Chapter 1

Jack, Seventeen-years-old

Why couldn't we all share mind links? At least that way the four of us could have stayed connected. But Atticus had to disappear as soon as he shifted. What should I tell Alpha Tyson now that we lost sight of his son in the woods? We had it all planned: Simon, Reese, Atticus and I were supposed to run together to the lake after Atticu's first shift to celebrate his coming of age. At seventeen, high ranking wolves experience their first trasformation. We don't need to be under a full moon, but if we were at the time of our shifting, we would be blessed by the Moon Goddess with extra strength and habilities.

We are in Greeway Pack territory, the future Alpha met his wolf this afternoon and is the first time I've witnessed such a quick and marvelous transformation. I find it unbelievable how Atticus withheld the painful process for the first time. He crouched in all four limbs to sprint into his wolf form in a matter of seconds. He howled to the moon and transformed into a magnificent black beast in a matter of seconds.

”Wasn't Atticus supposed to wait for us?” Reese's mind is linked. He is running on my right side. Simon runs to my left. He's not from my pack, so we can’t communicate in wolf form.

”I know, right? But I could swear I heard him say, ‘Catch me if you can, suckers,’ before completely transitioning into his wolf.” I replied.

”Fucking Atticus. The butthead knows that we don’t know this territory. Let's turn back; I don't want to get lost out here.”

”Why not keep running? Maybe you can catch his scent so we can track him. Any clues on where he took off?” I questioned Reese, annoyed that Atticus was still not found.

”Not a scent to follow a trail." He quipped back.

”We’ve been searching for half an hour; we better go back and find someone to guide us to the lake.” Reese concludes.

”Yes, we better go back. I’m already starving.” 

”Hahaha, you are always thinking about food, bro,” he teases me.

”You know me: a full belly, a happy heart.” I supplied.

After running further into the woods, we stopped trying to track Atticus and decided to return to the pack house. Reese, Simon, Atticus, and I have completed our shifting stage and are now active participants in our communities, but Trevor hasn’t received his wolf yet and hasn't been able to run with us. I offered my friend a ride on my back, but the sucker refused to come with us, stating it would have looked weird.  Being the son of an Alpha, he is too proud to let others carry him around. He will wait until his wolf manifests.

I am the son of Betas; I was fortunate to have an early transition into my wolf last year. I’m from the Moonshine Pack in the west, and the others are from the New Eclipse Pack in the east. We are the previous packs remaining in Andorra. We are Greenway territory; all packs have an alliance to protect our borders from poachers. They are a threat to werewolves. My Alpha has a good relationship with Alpha Tyson, Atticus' father.  Atticus has been my friend since we started attending the same Academy for ranked wolves. The best part of attending the academy is the girls. They are beautiful and bold. I let them call me “Golden Boy” because my dick attracts them like gold.

We reached the front entrance but were still waiting for someone to receive us. Workers were busy with tonight's bash for Atticus. We pick up our clothes and put on our shorts. Today is scorching hot, and we’re sweating our asses off and going to the lake in the first place. That was our plan, and we waited for Atticus’ first shift because we wanted to bathe in the calm waters of Valira’s lake. 

As soon as we enter the door to the main hall of the pack house, the aroma of cupcakes and something else invades our nostrils. I get carried away, just like in the cartoons I watched as a kid. I even feel as though I’m floating instead of walking.

”What do we have here?” I say as soon as I cross the threshold.

”Looks like a little mouse is alone in the kitchen.” Reese comments.

"Shall we eat the cupcakes and blame it on the little mouse?" Simon walks up to me, noticing the girl dancing and singing while washing the dishes. She looks cute in her leggings and skirt that hugs her petite frame. I’m enthralled and not paying attention to him. Instead, I’m curious if she tastes as good as the cupcakes I'm salivating over. If so, I’ll keep her to myself. My wolf peeked out and I instinctively moisturized the tip of my tongue, sliding a trace over the seams of my lips. It’s a hungry gesture that doesn't escape her attention. I’m used to females lusting shamelesty but she looks young and naive.

Before we can move, the girl is aware of the intruders in her kitchen, ”Hey! What do you think you’re doing? That’s for tonight. Don’t eat that, gluttons.” She says with great effort, fear in her voice, but determined to confront us. Maybe she doesn’t realize it, but she is not a submissive Omega.

I like them feisty. The voice of my wolf surprised me. 

”What did you call us, little mouse?” Reese questions the girl angrily, making her flinch and back away. A growl escapes my lips, furious with my friend for talking to her so harshly. I don't know why I'm being protective of her. 

”Don’t you know who we are?” Simon asks from the entrance and struts his way into the kitchen.

”Who do you think you are to give us orders, little mouse?” Reese sized her up and down, smacking his tongue in delight at fresh meat.

Blood boils my veins, ”Leave her alone, she's just a kid.” I intervened. Her alert eyes studied my every movement.

”Tsk, you always look out for the most vulnerable, Jax. Is that your mission in life now?” Reese teases.

”What do you plan to do, Jax?” Simon, who had been silent until now, adds.

The girl looks shaken, which is all the more fun for the boys and me. ”Let’s play a little game, shall we?” I looked at Reese, grinning mischievously, expecting his cooperation in all this. It’s not the first time we’ve cornered some random girl to play a little. 

”Not so fast, Little Mouse?” My friend gets a hold of her arm before she can escape. To my surprise she puts up a fight, though her efforts are futile. Reese is a browny red head, 6'2, and a training enforcer.

“I promise not to hurt you.” I said, showing her my Cheshire cat smile.