One

Anastasia stopped listening in the meeting almost thirty minutes ago. She daydreamed about how her life would have been if she was not chosen to be the next Luna by her pack. 

The mate to be mother was droning on and on about his likes and dislikes, how to behave in front of him and other people and other insignificant duties of a Luna.

“You speak only when spoken to. You are never and will never be equal to your mate.” She said.

Anastasia felt like someone was strangling her slowly. She felt like she was losing more and more control over her life.

“Excuse me” she cut of the droning woman and cringed slightly when she looked at her like a bull looking at a red colour.

“My mother just mind linked me to come home. There’s something important going on.” She lied. She just wanted to leave this boring meeting.

Since her mate to be mother respected her parents she agreed reluctantly. Anastasia let out a breath she has been holding since she entered the room. She felt so suffocated.

Putting on a brave face she left the pack house and head to her house. Some families didn’t live in the pack house and she was one of them. She preferred it that way since she had less drama from her mate to be ex-girlfriends.

Her parents were in the dining room when she came back. Silence filled the room. She sat down uncomfortable with the tension in the air. There was always tension.

“Did you visit Philip today?” Her mother asked breaking the silence. There was a brief moment of silence.

“No, I did not.” She replied while cutting a piece of rare steak. It was common for werewolves to eat their meat rare.

“Why is that?” her father asked.

Anastasia was required to meet Philip Alistair; the alpha of Greenhill pack; at least once a day to build connections with each other.

Unfortunately, Philip made it difficult for her by being busy anytime she comes around. Then somehow it’s her fault if they don’t meet.

“Well alpha Philip was busy at the designated time we were to meet.” She said through her clenched teeth. The food was no longer looking appetizing.

“It doesn’t mean that you couldn’t have waited for him. He is a busy man you know.” Her mother reprimanded her.

Anastasia closed her eyes in frustration. This happens every night.

“Well he might be ‘busy’ but I have a life that does not need to revolve around his needs.” She bit back but it came out more harshly than intended. Her parents stared at her as if they couldn’t believe she spoke like that.

Anastasia resumed eating even though it tasted bland.

“How could you speak to your mother like that?” Her father growled. Anastasia refused to be scared.

“I do not want to be a mate to Alpha Philip anymore. I believe our mating will be one that is not out of love and miserable.”

“It doesn’t matter what you want. What the pack wants is a Luna and the pack chose you.” Her mother said coming out of her shock. Anastasia stood up and left the dining room quietly as if she was not fuming inside.

When she stepped outside and the cool breeze touched her face her chest loosened a little. Little tears formed in her eyes and just as she was about to scream some rustling footsteps stopped her.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere” Elizabeth Green said as she stepped from the trees removing dead leaves from her hair.

Anastasia smiled as she stared as her best friend approach her with a smile.

“What are you doing here?” she said playfully as she sat down beside her. Anastasia put her head on her shoulder and sighed staring at the bright moon. She silently prayed to the moon goddess to free her from this unwanted mating.

The silence was peaceful. Occasionally interrupted by some howling wolves.

“So what’s going on Ana?” Elizabeth asked, breaking the silence. Anastasia sighed.

“I don’t want to be mated to Alpha Philip anymore but my parents won’t listen”

Elizabeth quietly hummed while stroking her hair.

“Have you tried to form a relationship with Alpha Philip?” She asked.

Anastasia knew she did not want any form of relationship with him but at least she tried to see him once a day. So she nodded.

“Ana being the Luna of Greenhill pack is a privilege that many would die for, don't you think you’re being a little too ungrateful” Elizabeth said bitterly.

Anastasia gasped and stared at Elizabeth.

“Eliza, I'll gladly give it up to anybody

  I don’t want to be with him. Doesn’t what I want matter?” She asked.

Anastasia also found it confusing that they were making her mate with him when many other women in the pack would like to be with him. She found it odd.

Elizabeth grabbed Anastasia's hands tightly.

“Try to love him and understand him. He might be going through a lot with the weight of the pack on his shoulders. Give yourself a chance at love him. He might be the love of life if you try Ana.”

Anastasia stared at their joined hands. Elizabeth had been the only one in the pack to associate with her.

People assumed she was a snob because she was quiet and didn’t talk much but Elizabeth didn’t think that. She had always been there for her so she always trusted her judgment.

This time she had a nagging feeling at the back of her mind. She looked into her eyes to know if there's any lie behind it. Her brown eyes seemed so sincere. Anastasia sighed.

“Fine.” She grumbled.

Elizabeth squealed and clapped her hands together while hugging her at the same time. It made her laugh.

“I’m so happy you are giving yourself a chance at love.” She said then let out a gasp. “I know what we need to celebrate.”

Anastasia stared at her in anticipation.

“Let’s go to the club. Experience your first time in a club before you mate.” She said jumping to her feet pulling her up too

Anastasia allowed herself to be dragged along as Elizabeth chattered about the cute clothes they would wear.

A nagging feeling of discomfort tug

ged the back of her mind once again almost causing her to stop walking but she ignored it. She was finally going to have fun for the first time.