Isabelle
It was a brisk fall afternoon, and I was nervous. Tonight, I would find my mate. it was the night of the Harvest Moon, a moon so sacred to wolves, that we aren’t allowed to fight. If you kill someone or hinder the process in any way, there is a chance that you could be cursed by the Pale Lady herself. It was especially so that tonight, as she would grace us in red. It was said that those who were born without mates before this moon, would get mates that were powerful warriors.
I didn’t really believe that. I never heard of the moon actually changing someone just because of the moon phase…. But then again, the Pale Lady blessed my bloodline and a few others with power. It was why I was a princess. It was why, when I got older, that I would be able to crush enemies bigger than me.
There was a howl in the distance, but I ignored it. It sounded like my Uncle. Dad and Uncle Connor are the Alpha and Beta of the pack, so he probably was protecting the border. Just because there was supposed to be peace, didn’t mean that the new wolves in the area meant well. They essentially chased them off during this time of year, but since I was so new to the shift, and still couldn’t shift instantly, I couldn’t help.
A few others weren’t allowed to help either, including our local supernatural officer captain’s adopted daughter Mini. Dad and Officer Jerold thought it was a good idea to let her participate, just in case she had a mate here, even though she wasn’t a werewolf. She was a gravehound, a kind of weredog, and she was smaller than mom when she shifted. Us three were pretty much the same height in a packhouse full of wolves that were taller than us by at least a foot, but it didn’t stop us from getting into shenanigans. I was friends with her since as long as I could remember, and she was probably my only friend that wasn’t family. Oddly enough however, she would blend right in with us, because she had black hair and honey brown eyes.
She was a shy girl, and I would often be the one to introduce her to new things. Today was no different. While dad and the rest were out, I was in my room with her. She was on her phone, and so was I, but I was trying to cheer her up.
“I don’t know Isabelle... what if I don’t have a mate? I’m not a werewolf.” She said shyly, out the blue. It didn’t matter. She was beautiful in her human form, and looked like a black Irish setter shifted. They would see her and be smitten.
“Good Goddess… chill, I know you do; you’re a shifter. Anyone under the sway of the Lady Moon’s grace gets a soul mate. And if it isn’t this year, then maybe next year?” I told her with a smile.
“I just hope I’m not rejected since I’m a hound not a wolf…” she said, looking out the window.
“So what! You’re the sweetest girl I know and whoever’s your mate should be grateful…Your mate would never hurt you. You’ll know him when you see him tonight under the moon.” I said, giving her a small shoulder punch. Nothing that would hurt her; she was my friend.
“…. Can I tell you a secret?” She said with a small smile. I was successful in cheering her up a bit, which made me smile. I nodded for her to continue. “I hope it’s Caleb…don’t tell him.” She said looking down, blushing like crazy. It really wasn’t a secret though; everyone saw her goo-goo eye him every time she came to visit. My brother was no more perceptive than a boulder covered in moss about it though.
“Alright, I swear on my fluffy hide.” I giggle.
The sun was going down, and the moon was already visible, meaning it was time. I took a shower, and Mini did in the guest bedroom. I intended on finding my mate as my wolf, it would be easier. Mini chose a blue short skirt with a white long sleeve top. I silently gave a small prayer for her, because I didn’t want her heart broken in case his mate is a strong Alpha or Beta female. That’s usually how it goes, but there was no telling. Maybe the Pale Lady would cut her some slack. It still hurt to shift, but it only took me 2 minutes to do it. We will find our mate. Said my wolf happily in my mind. I kissed my stuffed unicorn for luck, and we walked together out my room.
I didn’t care who my mate was, as long as they were strong. I had wanted a soulmate since I was in middle school, and now that I was 18, it was only a matter of time. Even neighboring packs came to dad’s territory tonight. So, with that many wolves around, I was bound to find him….
She walked down the stairs, while I trotted in front as my wolf. She had to open the door for me, but I still was next to her for moral support. There were well over two thousand wolves in this one pack territory, and everyone was looking for their one.
Dad was shifted already with mom, and he stood at the top step to common mind link the crowd that had formed.
Pack, Guests, and Visitors, you are all welcome. He boomed. Tonight, is the one night of peace. Tonight, is the night for us to venerate the Lady in our prayers, while the unmated find their true soulmate, mark mates form their bonds, and the mated share precious time with their cherished loved one. Go enjoy the festivities, we rented rides and carnival food. Enjoy. He said wagging his tail. I can’t remember ever seeing him do that, but there was a first time for everything.
Then I saw it. Caleb, as his wolf, had his head in Mini’s chest while she hugged him. The Lady does do favors… I silently thanked her, and looked for my own mate. I knew he would shift back soon, and I didn’t want to see him naked if I could help it.
Jason held Warrior Commander Marcy’s daughter, Ginger, in his arms, and Michelle was in the arms of a heavily tattooed man with blonde hair. I think that was Alpha Leon’s grandson, Martin. It made me want to search harder. I knew that my mate was out there, and damnit I wanted to be held like that. They were practically a breath away from mating right there, but I wanted that too. I howled, hoping that my mate would hear me, but no one responded.
I didn’t give up until the moon sank below the tree line. The event wasn’t over, but I had seen mostly everyone already in the arms of their mate… but I didn’t have mine. My wolf whined, and it made me whine out loud. If I was in my human form, I would probably be crying, but no one would know that.
With my head and tail low, I walked back to the packhouse. I didn’t want to ride any rides, or eat burritos until I wanted to puke with Uncle Connor, I just wanted to forget tonight happened. I walked past many wolves, who encouraged me here or there, but I didn’t really want to hear it.
I went upstairs into my room, shifted, and closed the blinds to my window. The sun would be up soon, and I didn’t want the light in my tear-stained eyes. Sleep was hard to grasp, but I drifted off holding my stuffed unicorn I’d had since I was 5.
My eyes popped open to reveal that I was in the forest, with a backpack. I was camping… how did I get here? I looked around, getting out of the sleeping bag. There were dense, thick oaks that looked like they were hundreds of years old alongside tall pines and red cedars. I could almost smell the woods around me as it began to pitter-patter rain on the yellow tent. There was rabbit on the fire, and there was a howl that scattered the birds from the trees.
Whoever it was, I didn’t recognize him.
I saw the silhouette of a broad shouldered, powerful looking man. I couldn’t see his face, and I didn’t know where I was, but I did know that that had to be my mate, at least I hoped… he was a monster of a man. He intimidated me. I could only stand there. This male was so powerful, that he dominated me in my dreams. His eyes were crimson with his wolf, and he shifted, running toward me.
I bolted awake, falling out my bed. Was I dreaming? It felt so real! He almost got me… He was definitely some kind of Alpha or Beta that was for sure. I would talk to my parents about this, but in the meantime, I had responsibilities to do. I was the only one up, because everyone else was probably hammered from the night before, or sick from the greasy carnival food.
“Izzy don’t worry, you’ll find him next year.” Said Dad full of encouragement. He was on the way to his office, and we just so happened to cross paths. He had a fresh cup of coffee, but he put it in my hands. It was black and fresh, still steaming too.
“Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” I said, taking a sip. I followed him and sat in his comfortable guest chair at his desk, while he made himself another cup.