Growing up side by side, as children of the pack Beta and Gamma, Lachlan and Seren should be the perfect pairing made by fate. But, after Lachlan’s father, the Beta of Black Crescent Pack died to save Seren’s life his son, Lachlan now holds nothing but resentment and hate for the beautiful young she-wolf. Coming of age is a date Lachlan has been waiting for. The date he will begin preparing to inherit his father’s title should be a special day for him, but instead is ruined by meeting his fated… The one person in the world he would not want to be fated to. The one person he hates most in the world. Seren. Surely fate would not be so cruel to fate him to the one he hates? But in a pack where tradition means rejection is frowned upon, Lachlan finds himself in a difficult situation. But, he has no intention of being with the person who causes him to live without his father. Can the two live in peace together with the matebond simmering?
View MoreI didn’t imagine I would be coming of age without my Dad there to guide me. That does not mean I do not appreciate my Mum. Hell no, she is the strongest woman I know. Losing your fated mate can destroy you. Though, personally, I think losing the one you love is enough to break anyone. But, the bond we share as werewolves with our mates is something else; and when that is broken, it can tear you apart from the inside.
Yet my Mum pulled through it. Not just any old she-wolf either. A Beta’s wife. Bringing up a hard-headed son who, I am not ashamed to say, is a stubborn little fucker. I took after my Dad in that respect. I know that much. But, taking after him was the last connection I could have with him. That and the fact I would be inheriting his title.
Yet, despite losing him, and knowing she had a heart-broken son struggling to cope with the loss of his father to bring up, my Mum battled on through, resilient as ever, never letting her determination waiver, or at least never in front of another. She was my hero, and I would never be ashamed to say it.
“Happy Birthday Lachlan!” My Mum’s excited voice greeted me from the other side of the bedroom door. “Come on, everyone is waiting for us in the packhouse!”
The excitement in her voice was clear to hear. Anyone would think it was her birthday, not mine. Her coming of age. Though this was the day she had been waiting for, I knew that much. I opened the bedroom door, and she flung her arms around my neck. I smiled as she did. I could not be more grateful for the woman in front of me. Without her, I would not be the man I was. Without her, I would not be here.
“Hey Mom.”
The crazy thing was, I don’t think I felt any different. Not yet anyway. Was I meant to? Today was the day my wolf would come to me. The day a werewolf turned 18 was the day they met their wolf. Yet so far there had been nothing.
“Aww, you get more like your Papa every day.” My Mum said, squeezing my cheeks with her hands, as she looked up at me, her dark eyes filled with tears. Everyone told me I was a younger version of my father, so hearing my Mum say the same thing came as no surprise. But it was rare for her to actually say the same thing. She rarely spoke of my Dad. I think that was her way of coping.
“Well, here is hoping I get to be as good of a Beta as he was.” I said, squeezing her tight into my embrace. Soon it would be my time to make her proud. Show her that all her hard work bringing me up alone for the past 8 years had been worth it.
“Come on then, I can’t keep you here all to myself, at least not today anyway. I have to share you. You have a pack awaiting your arrival! All wanting to share this birthday with the very soon-to-be-Beta-of-their-pack.” she said, pride clear within in her voice as she took my hand and we walked together toward the stairs. This was my Mum all over. Willing to give up the breakfasts we ensured we shared together each day, so I could have a birthday breakfast with my pack. I smiled across at her.
We walked in a comfortable silence as I pondered over what today may hold for me. If my Mum was wanting me to do this birthday properly, which she so often did, then I knew her and my aunts would have gone all out. Not to mention, I know that they usually throw parties for birthdays, especially important ones. And, this was most definitely an important one.
But, something niggled at me. As much as I was excited to share my birthday celebrations with my pack, and, of course, the fact I was finally ready to prepare to take my father’s title, the other important aspect of today had yet to occur. My wolf was still to talk to me. Let alone attempt to encourage me to shift for the first time the way I expected… the way my friends had talked about.
I turned to my Mum as she locked up the house. “Mom?” I probed.
“Yes, Lach.” She smiled at me, like nothing in the world was too much for me. I hated having to ask her this, because I knew the moment I mentioned it, she would be panicking. She may be superwoman in she-wolf clothing, but she was also super-protective of me, all she had left since my Dad had passed away, and she worried massively over any little thing regarding me that did not go the right way. But, at the same time, I don’t think there was anyone else I trusted more.
“My wolf will come today, right?” I asked softly, and she smiled again, stretching up to her tiptoes to reach my hair to ruffle it. I had already outgrown her height years ago, and she hated the fact she had to look up to her son, though it had long since been our ongoing joke.
“Aww, is he playing games?” she teased, like she wasn’t worried in the slightest. “He will come when you are officially 18, and you aren’t for a little while longer.” She told me as she glanced down at her watch. “And, even then, it is at his own discretion as to when he chooses during the day. Some take their time, but he will be there. I have no doubt. So don’t you worry, he will come, and he will be just what you need, I am sure.” Her words instantly reassured me, and once again I was back to looking forward to what my birthday could hold.
We walked the short distance from our house to the busy packhouse. A packhouse all decked out in decorations. I could instantly tell an awful lot of effort had gone into. I looked at my Mum, who simply shrugged with a smile. “What can I say? Your Aunties wanted to make a fuss.” I chuckled. She was talking about the former Alpha and Gamma wives, who were considered like family to me. They would be the ones making all this fuss for me. Helping my Mum ensure I could celebrate my birthday the best way possible, the way they always have after my Dad passed away.
“Happy Birthday Lachlan!” Uncle Harry, our former Alpha, and my Dad’s best friend, greeted me, offering me a big hug. “Proud of you, son.” I smiled in reply, unable to speak. Emotions overtaking me. This man had taken me under his wing ever since I had lost my Dad.
As I was released from the embrace of my Uncle, we continued to walk down the busy corridor of the packhouse, and I noted there were so many people here, all waving to me, or passing on their birthday greetings as my Mum led the way to the dining hall. Had they all made the effort to come here for me? Because there were rarely this many people here at this time of day…
“Here he is, the birthday boy!” I felt a slap on my shoulder, to turn around and find my friend, and our current Alpha, Marcus. “Catching me up soon, bro.” he winked, a cheeky grin upon his face.
“Think you may always have a couple of years on me.” I said with a laugh. He had taken over his Dad’s Alpha role a couple of months earlier, having met his fated mate, deciding he was ready to allow his Dad an early retirement. One, I think my Uncle has certainly earned having run his pack without the Beta position being filled for the last eight years.
And, I have to say of my friend, he was a natural for the role. I, however, was not so sure that I was going to be quite the natural when it came to taking on the Beta role that had been absent since my father’s death eight years earlier.
Any other pack may have found a replacement, but the closeness of the friendship made them determined to manage without someone stepping into my Dad’s shoes. Until, that is, I was ready to inherit the title I was born to gain. One I was nervous about to say the least. I did not want to let anybody down, least of all my Uncle or my Mum. They had always done their best for me, and I wanted to do the same for them.
Marcus opened the dining hall doors open to allow me to follow my Mum and my Uncle inside, only for the whole of the place to break out into song, singing me a happy birthday. Wow. Nothing like wanting the earth to swallow you whole! In truth, I hated a fuss, and right now, a fuss is what was being made, but I smiled in polite response, as a cake was brought out to me, and Marcus announced the plans for a party to celebrate with me tonight.
Great, now that I would look forward to, I thought to myself as I blew out the candles on the cake in front of me. A double-layered chocolate cake with thick chocolate frosting. I mean, who does not like to party?
‘I don’t know, I kind of hoped for a run.’ An unexpected voice appeared in my mind, taking me by surprise, and instantly I realized my wolf had arrived.
Corey was oblivious to it all. He comfortably had his arm around me protecting me from the chaos of the bar, smiling at me at every given opportunity, but I had all but frozen at the sight of Marcus and Lachlan. Why were they here? They had never said they were coming... And then suddenly, Lachlan moved toward us, and my heart raced within my chest. This was not going to end well.“What can I get you to drink sweetcheeks?” Corey winked at me. He was being charming again, but it had none of the affect it had had earlier. I felt nauseous, and my eyes were upon Lachlan. Nerves flooded my body knowing that when he got angry he was terrifying. He could cause chaos here... he could have me kicked out of college if people knew he was with me. From the way his jaw jutted out, and the determination within his step I knew he was on a mission. But what worried me most was I did not know what he planned to do. I could see anger in those beautiful dark eyes o
I had wasted no time in leaving the cabin after I had spoken with Marcus and he had chosen to follow. Hearing everything he had to say had given me clarity. The smile upon his face when I had told him I was to go to Seren and try to fix the mess created by myself had been proof he was behind my decision. This was the right thing to do. I just had to hope that Seren thought so too.“You know it is the right thing to do, Lach. Fight for your mate.” He urged, and hearing that I knew that I should. I knew that I was willing to fight for her. I had been so close to losing her, and that pain was crushing. I needed her back...We had driven out of pack soon after, not wanting to waste another moment. This had been waiting long enough. Heading toward her campus nerves took over my body. What if she turned me away? What if this time it was her that rejected me?"It will be fine, bro. I can sense your nerves from here." Marcus reassured me. "She came to you, remember. She wants her mate, deep d
I had shocked myself just how much I had enjoyed the football game. Beforehand I had spent a little time finding the tutors I needed to speak to, apologising for my unexpected absence, and thankfully they had been very understanding when I simply mentioned it was due to illness. I should easily be able to catch up with the work I had missed with a little determination, and I was without a doubt determined. I had rushed home then to hurry myself to get ready for the night ahead... a date? I was unsure, but oddly I had been looking forward to it. Settling back in to my home was going to wait...I did not have much freedom within pack. Having a very protective Father as I grew up. And then once Cole got older, a far too protective older brother too who stepped into the lead protector once my father had passed away. Add into the equation Marcus and Lachlan who had been like two additional protectors, it was like I had been guarded. Anything I wanted to do was al
I sat upon the decking staring out to the forest ahead, music playing on the speakers inside of the cabin. It was peaceful today. The sun shining, and cloud low within the sky. The only sounds other than the music was the birds singing and my breathing. I was growing used to my peaceful little haven…I had cleaned the cabin. I had done my work out and my run. That was my daily routine all but complete. I knew that this could not continue. I had duties I had to attend to. I was a Beta. And a Beta could not live this life. But, at the same time, I did not know the sort of Beta I could be. I had no motivation. No determination. No fight. And, as things stood, I was certain I may well be on the way to having no wolf too…In the time since Seren had left, the lingering presence of my wolf that I had begun to sense again had slowly begun to fade. It was as if without her here he could not continue. He needed her energy to survive. Seren was no
Seren had returned to her home on campus, I was aware of that, and as Cole and I worked out alongside one another in the gym, he told me she had taken her own car this time with her feeling better. Last time we had chosen for us to take her, with her having just come out of the hospital, so we didn’t think driving herself would be the best. Not to mention we wanted to check out the security of her home and the area around it. From the things Cole had said Seren seemed glad to be back.I knew that with the current situation as it was with Lachlan she found it easier to be away from pack. I don't think I could blame her, and I think, even if he would not admit it, that was why he stayed out at the cabin the way that he did. Refusing at every turn to come back home... But, for the whole, I knew that campus life was good for Seren. A little change would do her good. Learning... gaining the qualifications she wanted... all while having fun and making new friends. I was just glad she was ab
I drove away from pack, tears within my eyes. The mindlink to Lachlan remained unanswered. He had done it once again, and I was not willing to allow him to get under my skin any more.‘You know where he is, go and visit.’ Maia urged. And, she was not wrong, I did know where he now hid out. Dodging his pack duties as Beta. But I had no intention of going to visit him. My day of staying in pack as requested to ensure my heat was in fact over had been filled with my mother making far too much fuss of me, and my brother being on my case demanding details of how Lachlan had treated me.Having to go over those details had made me think of Lachlan, in turn resulting in me mindlinking him a number of times, all of which were met with silence. As were my text messages. I don't know what I wanted to gain from contacting him, but had hoped perhaps if I did he may try to reach out. Speak to me more. Explain his feelings again. But there had been nothi
Lachlan’s words meant a lot, and I could see the genuineness of them as he spoke. That meant as much to me as his previous apologies. I should have taken that opportunity to talk to him. Especially now that my mind was beginnig to feel like my own again, but my brother was sweeping me out of the cabin and toward the car before I could respond. Cole wanted me away from Lachlan, or away from the conversation that was developing. So, I was marched to the car. I had expected Lachlan to follow. Assuming he too would be ready for a break from the cabin. But, once again Lachlan did what Lachlan did best, he stayed away. Or, more specifically, he watched me walk away...I would not lie, there was an unexpected ache in my chest as I was ushered away the short distance to the car by Cole. Maia whimpered as she quickly realized the footsteps behind us belonged to Marcus and not to Lachlan. A brief glance back told me he had not stepped foot from the cabin. He was
I had walked away from their argument unable to listen any further. Anger bubbling beneath my skin. I wanted to say so much but knew it was not my place. Marcus and Cole already appeared to think so little of me, I did not need to make things any worse. So walking away seemed the better option. But I sat upon the chair on the decking looking out across the forsest. The front door remained opened and I could hear every word that was being said. Hearing Seren come to my defence shocked me to my core…The words of the man who was meant to be a friend invariably hurt, but, this was his sister he was trying to protect; and in his mind this was no more than I deserved. He believed I had treated her badly, and he wished to see me suffer. Yet Seren came to my defence time and again. Giving her brother the reasons why the things I had done were not as bad as they may seem.In truth, as I sat there and listened as our past was discussed everything hit home. Hard. It truly was as bad as it seeme
Lachlan opened the door to the cabin, by brother and Marcus strode inside. Neither one looked happy to see him, nor did they acknowledge him as they passed him by to stand inside the living area. I had not wanted them here, but Lachlan had taken it upon himself to assume that I did. He had not answered my question, instead choosing to tidy up and avoid me at every opportunity. Which considering the size of the small cabin was quite a task…His eyes had expressed a thousand words the moment they met mine, which I think is why he had quickly averted his gaze, and moved away from me. He knew that I would be able to read his thoughts from his eyes. I knew Lachlan too well. In choosing to rush around the cabin occupying himself he was only silently allowing more secrets to be revealed. More things had been said between him and my family, I was sure of it, and one way or another, I would get to the bottom of it.“Aww, Ren, you look better.” Marcus offered
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