Chapter 1: The Meeting

Harper's POV

The sun beams down on my skin, music blasts through the small earphones into my ears. The noise distracts me from the pain searing up and down my legs. Each mile I run becomes more and more painful, but I know I need to do this. I need better endurance. Running has never been my strong suit.

A line of tall, green hedges come into view, indicating I'm approaching the compound. I release a sigh of relief. My legs are on fire, I cannot wait to cool off inside. Skidding to a stop, I see my youngest brother, Artemis, glaring at me from the balcony on the top floor. Attempting to catch my breath I return his glare. He shoots me a sarcastic smile and returns inside. A**hole.

Two small rabbits run past me, playing together in the long grass. I envy their free and simple life. Sometimes I want to run away and live life with not a care in the world.

The realistic part of my brain burns the thought alive and screams at me to live up to the Alpha life I'm meant to lead. I only think about running away once in a blue moon. I'm meant to be here, living this life and training to become a leader.

I head for the front door, eager to change out of these sweaty clothes and slip into something more comfortable before dinner. I smile at each person I walk by. I have grown up with most of these people. They saw me take my first steps, make my first friend, and saw me shift for the first time. They know everything about me.

Once I reach my bedroom at the end of the hall, I'm shocked to see Ansel sitting on my bed. He stares at me with his pale blue eyes, his fingers tap the outside of his thigh. I ignore his presence and look for a new outfit in my dresser.

"Aren't you going to ask why I'm here?" Ansel asks, breaking the silence in the room.

I shake my head, "You're always in here asking stupid things so I'm waiting for that moment."

Ansel stands to his feet. "Why are you always so mean to me?"

I move to the ensuite attached to the room, turning the shower on. My fingers hover under the water until I feel it start to get warm.

"All you do is complain," I fold my arms over my chest. "I'm sick of hearing your voice."

Ansel huffs, "Father has requested a family dinner tonight. Make sure you wear something nice because we have special guests joining us." He eyes the outfit I picked out sitting on the vanity and leaves in a flash.

I shake my head at Ansel's obvious middle child syndrome.

After a refreshing shower I sit in front of my floor length mirror, applying minimal make up to my already tan skin. I begin to wonder who will be joining us for dinner. Father better not be marrying me off to some random forty-year-old Alpha. I'm not leaving this place until I'm the Alpha; I don't want to be someone's Luna for the rest of my life. No, thank you.

With my make up complete, and my hair done in long natural curls down my back, I slip into the nicest dress I have. The floor length black sequined gown sweeps across the wooden floorboards under me, the fabric soft against my skin.

The sun has set behind the mountain, the stars begin to wake up and shine as bright as they can. The moon follows my movements as I walk through the hallways until I reach the dining room; I feel it watching me from afar, warming me with its glow.

Father is sat at the head of the table; his light brown locks fall in clumps around his face. Mother is to the left of him. My brothers and I got our fiery orange hair from her. She's the most beautiful and gracious woman I have ever seen in my life.

My brothers are seated next to each other. Thank the heavens I'm placed next to Mother and not them. I take my seat and notice there are three chairs at the end of the table that are not yet filled.

Father clears his throat, rising from his chair with a glass of wine tight in his hands. His face is set in a frown and he appears as though he has something on his mind and is anxious to speak about it. The rest of the table follow suit, raising our glasses in the air.

"I would like to thank my wife and children for being here tonight. I have some special guests arriving, but it appears they are late." His eyes dart between my brothers and I, "I do, however, want to make an announcement before they arrive. Cheers to my family, I love you all."

The sound of glasses clinking against each other is deafening in the room, all the unspoken words from Father circle around in a hot wave of anxiety. I sip the red wine, my hands become clammy, but I refuse to wipe them on my beautiful gown.

"As you are all aware, I may not have much time left on this Earth as I grow older," Fathers voice echoes throughout the room, "In saying that I need to make sure the next in line is ready for when that time comes, to step up and be a leader for this pack."

My heart begins to pound; I know he's referring to me as the eldest. I was born to be a leader, there is nothing I'm surer of in this world than devoting my life to this pack.

Artemis looks like he's just sucked on a lemon, a sour look etched across his face. Ansel is looking around the

table, not sure who to focus on. A smile forms across my face, I open my mouth to express my gratitude for this opportunity, when I'm cut off by Father.

"After many months observing you children and taking some time to think it over," Father pauses, his eyes dart between Artemis and I, "I have decided to hand down the title to Artemis when the time comes."

Artemis and I stand to our feet, shouting "What!" and "Yes!" at Father. My hands are gripped tight around the edge of the table, my teeth grinding hard into each other.

"Are you insane? I'm the eldest, not Artemis," I shake my head in disbelief, "This doesn't make any sense."

Artemis looks at me from across the table, a sh*t eating grin spread across his face. He drives me insane. He gets everything he wants in life and ignores the consequences for all his actions. I'm always the one left cleaning up his mess when he should be bowing at my toes as the future Alpha. This isn't fair.

Father leans back in his seat, "Artemis has shown a lot of potential over the years. He's proven he's a great fighter and can handle himself in stressful situations. He has what it takes to lead this pack."

"But what about me?" I shout, "I'm the eldest in the family. Not only have I proven I was a child who is born to be a leader, but I also know what this pack needs to function and survive. But, no worries, if Artemis knows how to fight then that solves all our problems, right?" I shouldn't be speaking to my Father like this, but I'm beyond infuriated. He has no right to do this.

Fathers eyes have grown dark as he stares at me, a sign he is getting mad. My Mother continues to stare at the table, knowing this is between my Father and me.

"Harper, I won't say it again. I have made my final decision." Father brings his wine glass to his lips.

I stare at my hands folded in my lap. He can't be serious. Artemis will never be a true Alpha. I've heard from other members of the pack he has his favorites within the group and told several people he would do whatever it takes to become Alpha. Artemis is dangerous, he only cares about the power he'll receive if he becomes Alpha. He still gets Mother to do his laundry at twenty-one years of age for crying out loud.

I do everything I can to help the pack in times of need, wanting to prove to not just my Father, but the rest of the pack, that I can live up to being the leader. I go out of my way to help sick members, and many people come to me for guidance, questions and decision making.

A sudden thought crosses my mind. "Is it because I'm a woman?"

Father sits up straight in his chair, "Pardon?"

"I said, is it because I'm a woman?" I flick my long hair over my shoulder, "Are you choosing Artemis over me, knowing it's against the law, because I'm not a man?"

Father stumbles on his words, shocked, but I already know the answer. I push myself out of the chair and head for the door in a huff, not wanting to look at my Father or Artemis anymore. Its been made clear who the favorite in the family is.

I'm stopped in my tracks when the door opens without me touching it. A tall man, with pale skin and wavy dark hair appears in front of me, followed by two older men. His piercing blue eyes stare back into mine; they appear to be telling me a story, but I don't hear the end of it before he breaks eye contact.

Father rises from his seat, "Harper, I'd like you to meet Asher Black, the Alpha of the Rising Moon pack."