The cool breeze hit me as I landed on the ground. Even without my wolf I was well trained by my father. Leading a battalion or two who knew what lurked in the shadows, he had to make sure I could defend myself. Plus, I was the captain of the track team so running was my go-to escape. My heartbeat quickened as I picked up the pace, running through the forest. The liberating feeling I had was better than anything, my mind pushing out all other thoughts focusing only on the excitement of the speed. I ran across the grove of trees, avoiding the branches from hitting me. A path cleared up in front of me as I slowed my pace. I was greeted by a lake. The moonlight shone lazily on top the surface and I took short gasps to even my breath. My trance was broken by the sound of a twig snapping in the trees. A snarl sliced through the silence, from the shadows but before I could think, a weight knocked me to the ground. A grey wolf hovered over me, his emerald eyes glistening in the low moonlight. His paw was pressed against both my shoulders, his sharp canines showing as he growled. I struggled to get free but after a split second a jolt of electricity traveled fast down my spine. I think he felt it too because he jumped back as if I burnt him. His green questioning orbs pierced mine as he lurked around me. I shuffled to my feet and moved closer to the wolf whose height was almost five times mine like I was under a spell. My small hands reached out hesitantly and when the wolf didn't back down, I slipped them into his fur and felt it again. My lips parted at the fiery waves at the pit of my stomach. I was hypnotized by his eyes, I couldn't tear my gaze away from them. A low growl rumbled in satisfaction through his chest as I stroked his fur. I took a step back as his bones started to snap, shifting into his human form. I couldn't do anything but stand and watch as he transformed into a tall toned Greek god. His short blond hair cascaded on his face perfectly complimenting his green eyes. His aura was spellbinding and could be equal to an alpha. He gripped my hands pulling me closer to his chest. “Mine” his husky voice echoed and my eyes widened at the figure before me. The air around us was suddenly still. It was the same man in my dreams. The one I had been dreaming about for weeks now. He was standing right in front of me with desire swarming his eyes. He pressed me closer to his naked body and I gasped at the biting heat the contact brought. His arm snaked around my frame and the other gripped my hair yanking my head back so my face was inches away from his. His hot breath that fanned my face didn't last long as he crashed his lips into mine. He kissed me like he was starving, raw and demanding. Snaking my hands around him I pulled him close without thinking. I needed more. It felt so good my head spun at the primal instinct. I heard him let out a deep curse before tearing his lips from my mouth. My attempt to protest was replaced by a moan as his mouth trailed down my jaw down to my neck. His mouth sealed to the sensitive skin and he sucked the patch sending a distress signal straight to my throbbing core. His canines grew as he trailed them over my neck. My breath hitched as panic flooded my mind. He wasn't going to mark me was he? I didn't have any intention of being claimed by an unknown man. The pleasure turned to horror as I tried to break free from his hold but he tightened his grip on my waist keeping me in place. His teeth grazed my skin drawing blood from it. Compared to him my strength was like that of a child so I did the only thing I could think of. I sucked in a breath and kneed him right in his crotch. He groaned and crouched down slightly loosening his hold on me me and I pulled away taking a few steps back. I pathetically grabbed a stick pointing it at his direction. It didn't take him long to recover from my assault. When he did he stood up straight with tight lips. My dumb eyes flickered to his junk and I reluctantly tore my eyes away but that didn't stop my face from turning red. His gaze was intense, he just stood there and stared at me. I gripped the wood tighter expecting a retaliation but instead he raised his head up to the sky and let out a strained sigh. “I-I’m sorry” he said as he grit his teeth. “Yeah dude… you should be” I lowered the stick but didn't let go of it. “You almost marked me… I don't even know you” my voice was way higher than I intended. A snark laugh left his lips and he turned to face me, not bothering he was fully naked “You didn't seem to be complaining when you were kissing me” My eyebrows shot up and I scoffed “Are you serious?” This wasn't happening right now. I shook my head and dropped the stick, turning on my heel I started walking away then I felt a pair of hands stop me. “Wait… wait I'm sorry” he stated “I don't know what came over me” he said with a frown tugging at his face I bit my swollen lip and took a step back. His darkened eyes hovered around them before meeting my eyes. “It's fine” I lied as I sprinted away from him. I couldn't hear his footsteps behind me so I was sure I wasn't being followed. I quietly crawled back into my bed, curling up into a ball. I tried to use my hands to stop my heart from exploding out if my chest. The vivid images of earlier matched my dreams like a fitted puzzle but I still had no idea who he was or why I felt so drawn to him even before I saw him in person. Was he my mate? He had to be. Even though I didn't have a wolf to confirm these raging feelings, every other emotion screamed that it was him. He was so close to marking me. If i had hesitated for a slight second he would have succeeded. It wasn't a hundred percent fact he was my mate. If he wasn't and he marked me… I shuddered at the thought. I didn't realize how long I laid on my bed contemplating my life till I heard a knock on my door. “Nina… you're going to be late for your first day in school” my dad's voice peered from the other side of the door. I let out a silent curse and pushed myself off the bed. “Yeah dad I'm coming” I rushed to the toilet to shower but stopped in my tracks when I saw my reflection. My lips were bruised and swollen and there was dried blood on my neck. Damnit. I tried my best to make it less obvious and darted downstairs. My dad stared at me inquisitively from across the counter as I grabbed my breakfast and I pulled the neck of my hoodie up. Thankfully that didn't last long as the bell rung, drawing his attention to the door. I picked up my bag after eating and met him outside. Well… it was time to take the bull by the horns… Or whatever they said.   

The midnight breeze swept my face and my wolf howled in excitement. The pressure of today was almost suffocating and Spark, my wolf, he was itching to get out. "Alpha Zane" the tall blond man started, proceeding with caution. "You and I know you need to find a Luna. You need heirs if we are to grow in the future." Grant, my Beta and second in command placed his proposal. "I know we can't bring back Lila but we can keep your legacy alive" he tried but failed miserably at hiding the sadness in his voice when the previous Luna's name was mentioned. He had been trying to get me to find a new mate. But I wasn't sure I was ready to forget about Lila so soon. She was the only one who understood me. She saw through the tough exterior I put up. Her warmth spread through my cold walls, melting them away. I knew he was saying this for the good of the pack but the death of a fated mate could deal great damage. I grunted without saying a word. My pack knew me to be a man of little words, succeeding my father at just nineteen. I learnt over the years that it was better to act than talk. "I'll think about it Grant" I finally gave a reply. I also knew half of the reason he was insisting on this was because his daughter was coming of age. She was a suitable match for me on paper but something was missing. In no time I shifted and Spark let out a liberating howl, strong enough to shake the ground. He ran through the forest with lightning speed and halted at the edge of a cliff. We stayed there for a while till he picked up a scent. It was sweat but it smelled delicious making me groan inwardly. He took a bigger whiff of it and he wagged his tail in excitement. I could tell he was curious about where it was coming from. Whenever Spark got excited it never ended well. "Spark?" I warned him with our mind link but knowing him, he darted straight for the trees ignoring me. He ran through the forest, stopping a few feet away from a lake. The dark veil of night was brightened by the moonlight and I saw her... The sweat glistened on her pale skin and her black hair fell gracefully to her back, damp strands sticking to her forehead Her luscious chest was heaving as she stared at the reflection of the moon dancing on the lake. Mate Spark was so riled up that he took a step closer to see her properly but stepped on a twig earning a head turn in our direction. Before I could protest he lunged out from the shadows pinning her to the ground. The shock on her face was evident as she trashed under his hold but it was a wasted effort. I was about to caution him again when we felt a surge of electricity. At initial contact it burned making Spark to finally jump back but after a while we missed the lingering feeling. Run. That would be the reaction of anyone who saw a ten foot wolf, werewolves included, but she came closer and her tiny hands reached for the back of his neck. Spark lowered himself a bit for her to touch him. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. She was petting him like he was a home groomed dog. The contact was intense with every stroke and he let out a low growl. I could hear the violent pounding of her heart. She was afraid but held her position. The proximity was getting to Spark, her savoury smell intoxicated us and I had to shift before he did anything extreme. I thought things would be better in my human form but my body moved on it's own and before I realized I was holding her. "Mine" I almost didn't recognize my own voice. It was laced with raw desire and my vision blurred with need and the next minute my lips found hers The kiss was desperate. I was desperate. I hadn't felt anything like this. Even with Lila. It was infuriating. Spark's voice was writhing in my head. His need seemed to surpass mine "Mark her!" His voice growing louder as my head was buried at the crook of her neck. I would have done it. Without hesitation. I would have made her mine... if she didn't just knee me in the damn nuts. But thankfully that did the trick and I snapped out of the trance. Guilt washed over me as I watched her pick up a frail branch and pointed it at my direction. Fuck. Nice going Spark. "I-I'm sorry" "Yeah dude... you should be" Her voice sounded like a sweet melody in my ears even as they trembled "You almost marked me... I don't even know you" An amused chuckle escaped me. "You didn't seem to be complaining when you were kissing me" "Are you serious?" she almost screamed her voice going up an octave. The face she made was adorable as she stood there gaping at me in disbelief but she didn't appreciate my reaction much as she turned to leave. Whiney Spark made a sound of protest. "Wait... wait I'm sorry" "I don't know what came over me" I grabbed her hand stopping her mid action. I couldn't help but glance at her bottom lip trapped between her teeth. "It's fine" she said but her face told a different story. She wiggled out of my hold and ran into the trees. Follow her. No Spark. Most of this was your fault. And I knew that it wouldn't do us any good. She needed to process whatever just happened... alone. So did I. I ran back to where I shifted initially and picked up my clothes from the ground before returning to my house. As Alpha, I made sure our kind lived closer to the woods where we could shift without being seen by the humans. But you could never be too careful, precautions were still put in place. I ran my hands over my hair and tried to push away the feelings gnawing at me. Another fated bond? I've never heard of anyone having more than one mate... In the instance where your mate rejects you or dies, you stay alone till you die. There were no two ways about it. But considering what just happened, I started doubting everything I had ever known. I shook my head... mostly at myself since Spark decided to give me the silent treatment for not marking her quicker. As I entered my room a sharp movement caught my eye and I instinctively pulled out the dagger I always kept in my boot. In a flash it was on the neck of the intruder but his blue eyes just shined with excitement back at me. I lowered the weapon and let out a disapproving grunt "What are you doing here Brent" "Is that anyway to treat your brother?" his crooked smile always found a way to ruin my mood.

"Are you going to be okay by yourself kiddo?" he asked as he caught me staring emptily outside the window of the car. I rolled my eyes to cover up the tension I was feeling "I'm not ten dad.. I can handle highschool" I paused and grimaced "Even if it's swarming with a bunch of human teenagers and raging hormones" A chuckle rumbled from him as he parked outside the school "I love you kiddo" "Love you dad" I closed the door behind me and sucked in a breath, preparing myself for the unknown. I went to the administration office to get my schedule and did the first thing that has been on my mind... register for the track team tryouts. Normally I wouldn't even be allowed to be on the team given the fact I'm not human... well almost... but since my wolf hasn't called out yet, I was an exception. Still, I was faster than most humans. A loud shriek drew my attention and I snapped my attention to the sound. It was coming from a girl, she was pretty with short blond hair and dressed like a rich princess. I recognized that crazy girl anywhere "Summer!" I squealed as I ran to embrace her. "I miss you so much Nini" she said, her head buried in my long hair. "I missed you too" I smiled to myself hugging her even tighter. She pulled away from me and smacked my arm "This doesn't mean I forgive you for leaving me" she said as she cleaned an imaginary tear off her eye. "I know" I murmured distracted, my eyes were now on a beautiful tall blond smiling at me and I furrowed my eyes in confusion. Summer followed my line of vision and when it stopped at the blond she burst out in laughter. "Who is that hot guy staring at me?" I asked still staring at him Summer scrunched up her nose "Ew... that's my brother" My eyes almost bursted out of their sockets. If I was drinking something I definitely would have choked. When did Chase have a major growth sprout. The dude was shorter than even me. How exactly was it fair that he now looked like a freaking model. Summer's laughter only seemed to increase as she saw the way I was gawking at her brother. Summer and Chase were the children of the Beta of our pack. Their status was way up there but we grew up together regardless. In a few strides he was beside us and bent over just to talk to me "How's the weather down there chipmunk" Yep. That was the annoying prick I knew. He stretched out to pinch my cheek until they turned red. I swatted his hands from my face "I see time hasn't washed down your annoying personality" I said scowling at him but that only seemed to excite him "That's not the only thing the only thing that hasn't changed" he winked at me and I twisted my face in fake disgust. "Okay lovebirds break it up" Summer put her hand between us like a ref. "Come on Nini, there's too much testosterone in the air" she linked her arms with mine and waltzed away. The day went by really quick. Summer and I didn't have any classes together but promised to meet after school and truly after the last bell, she was waiting outside my class with a smile plastered across her face. "So.." I said with a mouthful of chips that her butler placed on their very expensive table "What did I miss?" She let out an esparated groan "You know nothing ever happens here" "It's been the same old thing for the last seven years" she turns on the couch to face me "Hopefully I'll get out of her after high school" I hummed in response The grin on her face morphed into a crazy smile "But... the Alpha is single. His wife died a few years back. God rest her soul" she did an imaginary cross in the air and continued "My dad said he might be looking for someone knowing he can't find another fated mate" "Isn't he... old?" she laughed hard like I just said something really funny "He's twenty nine Nini, not prehistoric" she said deadpanned "And... he's really hot" "And what about your mate" She shrugged "I can just reject him" I blinked a couple times shocked at my friend's attitude. She rolled her eyes at me and sighed "Look... having a mate is good and all" "But being the Luna? That's a whole different thing" the look in her eyes were unmistakable. It was the same look she gave before she snapped a boy's finger in two on the playground when we were younger because he didn't give her the toy she really wanted. I always feared that part of her. She was really sweet but when she wanted something, she got it... at any cost. I was about to tell her all the reasons why rejecting her mate was a bad idea when the doors flung open. The first to step in was Summer's father, Beta Grant, then came Chase. The third person to emerge through those doors was someone I didn't expect to see... not so soon at least. Confusion, fear, attraction, I didn't know it was possible to feel all three at once. The images of last night flashed through my mind and I tried to duck my head under one of the pillows but it was too late. His head snapped in my direction like he could sense me and he froze. Panic flashed through his eyes for a split second but he quickly gained his composure, his gaze still fixated on me. I bit my lip nervously and he trailed down to them, his eyes darkened. Even from across the room I could feel the electricity in the air. The same one that made me loose control. Summer stood up hurriedly and strutted to them. She stopped in front of the green eyed man and fluttered her lashes at him. "Alpha Zane... we weren't expecting you today" her cheery voice was higher than usual. I lump caught in my throat as the air stilled around me. Did she just say alpha? I almost let out a dry chuckle at my cursed fate. I half expected the alpha to be a wrinkly old man, not the man that almost marked me. And besides there had to be some kind of mistake. I was a delta by blood. Our rank wasn't low but it wasn't high either. I couldn't possibly be mated to higher ranked members of the pack. Let alone the alpha of the Moonlight pack. I was a wolfless delta, my dad was convinced I was just a late bloomer but I always knew something was wrong with me. And even though I had gotten my wolf, my duty would be to serve the alpha in battle. Not get involved with him. He didn't give Summer a reply, didn't even look in her direction. "Who is that?" his deep voice carried authority as he spoke. How did I not notice till now? His aura, his composure, the crushing weight of his command. It was so obvious. Summer gave him a quizzing look before turning to me, her confusion must have left her speechless. "This is Nina Smith" Beta Grant signaled me to come over and pay my respect to the alpha. Despite my legs feeling like jelly under me, I managed to stand up and close the space between us. "Her father is Xavier Smith. Your commanding officer and Delta." Beta Grant explained further and Zane's eyes widened slightly. "This is Xavier's kid?" He said with a disbelieving tone. The way he said that irked my skin "Xavier's kid can speak for herself" I blurted out before I even could think and face palmed myself for being dumb as I felt all eyes on me. I expected him to be like off with her head for treason but after a long uncomfortable silence, a deep laughter echoed. Everyone including me was shocked as we watched Alpha Zane. His pearly whites peeked out as he laughed heartily. It took a moment before he could stop then his suffocating gaze fell on me. "She's quite feisty isn't she?" His question was directed at his Beta but he was too stunned to speak. "Come. We have a meeting to attend" And with a fleeting glance he left me there, utterly shocked and confused. But mostly confused. The mess I made because of my damn hormones were bigger than I thought.