Irony of Destiny

Episode 1

"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.