Zara’s POV.

“Zara! Wake up! We have a hunt to get to in 20 minutes!”

I rolled my eyes at the sound of my dad's voice. I had been up for hours already. As I stood and stretched I felt my wolf stir.

“It is going to be so exciting to be out for a hunt! We haven't shifted for weeks.” I thought.

I smiled knowing how much I was going to enjoy stretching my legs. There was a knock at my door, my dad and twin siblings came in.

“Are you ready?” My dad asked.

“Yes, Father I am.” I replied in a bored tone. I was always ready to go before them. I wake up at two A.M every day to pray to the moon goddess, and to send or respond to letters. I have been talking to Flame of the fire dragons for years, but we have had a lot more contact since Flame had taken over as Dragon Lord. My family all headed down the stairs and through the sitting room to the front door. As we passed the fireplace to leave the house I smiled at my mother's picture that was on the mantel. I always did this. I missed her so much more on pack hunting nights. I thought about my mother and her death while my family and I walked down the forest trail. It was muddy and slippery from the rain. Today was the first day without rain in two weeks. The twins were goofing off behind us on the trail. They were smacking wet, mossy branches together like swords. They pay no mind to anything other than each other.

“Ah... Lucious... Zara.. What a pleasure to see you.” I rolled my eyes at Dexter Volk, as he spoke in a very snarky tone that dripped with false politeness. Dexter's family were Alphas from another pack that had been wiped out in the last great war 10 years ago. His grandfather joined our pack to save his bloodline. My father didn't care about The Volks family attitude, and was thrilled to see his favorite warrior.

“Dexter! How are you this fine evening?” My dad said, proudly. He never sounded like that speaking to me, even though I am the future Alpha, and much stronger than Dexter in so many ways. My dad always wanted a son as his firstborn. That's why he treats Dexter and the twins as if they’re royalty.

“I am doing very well, Lucious. Thank you for asking.” Dexter turned to me and spoke in a soft malicious voice so only I could hear him “You haven't said anything. Why so quiet little pup” I glared at him and turned away. I would not let him get me locked up tonight. The last two hunts I had been put in confinement because of his taunting. Finally everyone got to the pack's rally point. We all began to shift. The intense burning began as my bones began to crack and pop. Fur sprouted from my skin and there finally after long anticipation I shook myself adjusting to my wolf's body and the heightened senses. I howled in excitement as I took off into the trees. The crisp morning air filled my lungs and whistled in my ears as I bounded and leaped through the forest. I slowed and began to gently walk through the forest looking around.

“I am not hunting tonight. I want to go to the river. "I thought as I took off into the trees again, howling with joy. The run to the river always takes forever, but it is definitely worth it. I enjoyed the run but it was hard to keep hidden because in my wolf form I am white with black paws and ankles. They remind me of what humans call socks on horses. After the long thirty minute run I made it to the river. Panting, I took a drink of the cool fresh water. The sun had started to rise, birds were singing and chirping, The water fae had begun to start their day and I watched as the tiny creatures flew over to a nearby berry bush and began picking berries. I sat down to relax and continued to watch the fae. Soon I had laid down and was drifting off in the cool morning sun.

****

Crack! I woke abruptly to the sound of a snapping branch. Blinking in the bright early morning sun and looking around I sniffed the air to see who or what was there. An amazing smell filled my nose and filled me with a sense of passion and need. I could smell campfire and cinnamon. It smelt so good. “That's weird,” I thought.

“Zara?” I jumped and spun around growling in anger and fear at the unknown speaker’s voice. Dexter's dark brown wolf emerged from the tree line.

“What do you want, Dexter?” I growled. Dexter came closer and sniffed me. He looked at me with hurt eyes. I froze as the amazing scent hit me again, stronger. More feelings of warmth and passion hit me like a sledgehammer. I wanted to run into his arms and stay there forever!

“Mate?” We both said at the same time. Dexter nuzzled me and went to nibble my ear affectionately. I shoved him away growling.. “The absolute audacity this bitch has,” I thought. I was furious with the moon Goddess for pairing me with the nastiest meanest man I knew. I didn't want him as my mate. I wouldn't take him as one any time soon. He needs to prove to me he can be a better pack member to myself and everyone else. Dexter whined and tried to nuzzle me again. I growled and snapped at him.

“Do not touch me. You have not earned the right. I have no idea what games the moon Goddess is playing, making YOU my mate but I am not participating in them. You have been awful to me since you joined our pack. Fuck off.” I spat the last two words at him with as much anger as I could muster. Jumping across the river to the other bank I began to run full speed away from Dexter. “I know I need to run fast if I am gonna get away from him..” I thought to myself. Behind me I heard Dexter's howls of desperation and pain as he ran after me.

“I got to get home.” I thought as I ran full speed through the trees. I howled for help. Hoping deeply that my father or my brothers would come to my aid. I knew that if Dexter caught me I'd be in trouble. His instincts had taken over and he'd mark me even if I didn't want it. I slipped in the mud, a burning pain filled my paw immediately from the strange landing. I panicked as I heard Dexter gaining on me. I was stronger but my wolf was smaller than his and I was hurt now, if he tackled me he could mark me before I could get him off. Dexter was right on my tail about to jump and catch me when I saw my brothers, Felix and Alix, leap on him from the trees above. Their large black wolves tangled with Dexter's brown one. I skidded to a stop, panting and gulping for air. There was a searing pain in my side. Alix and Felix growled and snapped at Dexter while he tried to get to me.

“What is going on here!” My father yelled as he ran up to us. He had come to see what all the noise was. His large ash-gray wolf made everyone but my brothers look small. Despite my brother's young ages, their wolves were huge. I growled at Dexter. My wolf longed for him desperately. But I was determined to ignore those feelings if I could. I turned away from the group of wolves, marching away into the trees, I began to fear what today would bring. I waited until I got to the front porch of the pack house and shifted back.

I ran inside and up the stairs quickly turning into my bedroom. “I hate living in the pack house” I grumbled to myself as I went to shower. I scrubbed the mud and sweat from my body, while thinking about what had happened. Dexter was my mate, that part was weird and annoying. He was perfectly into it as well. That part was confusing and obnoxious. He has been awful to me for years. I stepped out of the shower lost in thought and grabbed my towel, as I wrapped my swollen wrist up, there was a knock on my bedroom door.