Chapter 3

My aunt Millicent is what one could refer to as a special. Most keepers are considered specials. It is not easy being different , and with the ability to see and deal with supernatural powers. The disadvantage of this ability is the draw back. One of them being loneliness, and uncertainty.

Aunt Millicent has a secret lover, so she claims . I have never seen him though, werewolves do not have the power to see ghosts, but she is very sweet, so I pretended to believe.

Right now, she is shaking her head when I told her about mark's proposal.

"Your mate is alive, and won't like this." She replied, still shaking her head.

My aunt Millicent was 50, though she looks ever young. She's chubby, with her pretty red hair, and elegant dressing sense.

"Auntie , I don't want to have a mate." I protested.

"Nonsense!!! All wolves have a mate. It is already destined. I'm sorry for Mark though, he wouldn't understand." She said with a gloomy face .

"Why wouldn't he understand?" I asked surprised.

"He's not your mate for crying out loud. Once you find your mate, Mark would no longer be important." She said sternly.

I rolled my eyes . "Can I go for a run? My wolf is starving."

"Oh yes you can. Just stay away from the neighbors property." She waved her hand dismissively.

I wondered how she explained the presence of a wolf to her neighbors. Perhaps she claimed to own a huge dog, and let it out sometimes.

I stripped off my clothes and shifted into my white, majestic wolf as I ran into the cold night.

The first snow of the year was already falling, and the field was covered in white flaky snow. I didn't feel cold though. My thick fur protected me from the harsh weather.

*********************

The flight attendant announced our safe landing and I squealed in my seat. I was finally home. One good thing about the weather here, is that it enjoys the mildest in the states.

The days here are warm, and sunny. The nights are a little cooler. I collected my luggage and as expected, Olivia was there to welcome me.

"Oh my God Blair!!!!." Olivia ran towards me. After long hugs and kisses, I was bundled into one of the several waiting cars, and we headed home.

"You're all grown up!! Show me the ring." Olivia commanded.

I blushed and displayed my ring. Olivia gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief.

"Such a lovely ring. You're serious about getting married to him." Olivia frowned.

" Ofcourse. I'm looking forward to the wedding now." I winked .

I was still in shock though. The thought of getting married had driven me off the edge. My wolf was impatient, eager to find her mate.

'When is the wedding?' Olivia asked.

"We haven't decided on the date yet." I said. "We're taking it slow."

I breathed deeply, trying to brace myself for further prying questions.

"Well I can't wait to meet this Mark. You should bring him sometimes." Olivia quipped.

I couldn't even imagine Mark among the pack of wolves. Trying to change the subject, I enquired about the cubs being recruited into the army.

"Oh well. I Pity those little chaps. Antonio caught them early."

We conversed until we reached the gates of the pack.

In the modern age pack, life had changed significantly over the years. Most modern packs did not live together anymore, and had turned the land over to individual families.

This made things legally safer since it was less questionable for multiple families to own a couple of hundred acres versus one individual to own thousands of acres. All the lands were still considered a pack since all the families were just pack, they were more discreet.

The oval moon pack had a similar arrangement. A row of houses, surrounded by lush green forests and a private beach. We still had a safe house, a combined kitchen for unmated or whoever wanted to eat together. Schools, gyms etc

Everything necessary for a small township, was in the pack.

Many pack families had outside interests or jobs as well. Even though living separately, the pack was a tight-knit community. Everyone relied on their mates for companionship. Some packs are very conservative. They did not allow anyone to leave, kept their families locked in.

Attacking packs for capturing their females was common back in the days, especially by the rogues. But times have changed.

Most female wolves were the open book definition of bare feet and pregnant! They stopped school as soon as they found their mate at their early age, and all they did was pop out pups. Yet another reason why I don't want a mate.

However, oval moon pack was different. My father encouraged education and most youngsters went to school.

Having grown up together, most wolves were true friends instead of just pack mates.

They were still mandate pack meetings, held on the full moon of every month, which was attended by everyone.

It was a well knit, safe community except for the fact that I experienced the attack that sent me faraway from home.

I had no idea why I could not stay after my brother became the commander. I had come to accept this arrangement, and I was not interested in returning anyway. I am what they call an urban werewolf.

I was greeted by Jonathan, my three year old nephew as soon as I got to my brother's mansion. My brother owns one of the biggest houses in the pack, which sometimes doubles up as a safe house and accommodate visiting guests from other packs.

"Hello big boy. How are you?" I laughed hugging my nephew.

Antonio my brother followed smiling.

"Good to see you Blair."

"Same here Antonio. You look good." I said, hugging him tightly.

I settled down in my old room, overlooking the pool. It had not changed much. My room was still the same. Perhaps if I had stayed back, I would have liked living here.

I still do, just that memories of my dead parents haunted me.

For some reason I couldn't recall seeing my father being killed. Although It happened right in front of my eyes. Psychiatrists call this repressed memories.

Sometimes traumatic events may be stored in the unconscious mind and blocked from normal conscious recall.

Not sure if werewolves were capable of repressing memories, but I know I did.

**************************

Olivia was taking me to a beach party, few days after my return. A party meant shopping according to her, I had not brought any bathing suit with me, so she was right.

We drove to the mall in the middle of the pack, and started browsing through numerous shops.

"I hope this won't be another meet the alpha's party." I asked.

I had no interest in going for such parties. I was engaged to Mark, and that was it.

"They might be a few alphas, but it's a harmless house party. You don't have to look for anyone, unless you want to"

"There's no unless. I'm engaged." I cut her off quickly.

She shrugged and went back to her shopping. Suddenly, a chill ran through my spine. We were not alone. I sniffed the air, trying to get the scent of someone, anyone but it was too mixed up. The mall was crowded, and it was hard to pinpoint one person.

Dismissing the thought, I paid my bills and returned home.

The summer house was a typical detached house situated along the shoreline. It was being hosted by one of Olivia's friend, Ava. She belonged to another pack called the reds pack.

They were distinguished by their red hair hence the name. Her pack was well off, and they had several homes scattered round the world.

"When Olivia and I reached the place, alongside Antonio the party had already started.

There was a large living room in the middle of the house, and on each wing, there was a hallway leading to several bedrooms. Now that the place was packed, people were cramped together.

A few hours later, the party was coming to an end. People were enjoying themselves, and I could hear lots of peace talking and laughing in-between the music. At the other end of the living room, some people were already dancing.

They had to move several large sofas to create space, but it seemed to be phenomenally successful, allowing the people that could dance, show their talent.

I was not one of them, so simply watched the couples dancing. A few guys showed interest in me, and I had a good conversation and subtly told them that I was engaged.

"Blair come dance." Olivia shouted and waved at me to come closer.

I just shook my head and lifted my glass to indicate I was perfectly fine where I was. It was not a great loss.

My wolf suddenly woke up from her slumber and she was agitated.

"Calm down dear." I soothed myself.

I was walking by the pool, glancing at a group of boys and men throwing a ball back and forth. Something bumped into me, knocking me off balance, causing me to fall into the pool along with what seemed like hard muscles.

He smelled divine, a mixture of alcohol, grass and lilac.

I was grabbed and tucked to a broad chest, an arm wrapped around my waist, and one arm over my head.

Pressed deep into his chest, only one word ran through my mind.

"MY MATE"