"A Loving Family"

Tonight, as every night with a full moon, the pack gathers in a clearing, under the moonlight and accompanied by a large bonfire.

The elders of the pack tell magnificent stories that have been passed down from generation to generation and that they have already told hundreds of thousands of times. Or rather, I have heard hundreds of thousands of times.

The pups and those of us who don't have a wolf yet are the ones around the bonfire, listening to the stories, while the rest of the pack runs throughout the territory.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous. Tomorrow is my 18th birthday and my wolf hasn't manifested yet. This is where my question comes in: will I be able to find my mate if I don't have a wolf? Is that even possible?

Normally, we start transforming from the age of 15. But I am an exception, I'm almost 18 and not even a little tingle. At 18, there is a change in the transformed wolves, and that is precisely the ability to find your mate, if they are already of age.

Yes, yes, yes, I know you'll say that I'm barely turning 18 to worry, but it's hard not to think about it when everyone in your generation has already transformed. Besides, it is known that the longer your wolf takes to manifest, the weaker it is, so... Has my wolf not manifested because she is weak or because I don't have one? I sigh as all these thoughts plague my mind.

All the pups are amused and amazed by the stories, I, for my part, didn't pay attention. I know them by heart anyway.

The elder begins to cough, his throat is dry from talking so much, so I run to get him a glass of water.

"thank you, little sea" says the elder Vincent, as he prepares for the next story.

I just smile at him and nod. It's the least I can do to feel useful in the pack.

"hello, little sea" says my father, who approaches from behind in the company of the Alpha and the Gamma.

They are coming from a tour of the pack's boundaries, to make sure we are at peace.

My father is the current Beta of this pack.

My father, in addition to being the Beta, is also the Alpha's best friend. They are like my uncles, practically.

Their history goes back to before my brother and I were born. I was born and raised surrounded by the Alpha's, Delta's, and Gamma's families, as if we were one family.

So it's no wonder that my brother is the best friend of the Alpha's son and that everyone expected the Delta's and Gamma's daughters to be my best friends, but it's not like that. Even so, we are courteous to each other.

"hello Dad" I reply as I run towards him and give him a big hug.

He returns the hug and then ruffles my hair.

"Dad!" I complain "you're going to ruin my hairstyle"

He laughs playfully, he knows that I don't like him playing with my hair except for him.

"and isn't there going to be a hug for me?" complains the Alpha, behind my father

My father grumbles, but releases me reluctantly, so I can greet the Alpha. The Alpha knows how jealous and possessive my father is, so he can't help but make fun of him a little.

"hello Uncle Carlos" I say and go to hug him, I also like that Dad gets jealous, although we all know he does it in a playful way.

He also hugs me and ruffles my hair. Ugh!, well, my father already messed up my hair.

Little by little, the other members of the pack approach the big bonfire, to gather with their pups. So I hurried to hand out some small blankets.

Everyone comes back dressed, the blankets are just for comfort, so they can sit down or wrap their pups up.

"honey!" a woman shouts and runs in my direction, as she hugs and kisses me, then walks away and goes with Dad.

My mom came back with the pack's Luna, her best friend. As usual, she settled next to me and my father.

They hug me as if I were the most precious treasure of their lives. And I am, of that I have no doubt. They are the most loving and protective parents in the entire pack. I know they are worried about me, but they act strong and of course I also act strong for them.

"don't worry, my little sea, soon your wolf will arrive and we can run together"

My father's words comfort me, but... will I really be able to run by his side someday? I sigh deeply and give my parents a smile.

The three of us place ourselves on the blanket. My mother hugs me, while my father supports my mother's weight. She caresses my head, smoothing my hair. Her touch makes me feel calm and relaxed, to the point that I almost fall asleep.

"where is Patrick?" I asked, almost asleep

"he is patrolling the boundaries now, together with Alex" my father replies

"are you nervous?" my father suddenly asks

"right, starting tomorrow, you will have the ability to find your mate" says the Alpha from behind with a mocking smile. He knows that my dad won't be happy about that

"my little sea is still too young to think about that" as expected, my father replies to the Alpha and everyone bursts out laughing.

It was true, I was nervous about not being able to feel my mate but even more about not being able to feel my wolf. I was almost 18 years old and I hadn't been able to transform and with each full moon that passed I looked weaker in the eyes of other werewolves. What would my mate think of me, if he knows that I can't transform?

My brother had been able to transform at 16 while Alex, the Alpha's son, had achieved it at 15. Cindy, the Gamma's daughter, was a little over 16 years old when she had already transformed and Paty, the Delta's daughter, had done it a few months before turning 17. I was afraid that if I found my mate he would think I was too weak a wolf and reject me.

"are you still worried about your wolf? Don't think too much Marely" said the Alpha

I was ashamed, since the Alpha had been able to read me as if I were a book exposed for anyone to read.

I nodded slowly

"don't worry honey, she will arrive soon, two years are nothing" the Luna tried to comfort me.

"I know, Luna" I replied gratefully, while giving her a smile

"you are perfect just the way you are" said Dad

"it's not fair for you to say that, father" I expose, I know that he sees me with the eyes of a father

"and if a guy says otherwise, let us know and we'll kick his ass" says the Gamma

"thanks uncle"

"you're welcome" he replies as he ruffles my hair. Goddess, what a fascination they have with my hair!.

"it's time to go back, see you later and tonight... after midnight, we'll celebrate your day" announces the Alpha

My father grumbles, as he is stealing the spotlight from celebrating his little sea's coming of age.

The Calm Before the Storm

The sun illuminated my window, showing that a new day had arrived. It was today, my day was today.

Normally at this hour I would already be beside my mother helping in the pack. On weekends when there was no school, I would perform tasks that the beta of the pack would normally do. My mother, being the beta's wife, was in charge of supervising supplies, the sick, the elderly, etc. For me it was something like community service. Besides, my mother taught me part of the administration and I liked spending time with her, so it was not difficult for me.

Today was different. Today Mom had let me sleep in. I didn't say anything about it, because this is something that happens every year. Always, on my birthday, my mother lets me sleep in, even miss school.

No longer able to sleep, I stretch in my bed and then stand up. For some reason that I do not understand, I feel a pit in my stomach and it is not precisely from hunger.

Yes, I am nervous about whatever will happen from today onwards.

I get up and head to the bathroom, I need to be well to start the day with full attitude. I bathe calmly, letting the cold water seep into my bones. Once satisfied, I dress in short shorts and a t-shirt of my favorite band.

I slowly walk down the stairs, trying to hear what my mother and the moon are doing, but apparently, they don't want me to find out because they don't say anything about it. I imagine they are communicating through the link.

I smile, because if I'm not mistaken, they are baking the surprise cake for my party. I smile even more as I am sent to do tasks outside the house.

I go to the pack house, today I will work for a while with the children of the orphanage. I wish this place didn't exist, that all the children were in their homes with their parents, but unfortunately, it can't always be possible.

In the orphanage, we have children who lost their parents due to an attack by rogues or vampires, others because unfortunately their mother died in childbirth and their father could not bear the loss and, as in any other place, there is always someone who does not have that maternal love and abandons their pups. That was the case of twins who were rescued by alpha Alex and my brother.

"Mar!" a group of children shout when they see her arrive.

"Hello pups!" she responds to the enthusiasm of the little ones

"Mare, will you play with me?" asks a chubby boy

"No! It's my turn today, she will braid my hair, right, Mar?"

"No! Mar came to prepare us a chocolate dessert" a little one spoke, earning the cheerful look of everyone

I just smile, how easy it was for the pups to stop arguing with something so simple.

All the children began to jump for joy, while I went to the orphanage kitchen, to prepare crepes filled with chocolate and some fruits. Fortunately I had help, otherwise I would not finish so quickly.

An hour later, I left the kitchen with a large tray full of crepes, one for each person to be exact.

While the children ate, I braided Lesly's hair, the little girl who wanted her braids. When I finished with her, another little girl arrived and settled between my legs, but she only wanted two pigtails and so on. In total, the five girls who lived in the orphanage were styled. It wasn't long before the protest of the little one who wanted to play was heard.

When I realized, the afternoon had arrived in a flash.

"You know, little Mar! you will be a good mother" the voice of the elderly woman in charge of the orphanage is heard, when I was heading to the exit, after having left all the pups in the hands of the elderly woman.

"Thank you" I reply.

That will only be possible if I find my partner, I thought

••••

Hours later, I was sitting again around the campfire. I was sure that the pack had gathered to celebrate my birthday.

My parents were the beta couple and my brother would be the next beta of the pack. Everyone somehow appreciated my family and were here, to accompany us on a special day.

Again, old man Vincent was telling his stories and every time he told it, the number of vampires or rogues increased, it was fun to listen to him. Meanwhile, the couples were taking the time to go for a run.

It wasn't long before I saw my parents, the Alpha with the Luna, the delta and the gamma walking in my direction.

They were carrying a beautiful cake in their hands. I couldn't believe how big and beautiful it was and judging by its color, I'm sure it's chocolate, my favorite flavor.

"Happy birthday, darling!" "said my parents"

"Congratulations darling" said the Alpha and the Luna, followed by the others.

"I hope your partner comes into your life and that he is just what you need for your life" the moon tells me, as a good birthday wish.

"Thank you" I reply in gratitude

"It's time to cut the cake" my father mentions but I stop him

"No! Patrick is missing" I told them, for me it was important that my brother was by my side.

"Don't worry, darling, he will be here soon, he is finishing the tour with Alex and Cindy." spoke the Luna

"I can wait, Luna" I replied

I was just finishing speaking, when I saw my brother running in my direction, behind him Alex and a little further back Cindy.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I lost track of time, but you haven't blown out the candles yet, have you?"

To be honest, I had not paid attention to my brother's words, much less to my mother's answer. My sight was behind him.

The air brought with it an exquisite aroma of dark chocolate and a woody touch, it was the perfect mix, in the perfect man.

Alex, the Alpha's son was my mate. The boy I had secretly always liked, was mine.

"Marely," Alex spoke in a low voice, there was sadness in his tone.

"Alex," I replied.

I hadn't realized that everyone was watching us. Finding your mate was an important event for the pack. Everyone was waiting to celebrate the new couple after being claimed.

The laughter of my father and the Alpha could be heard throughout the place, they were happy and celebrating this event. But something was wrong, Alex's face did not reflect happiness.

I knew it! I knew this would happen. I know Alex very well, enough for my heart and stomach to sink.

"Mar," Alex said, using the nickname everyone used for me in the pack. His voice was sad and I tried to swallow, waiting for what I knew was coming.

He moved forward, taking a few steps towards me. The bond was strong, so strong that I couldn't take my eyes off his.

His eyes had already told me what he was going to say, even before his words came out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept you. You know I can't."

I knew this would happen, I suspected it from the beginning, but it's even more painful when you don't see it coming from the person you've always liked, someone who was not only the boy you liked, but also claimed to be your friend and part of your family.

The hubbub of the pack had turned into a deadly silence, everyone was listening and for a moment I wished Alex's words had been a physical blow. At least the pain would have ceased after a moment.

I was ashamed, the pack is seeing how I'm being rejected by the only person who should love me above all else.

"Mar, I will soon become the alpha of the pack, I need a strong luna by my side and you..." Alex continues speaking as if he doesn't know that he's tearing my heart out at this very moment.

"Mar, you don't have a wolf, even if one day you get one, we all know it will be weak. Mar, I love you, you know I do, but my duty is to the pack and this pack deserves a strong luna."

The words were stuck in my throat, I simply couldn't articulate a word. My first instinct was to beg, to tell Alex that I could do whatever he wanted, that I could train and change, but the rational part of my head told me that I couldn't fall so low. That my mother didn't deserve her daughter to stoop to the most vile and humiliating, she hadn't raised me like that.

"Son, you don't need to do this," the Alpha spoke.

"Father, it would be crueler of me to give her hope. I won't do that to her," Alex replied.

"You need to think about this carefully, son. This is not the place or the time," the Alpha replied, there was a warning in his voice.

"I don't plan to change my mind, Father," Alex insisted.

I felt my parents flank me as anger bubbled up from the depths of their being. My mother firmly put her arm around my waist, holding me tightly.

"Alex, think very carefully about what you're doing, you are destined mates. The gods have so ordained it," my father spoke.

"I'm sorry, Uncle," that was all he said.

"Alex, if you do this, you won't be able to join the Games."

This time my father's voice was as cold as ice and a murmur in the pack followed his words.

The Games, were how the packs determined the hierarchical position, these events could only be held every 10 years and could only be executed by the five best members of the pack. In this kind of events, not only physical strength was put to the test but also dexterity, intelligence and endurance and for that, you had to have good physical and mental health. In short, a bond break was considered a mental wound. The council required that at least six months had passed to heal before considering someone in full health. The Games were in a month and Alex was considered one of the best members of the pack as well as being the future Alpha, to attend such event.

"Okay, so be it, I won't participate this year, but I will certainly join the next ones," he replied.

The determination was clear in his face, the last shred of hope was extinguished in my chest.

"Mom! Get me out of here, please," I asked my mother through the link.

I was trying to be strong, but the pain was consuming me. My mother, a strong and fierce woman, was faltering at this moment. Still, she took me with all her strength and got me out of there. A few steps further my body felt numb and heavy, I had no control over it, the pain with each step was more unbearable.

My vision was darkening and I was only walking by inertia until suddenly everything turned to darkness.

Bad enough it was to be known for not having a wolf, now I would also be known for being the rejected of the future Alpha.

Even being unconscious, my mind works and for a moment remembers the promise that my uncle had made me just a day ago. The promise that he and his friends would beat up any male who considered me weak, I guess that doesn't apply when the male was the son of your best friend and future Alpha.

I felt the bitterness of my thoughts and it was what made the first broken sob escape from me. Fortunately for me, I was already in my house and had left everything behind a while ago. My mother was at the head of my bed lulling me like when I was a little baby.

Once awake I curled up into a ball, with my knees pressed against my chest and my arms hugging them. My back was to my mother as she stroked my hair and softly hummed the old songs she used to sing to me.

Finally my tears came and once the first one rolled down my cheeks the others followed. I was crying silently as my body trembled from the force of the emotions.

I heard the door open and close and I smelled a familiar scent, it was my father. I may not have a wolf but still my sense of smell and hearing were better than a human's, so I could easily distinguish the scents, mainly of my family.

The room was silent fortunately no one said anything. I have no idea how long passed like this, it could have been minutes or maybe hours, until at some point I simply stopped crying in my body calmed down.

The pain was still there, it had not ceased even a little, but my parents believed that I had simply fallen asleep.

I couldn't help but notice the absence of my brother, and that hurt. I think he had simply chosen to be loyal to his Alpha.

A short time later I heard a sound at the front door, and my father left the room. Being part of a werewolf pack means learning not to listen to conversations despite being able to do so. But I was sure that their talk was about me and I had a right to know.

"How is she?" the Alpha asked once inside the house.

"How do you think she is?" my father replied annoyed, it was the first time that my father did not show respect to the Alpha and best friend.

"She hasn't spoken, not after what Alex did to her."

"I'm sorry, Manuel, I'm so sorry," the Alpha sounded sincere in his apology.

"Is his decision made?" he asked my father.

"It is," he replied.

"And what do you plan to do about it?" the question took the Alpha by surprise.

"What do you mean, Manuel?" he asked confused.

"Do you expect my daughter to live in the same pack as the male who tore her heart out and trampled on it in front of the whole pack? Carlos you know as well as I do what our rules are if someone breaks the mate bond without a good reason," my father tried to calm down but it was almost impossible.

"Manuel! You can't think that my only son would go to live in another pack, banish him from the pack he was born to lead."

"Why not? No one is above the law. The law is in place to protect the innocent victim. Marely is the victim here," my father insisted.

"What Alex did was not right, but Manuel, Alex has a good reason to do what he did."

"What the hell are you saying?" my father spat out.

"She is weak, she will have a weak wolf, if she even gets to have one. That is a good reason to reject her," the Alpha said again.

"Do you even know that it is my daughter we are talking about?" my father growled making me shudder.

"And you know that I love her like a daughter, but we can't hide the truth."

"The only truth I see here is that your son rejected her and with respect to her wolf, her wolf will come when she is ready and she is perfect as she is. Have you already forgotten everything you have been telling her for the last two years, Carlos! Or were all your words lies."

"I know but that doesn't mean she's fit to be Luna. You better than anyone know all the responsibilities that come with that position."

I didn't hear the answer, I just didn't want my heart to be shattered once more.