The First Mate

"Remember, Rose. You're small - weak. Especially now, no one will care."

My 18th birthday had passed just under a month ago, causing my Shift, uniting me with my animal Shape Shifter companion, Annie.

She was different, she was wrong for a Wolf, at least, that's what my Pack told me, their words on my birthday a constant echo.

But she craved the love of a mate, someone who would protect us and care for us - be gentle and kind.

Something I wasn't use to. Something I didn't know the feeling of.

We moved halfway across the country after my birthday. I don't remember really why, I just know for the first time I was going to a school.

In a town filled with Shifters.

Most of Sparrow Falls were Wolves, but there were a group from each Clan, Ravens, Coyotes, Stags and Bovine.

Mountain lion and Bear Shifters were the only other two who held standing the same as Wolves, the leaders forming to create the Triad of Alphas.

Most Shifters gathered to increase their chances of finding a mate.

The Clans of Sparrow Falls grouped for protection and encouraging Shifter lifestyles and behaviours not commonly displayed in human towns.

Their laws were their own, humans didn't intervene with the Goddess' creations, much less know they existed.

I didn't really care, my Pack had enacted their own 'laws' on me the entire time, whether we were around humans or Shifters.

But I kept out of sight for the most part, not that it wasn't hard for me.

I was small for a Shifter, only 5'4, and petite but curvey, with long copper hair and green eyes, pale skin and freckles I tried to cover. I'd almost hoped I'd go unnoticed during the day.

Everyone in this place towered over me and I got somewhat lost easily being unable to see the hallways correctly.

That and I'd occasionally get distracted by certain smells that lingered in the air.

In a distracted moment of a tangle of scents, I bumped into a girl named Lisa, a Bear Shifter who seemed to deal with very little shit.

She'd threatened to clobber me, until she looked down and realised I was just some lost new kid.

I apologised alot and she'd just laughed, taking my time schedule I was clutching and dragged me with her to homeroom.

"Come on, I'll show you around. The Wolves like to pick on cute little things like you." She winked at me as we'd walked into the classroom.

I'd blushed, but thanked her.

We spent homeroom and English class together, Lisa inviting me to have lunch with her and some of her friends.

They'd been other Bear Shifters, but they were nice girls named Natalie and Mika.

I tried to listen to their conversations, but I kept getting distracted by the tangle of scents in the air.

One of them became stronger, like it was closer than the others and I went to get up.

To follow it.

But, before I could, the bell rang and Lisa grabbed my arm, smiling.

"Come on, we're playing Seekers today!" She beamed at me, I almost whined as she pulled me away from the scent.

"I don't know what that means." I said finally as she dragged me into the change rooms. "What's Seekers?"

"Didn't they have it at your last school?" She giggled.

I shook my head. "Humans." I lied.

She shrugged, rolling her dark brown eyes and smiled. "It's basically a Shifter version of hide and seek. All the girls hide across the campus, the males who tag the most by touch, win."

I rose a brow, pulling on my shirt. "Touch?"

She chuckled, nodding and waiting for me. "To scent mark us when we go back to the field to be counted. Teachers can smell who tagged us."

I didn't really want to be touched.

I hadn't had great experiences with males touching me.

The girls grouped up first with the female sports teacher, a Coyote Shifter named Miss Greene.

We would be allowed to spread out and hide first before the guys would start searching in two minutes.

I spent a few seconds trying to think, a scent getting my attention in the direction of the track field.

Lisa suggested I hide in the forest near it, I was probably smelling the cute new 'bear of a teacher' would be around but shouldn't care about me hiding there.

If he was older, it explained why his scent was stronger.

The buzzer was sounded and we all ran in various directions.

I noticed I was the only one who went near the track field.

Worry flooded me but my senses heightened, and my Shifter, Annie, stirred within me as I picked up the smells.

Primal males.

Strong, powerful and fast.

I thought school would be boring! She giggled at me as I dove for a bush, hearing the sounds of heavy steps and inhaling come from beside me.

I stuck low, pressingy my belly to the dirt on the dark blue tank top and shorts I was provided by the school this morning.

The scent on it was weird and musty, but it probably help cover my natural smell the males would be using to track.

The wind picked up and I caught two scents, mixing and almost overpowering the third I'd been somewhat following.

They settled together, like a blend of scents that soothed my soul.

My heart skipped a beat, a noise of surprise and.....lust escaping me as Annie growled.

It can't be.

The sound of footsteps got closer, I knew I could stay hidden.

Make them chase us. Annie urged in a whisper.

I threw myself out of the bush, hearing snarls of surprise as I moved quickly and headed for the clearing of the track field just past the line of trees I hid in.

The third scent got stronger, making my head dizzy and I shivered.

All three were powerful, overpowering scents.

I held my breath and ran, hearing the almost soundless footsteps following beside me.

Moving faster, he turned and got ahead of me and we both slowed.

He was lean and agile, 6' and boy next door looks, his piercing blue eyes fixed intently on me as he came to a stop a head of me.

I froze, my arms drawing up to my chest as we stared at each other.

His dark blonde hair was messy, and his sharp jawline was set in determination.

Annie growled, Wait.

He smirked, my heart thrashing in my chest as he moved, lunging for me.

Move. Annie giggled.

I dodged, spinning around him and giggled with her as his hand ran across my stomach, a jolt of electricity run through my body that almost made me lose my footing as I continued to run.

Another strong scent and a hand grabbed my waist as I ran into the track and soccer field, stepping in front of me to stop me between trees I was just small enough to slip through.

I squeaked at him as his hand ran my waist.

A muscular build, 6'2 and bright green eyes making my heart race.

Black short, spiky hair and chiseled features made him look like a model.

The blonde pinned behind me.

Annie whined, lustful and demanding, Mate.

W-which one? I panicked as their hands grabbed my waist and hips, I shivered.