair and put on a little mascara and eyeliner. I’m not one to really rely on make-up. Natural is so much better. I check myself to make sure I didn’t forget anything. When I get to my eyes, I still marvel at them. I have my father’s eyes. Dark blue with specks of green in them. They are the best part of all my features. I miss him so much.

I grab my school bag and walk down the stairs to meet my mom. She looks at me and smiles. Once I get closer, she cups my cheek in her hand and says “Your dad would be so proud of you baby girl. Just as proud as I am in you.” Then she pulls me in for a big hug. We walk out the door to the car and start heading to the diner.

Once inside we find ourselves a table and sit down. About a minute later the waitress comes over and takes our order. Mom looks at me with a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Mom? What’s wrong?” I asked worried.

“Sweetheart, I know you know how we are still in our pack and they graciously let us live in the human part ever since your dad passed away.” I nodded my head. “Well since you will be turning 18 in a month and your shift, graduating next year, they want you to come live at the pack house for your last year at school. That way you can be around our own kind and see how things work. Plus, they want you to train. It’s mandatory for all newly transformed wolves.” Mom said looking down at her hands that are tangled together on top of the table.

“What?” I said shocked.

“Plus, you might be able to see if your mate is in our pack since most wolves stay around pack lands and not living like us.”

I shake my head trying to get this through my head. Why would I want to live with them after everything happened with dad? I know it’s not their fault that he passed away but they could have helped him. They could have watched his back like they do the Alpha. I was thankful they let my mother step down from being the female Beta afterwards and let us move to live a “normal” as can be life with the humans.

“Will they still let me go to school here or will I have to go to the pack school?” I asked her.

“They will let you keep going to school here. It is only about a 15-minute drive to the school from there.” She said looking at me with a half-smile. “And they are going to get you a car so you can drive yourself since you have your license.”

I look down at the table wondering if there is a way to get out of this. I don’t want to go live there with all the snotty, skanky and asshole people. As if knowing what I’m thinking my mother grabs my hand and holds it. “I know you don’t want to but once the year is up, they will give you three choices.” I glance up at her with a questioning look.

“What choices are those ma?”

“One will be to see if you want to stay there. Two will be if you want to live outside the pack like we do now. Three will be if you want to leave to go to another pack. Sometimes there is a fourth option but most people don’t know about it since they hardly ever talk or consider it.” She said giving me a sad look.

“Can I know what the fourth option is?” I asked quietly.

“I’m not saying they would offer it but sometimes they do. If your mate isn’t in our pack sometimes, they offer for pack members to go on ‘vacation’ to other packs for about 6 months to see if they can find their other half in a different pack.” My mother said.

Hmmm, well that’s something to think about. Maybe I can tough it out and hope that option will be available when this is all done.

I sigh and look at my mom. “Okay mom, I’ll do it. I’m just glad they won’t be making me go to the pack school. I don’t know if I could handle leaving the friends I’ve made on my last year of school. When do I need to do it?”

“I will call Alpha James when I get home and let you know after school.”

The waitress brings our food, we sit and eat in silence. I’m not feeling all that hungry now but I force myself to eat. I’m going to need it to get through morning.

With everything going on, my mind went back to my dad. I really wish he was here. He was the strongest warrior of our pack, the gentlest soul, and all-around great guy. Some would say he was the life of the party when he wasn’t on duty. I was only 7 when he died. A pack of our warriors went the boundary line to talk to a pack of rouges. One thing led to another and a fight broke out. The rouges noticed how my dad had fought mercilessly and it became four on one. No one noticed it and once they did it was too late. Three of the wolves found a way to pin him down while the fourth tore out his throat. After that the Alpha got so enraged, he lost control and took them out. When they came back carrying his body the Alpha found mom and let her know how brave he was until the very end. I remember he held her and just let her cry. He mind linked Luna Kara and she came too. She was able to comfort mom like dad use to. I believe she has the power to help others cope.

Mom brought me out of my thoughts with a gentle touch on my shoulder telling me I needed to get to school before I was late. I picked up bag, gave her a hug and kiss and left out the door. Shaking my head to get my thoughts straight I walked the two blocks to school.