Mina POV
-
Jitters fanned out from her fingertips to her toes. It took everything in Mina to keep herself still as the Hayre family piled into the packhouse hall, forming an orderly group at its centre. Owen would be among them; the thought stirring her stomach with a bubbling excitement that threatened to release the biggest smile she had ever worn. That feeling had been there since the moment she woke up. Something special had awakened inside her, a light giddy feeling that made her want to rush to Owen and feel the mate bond take root within them.
Of course, the Luna had stopped her. This time, even Sam was on their mother’s side, instructing the guards to turn away any wolf until after the choosing event had taken place. They were sticklers for traditions, and there was no greater tradition than the next Luna finding her first mate among the protector family. Though the entire pack already knew who her mate would be, it was an act of honour to officially recognise the mate bond in front of witnesses. However, none of her mother’s chiding words, or her brother’s teasing, could stop her from wolfing down her breakfast and racing to get ready.
The hall was a buzz of excitement. The extended Hayre family was large, and all had to be there for the choosing event. They were a rowdy bunch, but the formality of the day kept them in check. They seemed so at home there, before their Luna and future Luna, each giving her a nod or smile as they entered the hall.. It was hard to imagine they had only held the position of the pack’s protectors since she was born. Before them, the Lynn family held the role for generations, until they failed to protect their Luna’s unit when Mina was still in her mother's belly.
She searched the group of wolves, disgruntled until the head of the family walked in last. Owen, Alastor, and their parents. They made their way to the front, many knowing looks cast their way from the small crowd. Mina couldn’t help but watch Owen as he approached. Her eyes fixed to him, drinking in his presence, looking handsome in his formal shirt. It matched the one Alastor wore, a pale blue to match the myriad of bracelets and necklaces her mother had laid out for her. The elder Hayre sibling was slightly taller than his brother, broader, the shirt fitting snug to his body.
It wasn’t until they stopped at the front of the group, that Mina realised she had lost herself in thought. She snapped out of it, meeting Owen’s gaze with a demure smile. She was so close to finding her first mate and stepping into the Luna role, she didn’t want to give her mother any reason to delay it.
“Welcome, to all the Hayre family, the protectors of our pack and leaders of our warriors.” The Luna’s voice carried through the hall with ease, silencing the wolves. “Today is a special day, the day my daughter comes of age. Soon she will take over as Luna of the Clear Blue pack but, today, she will find her first mate. The wolf who will stand at her side, through thick and thin. Their love fated and forever.”
Many eyes glanced to Owen as the Luna continued, the pink in his cheeks matching Mina's. It was a shy warmth, timid as her relationship with him would finally be official. Finally, she could cement the beginnings of her own family and build a happy life together.
Her heartbeat fluttered as Sam wrapped a blindfold over her eyes. As a wolf, it did little to take away her spatial awareness, but it did take her sight. It was another part of the tradition, started generations ago when a wolf claimed favouritism, certain he was the Luna’s mate despite her choosing her personal guard. Mina didn’t care. She was certain she’d be able to pick Owen out. They’d connect as soon as they scented each other’s pheromones. Nothing could get in the way of that, in the way of their fate.
When darkness filled her vision, she took a breath, ignoring the prickles of eyes on her. At her mother’s signal, she released her pheromones, letting them spread through the room. It was a unique scent that all wolves developed through puberty, a scent they had to learn to control. Except in the presence of one’s mate, releasing pheromones was a warning. It was an aggressive move to make another wolf to back down, lest a fight ensue. Until the age of twenty-five the scent continued to mature to fit each individual, perfectly matching them to their mates when they came of age. Mina had tested them that morning. She couldn't recognise anything different about her scent, but something had changed.
The rustle of shuffling bodies began and wolves, who suspected they were her mate, stepped forward. Her mother had prewarned her that many would step forward, whether they felt the mate pull or not. Some just found her scent pleasing, whilst others would step forward in the hopes of being claimed by her. The mate bond of a Legacy Luna was far more powerful than any other mate bond. The power within her manifested abilities, abilities shared with her mates. Mina’s throat thickened. It made her uncomfortable to think there were wolves among the Hayre family that’d want to use her for her power, just as wolves like Alpha Castriel would.
On her mother’s second signal, the line of potential mates released their pheromones. In that moment, Mina realised why her mother had seen fit to pre-warn her about the event. Not only would wolves who weren’t her mate step forward, but their proximity to one another mixed the scents. She had to be careful to choose the right wolf, to follow her instincts to her mate. Anxiety churned her stomach as the scents hit her; an overwhelming cacophony of different wolves vying for her attention. Pressure settled heavy on her shoulders, the decision suddenly not seeming as easy as it did moments ago.
Just before the urge overwhelmed her, everything within her silenced. Her mind cleared; the fog of indecision being brushed away as she locked onto one scent. It lifted above the rest, light and fresh. She sniffed the air, a gasp on her lips. A few chuckles rumbled in the room as her feet stumbled forward on their own, but Mina quickly righted herself. She had to be careful. She had to find the right wolf the scent belonged to.
Ignoring the drive within her to race forward, she forced herself to start at one end of the line and work methodically. It was easier than she expected to dismiss the wolves that were not her mate. When she stood before them, their pheromones plumed around her, drowning out all others except her mate’s. Its scent coaxed her down the line, barely allowing her to hesitate before each wolf to sniff them. The closer she got, the stronger it became, wrapping her in an intoxicating perfume that had her eager to dismiss every other wolf and bury herself in his arms.
Mina wasn’t in control anymore. Her nose tipped into the air, her feet gliding over the floor like their path was already mapped out. She moved so fast that it jarred her when she jerked to a stop.
He was there. He was right in front of her.
The unease returned again. Tentatively, she took a step forward. The heat of his body was close, but she didn’t touch him, leaving a breath between them. The proximity tingled at her fingertips as she raised a hand, hovering it between them. Her breaths shallowed, their small puffs all she could hear against the rushing heartbeat in her ears. Her mother’s words made her hesitate to close the gap. To make that final decision. She was certain the delicious scent was radiating from the wolf before her, but she wanted to be careful.
Mina released her pheromones again. The deep, heady groan that responded in kind was all she needed to launch herself forward, trusting him to catch her. She wasn’t even sure if she moved first, but in the next breath, strong arms wrapped around her, lifting her feet from the floor. She gasped as a hungry nose buried into her neck, inhaling her scent like a man starved of oxygen. Her hands spread wide over his broad chest, sliding over sculpted muscles that had her body shivering with the anticipation of exploring every single one.
A rumble of approval sounded in the back of her throat, as she moved her touch to anchor around his neck. She followed his lead, letting her nose guide her to his pulse point. His pheromones were even stronger there. She nuzzled against it, her canines lengthening in response. They scratched against his skin, so close to being hers.
“Steady on, Princess.” A deep chuckle rumbled against her ear.
Mina stiffened.
The voice washed over her like a bucket of cold water. That wasn’t Owen’s voice. The arms around her tightened, his pheromones releasing to soothe her sudden uncertainty, but she pushed against its easing lull.
In one sharp move, she jerked back and whipped the blindfold off. Hazel eyes met hers. Hazel. Not the warm brown she expected. Her mouth bobbed open to speak, but no words came out. Her throat was tight, eyes wide, mind scrambling to understand why she was in Alastor Hayre’s arms. Worse, why did she want to nuzzle into him again?
The blood drained from her face, as her mind finally pushed past the fog of his pheromones, the basic instinct and desires that urged her to claim him there and then. He was her mate. Not Owen, not her personal guard, but his older brother. Her stomach churned.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the hall. She caught sight of Owen just as he charged out of the room, and finally found her words again.
“Put me down.” She whispered.
Alastor lowered her to the floor and let her go as she pushed free of his arms. There was no hurt in his eyes. If anything, as the air cleared of their pheromones, he looked as uncertain as she felt. Heat pooled in Mina's cheeks, as the attention of the entire Hayre family fell to her. The entire hall was too stunned to break the silence. Had any Clear Blue Luna in the history of her lineage ever not mated with her personal guard? She didn’t think so.
Both the Luna and Sam stood behind her, one’s eyes wide, the other thoughtful. Neither stepped forward to help, so Mina did what she did best. She straightened, she squared her shoulders, she forced down the rising tide of emotions that wanted to swallow her whole.
“Excuse me.” She clipped.
Then, she walked out of the hall.
Mina POV - “Owen!” The moment the hall doors closed behind her, Mina ran. She was thankful for Sam’s insistence to keep other wolves away until the end of the choosing event, and raced through the empty foyer. She slipped through the main doors and out onto the cobbled street, slowing her pace as she spotted the guards. The glare she threw at them had them averting their gazes, before she swept her attention down the streets. The familiar tuft of brown hair weaved away from her, already so far. “Owen.” She called again. He didn’t turn. With a huff, that pushed away the formalities of her role, she hiked up her skirt, preparing to run, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. “I think he might need a bit of space.” Though Sam's touch held her in place, Mina strained to watch Owen as he disappeared around a corner and out of sight. Then, she sagged. “I just don’t want him to be alone.” “I’ll go and talk to him.” Her brother pulled her into a quick hug before running off af
Mina POV-The silence and peace of her bedroom was welcomed after her birthday party. Despite asking the Luna to cancel it, it went ahead, and her attendance was mandatory. Though it was a small affair, the private celebratory dinner dragged. Its atmosphere was far from joyous. A stiffness hung in the air, centering on the newly mated pair forced together at the head of the table. Alastor hadn’t spoken a word to her the entire evening, but no one addressed the chill between them. The reason was as obvious as the Luna’s attempt to pretend it wasn’t there. Though, Mina wondered if his behaviour was much different from usual. The elder Hayre sibling didn’t often speak to her or spend much time in her presence. They only mingled when he was working, or when she spent time at Owen’s house. She wasn’t sure she had even been alone with the man. There had never been a reason to. He had always just been Owen’s older brother. He had never invited anything beyond that to form between them, no
Mina POV - The office door slammed open, feet thundering into the room, but one look at the scene had the warriors hanging back. Only three stepped forward, but their approach didn’t move Mina’s fixed stare. She looked at the intricate handle of the blade, sticking out of her mother’s chest. Its pale blue shone proud in the candle light, as it stole the Luna’s life. It was the ornamental blade she had often admired in the office, but she had never been allowed to remove it from its glass case on the wall. In fact, she had never seen it removed, but could see now how well it had been cared for. There wasn't a speck of dust on its surface, only flecks of red marring its perfect sheen. She was certain its silver blade would have been polished to perfection too. A warm hand cupped her cheek, gently guiding her focus away from the weapon. The noise around her suddenly grew. There was movement beside her brother’s body, another warrior opposite her at the Luna’s side, more behind her at
Mina POV - Dread pooled within her gut. Mina turned to Owen, desperately taking a step towards her friend. He took a step back. “Owen?” Her voice cracked, her hand reaching for him, but he jerked away. He was pale, a sickly colour, his eyes flitting to his father. Oliver must’ve mindlinked him the contents of the letter while she had read it. “It isn’t true. You have to believe me.” She went to take another step towards her friend, but his father blocked her path. “Yet the only wolves who could verify that are either dead or unconscious.” He stepped towards her. There weren’t many wolves that Mina would retreat from, but the head of the Hayre family was one of them. “You got here before everyone else.” He stated, stepping forward again. “I couldn’t sleep.” “You’re covered in the Luna’s blood.” At the mere mention, her fists clenched, her stomach turning at the sticky heat of her mother’s blood coating them. “I was trying to save her.” Mina’s voice shook. “She s
Alastor POV - If it wasn’t for her scream, Alastor would’ve walked right by Mina. She was curled tight on the muddy floor, her body muffling her weak sobs. Though he knew she was running, he hadn’t been able to envision her as anything but her usual composed perfection. He had been searching for the woman who had attended the Luna court only a few days ago. The woman who had managed to wrangle the tidal of feelings attached to their new bond, when it had him wanting to carry her away from prying eyes and claim every inch of her body. The woman at his feet was neither. She was broken, she was a mess, she needed help. Mina only roused when he covered her with a blanket. Something in his chest unwound when she spoke his name, but the tension returned when her eyelids fluttered shut. She slumped against the cold ground, and he moved quickly to pull her to his kneeling form, her head coming to rest on his lap. He had to move her, to get her to somewhere safe. Before he could conside
Alastor POV - The late hour made it difficult to find a safe place to stay, so Alastor didn’t take Mina far. Though they were now rogues, he knew the territory around the Clear Blue pack and chose to stay close. On first look, the flat land didn’t leave many places to take cover, especially when he wanted to stay hidden from the pack and the wilderness alike. However, he knew every divot and weave of the land and found a slight hill that would cover their position and give him a wide view of the open space. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do until morning. Thankfully, the rest of the evening was quiet, but Alastor moved at first light. Mina was still sleeping, so he carried her again, taking her far away from the place that broke her. As an accomplished member of the Hayre family, he had travelled more than most, accompanying the Luna and his father on trips from the territory. He had made friends in other packs, building his own connections to wolves over the nation. A fe
Mina POV - As a Legacy Luna, Mina was used to finery; her pillows were always plumped, her mattress soft, the warmth of home surrounded her each morning. However, she had never woken up so comfortable in her entire life. The bed beneath her was warm and cradled her like it was personally built for her body. It moved with her breath and purred as she nuzzled further into its comfort. It was heavenly, and she enjoyed every second as she was lulled from her deep sleep. Her stirrings awakened something around her, blooming a fresh scent that coaxed at her consciousness. It drew her from the dark, so light and clear. Her eyes fluttered open as she inhaled the breath of fresh air. Her nose chased it, pushing into her pillow. It tickled against her cheek, soft, teasing, drawing a smile. Light brown fur swayed in her vision, dancing in a breeze she was too warm to feel. Mina spread her hand wide in the fur, humming as it played through her fingertips. A rumble answered her, deep and low,
Mina POV - Despite promising to answer her questions after breakfast, Alastor inhaled his food and set about working on their camp before she had even finished her first bite. When she stood, ready to talk, he fired instructions at her, one after another. The rest of the day followed suit. When she had done whatever job he had asked, another one was already lined up, stealing her attention off the impending conversation. It was frustrating, but as their campsite began to take form, she decided they could talk after they were done working. It didn’t look like much when they had finished, but it was the first shelter she had ever built. Mina smiled, wiping the sheen of her efforts from her brow. They had found enough fallen trees and branches to create a shed of sorts, with three walls and one open side, overlooking the lake. They had cleared the ground inside but hadn’t bothered to find anything to form beds. The dirt was soft enough for them and, if it got cold, they could simpl