Chapter 1

Raven

The alarm goes off at 05:15 but I don't need it, I have not slept at all last night. Why might you ask? I was and still am too nervous to sleep. Or maybe I am excited. Or am I both? Yes, I am most definitely both.

“You know, sometimes I wonder what I have done to be pair with a chronic overthinking human” grumbles a sleepy voice in my head.

“You know, sometimes I wonder what I have done to be pair with an careless, unsympathetic and rash wolf” I reply to Reign.

“You know you just described almost all wolves, right?” Reign replied. I roll my eyes at her, and she just laughs at me. I know she’s right, I need to get a hold of myself.

I am a 22-year-old shifter and got my wolf, Reign, when I turned 18. She is the best thing about being a shifter, the best part of being me. Your wolf is an extension of yourself only you have to multiply it by 10. For example, I used to bold and feisty, but when I got Reign, I became bolder and feistier. And I don’t easily back down from a challenge, but that’s a shifter thing.

As a shifter, I live in a pack with my parents and friends. My pack is called the Harvest Moon Pack and we live in a sleepy little town in Arkansas near a very large lush thick green forest. We have nearly 800 members in our pack, we might not be the biggest pack, but that doesn’t mean we are not one of the strongest. Our packs runs together on every full moon. The forest is even more beautiful at night and Reign absolutely loves it. Our pack is lead by Alpha Bronn. He is a bit old-school bit a vey good Alpha. He always says we have pack runs to relish in the strength, love and unison of the pack. Is a very accurate description, but he is leaving out one big fact, shifter can only scent their mate on a full moon after they turn 18. I am 22 and have yet to sniff my mate out.

“Maybe we will meet him on the next Alliance Run” says Reign with hope and a hint of sadness in her voice.

“Yeah, maybe. But for know let focus on getting through today” I reply.

“Get through? Oh my dear sad little human, we are not just going to ‘get through today’, we are absolutely kicking ass today” replies an eager and confident Reign.

” I like the confidence, now let see some results” I laugh.

“Oh I will show you results” comes her reply. Reign goes to the back of my mind; I can still feel her sadness about not findings our mate yet and her grief for the recent loss we have experience. Most shifter meet their mate shortly after they turn 18, but I am 22 and have not found him yet. I know I am young and don’t need him to define me, but lately I have been feeling more and more like something is missing. Like I am missing a part of me, but I have not met, and I don’t know what that part is. I think ot could be the matebond pulling at me or maybe my haert is just lonely. Which is understandable all things considered. Maybe Reign is right, and we will meet our mate on the next Alliance Run in two weeks.

The Alliance is made up of three packs, Blue Moon Pack, Silver Moon Pack and us, Harvest Moon Pack. Blue Moon is our neighbouring and they have roughly 1200 pack members. Years ago, the Alphas of Harvest Moon and Blue Moon, decided to buy the nearby Wildlife Reserve and Lodge. Other than some investments and the packs local business, the lodge is a big income source for the packs due to the hotel and various tourist attraction such as hot springs, game drives, fishing, hiking trail. We have recently started hosting weddings and corporate events.

Silver Moon is about two hours away by car and 50 min by wolf. They are new to the alliance even though the Alphas and future Alphas have known each for years. The three packs have always watched each others backs but Silver Moon has only recently officially joined the Alliance. I don’t know much about Silver Moon except that they are building the brewery called the Moonlit Water opposite the lodge to increase the revenue for the Alliance and they will be joining the Alliance Run for the first time.

“Snowy you up yet?” my dad comes through our mind-link.

That is one of the cool tricks you get as a shifter, you can mind-link anyone in your pack within a certain distance. The other nifty little tricks, are rapid healing, increases strength and speed, increased metabolism and a higher body temperature.

“Yes, dad, gonna take a quick shower and l will be right down” I reply to hm

“Ok, Snow, your mom made bacon and I can’t give you any type guarantee that I will leave you any, so hurry up” dad laughs and cut the link.

My parents are what you would call a power couple, since my dad is the Head Warrior, and my mom is one of the best Trackers in the pack. My parents are the best, they have always encouraged me make my own path. So, I did just that. I tried out a bunch of stuff but in the end, I was always drawn to fighting and protect others.

In our pack it is mandatory for all shifters to start basic fighter training at 16. Once to turn 18 you will have the basic skills to defend yourself and will also choose whether you would like to train as a warrior or do something else. The great thing about packs is that we look out for each other, if you want to go study or need a job, you can just submit an application to the Alpha, and he will sort something out. There are many other career paths available such as you could go study, join the wildlife research team, open you own business or join of the current ones, you could become a wildlife vet for the wildlife reserve or you could even become a lawyer, because shifters tend to get into trouble. However, if you want to become a warrior, you can only sign up when you are 18 and have to go through intense 4-year training course, led by the Head Warrior Michael, also known as my dad. Even though I am studying part time, my may goal was to become the best warrior-trackers in the pack. Today is my final warrior assessment and I guess we will see if the literal blood sweat, and tears were worth it.

If I make it an official warrior today, I will be one step away from the Elite Alliance Squad (EAS). EAS is responsible for the safety and security of the Alliance and is made up out members of all the packs in the Alliance and is run by the future Alphas of the Alliance. EAS was founded when the Alliance heard about a deranged new Alpha, Alpha Damon, that came into power by killing his Alpha, and brother I might add, in his sleep. That’s unheard of for wolves, I mean yes, someone can challenge an Alpha for the position as leader, and we do have our fair share of violence, but killing someone in their sleep? It goes against our nature, not to mention it is a cowardly act. Shortly after Alpha Damon took control of his brother’s pack, the Dark Moon Pack, he started attacking other packs, killing the Alpha for their power, and absorbing their packs. EAS was founded to track Alpha Damon’s movements and they will be the first line of defence in case Dark Moon attacks.

So, while the warriors are responsible to protect their packs from rogues, the EAS main focus is to protect the Alliance from Alpha Damon. However, we have been experiencing more and more rogue attach, each time it feels like their numbers increase. About 4 months ago, we were attacked but the biggest group yet, we won the battle but lost dearly in other ways.

I can feel Reign’s grief, I know she tries to shield me from her pain, since I’m still dealing with my own. I try to drown her out for now and push the memory away. We both want to make up for the past. That’s one of the reasons why failing today is not an option.

After that attack, the leadership of the Alliance (the Alphas, future Alpha, Luna’s, Betas and Head Warrior) decided to merge the all the warriors and the EAS. However, EAS still be the only members that can go on special missions. Leadership drew up a new patrol schedule so that the entire alliance territory is patrol 24/7, and we all train together. It would make it easier if the Silver Moon Pack was closer though, they are a little expose at the moment, since it would take reinforcement about 50 minutes arrive. My dad mentioned that Alpha Bronn and Alpha Gordon, the Blue Moon Alpha, have been trying to convince Alpha Taylor, the Silver Moon Alpha, to move his pack closer. He hasn’t budged yet. So for now, we just continue with the patrol schedule and do our best to protect all the members of the Alliance.

I want to make into EAS and I think I might have an a good shot. My Dad has been training me since I was 8 and my mom has been teaching me to be a tracker since I was 10. My Dad trained me because he wanted to be sure that I would at least be able to escape should we be attacked by rogues or if I'm in any type of danger. My Mom only stated training me after I turn 10, when she realised I have some, very under developed, tracker instincts. You can only become a tracker if you have some enhanced senses and the intuition of anticipating your marks movements. Even though most wolves have heightened senses and can hunt their marks easily. A tracker has heightened senses on steroids and the ability to anticipate their marks movements. I’m not as good as my mom but have improved a lot throughout the years.

When I announced to my parents that I want to join EAS they told me they help me to achieve my dream. My mom had a very proud and for some reason smug look on her face, but my dad didn’t like the idea of me going on dangerous missions. He told me he would train me harder than anyone ever before and that why no living being on this planet would be able to physically hurt me. The first 2 years were manageable since I was only required to attend basic pack training and school. But when I turn 18, I was required to train 8 hours a day, patrol 2 nights a week as a trainee and have 2 private training session a day with my parents. I’m not complaining, but after 4 years of 3 hours of sleep a night, I’m exhausted, and I think my parents are too.

I drag my tired butt out of comfy big bed and head to my ensuite bathroom. I would say its time to get ready for the day, but I’ve been ready for years.