Chapter 1

Renna’s POV

I kissed Ethan goodbye one last time in his doorway.

“Are you sure you can’t come tonight?” I pouted.

“I told you I have to work. I might come by if I finish early, but I’m pretty tired. I’ll probably see you tomorrow,” he kissed me and walked me to the car, a clear indication it was time to go. I couldn’t help but study his face, even after two years together and so many more of me pining after him, I found him terribly handsome. In moments like this, I wondered why I hadn’t allowed him to take our relationship to the next level, but deep down I knew I had to wait for my mate, I had to be sure and I would be as soon as I turned eighteen in a couple of weeks.

“Good night, drive home safe,” He closed the car door after I had climbed in.

Getting into the car, I set off for home, as only daughter and Heir to the Moonstone pack, I had duties, one of which was the weekly walk with my parents, the Alpha and Luna of the pack. The house I lived in my entire life sat like a castle awaiting my return, lights on and gates open. My Dad had built this house as a mating gift for my mother following her every hope and dream, it was something out of a fairytale tall and white with wisteria wrapped around the front to welcome all who entered. Greta, our omega, opened the door for me as soon as she saw me get off the car.

“Good evening, Renna,” she said with a small smile, bowing her head. I smiled back at her and asked about my parents whereabouts as I took off and handed her my coat.

“They’re in the lounge” She responded politely, patting down the coat before turning to hang it while I nodded and headed in their direction. “Princess, you’re here! Where’s Ethan?” Dad asked, noticing both my expression and the empty space my boyfriend often occupied. Mom came gave me a soft smile,

“He’s been working so hard for this pack. Don’t be disappointed; everyone knows how much he loves you.” I nodded at Mom right as Greta announced dinner was ready.I was poking at the potatoes on my plate, thinking about Ethan, about the love my parents shared and praying to the Moon Goddess that Ethan and I would be mates.

“How’s school going, princess?” I was so lost in thought that my dad’s question caught me by surprised and I nearly choked, making him lift a mocking, if knowing, eyebrow.

“It’s alright, but Miss Fielding seems to have it out for me,” I shrugged, making my dislike for the woman clear with my tone. Mom and Dad exchanged a knowing look.

“She doesn’t have it out for you, Renna. Just try a little harder in her class,” Mom encouraged as I poked at my food, frustrated that Miss Fielding didn’t treat me the same way she treated my parents, given their Alpha and Luna status.

“You’ll be turning 18 soon.” Dad tried to change the topic, “Have you thought about what you want for your birthday, Princess?” He asked, and shook my head in reply, what I really wanted was for Ethan to be my mate and for my wolf to finally emerge. I longed to meet her and forge that connection.

Dad had initiated these weekly walks as a way for us to bond and for the pack to see us as a united family the same year I had started my training as heir. I enjoyed this time with my parents as they were often too busy with pack business. May had brought uncharacteristic rain, so I grabbed my jacket from where it had been hung and we ventured out as I slipped it on. Mom and Dad held hands as usual, and I couldn’t help but think that usually Ethan would join us, our hands intertwined as we made our way toward the riverbank, where the trees thinned, before circling back home.

The sound of rushing water filled the air, the rain intensified, and I got an odd chill down my spine, I was too distracted to notice my parents stopping through the curtain of rain and . I bumped into Mom, who had let go of my father while they scanned the area.

In the distance, a howl echoed through the woods. My heart raced and I froze, Questions filling my mind with chaos. We’re they rogues? Why would they attack here? Why now? Why us?

“Get in the bushes, Renna, and don’t come out until we tell you,” Mom whispered in a tone that left no room for discussion, and I darted off, doing as I was told by my mother-my Luna.  

Without my wolf, I lacked the mind link, and we were too far from home to run back alone. I fumbled for my phone, lowered the volume to zero and dialed Ethan with shaking fingers. It rang and rang, but there was no answer, I dialed again

A gunshot made me look up from my phone screen, the phone falling to the dirt as both my hands covered my mouth to keep a scream in. I watched my mother’s body fall to the ground with a twitch. My heart stopped and my feet began to move towards her but Dad’s stern look kept me put. Another shot rang out, it pierced through Dad’s body, ending his life instantly, there was only one type of bullet that could do that to a werewolf, a silver one.

Fear gripped my shoulders and forced me to crouch deeper into the bushes as quietly as I could, tears streaming down my face and blinding me, my hands still shook as I touched the ground looking for my phone to dial Ethan once again. Five rogues emerged from the woodland clearing, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt desperate, I felt weak. “Please pick up, please pick up,” I yelled in my mind.

I watched one of them kick my mom’s face while she writhed in pain, her blood painting the grass beneath her.

The tears didn’t stop, but now they were tinged with determination to etch their faces into my memory. I remained hidden, my heart loud in my own ears. I didn’t know if it was minutes or hours but once I was certain they were gone, I left my safe spot and moved to my parents’ sides, my father’s body was already getting cold.

A faint howl danced through the trees and with it, hope.I turned to my mother and found her still clinging to life. She gasped for breath, choking on her own blood. It was clear that a bullet had struck her shoulder, missing her heart by inches.

“Re-nna,” she croaked out  unsure what else to do, I turned her on her side in hopes the blood would stop collecting at the back of her throat.

I was ready to grab my dad’s knife and end my life to avoid any torture the rogues would inflict upon me when my mother managed to move her hand to mine. “Take care of your grandmother. She needs you.” With that, life left her.

 Needing to get out of there, I began running, but I couldn’t go home if they were looking for me, so instead I headed to Ethan’s, I just needed a safe place to think. My muscles took me as fast as I could go, the trees and houses nothing but a blur behind tears.

Once I reached his house, sI made sure I hadn’t been followed and knocked on the door to no answer, he was probably asleep, so I flipped the doormat over and let myself in with the spare key. I was immediately met with  a noise from upstairs, afraid that he was in trouble, I followed it to his bedroom, missing the two wine glasses sitting on the coffee table.

 The closer I got to his bedroom the clearer the sounds became, and suddenly I recognized moans from outside the door.

I opened the door a crack and peaked in, wholly unprepared for the scene I was met with. “Fk Ethan. Don’t stop!” cried Lia, a girl from the pack who had never been so much as kind to me, she was dragging her nails down his back and I couldn’t look away, dazed, confused, and suddenly just very tired. I turned away right as Ethan growled in pleasure,

“I love your tight pussssy,” That snapped me out my trance, so I closed the door and stumbled back down the stairs, collapsing on the couch in a ball of  despair. The sounds of their pleasure echoed in my ears as my world crumbled, darkness enveloping me.