Three: Earlier....

"You really look very beautiful, my lovely daughter", my said, looking into my eyes lovingly. It was one of those rare periods when we were unoccupied with work. Anna Sinclair, my mother, was weaving my hair backwards. My long, black luxurious hair was one of my assets. She had told me that on various occasions and so had Ananda.

"Thank you very much, mother", I replied, looking up at mother's smiling face . "You flatter me, rotten, but I guess that's to be expected. You are my mother after all".

"It is not flattery but a compliment", my mother said, looking very serious. "I hope the Goddess grants you a good man who will appreciate you. You are kind, hardworking, respectful and beautiful. I wish your father were here to see what a beautiful she wolf you have grown to be".

I was touched and I rose from the chair I was sitting and gave my mother a very tight, heartfelt hug.

"Thank you very much mother for all your care and love. I shall pay you back a million folds very soon!" I promised.

Mum smiled at me and pulling away from me, she pulled me down on the stool, and once more I was sutting.

"I know you will", she said, wiping a tear that had slipped down her cheek.

"And I know that where ever father is, he is looking at us and smiling. Happy that we are alive and happy", I comforted mother. I knew that mother still missed father terribly. I do too but it could not be compared to what mother felt for her husband. She had refused to remarry after his death, saying no one else could compare to him in her heart.

He had died, saving us and that was why it was so painful. An attack from some ruthless rogues on our way from another pack where we had gone for a trade deal. My father had been a trader. His death had felt senseless but at least he saved us and that had made him happy before he died. I didn't want any sad memories, not today, so I made a funny face at mother. One that was guaranteed to get her laughing and I was not disappointed this time as well.

Anna gave me a hand mirror to assess the hair she had made on me.

"Mum, you are a genius. You have really beautified me", I said aporecistively. "I only hope Alpha Ray would see how beautiful I look with this hair you made".

I saw mum bite her tongue. She had thought that I was over Alpha Ray and I had let her think that because I hated upsetting her, but this crush I have had for him since my childhood seem to increase, rather than diminish. But can anyone really blame me for crushing on Alpha Ray? He was tall and handsome, with a fair hair and lovely grey eyes.

"Diana, I have asked you to stop talking about Alpha Ray that way", she scolded me gently.

"Why mum?" I asked, sharply. I was tired of hearing anyone, including mother, tell me I was not good enough for the Alpha.

"I have told you several times that you don't have a future with him. People like him don't take notice of people like us. Alpha Ray will make someone of the same social class as he, his Luna. Not an Omega like you", she told me, frankly. "Stop thinking about him the way you do, so you don't get hurt", she advised.

"But you just said I am beautiful and I believe you, so how can he not see that?" I asked, my voice breaking.I needed my mother to believe that I was more than the Omega everyone labelled me.

"He isn't blind. He sees you and knows you are beautiful but he will not make you his Luna. First because you are not his mate and he is already close with Faustina, Alpha Parker's daughter .." mum replied swallowing, her eyes looking at me with a silent plea of understanding.

She knew that I must find her words painful, but she always goes ahead to say them. I knew she was just looking out for me but I wanted her to trust my judgement on this one matter, that matters alit to me.

She keeps telling me that I had to crush the crush I had for Alpha Ray before it destroyed me. She would tell me that she wanted the best for me and would be overjoyed if Alpha Ray chose me but that I have to face reality because she knew it was a dream that could never be realized. She had lived long enough in the werewolf clan to know how these things work.

"Secondly, he would choose someone who will help advance his political career and that is something an Omega cannot help him accomplish", she added, looking at me with sympathy.

"Where does love come into all of this?" I asked curiously, feeling an ache in my chest.

"It does not!" Anna replied firmly. "In political matters, matters of the heart are brushed aside for ambition. Except you want to be known as a mistress, a homewrecker?"

"May the Goddess forbid it" I replied, violently. No matter what, I was never going to be the other woman. I despised those who wreck happy homes and am not going to be one of them.

"The world is unfair, am I destined to love Ray from afar? Destined not to have my feelings for him reciprocated?" I lamented, tears falling off my eyes. I have loved Alpha Ray for as long as I can remember. At first it had started as a childish crush but it had grown. I had tried to kill the feelings I had for him every time I saw him with Faustina as I grew and each time my heart broke to see that he was being disloyal by being with another woman. But the feelings persisted and I was helpless as my heart continued to ache and beat for him. My mother's words, though understood, was an exercise in futility.

"Anyway, tomorrow is your eighteenth birthday, hopefully, you shall get your Wolf and then know who your mate truly is.", Anna said.

"And if it turns out to be Alpha Ray?" I asked, my eyes alight with hope.

"I hope not, my daughter, for your sake", Anna said hastily.

I didn't say anything but I was determined to continue to ask the Moon Goddess to make Alpha Ray of the Half Moon pack, my mate.

"Anyway, I shall get ready to go to work now", Anna said..

"Mum, don't tell me you are going to work on my birthday?" I asked.

"I have to", Anna replied. "I asked Sandra to switch shifts with me but she has to go to Raven Pack to see her sister who was married there. No one else wanted to change their shift with me. But not to worry, I shall be back in time so we can celebrate your birthday together", she promised. "Better this night than in the morning when you will be eighteen".

I nodded. I didn't like it but there was nothing either of us could do about it and mum would be back in the morning in any case. And this was not the first time I was sleeping alone, when mum was on night shift.

"Alright, mum", I conceded. "But ensure you are back early to celebrate with me", I implored.

"Nothing will keep me away, mother replied.

All of a sudden, mum stared at me with deep concern as though feeling regretful about leaving me alone, this special night. "Make sure you don't go anywhere while I am gone, it is already night. Stay in the house!" she instructed.

"Mum, rest assured I shall not leave the house till you get back", I vowed and Anna's heart eased a little.

"Have you had that nightmare again?" she asked.

I knew what she was talking about. I always have a dream of fire, a great fire and a massacre and this great feeling of fear but before I could understand it I will force myself awake because the scene was always vivid and terrifying. I didn't know what it meant and because of how fearful it was, I doubt I wanted to know what it meant. I have had the same dream many times even before Dad's death and the result had been the same. I always woke with my heart pounding and eyes wild as though there were invisible things that only I could see. My mother always looked at me with pity but could only console me. But I have not had the dream for a while now.

"May the Moon Goddess guard you", mum prayed and though I was surprised at mum's strange behaviour, I smiled at her to assure her I was going to be okay.

"When I get back, there is something important I would like to tell you", mum said. "Now you are coming of age, it is time you knew".

"Time I know what?" I asked, surprised. Mum had not exuded this air of mystery before.

"You shall know everything when I get back. Stay safe!" And after a warm hug, she was gone.