Chapter 1

The rain sounded exceptionally loud as it beat against her bedroom windows. The sound of the rain could not be compared to the sound of her heart beating in her chest. At 22, all her friends were already married. Her lack of nuptials had nothing to do with lack of beauty or lack of potential suitors. On the contrary, it was the opposite. She was incredibly beautiful with lush long black hair, hazel eyes and legs that go on for miles. She had suitors who came from far and wide to ask for her hand in marriage, all of which she refused. She refused them because from when she was young she wanted what her parents had. A fated marriage; is a marriage that is based on love for your one and only person; the one you are meant to be with. Her mother always said that not everyone would meet their fated and most times people settle for their chosen. Sitting down in her luxurious room in front of her gold-trimmed mirror, she knew; she could sense that her time was up. They won’t allow her to wait anymore. She felt the tears roll down her face; she wipes it off with her tender finger. Though tender, her fingers could handle weapons like the average male wolf. She was a warrior; a leader. She had helped her mother run the pack as her Beta for a long time. She had also helped her father with the .finances of the pack. In recent times, the finances of the pack have dwindled. Although she never saw her father worried, she knew he was. She had caught him a couple of times looking into the abyss, she had heard her mum and dad whisper in hushed tones with worried scowl when they felt no one was watching. Then there was the case of her younger brother Marvin, the next Alpha. He had been to school in another district learning how to handle economics. He would be coming back soon to get married to Maria, his fated. With Maria coming in as Marvin’s Luna, it meant her mother had to step down. Not to cause any sort of friction in the pack, they had made this decision. A decision that she had to adhere to; despite the way she felt. This is not fair, she thinks to herself. Why her? Why can’t she find her fated? She knew he was there; she sometimes saw him in her dreams; dreams that felt so real. She knew she loved him intensely. Her mother tells her every time and most recently that in life we don’t always get what we want and that her fated was a figment of her imagination. It had been an uphill task convincing her to agree to what her parents want for her.

“it would help the pack’s economy for you to marry Alpha Luca” her father said.

“he’s a good man that understands duty; you would grow to love each other” Her mother said.

“Do you really want to be relegated from your duties and stay here?” Marvin asks.

With the three people that loved her most on her neck; she had to give in. Mostly because of the SWANSWOOLO PACK was powerful and wealthy. Marrying Alpha Lucas would mean more trade between his rich pack and their Ephyzma pack. Her duty to the pack takes preeminence over true love. Steeling her back, she gets up, wipes the tears from her face. She walked to her bed where the beautiful sequined blue dress laid. She picked it up. Her wolf looks at her with deep sadness. Mona smiles at her wolf, Mana.

“we’ll be fine; Mum says he’s kind. Kind people don’t do bad things”. They both put their foreheads together.

A knock on the door jolts them out of semi trance.

“are you ready? It’s almost time” her mother; Luna Lily’s voice rings through the large door.

“almost mum” she replies.

She turns to her wolf. “there’s no going back now is there?” They both smile sadly.