Unwanted Wolf

I should have been born a mermaid. I thought as I broke the surface and took a deep breath. I began swimming, cutting across the lake as fast as I could. I love coming up to the lake. I run five miles every morning to get here, swim laps and then run five miles home to get ready for school. Stopping for a moment, I floated, listening to the world waking up. I flipped over and resumed my laps. I always feel free when I am swimming. I should have been born a mermaid. Pity they aren't real, I thought. But then again, maybe they are and stay hidden like my kind. I'm an unranked member of the Moonless Night Pack. Unranked because I was born female and in our pack not all females have wolves. All males have wolves, they normally announce themselves between age 15 and age 18. Females may find their wolf on their 18th birthday or when their mate marks them. But not all females have a wolf to find. I stopped swimming after my 50th lap and floated, simply enjoying the chill of the water and t

I started walking towards the high school. I had plenty of time. I was kind of lost in my own thoughts. Mostly, I was thinking about my family. My Mom, Clara, lives at the packhouse. She is an assistant to our Luna Mazie and holds a Delta rank. Mom likes to stay close in case the Luna needs her. Dad would be welcome to live with her as the head Epsilon, but he likes to be home with me. My younger brothers live with Mom. As a teenage girl, I am the only one that would not be allowed to live in the packhouse. At 15, girls become unranked. Before that we are considered the rank of our parents, so I have been unranked for 2 years, 11 months and 13 days. I turn 18 in two short weeks. I don't expect to find that I have a wolf when I turn 18. I just kind of think that if I had a wolf, I would feel it. Besides, I have a plan and having a wolf isn't in the plan.I plan to finish school in two months and leave the pack. Technically, I can go to college and the pack will pay for my schooling an

After class, I started to head to the cafeteria. Carson called my name and I turned. He waited as a couple of students scooted around me. "Celia. I overheard Jax say he wouldn't mind going to the lake with you. Did you tell your Dad about this morning?" "Yes, Carson. I told my Dad and he is worried about what's going on and made me promise not to go out in the morning alone. Jax asked about it too and I told him I would miss going to the lake. He offered to go with me on his free mornings. I don't want him to waste his time just so I can do what I want. But I will miss my run and swim. I told him I would think about it, but I'm going to say no." Carson nodded. I turned and started out the door and found Jax waiting in the hall. Carson followed me and said, "Hey Jax. Celia, tomorrow morning, I don't have patrol. I would be happy to accompany you to the lake. Where do you want to meet to start our run?" Carson smiled. We walked towards the lunch room. Carson kept pace with me. I slowe

Once I got home, I showered and changed into an outfit my Mom had bought me. It's not really my style, but I wear outfits my Mom picks for our weekly dinner. I want to be the daughter she wants. I put on the sapphire blue shirt. I can't wear a bra with it, since it is a backless, drapey, silky thing. I paired it with a knee-length pencil skirt with a pleated bottom hem. My Mom specifically picked this skirt and told me to show off my great legs. I style my hair in a braided bun and added a little make-up. I hate this, but I will not be an embarrassment to my parents at the packhouse. Taking one final look in the mirror, I thought, 'Not too shabby.' And then, 'I look good.' Lastly, I stepped into a pair of high heels that Ang referred to as fuck me heels. I waited downstairs for Dad, reading the assigned novel for English. Dad came in and took the stairs 2 at a time, calling to me "Back in a few Celly Bug." I heard the shower start and knew Dad would be back down in less than 10 m

After Carson left, my Mom asked Dad to take the boys to the dining room. "Celia, let's sit and chat." I wanted to roll my eyes, but resisted the urge. "Yes Mom." We sat down on the plush velvet couch in the parlor. "With your 18th birthday coming up, your Father and I have decided to host a party for you. Luna Maisie and Alpha Zev have graciously agreed to allow use of the packhouse ballroom. I am preparing a guest list. Please provide me the names of your friends so I can include them. Obviously, we will be having food and music. I will need to know what type of cake you want." "Mom, I don't need a party. I am fine with a nice, quiet dinner at home. Maybe we could have pizza from Carl's. It would be nice to see the boys at our home rather than here at the packhouse." "Nonsense. You are having a party. This is a happy, joyous occasion. You will be 18, you will introduce your wolf to the pack, and you will take your place in the pack hierarchy." "Mom, what if I don't have a