Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Dad sends us off, and my brothers immediately transition into war council mode. As I step away, an unwelcome thought gnaws at the edge of my mind - what if the moon goddess did pair me up with the two Alphas?

Once the meeting wraps up, I make a beeline to Ken's house. Right now, he's the only one who can pacify my inner turmoil.

Ken and I have been comrades since our building block days. When I hit sweet sixteen, I secretly harbored hopes that Ken would turn out to be my mate. But those dreams fizzled out when Eve didn't acknowledge him as such.

I shake off the melancholy thoughts and weave around a gaggle of giggling kids frolicking through the pack grounds. It brings a small smile to my face, but also a reminder that one day, I'd have to bid goodbye to all this for some 'mate'.

I pause, wondering if I just poked a sleeping dragon or, in this case, roused Eve within me. However, she remains silent, conveniently ignoring my snide remark.

Our pack was a far cry from the others. We didn't believe in moulding one-year-olds into killing machines. We let kids be kids, explore, taste freedom until they commenced training at sixteen.

Being the Alpha's daughter, I began training at fourteen. But I was still considered fortunate compared to our neighbors, the Blue Moon pack. They had their pups start training as early as seven. Their lives were all about discipline, orders, and training. I'd heard that many wolves envied our laid-back lifestyle.

Continuing my stroll, I reach out to the warm autumn sun, just a whisker away from welcoming winter. The pack's trees had already shed most of their leaves. I hold a particular grudge against winter.

Stripping off layers of bulky winter clothing to shift was a chore, and the biting cold when shifting back was near torturous.

I stop in my tracks when I overhear a group of adults gossiping about 'the two Alphas'. Stealthily, I backtrack towards them, positioning myself a few steps behind the chatterbox group.

Despite their werewolf acuity, they are so engrossed in their conversation they don't detect me.

"I heard those Alphas once razed an entire pack, children and women too," a gruff voice remarks.

I freeze, rooted in fear. Women and children too? How monstrous were these Alphas?

"But... why would they do something so horrific?" a woman with chestnut hair chimes in, her face echoing my shock.

"The pack's Alpha wouldn't spill the beans on a traitor who had wronged the twin's pack. As punishment and to send a message to the other packs, they wiped everyone out."

I bite my lip to stop it from quivering. My hands tremble uncontrollably. I can't fathom the thought of being their mate. Unaware of my eavesdropping, the adults continue their chatter, and I stick around to listen in, frozen in place.

"I've heard far worse," another man pipes up. "A few years ago, the Alphas were on their mate-hunt. When they landed in the Silver River pack, the Alpha shielded his daughter from the twins."

"What happened next?"

His face crinkles up in disgust, "The Alphas killed the Silver River Alpha, and when they discovered the girl wasn't their mate, they killed her too."

A sharp gasp escapes my lips as my heart hammers against my chest. What if that happens to me? My outburst draws their attention, and I expect them to be livid at my eavesdropping. Instead, they offer sympathetic glances before shuffling away for a more private chit-chat.

I can't decide which is worse - their ire or their sympathy.

"Get a grip, Francis," I chide myself, sucking in a steadying breath.

Interestingly, Eve remains unusually silent. I roll my eyes. She probably wouldn't dare speak ill of them, just in case they ended up being our mates.

If they weren't, I'd feel sorry for the unfortunate she-wolf destined to be with them. After those horror stories, I know I couldn't endure being their mate, nor could I stand their domineering, aggressive, and ridiculously possessive nature.

All I yearned for was a mate like Ken; an average male wolf with a gentle, affectionate nature, and friendly demeanor.

I didn't crave titles; not a Beta or a Gamma, and certainly not an Alpha. The colossal responsibility of being a Luna was something I wanted to avoid at all costs.

Reaching Ken's house, I saunter in without knocking.

"Francis?" Ken's voice floats uncertainly.

"Guilty as charged," I retort, moving towards the source of his voice.

He emerges at the top of the stairs, wet hair making a puddle, his t-shirt clinging to his muscular frame. He rushes down, wrapping me in a comforting bear hug.

"Hey, you okay?" I ask as he finally lets go.

"I'm just worried about the Alphas, I don't want them to harm you." His face is tender and concerned, but devoid of the pity that others in the pack sported. Another reason why I adored him so much.

"They won't lay a finger on me. And before you say anything, they're not going to be my mate." I turn my back to him, heading to the kitchen, praying he can't pick up on my fear or doubt.