Chapter 1

I sit in front of my mirror my reflection staring back at me with my straight chestnut coloured hair pilled on top of my head into a perfect bun, the off-the-shoulder blush coloured top and my high waist black lace skirt adorn my body, hopefully portraying me as a confident young she-wolf ready to take on her role in this pack. Last month I had just turned six-teen, the age a wolf finds their role in their pack and - possibly - their mate. It is the time all wolves are deemed “adults” in our community. Where a she-wolf can chose to give up school and start a family with her mate if she so desires. In the eyes of the werewolf nation, any wolf age six-teen that has shifted to their wolf form is able to take on responsibility in furthering the success of their pack, their Alpha’s designating their rolls at the pack meeting on the first of each month. As I had missed out last month’s meeting due to my birthday being three days after our last pack meeting, I was unable to obtain my pack position, but today I will be taking my place as a functioning adult in Pine Paw. I couldn’t help but smile at my reflection in excitement the prospect of working and gaining respect by all lifting my mood. My eye flickering to the picture tapped to the mirror of my cousin and me. I take a deep breath and remind myself that no matter what roll I receive; my cousin will be there to support me. Just after my birthday when I first shifted into wolf form, Chris and I had gone for a run in the forest our territory is surrounded by his idea of getting me accustomed to being on four limbs instead of two. I remember Chris' black wolf towering over my blue-white fur with black tipped paws form in the warm early spring sunlight that the month of May had to offer that day, the annoyance I had knowing that I still have a few more years to grow into my wolf form while he could easily take me down. I look like a pup compared to my cousin but being able to run around the territory and enjoy the early morning sun in wolf form felt incredible. There's no better feeling for a werewolf than your four paws pounding on the forest floor with the scents of new leaves on the trees, the crisp pine, and scattered scents of prey all around you. As a werewolf in wolf form you feel complete in the forest and on that day with Chris chasing me like we were a set of pups I finally felt that sense of being whole.

“Laina lets go before we are late.” Chris yells impatiently, his voice carrying from the foyer where I know he wait with a look of annoyance directed at me all the way to my room, snapping me out of my thoughts. Taking one last look at myself and adjusting the shirt I sigh, stand from my seat to look around for a pair of shoes to wear and slip on a pair knee high black boots. Making my way out of my room, I grab my cell phone from the desk beside the door and scurry as fast as I can into the hall way. “I'm coming!” I reply back to my cousin hurrying down the stairs where he waits for me. One thing that is annoying about Chris is his need to always be on time. Chris is what I like to call “time O.C.D.” when it comes with being punctual. He will forget where he put his phone down, forget where his keys to his car are but he will never forget to be early to a function or event. An example of Chris' habit of being early would be just a couple of years ago we went to the theatre to see the live action of Beauty and the Beast. You can just imagine Jack and me waiting on Chris to find his wallet and car keys for an hour running around the house like a chicken with its head chopped off only for the three of us to be miraculously two hours early because Chris planned ahead that day for the late night viewing. Needless to say that by the time the movie started to play the bag of popcorn in my hands was a soggy mess that was inedible for my pre-teen self to enjoy. I spent the entire movie with buttery hands and a bag of inedible popcorn that I left discarded on the floor.

“You look amazing.” Chris gushes, a look of pride in his amber eyes as I descend the final steps to the staircase and come to stand before him - doing a small turn for my cousin to approve of my outfit. I did everything with Chris, my cousin being a brother, a parent and a best friend. His approval meant the world to me especially with today being the next step in my adult life as a functioning member of this pack. His mate, Jack, saunters over giving me a once over and a wink before snuggling into Chris’ side with a content smile on his face.

“Thank you. You two look amazing as well.” I reply with a blush as I take in the two complimenting each other with black slacks and button down shirts of similar shades of blue. Jack and Chris are the first openly gay mates in the pack that had come out about ten years ago. This paring had started a little bit of a rift in the pack when the two had found each other on a run in the forest. I remember the excitement Chris had when he came home that night while he whisked my sleeping form out of the princess bed at ten o'clock at night to make me a plate full of chocolate chip pancakes just to talk about his run through the forest when he came across a grey wolf. He couldn't tell who this wolf was only that he knew just by scent that the two of them were mates. At six years old, I remember sitting at the kitchen island, trying to stay awake with the knowledge of my cousin finding his prince charming and the scent of chocolate in the air. My parents were furious with my cousin, stating that a pup needed to sleep when they caught me red handed with a half a plate of pancakes and a chattery Chris, but there was also a look of pride and excitement too for him before they promptly ushered me into bed with Chris promising to tell me more tomorrow after a pack meeting. The next day at the pack meeting, Chris and Jack bumped into each other and, as if a scene out of a movie, Chris and Jack both exclaimed the word "Mate". Apparently there was a huge uproar afterwards, the pack in disbelief of two strong male wolves that could produce strong pups were mated to each other. For the next few days I remembered the pack being tense, Chris explaining that he had to sneak out at night to see his mate because our pack were trying to keep Chris and Jack apart. I was heart broken for my cousin, the man who taught me stories about mates and that they are our other halves we cannot live without. Remembering in kindergarten when this boy in class said his mother called Chris a freak and how I got in trouble for punching that kid in the face. It wasn’t until the previous Alpha had stepped in and stopped any and all complaints before any other incidents that could harm the pack happened, admitting to everyone that same sex mates is legal in the werewolf community and giving the chance for others to flourish in their love life. It was the Moon Goddess’ blessing and intent to pair mates of the same sex together so who were they, the pack, to judge. With the Alpha giving Chris and Jack his blessing, more and more wolves that have admitted that they have yet to find their mates soon came out as pairs. It became normal to see openly gay and lesbian couples around the pack and I couldn’t help but beam with pride at how accepting my pack is to change. Chris and Jack’s relationship is quite sweet in a Romeo and Juliet kind of story in the beginning with most of their families and pack members being against their mating. But the two persevered and kept strong. The only difference from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is that no one died in our pack for my cousin to be happy with his mate.

“Now let’s hurry up before we are late. That is not a way to start off as a working member of this pack.” Jack states a little to cheerily and grabs both Chris’ and my wrist, dragging us out the door and into the car. The pack house is about a half an hour drive from where we live with its function being used for meetings, special occasions and for the warriors and wolves without mates live. If it weren’t for Chris and Jack being my family and guardians I would have been living at the pack house long ago since my parents’ deaths. Slowly the big mansion comes into view and the drive comes to an end with the car at a stop in the parking lot, the three of us getting out in front of the old Victorian building. The nerves that have been missing this entire morning decide to make themselves present now while I climb out of the car, taking in the amount of pack members lingering around.

“Remember, you are to mingle with the other wolves while the Alpha assigns you to your position. Who knows, maybe you are his soul mate.” Chris encourages me, kissing my forehead before him and Jack walk away to join the other parents and guardians. I sigh sadly as I watch wolves my age talk to their parents one last time, wishing for once that my own had survived the rogue attack ten years ago and stand here to give me advice that will calm the nerves that send my heart into an unsteady rhythm. Shaking my head I take a deep breath, sighing wistfully one last time before turning towards the building and heading into it with a brave smile on my face. Mom always told me to never show my true emotions when in a crowd of wolves. The strong prey on the weak and I refuse to show any weakness.

As I enter the building, I am taken back by the sheer amount of wolves my age, each one ready to take on their responsibilities in this pack. Everyone is dressed in their best attire, hoping to leave a good impression as we all aim for the highest passion possible. Many of the females have took consideration in their attire, switching their short shorts in the summer hear for conservative dresses, blouses and slacks. Only the few females that aim to climb the pack hierarchy dress in revealing clothes. But we all have one position we do not want to obtain – the Breeder.

Breeders are the she-wolves assign to become the pup producers in the pack. Their job is to allow the mateless warriors of Pine Paw to breed them with no say in who their partner is during the current breeding period. Its intended purpose is to add more wolves to our pack population and bring about stronger wolves in the next generation. Many wolves believe it to be an honorable position a she-wolf can obtain, but we all know the truth. Once you become a Breeder you are nothing more than a slave, a tool for men to use your body for their own pleasure while they rape you into producing the next lot of pups for the pack. If you ask me it is a barbaric way to increase the pack’s population, but the she-wolves chose has no say in their position of a Breeder and no say in ending this barbaric job. To say that the slim possibility of being chosen for this position scares me is an understatement. I am terrified for any she-wolf, myself included, that will receive this position knowing that for the next chapter of their life, the she-wolf will be a slave until she produces the specified amount of twenty pups for the pack. While everyone else mingles about the pack house, their conversations about what positions they wish to receive and the exclamation of the lucky ones finding their soul mate, I stick to myself and make my way to a corner of the room where I can be left alone. Most people my age tend to enjoy mingling and talking to one another, but I always felt like an outcast. No one wanted to be friends with the she-wolf that lost her parents and were raised by two males. The scent of perfume and cologne is strong with everyone together in such a closed off space but makes it easy to discern who belongs to which faction. The wolves that smell like a grade eight locker room where boys use Axe as a shower in a can by the punch bowl most likely spiked with some form of alcohol are the ones who are the built for power. Each male wolf built with muscle upon muscle will become a Warrior as they fan girl about some sport game that was on last night and who won. The group of small wolves that do their best to blend into the background with little to no scene on them will be Omegas that will do the regular work around the pack from cleaning and cooking to taking care of the day care and little kids. The working class is what we referred to these Omegas as some will also help run the companies owned by the pack doing a nine to five job like regular humans. Then there is a group of wolves that fit in between the Omegas and Warriors I call the Acolytes standing by the book shelves and seem to be in a heated debate about a medical theory. These Acolytes will fill in positions such as Pack Doctors, nurses, architectures, builders and any task that require research and planning. We can't rely on humans to help build our community and risk exposing the werewolf race so these wolves take the place of any jobs that require any university and college degree. If it weren’t for my Alpha and Beta blood line, I would be considered an Acolyte and be a part of that debate. Taking a seat on an arm chair once I reach my destination to the corner with a window I can stare out of, I spot the Alpha taking to a few girls who try their best at looking coy and sexual before him. I always wondered what pushing your body against a male would benefit to a she-wolf other than being used and taken advantage of but made no comment of their behaviour. I preferred working hard for the things I want and being independent. The idea of needing a strong male to take care of and protect me like a precious doll seemed a little old fashioned to me. It’s not that I do not want my mate, but I crave being independent more. Christ jokes around saying that it’s the Alpha Blood in me wanting to be respected and not under the control of another.

Two warriors stand a respectful distance away from Alpha Sam but close enough to act on his command. These warriors are the ones that will step into action once Alpha Sam designates a she-wolf as the next pack Breeder. They are the wolves everyone fears as they have a higher status than the regular warriors. Not only do they protect the Alpha, but they are also given special privileges as wholes who forsake the mate bond, intending to stay mateless for the rest of their live just to have their pick of the Breeder populace where at any moment, they can storm into a Breeder’s home and fuck her as he pleases. Every mother warns their daughter to never go near the ten warriors dedicated to this position as some even abuse their powers to take a she-wolf that catches his eyes in the pack. There are many stories of she-wolves being raped to please these men when a Breeder is unavailable and there is nothing the young girl can do other then accept her fate.

I keep an eye on the Alpha, knowing that at any moment he will make his rounds around the room and decide the fate of the newly-shifted. Disgust and annoyance is evident on the Alpha’s as a she-wolf gets too close to him, pushing her assets into his face in hopes of seducing Alpha Sam. I blame her behaviour on the many reminders her parents must have given the poor blonde she-wolf before sending her inside. Most families hope to have their pup mated to the Alpha as this will bring honor and prestige to them. Unfortunately for her, Alpha Sam has never shown any interest in the pack whores let alone a newly-shifted she-wolf like her. Her greed will not get her the position she wants. My turn to speak to him will come soon and I know the two positions I wanted, Acolyte because I have by-passed high school and am currently enrolled in College and Warrior as Chris and Jack have been training me to fight since I was seven, only to intensify my training once I shifted to include not only hand to hand combat in human form that has been drilled into me for years, but combat in wolf form as well. I turn my attention to the window, deciding to ignore everyone in the room and watch as small pups chase each other around in the yard, their laughter and squeals of delight floating in on the wind through the open window. They look so carefree and I smile at the game of tag. The scent of summer wild flowers, dew that still clung to the pack gardens from this morning and the fresh scent of pine that surrounds our pack whisks away the stench of sweat, perfume and cologne that comes off of the wolves in today’s meeting that will be taking place in the next hour. I know Chris and Jack want me to mingle with everyone, but I see no point as many wolves do their best to stay away from me. Movement from inside the room catches my attention from the corner of my eye and I turn in time to watch as Alpha excuses him-self from the she-wolves, much to their protest and dismay, and make his way towards my direction, specifically to where I sit in my corner. I smile at our young Alpha Sam who, at twenty-two, has yet to find his mate to rule beside him as his Luna of this pack. He is the most eligible bachelor that every she-wolf dreams to be mated to and is also the reason why wolves my age steer clear of me.

“Laina how ni-.” He stops mid greeting standing before me and sniffs the air, moving closer to where I sit while he focuses his attention solely on me. Excitement bubbles inside me with the possibility this brings. His scent wafts over me and a feeling of calmness runs through every nerve ending. Could I possibly be his mate? Sam and I grew up together as my father was once his father’s Beta. He used to baby sit me during meetings where both of our parents would be busy with pack work. Even if Sam is eight years older than me as children he would spend his free time spoiling and treating me to anything my little heart desired. I remember one time he bought me a lacy dark red dress for my twelfth birthday. It was a little revealing for my taste at the time but I still loved the attention Sam showered onto me that day as we took a trip into the city. When each year passed without Sam finding his mate it gave me some form of hope that maybe I could be his and he mine. Quietly I wait for his next statement that will decide my fate and role.

“Breeder.” His voice is filled with desire as his hands shift to grope my large breasts, a smirk playing at his lips. I gasp in surprise, fear spreading through me with this one word. This isn’t possible right?

The two Warriors’ stoic faces soon fill with a smirk as their eyes scan me from head to toe. The dark toned wolf with dreadlocks winks at me as his eyes holds a trace of lust barely visible in his chocolate coloured gaze and I just know he will want to take his go at me first. His partner reaches out to grab my left arm as the dreadlock guy takes my right, the grip tight enough to remind me that escape is futile as they will hunt me down. Whispers and sympathetic gazes are sent my way as the two Warriors lead me out of the building, Some she-wolves exclaim their look in not being chosen, others wish me good luck even though I feel far from lucky. I can see some holding their phones, ready to capture a sobbing breakdown that follows each year a new Breeder is chosen, but I refuse to give these wolves the satisfaction of a good show and instead keep my head held high, my gaze forward and take each step towards the door with as much dignity as I can. Never show weakness when forced into an unfavourable situation, that’s what my father used to tell me as a child.

Everyone knows what will happen after you are assigned as Breeder. You will be whisked away from your family and forced to stay in a cottage guarded day and night only able to garden in the medium size yard given to you. But the truth is you are nothing but the slave to the warriors assigned to breed you. You will welcome an unknown male into your home, lead him to the bed you sleep in each night and spread your legs whether you want to or not. You will spend the next six months carefully observed like a rat in a lab as you carry the pup inside you to a healthy delivery, and you will repeat the process a few months later, never given a say on who will breed you. You are nothing to the pack even after gaining your freedom when the twentieth pup is born; and this is the life I will be living now.

The doors to the pack house closes, the pack meeting will proceed as usual now that a new breeder is chosen and this is when reality begins to sink. I feel numb, my mind still wrapping around my new role as the men lead me to a black car. The doors are open, waiting to close me inside and whisk me away from the life I know but no one forces me into the vehicle. In moments Chris and Jack will be informed of my position, they will rush from whatever it is they are doing with the prodding eyes of their friends questions what is wrong before finding me where each Breeder waits for their final words with loved ones. Only a few minutes will be allotted to us and then I’ll be taken away where no one will be able to see me for the next twenty or so years.

Knowing Chris and his obsession wit time, they will be here in three.

Two.

One.

Que a sobbing Chris.

“Laina, are you okay?” Chris’s voice fills my ears the moment his arms hold me in a tight hug. I watch as the guards walk away to give us privacy, far enough to not hear a thing but close enough to chase after me if I decide to run. Since this is my last free moment as a regular pack member, the guards are not allowed to listen in, its like they are giving a prisoner on death row their last meal before taking them to the chair that will end their lives. A few minutes of silence fall between us, Chris sobbing into my shoulder as Jack sends me a grimace of a smile. We all know the situation is dire.

“I...I don’t know what to do.” I whisper, feeling Jack wipe away stray tears that had fallen from my eyes.

“What you do is behave, wait for a free moment and run. Run towards the old tree house, look for something pink, grab it and keep running.” I do not understand what Chris has said, my fuzzy mind unable to comprehend his words before I am ripped away from my best friend and pushed into the car, the door slamming in my face and the engine coming to life.

I watch in the review mirror as my life fades away from me, the tears now flowing freely.

All I can think of is this how Katniss felt when she was whisked away from her family in District Twelve in The Hunger Games?