Chapter 1

Annalise POV:

My alarm blaring as I scramble for my phone and smack the snooze button, I hated that damned sound. Time to get up I suppose. I sit up in bed and think about the festivities for today. Suddenly I’m not so tired anymore. Throwing the covers off I jump up and head to my closet. Today is my 18th birthday! I’ll be officially introduced as the successor to my fathers legacy and of course party my heart out. My father is having a formal party for my introduction. One where I have to meet a bunch of boring alphas and pretend to be interested in pack politics. Yuck. But after…. After, the dreaded formal wear comes off and me and my bestie and beta Dahlia are going to hit the town. Specifically going to my dads newest night club Pantera in downtown LA. I simply can not wait! I know it seems childish to be excited for a club when I’m about to take over 8 of the largest packs in the world; my very own pack home of Golden Crescent in California being one of them; but I don’t get to be a regular teen very often. I’m constantly training and training and going to alpha meetings, oh and more training. I want to let loose and have fun and tonight is the night! Dahlia and I will be the first Alpha and Beta females to run a pack together so it’s kind of a big deal. My father never believed in gender stereotypes. As soon as I was born he told my mother I would be the greatest alpha to ever rule the 8 moons. That’s what our packs are known as. There was New Moon in Dubai, Golden Crescent in California, Quarter Moon in Colorado, Eastern & Western Gibbous in Egypt, And Full Moon, Third Eye, and Silver Crescent were all located in Upstate New York. Each pack has its own Alpha Minor and I, Annalise Remington, am the Alpha Major. Dahlia my Beta Major & Marcus my Gamma. Marcus is my aunt Marie’s kid, he’s alright I guess. He knows his job and sticks to it, he has no problem following the command of a woman unlike some other pack members. I hear the word on the street is they don’t think I’m capable but they have no idea.

I grab my designer pants suit out of the closet and call Sarah my PA to have it pressed and dry cleaned for tonight. Im not wearing a damned dress. Though Papa tried to insist he knows he raised a stubborn one. If they can wear pants then so can I. Besides, I don’t want to be drooled over by the old coots that will be in attendance.

*Annalise, are you up? We have to be at the salon in 1 hour for our hair and makeup, then I figured we could grab Brunch at Bacon Candy downtown.* I hear Dahlia’s voice come through the mind link.

*yeah girl! I’m hoping in the shower now then I’ll meet you in the foyer* I link back.

Dahlia, Marcus, and I all lived in the main pack house. My father and mother Antoinette lived in Quarter Moon pack in Colorado with my younger brother Ricardo. He is set to become the Alpha Minor of the Quarter Moon pack when he turns 18 in 2 years. Though you would think there would be some kind of rivalry between us, Ricardo and I are actually very close. He doesn’t envy me if you ask him, he is very content leading one pack and letting me make all of the hard decisions. I miss him dearly and hoped he would come to my indoctrination but my father didn’t want to leave quarter moon without an Alpha. My fathers beta Uncle Dominique and his wife, my Aunt Marie will be in attendance tonight since Marcus is also getting his official title.

All in all you could say my life is pretty great. I hop into the shower and let the steaming hot water roll over me. Thinking about the days events to come. I give my hair a quick wash so the stylist won’t have to and turn the water off. I hop out and wrap myself in a towel. Brush my teeth, throw my waist length black hair into a sloppy bun, and throw on my Jean shorts and crop top. I take a quick peak in the mirror at myself to make sure I look a little presentable and throw on my designer slides. Spraying myself in my favorite perfume I grab my purse and head out of my bedroom door. The pack house is 4 stories. The top floor is mine, third floor is Dahlia and Marcus living quarters. We each have an apartment style living space with our own kitchens and bathrooms in case we don’t feel like socializing. The second floor is our offices and work spaces. And the bottom floor is the pack lounge, kitchen, and dining area. We hold golden crescent pack dinners and events here. The back

Of the pack house is a cool 5 acres of lush green grass surrounded by tall trees for privacy. We have summer bbq’s there and it can be reserved for birthday parties or any special event like mating ceremonies. The bottom floor of the pack house is open for all of our pack members. But mostly the teenagers hang out here for the pool, the game room, and theater. We’ve got it all. I moved to Golden Crescent on my 16th birthday. Right after I got my wolf. Her name is Amara. She is a snippy little bitch but I love her. *I heard that you whore* Amara’s voice came flitting through my head. *well I didn’t say anything wrong now did I?* I snarked. She huffed and I laughed.

I made my way down to the 1st floor to meet dahlia, she stood tapping her foot at the front door as I descended the staircase. Dahlia was a cute girl. Emerald green eyes, her thick black locks were cut into a short wavy bob and her frame was petite yet powerful. Her olive skin matched my own. At first glance she could be mistaken for a child but her aura quickly told of her powerful (and hot headed) nature. She was 1 year my senior and wouldn’t let me forget it for a minute.

“Girl it’s about time! Get that cute little ass of yours out this door or we will be late. Marcus is in the car waiting” she huffed. I rolled my eyes at her and she growled. I laughed and walked past her as we both made our way outside and into the black suv. Marcus sat in the front passenger seat as Dahlia and I sat in the back seat. “Good morning Alpha Annalise” Marcus & my driver Raphael greeted. “Oh knock it off the both of you, I’ve told you to just call me Anna when it’s just us. Raphael you’ve known me since I was a little girl and Marcus we are family. No need for formalities in private.” I scolded them. They both just nodded. Raphael drove us to the city where Dahlia, Marcus, and I all had appointments to get ready for tonight’s formal function. Marcus was picking up his tailored suit and getting his hair cut while Dahlia & I were headed to Salon Solace to get our hair, eyebrows, and nails done. Boy did my eyebrows need it, they would probably charge extra. I heard Amara snicker at that thought. *shut it mutt or I’ll shift and have them wax you too!* Amara snarled *do it and I’ll bite your head off* I laughed *interesting, how do you plan to bite your own head off Amara?* She rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath. *love you too* I laughed again. We pulled up to the brick building with large glass windows. Two large glass doors with brass handles on the outside. Dahlia and I got out and waved off to Marcus “we’ll be back to pick you up in 4 hours Alph…. I mean Anna” Marcus said. I nodded and smiled. Turning to walk into the building an attendant was already waiting with the door held open. “Welcome Ms. Remington, Ms. Johnson” he stated as he nodded his head downward. “Please come right this way” he walked behind us and passed us up to lead us into the next room. Behind the opaque door was a gorgeous open space; massage chairs with crystal foot bath basins, hair stations with giant vanity mirrors and a full bar. Now this is what I’m talking about. “My name is Samuel and I’ll be your personal attendant for your visit today. Could I get either of you ladies something to drink?” He said “Vodka on the rocks” dahlia stated bluntly. Before Samuel could respond I interjected “uh, we’ll BOTH just have a glass of champagne thanks.” I eyed Dahlia warningly as she rolls her eyes and pouted. “We don’t need to get trashed before the ceremony.” I stated simply. She conceded and we both made our way over to the massage chairs for our pedicure. 4 hours and 6 glasses of champagne later we were fabulous and giggly. Maybe the champagne wasn’t such a good idea. Oops. Dahlia got her jet black hair straightened into an asymmetrical bob. Her red nail polish and lips making her green eyes pop even more. I opted to have my long black locks curled and styled into an updo with two curls hanging in front. Something simple and elegant. I chose a French manicure and pedicure and kept my makeup light. Keeping My amber colored eyes the center of attention. I needed the other alphas to see me as their equal. Not some flighty headed teenage girl that’s obsessed with make up and boys. Even if the later part of that statement is true. Just as promised Marcus and Raphael were waiting outside for us. We slide into the back seat and I didn’t miss the way Marcus’s eyes twinkled when he saw Dahlia. The corner of his mouth raising into a small smirk. “Marcus! Are you checking out my Beta?” I teased. His face went a bright shade of red and he quickly averted his eyes. “Wha…? Um n…no of course not.” He fixed the collar of his suit jacket as if he were uncomfortable. I laughed. Dahlia smirked “it’s okay to ogle the goodies big boy, I know you like what you see” she teased. I didn’t think it possible but his face went even brighter red. “Raphael to the pack house please, for Goddess sake” Marcus said flatly. He was a bit of a prude so it wasn’t hard to get him worked up and it was so entertaining to see him stumble over his words when it came to Dahlia. Marcus was very clearly into her but as wolves we all knew we had a fated mate out there somewhere. Most wolves would wait for their mate but some wolves would choose mates. Once you chose a mate and marked eachother any bond you may have had with a fated mate would be severed and no one would be the wiser. Some werewolves did this as a means to avoid getting rejected and their hearts shattered but the majority waited it out in hopes their one true love would come whisk them away into a hopeless romance. I had been asked several times through the last years if I would choose a mate or wait. I didn’t like to think about it. I figured I would know when the time came.

We arrived at the packhouse a short time later, I checked with Sarah to make sure all the arrangements are in order. We’ve had a giant tent erected on the back lawn for the event since there would be so many. The pack house kitchen was buzzing with Omegas preparing the feast. In our pack everyone ate together. The omegas would cook before hand so they could join us in the festivities. A few would volunteer to serve for extra pay. But We never forced our omegas to do anything. They weren’t our slaves. They were our family, friends, and loved ones. This was an adults only event so some of the pregnant shewolves were caring for the children in our play center. I made my way upstairs after speaking with Sarah to rest before the night begins.