The stranger

Laura's point of view:

"See you at the run, Wolfie."

It’s already been a week since I met the stranger at the bar, yet his last words kept repeating themselves in my mind like a promise that will come true.

That kiss, that single kiss, has become a drug I'm addicted to, but I cannot have.

It haunts me in my dreams, and even when I'm awake.

Worse, I don't feel the same. Something inside me woke up the exact moment his soft, sweet, tasty lips touched mine.

I shook my head while trying to push away all those worthless thoughts, then I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted. I couldn't sleep last night, and the night before.

Furthermore, I am not just afraid, but terrified. Tonight is the big night, the moment the moon is spotted in the sky, and the run will start.

The thing is, as a she-wolf, I need to shift, and when I do not...

Well, I don't want to think about that either.

A knock on the door brought me back to reality.

"Laura! Are you ready yet?" Mom sweetly called, but I could only help but groan out of frustration.

"Not yet..." That was all I told her, as I tried to hide the anger I was feeling about what was waiting for me.

"Take your time, sweetie... Remember that you have to look stunning. I've heard that this year there are about three future alphas who are taking part in the run, not counting our future alpha. Some people even claim that the future alpha king will take part in the ritual this year. You need to look pretty, perhaps you might catch the attention of one of them."

"Mom...!" I shouted, unable to hide my annoyance.

"Okay! Just wear that white dress your father bought for you when he was alive. I'm pretty certain that he would want to see you wearing it. Of course, fate had another say. Perhaps he'd be happy seeing it on you when you find your mate."

I did as I was told without saying a word, and just when I was ready, I made my way toward my father's van. My van now.

I wasn't surprised to find my mother waiting for me in the passenger seat when I arrived.

Moreover, the smile on her face triggered a déjà vu sensation in my senses. Since my father had passed away years ago, I never saw her smile that way.

Perhaps not having a mate, as I am planning, would erase that smile from her face. But even if I wanted to, who would want a weak human as a mate when there are plenty of hot, strong she-wolves around?

"The stranger, perhaps!" I stupidly thought to myself.

I shook my head again, pushing the stranger's thoughts from my mind and focusing only on my mother.

"For God's sake, Laura, we're already late..."

Her rushed tone brought me back from my dilemma to reality.

"It's only a matter of five minutes before we reach the pack house," I explained to her while rolling my eyes. I turned on my van's engine and hit the road as fast as I could.

Indeed, in a matter of minutes, we were in front of the pack house. Only God knows how much I used to envy the people living in such a place when I was young. Yet, all I feel now is anger and rage whenever I come near this house.

My mom excitedly left the van and waited for me to join her.

Unlike me, she was a very attractive and feminine female. Short blond hair that didn't cover the back of her neck, lovely brown eyes, a curvy body, and the werewolves' gene that doesn't allow her to age fast. She had it all.

Unlike her, I was never into dresses or makeup. Perhaps that was the reason why I was bullied in high school. Also, the fact that I couldn't shift didn't do me any favors.

As expected, the first scent that greeted both of us when we entered the pack house was the smell of horny males trying to pick and choose females based on their preferences.

The whole scene made me feel sick, and I wished I could vanish from the earth instead of being there.

Time flew by, and I didn't notice how it had passed until I was only a few minutes away from the run.

Everyone was rushing out of the pack house, and I did the same.

The sound of bones cracking alerted me that the she-wolves had started shifting. Each one intentionally boasting about how beautiful, big, and strong their wolves were. Meanwhile, I stood there shyly, not wanting anyone to notice me.

"It's time. I guess I've got to go... Good luck!" Mom whispered in my ear before she left.

As the females continued shifting one after another, one of the males questioned me.

"Shift!" The arrogant tone in his voice demanded, as if I was stealing one of his rights.

I decided to act as if I didn't hear him, but another voice added.

"Why isn't she shifting?"

A familiar voice I recognized as Julie's explained from out of nowhere.

"Because she can't! She's just a half-shifter..."

I lost focus on what she was saying as my body's heat started intensifying. I was in pain, a pain I had never felt before.

Furthermore, I fell to my knees the moment my bones began cracking as I changed shape. Yes, my body was changing, and I kind of knew what was happening, but I still found it hard to believe.

Fur started replacing my soft skin, and I could feel my teeth getting sharper.

I didn't notice how it happened, but in no time I was standing on all fours instead of two. My vision was better than it had ever been, and I could hear better than before. Even smells, all my senses, became stronger.

"What's wrong with me?" I wanted to ask, but all I could do was growl.

"Wait... was that a growl?" another growl replaced my words.

Rejoicing, I started examining myself; I was indeed in my wolf form. My happiness didn't last long, as I realized everyone was staring at me.

My vision was fixed on one person, whose face didn't give me any idea of what he was thinking.

Not that I understood any better when he spoke.

"A doctor here!" Noah shouted, then he continued, "It's her first time shifting, she needs a checkup before going to the run!"

"Wait... What!" I shouted back, but only inside my head. I mean, since when did he care?

The gazes and glares didn't disappear; they grew bigger. They were all looking at me, at my wolf, as if there was something wrong.

Doctor Merit found his way toward me, an old nagging man who wouldn't care about what was happening to me if it were not for Noah giving the order.

I shifted back to my human form, which wasn't easy at all. After a quick check, Dr. Merit declared that I was fine and that nothing would stop me from taking part in the ritual.

I didn't know when she appeared, but Mom didn't leave my side as the doctor checked on me. I felt warmth, knowing that I had someone who cared about me, no matter what I did or what happened to me.

Not only that, but I tried to cover myself as much as I could; nudity was normal for werewolves, but I wasn't quite confident about it. Maybe it was because it was my first time being exposed in front of that many males, or maybe it was because of Noah.

I was so lost that I didn't notice both Julie and Noah approaching me until they were right in front of me.

He took off his jacket and handed it to me. As much as I wanted to throw his jacket away, I believed it was better to cover my body instead.

Noah's hand made its way to my shoulder, as if he was assuring me that everything would be fine, but he only made things worse.

"Don't worry, dear. No one will dare to lay an eye on you. You're mine, and they'll all know it soon..."

"Wait... Tell me you don't mean this!" Julie interrupted him, but he ignored her. Yet, she decided to speak again.

"You can't be serious! You promised me."

The look in his eyes was similar to the one he had when he rejected me a few days ago. I knew what he was about to do, and I felt no pity for her.

"I promised to make the strongest female my Luna, and it's not you anymore. Have you seen how huge her wolf was? She would breed a strong line of pups, a line that will carry my name."

I pushed his hand away and, without trying to hide my disgust, I started explaining.

"Not a chance in hell... I would rather remain mateless for my entire life than spend my life with you."

Hearing my growl, and compared to Noah's voice, my mother decided to lighten the mood and turned to greet him politely while extending her hand.

"Future Alpha Noah, it's a pleasure to meet you here..."

"Paulina... That's your name?"

My mom excitedly nodded her head, oblivious to his disrespectful manner of speaking.

"As a future alpha, I have no interest in being involved with an omega in any way. Also, once she's my mate again, I'll make sure that you never see her again..."

Upon hearing his threats and how he dared to humiliate my mother, my vision turned fiery, and in no time, I started losing control over my body.

My claws quickly emerged as I thought about the satisfaction that his blood would bring to my wolf.

Unable to detect the danger lurking by his side, Noah continued talking nonsense as my claws were about to touch his cheeks.

"You don't want to do that, Wolfie! You better calm down..."

The same voice of the stranger from the bar that night when I was drunk invaded my thoughts, and soon my body began to relax.

How is it possible that he's in my mind?

I pushed past Noah, searching every corner with my sight to find the stranger. After not finding him, I felt anger and growled, causing everyone to look at me.

"Where the hell are you?" I spoke inside my mind, not wanting to create another scene.

The same voice replied through my mind, which terrified me.

"You'll see me soon, on the run, mate... That's a promise."