Shattered Expectations

This was the night; it was the night I had waited for all my life. I had counted the days and time until this particular moment. I stood before the mirror, smoothing out my long blue dress; it was my choice for my birthday and mating celebration. I had always thought of blue as colors that represent perfection; which meant tonight would be nothing but perfection.

My eighteenth birthday, the night I’d finally find my mate, and begin my journey as a united pair. And probably start my role as the future Luna of our pack; the Sun Blood Pack. Adrian, the next alpha of our pack was rumored to be my match. Every female’s dream, but specifically mine because he was the one person I’ve been crushing on.

As I gazed at my reflection, a shiver ran down my spine. This was it. The start of my new life.

But as I turned to leave, a searing pain shot through my tight. I gasped, clutching at the spot. A bold, crimson mark had appeared on my tight. I parted the slit of my dress, and stare at the mark, like a branded mark. Confusion and fear wrestled within me.

“Freda, what’s wrong?” my mother’s voice came from downstairs.

I hesitated, unsure how to reveal this… this thing. The mark seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

“Freda!” my mother called out again, concern etched in her voice.

I took a deep breath and descended the stairs while pulling the slit of my dress over the mark; anything to hide it. But it was too late. Adrian’s eyes widened as he took in the sight. I hadn’t expected him to be here with my mother.

“What’s that?” he asked, repulsion lacing his tone.

My heart sank.

No. No. No.

I repeated those words in my head. This wasn’t how tonight was supposed to go.

My parents exchanged worried glances, and I could see the other guests murmuring. Our current Alpha called Adrian back and whispered into his ears. I stood fixed at a spot as I watched everyone watch me.

The conversation I had with them wasn’t one I had expected. I couldn’t have guess in a million here. The mark, they explained – or rather, my father explained – was a sign of a curse, one thought to be extinct. I was adopted, they revealed, and this mark made me… tainted.

When we got back to the hall, I could see the eyes everyone was looking at me with. It was as if they already knew.

Adrian’s face twisted in disgust, “You’re not one of us.” His rejection stung, like a physical blow.

As the night wore on, the pack’s Alpha soldier arrived, their intention clear. I was no longer welcome.

I was a stranger to those I have known my whole life.

But before they could lay a hand on me, I fled, the sound of thunder and rain masking my footsteps. My heightened hearing picked up the pursuer’s voices, their determination chilling.

“She can’t have gone far!”

“I’ll check the sheds!”

My heart racing as my feet carried me as fast as it could. I spotted a dilapidated shed in the distance. I took a chance and slipped inside.

The musty smell and cobwebs enveloped me. I moved cautiously, avoiding potential traps. I’ve heard a lot about abandoning building from my father. It was the Sliver moon pack plot of catching innocent pack members and turning them to their slave. The last thing I wanted was to be a slave after just escaping from home – or rather, in the process of escaping.

Suddenly, footsteps approached. My ears perked up.

“I don’t think she’s here,” a voice said outside.

“Alpha Ron will have our head…”

Their conversation faded as they moved on. I could hear their footsteps moving towards the door until it shut back in an unceremonial manner.

I released a breath, but my reprieve was short-lived. A hand wrapped around my neck, spinning me around.

“Who sent you?” a low voice growled, sending shivers through my body.

The day was going worse by the minute.

“What do you want?” I demanded, trying to hide my fears. I had no if he was part of Alpha Ron soldier or I might be lucky that he was no one that had relationship with my pack.

Instead if a response, the stranger’s grip tightened, “You’re coming with me.”

I struggled, but he was too strong. As he dragged me deeper into the shed, I realized I was trapped.

The stranger’s eyes seemed to bore into my soul, “You have no idea what you are, do you?”

His words sent another waves of shiver down my spine. What did he mean? What was I?

As the darkness closed in, I knew I had to escapee. But for now, I was at the mercy of this mysterious stranger.