2.

Seven Years Ago

It is the evening of my sixteenth birthday. My parents had promised to throw me a party in grand style. Anything for their little girl, they had said.

Dad had outdone himself with the party. I couldn’t go explore everything yet but from the little I’d seen while peeking from the windows, everything looked perfect. The clearing in front of our cabin home had been transformed into a magical garden. Lights had been strung up all the beams and poles, flowers of every color and type covered the ground, tables and even the guests’ clothes. Appetizers were being passed round and music was playing. As much as I hadn’t wanted to admit it to my mom, I had been looking forward to this day for my entire life. I was anxious I wouldn’t find my mate or worse, the moon goddess hadn’t given me one but I swallowed down my doubts and smoothed down my dress. 

As I stand in front of my floor length mirror, I reflect on how lucky I was to have my family. Even if I ended up not finding my mate, as long as I had my parents, I’d be fine. Letting out a sigh, I adjusted the skirt of my flowy lavender dress, adjusting the thin straps. I was already quite slim and pale, and didn’t particularly have much to work with in the chest department but this dress made me look and feel like a dream. I pick up my necklace, the last piece of jewelry I need to put on when a knock sounds on my bedroom door.

“Oh honey. I think I’m going to cry.” My dad says as he walks in with my mom on his arm.

“You big sap.” My mom chides gently even though she’s already teary eyed herself.

“Come on, you guys, it’s not a big deal.” I say, pretending to cringe.

“You look beautiful, honey.” Dad says, walking over to plant a kiss on my head before wrapping me in a big burly hug. 

“Thanks, daddy.” I say, squeezing my eyes tight so I don’t cry.

“Alright, you guys. The guests are waiting. And so is the alpha.” Mom says, pulling dad back to kiss my cheek.

“The alpha?” I ask, surprised. I mean, I knew my parents were nobility; dad was the alpha’s beta and mom was the daughter of an alpha from another pack but I hadn’t expected our own alpha to show up., It was literally just a birthday party.

“Yes, and he came with his son, Zach. Remember him, honey?” Mom asks, helping me secure my necklace.

“Nope. But I guess I’m about to find out.” I shrug gently, taking one last look at myself in the mirror.

“Indeed.” Mom mutters, a knowing look on her face.

 I feel my heart begin to race in anxiety but my mom squeezes my hand tight to let me know she’s right there. I give her a small smile and take a deep breath. 

Then dad opens the door and all three of us step out, mom and dad flanking me on either side. The guests begin to clap and cheer, hollering out variants of “happy birthday” and I smile and take in all the love. In this moment, I feel like a princess. The lights are twinkling brightly, the aroma of food filling the air. 

Suddenly, something else is carried on the soft evening breeze to my nose. It’s stronger but sweet; like pine and mint and male. The scent is strong and demanding, almost willing me to search it out. I follow the urge and begin to walk forward towards the guests, my eyes searching for what this delightful smell might be. 

As I get closer, the scent clears up, becoming more real, more demanding.

Mate. My wolf says. Whoa. That was so weird. That’s when I feel a tug in my belly. The hairs on my skin rise and my skin feels prickly and hot. As I search through the faces in the crowd, my eyes lock in one.

He’s taller than most of the guests, his shoulders broad and defined. I feel my feet moving me closer to him and as the scent gets stronger, and the pull in my belly more determined, I know one thing for sure.

“Mate.” The boy growls, mirroring my thoughts as I stop in front of him.

“Mate.” I repeat, feeling a sense of completeness. I found my mate.

He takes me in his arms, wrapping one arm around my waist, pulling me tight against his firm chest and I let out a gasp. He gently caresses my face with his other hand, lightly placing his head against mine. 

It's like the entire party disappears and it’s just the two of us in the entire world. I can already feel the mating bond strengthening even though we’ve barely said anything to each other. Then and there, we promised to love each other forever, to protect each other…to remain true to each other. 

And for the years that followed, we lived in bliss. Everything was fine until the third year of our marriage. I had given everything to Zach. My heart, my life, my devotion…everything but a child. As each year passed without an heir, Zach pulled farther and farther away from me. Often retreating to himself and opting to go on runs without me. His love for me seemed to fizzle out, growing cold with each passing day and finally, last year, he had moved out of our home to one of the empty cabins along the river. I had begged him to stay, going to every hospital in the city, taking grueling herbs and broths and concoctions that sometimes had me throwing up and weak for days; all in an effort to give my husband an heir. An alpha without an heir was unheard of and Zach’s patience had run out. He no longer gave me any attention, no longer spoke to me. I had become invisible to him.

…………………………………………………………………..

“Why?” I cry, pain lancing through my heart in sharp gashes as I stare at my husband holding another woman.

“Because you’re useless to me, Ana. You were supposed to give me an heir, a son. Someone I could build up in my legacy to become the next alpha but you failed me. And now, I’ve found someone else who can.” Zach says, kissing Elsie’s cheek. 

I gasp in pain, clutching the sheets tighter as Elsie giggles like a schoolgirl. 

“Zach? Honey, what are you saying to me? How could you do this to me? How could you betray me like this and with my sister?!” I scream, the sound muffled by the oxygen mask.

“You’ve always been a gullible little bitch, Ana. That’s why it was so easy to see reasons with Elsie on why we needed to kill you. Elsie and I have been together for over two years and now she’s finally pregnant with my child. I don’t need you anymore. I have all that I need right here with Elsie. I’m going to marry her and she’s going to be the new Luna of the pack.” Zach says, sounding exasperated with me.

“I gave you everything!” I sob, my vision distorted by my tears.

“Everything but the one thing I want! The one thing I asked you for! You’re not worthy of being my Luna, Ana.” Zach thunders.

“Do you finally get it, Ana? You are nothing.” Elsie gloats, wrapping her arm around Zach. You’ve always been nothing. And now, we’re going to make sure you’re never anything again.” 

My eyes go wide at Elsie’s statement when I see her move to my oxygen tank and turn it off. I struggle and try to scream for help but my body is too weak. My vision starts to go blurry from lack of oxygen and the last thing I see is Zach and Elsie standing there, watching me with satisfied smiles on their faces.

Realizing that there’s nothing I can do now and knowing I’m going to die, I hold on to the very edges of my consciousness to make one last request.

Dear moon goddess, if you can hear me, Give me another chance. Please…

Then the darkness claims me.