1. Promise

"Mina, did you hear that “The Boys” will be back from their retreat this afternoon?" Rue asked suddenly, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

We were walking together towards the parking lot after our last class.

"Really? This afternoon? You're sure?" I asked, my eyes wide with excitement, looking at Rue.

"Yeah, I heard it straight from my dad. Ugh, I'm so ungrateful for how peaceful my life has been this past year without Nyxon," Rue complained, rolling her eyes in disbelief.

"Don't you miss him?" I teased about her twin brother.

Rue's eyes blinked annoyingly at me, "Seriously? You think I'd miss my tidy room turning into a pigsty because of him?" I just chuckled briefly in response.

I never knew what it was like to have a sibling.

A moment later, Rue spoke again, teasingly, "I miss his friend, though... Oh my god, I'm so nervous about how I'll be in front of Kaiden later. I hope he can see how much I've changed into a more attractive girl," she explained.

I rolled my eyes at Rue, the cheerful and confident girl who now seemed doubtful. She might forget how many seniors and juniors were vying for her attention, either secretly or openly.

She grew up to be a captivating woman. Especially with her carefree demeanor and captivating smile. I never stopped thinking that next to her, I felt like the ugly duckling.

"I'm sure he'll finally notice you this time, and maybe even drool over you," I said reassuringly.

I had known for a long time how she had a crush on Kaiden since, well, maybe since we grew up together in this pack.

And I didn't blame her; Kaiden was... captivating.

Every time I saw him, I felt like I was staring at a vast, unsolvable labyrinth. I didn't know why. He was captivating, but I was sure I'd get lost.

I never really thought about Kaiden and couldn't admit it out loud, not even to myself. His charm was irresistible.

And before I got swept away, I built the highest wall. Because I couldn't possibly ruin what Rue wanted.

Whatever it took, she was my friend, and also the daughter of our Alpha, Alpha Roman.

"Seriously? Okay, you have to help me get ready then," Rue requested.

"Sure, let's go," I said, taking her hand towards my old motorcycle.

Rue stood still, "Well, about that... I don't want to mess up my hair after getting it done at the salon later, so I think it'd be better if we took my car instead," she suggested suddenly.

I thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Alright, I'll meet you there later, you go ahead."

"You won't come with me? You could leave it here. I mean, no one would want to steal your ol—motorcycle," Rue persuaded, her face sweetly made up.

I chuckled, pointing at her, "I know you almost slipped up just now, don't think I'm not aware," I teased her about almost insulting my beloved old motorcycle.

Rue shook her head, tightly closing her mouth, trying to hold back laughter, which failed, and she burst into loud laughter.

"But that motorcycle is old! Despite the memories it holds for you, you have to admit it," Rue pointed out.

"Yeah... But it's a cool old bike," I defended.

"Yups, super cool," this time Rue agreed, grabbing my arm as we walked towards her Range Rover.

*

"How do I look?" Rue asked as soon as the stylist finished styling her makeup and hair.

"You're asking for my opinion? Isn't it obvious?" I teased, looking at Rue's reflection in the mirror.

"Mina! Come on, I need some encouraging words because I'm suddenly feeling nauseous. Maybe I shouldn't go; I don't want to seem too eager. Kaiden doesn't like cheap girls," Rue muttered, her face panicked.

"Rue! You look amazing. If Kaiden doesn't notice you, I hope he's blind."

"Really? Isn't this too much? Don't I look cheesy?" Rue questioned.

"You. Are. Perfect. Rue." I hugged her shoulders from behind and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

Rue's wide smile spread, and her confidence returned.

"Oh, I hope our friendship lasts forever, and no guy comes between us. I love you forever, my Minny Moo," Rue pleaded.

"Me too, Roary Roo," I replied reassuringly.

"Because if that ever happens, I'll never forgive you," Rue vowed, her eyes wide and stern.

"Yeah, screw guys, Rue-Mina forever!" I chimed in.

The hairdresser, Lilian, chuckled.

We looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"No offense, but I hope you're careful with that promise. Because I know you both haven't found your mates yet," Lilian said to us, sounding confident, as if speaking from experience.

"You and your friend might be like that. But that's definitely not going to happen to us," Rue challenged confidently.

"Right, Mina? You won't betray me, and neither will I," Rue added, grasping my hand while looking at me with her bright brown eyes.

"Yeah, I'll never be able to," I confirmed.

Lilian rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I just hope you won't be embarrassed to come back here if your promise turns out to be broken," Lilian teased.

Rue and I both snorted in annoyance.

"Okay, now it's your turn," Rue ordered me, asking me to get ready too. I shook my head, I didn't like being the center of attention, I preferred Rue to get it.

I was the penumbra, with Rue as the object that received the light.

"Mina! This isn't fun. You know that in a year, we'll be 17 together and will find our mates. Before that happens, it would be good for us to try “various” things and live in the moment!" Rue suggested.

"Yup, she's right," Lilian agreed.

I looked at them both, smiling slightly, "I prefer my old motorcycle and surfing at Wavecrest point, that's my way of living in the moment," I said firmly.

Rue understood my habit and didn't debate it further, I think she was also comfortable being friends with me because of our contrasting personalities.

Except when it came to food and movies, no one could debate our preferred choices.

That's why I think the goddess would also understand and appoint mates that wouldn't sever the strong bond of our friendship.

***

I followed Rue's quick steps towards Wavecrest Point, walking along the sandy path between the dense rows of mangrove trees before we reached the white sandy beach.

As I suddenly felt like someone was watching us from behind the lush foliage, I pulled Rue's hand and stopped.

Rue jerked, "What's wrong?" she asked, irritated.

"Don't you sense it?" I asked, knowing that as a fellow shape-shifter, she should have a sharp instinct.

Rue fell silent, trying to expand her senses, then looked at me annoyed, "There's nothing, Mina. And if you forget, this is the innermost area of the Wavecrest pack, it's impossible for anyone to reach here before the guards notice," Rue explained, which made sense.

As I tried to recapture the uneasy feeling, it was already gone. "Lylah didn't sense anything either," Rue confirmed, telling me her wolf's opinion.

"Okay, good then," I nodded.

On the other hand, Thora was acting strange in my mind, restless, not fearful restlessness, but more like... excitement? Impatience? Something like that.

I ignored it and followed Rue's steps again, who was now running slightly towards the beach.

The place where the pack's young member were partying to welcome Nyxon and Kaiden, who had just returned from their retreat in Silvermoon.

Silvermoon was a training ground, a neutral area located in the middle, resulting from a treaty between the five surrounding packs.

The five packs were Woodstorm pack, Nightshade pack, Stormsurge pack, Shadowbrook pack, and of course, Wavecrest pack, which was located at the farthest end bordering the beach.

Silvermoon was a training ground for the future alpha and beta from the five packs, aiming to strengthen their bond and inter-pack relationships.

Kaiden was the son of Alpha Krugan from Stormsurge pack, which neighbored Wavecrest pack. He also attended Wave Avenue High School, which belonged to our pack, that's why Nyxon and Kaiden become close friends.

Thinking of them made me realize how opposite they as day and night.

Nyxon with his cheerful, flamboyant, super extroverted, open, and easy-to-predict personality. While Kaiden was the opposite of Nyxon, he was a man who seemed to carry a heavy burden on his shoulders.

And that made him look more mature than his age.

Kaiden rarely spoke, and to this day, I felt like I had never heard his voice.

As a child saved from a rogue mother, being friends with Rue and accepted by the Wavecrest pack was already a blessing.

So, I didn’t dare to even think and dream of both men, I knew my place very damn well.

My goal was to train hard to be accepted as a gamma and protect this pack I loved.

Alpha Roman had warned me sternly, reminding me of my vulnerable position as a rogue wolf's child, that it would only happen if my record was clean and didn't cause problems for the pack.

And I proudly admitted that until now, my record was spotless.

The ocean breeze blew towards us, then all of a sudden the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

The scent of coconut and ocean breeze suddenly hit my nose, an intoxicating combination of scents.

A primitive instinct was suddenly awakened within me.

Every cell in my body sent a hot signal, my heart beat erratically, and I felt impatient to greet the source of the scent.

Don't ask about Thora, she howled happily from within my mind.

'Mate!' she cried out, full of longing.

I was happy, yet confused.

‘Aren't we supposed to meet our mate in a year?’ I asked Thora.

‘Screw the rules, let's meet our mate now!’ Thora ordered, slightly impatient.

I nodded and now ran faster, following Rue who was already far ahead.

The wind still carried the scent towards me. And I couldn't wait to find out who the mate was that the moon goddess had prepared for us.

From behind the dense foliage, I observed the group of young people partying, searching for our mate.

Until my sense of smell identified a man with an open chest, hugging a beautiful woman in his arms. The man was looking in my direction, hidden behind the trees.

His bright brown eyes seemed to strip me bare, even from a distance.

If earlier I was excited and happy, now I was the opposite.

I stumbled back in fear, my steps slow.

‘Hey! What are you doing? Go meet our mate!’ Thora protested, frustrated.

I shook my head, ‘Rue will be angry... Alpha Roman will kick us out,’ I muttered.

I turned around and ran as far as I could from Nyxon.

A loud howl was heard in the distance, a frustrated howl that echoed Thora's howl in my mind.

She who was excited earlier also now understood my fear. My heart felt torn apart as I ran away from Nyxon.

Every joint in my body seemed to refuse to cooperate, the temptation to greet Nyxon and immerse myself in his broad chest was overwhelming.

But I wasn't ready to lose Rue and be kicked out of the pack.

I shifted and ran on all fours, piercing through the dense mangrove trees, running as fast as I could away from Nyxon.

Maybe I had been running for an hour.

‘It seems safe now,’ I calculated, stopping for a moment to catch my breath.

However, suddenly a large black shadow jumped and pinned me down with its four legs.

I fell on my back, my four legs trapped under its paws.

A wolf, twice as large as me, was growling angrily and happily above me.

It wasn't Fenrir, Nyxon's wolf with its golden brown color.

It was a wolf with a black color like the night, with a streak of red fur above its head, and I knew exactly who it was.

The wolf had the intoxicating scent of ocean breeze.

‘Another mate!’ Thora cried out again, delighted.

Meanwhile, I was frozen, as Skoll, Kaiden's wolf, stared at me deeply.