Wild Wolf

Like every other morning, I awake to a knock at my door, but unlike every other morning, it isn't Daisy's soft knocking but rather excited pounding. Huffing, I pull my pillow over my head, trying in vain to block out the noise. "Come on now Saffy, we're patrolling the eastern boarders and I have to get pretty before the Lich Paw envoys arrive," Eugene shouts, still knocking insistently. It's not even morning, still dark outside, the sun hasn't even begun to rise and Gen is pounding on my door like an i***t. I could ignore him, but Gen and I have been friends for as long as either of us can recall. So I know for a fact that he isn't going to stop till he gets his way. Out of everyone in our pack, only Gen can get away with annoying me; I'm the alpha's daughter. One day I'll take a mate and become Luna of their pack, just like my mother did. Given my rank and family, most people don't dare to bother or annoy me, but not that shameless omega; I love him and he knows it too. "I'm up! I'm up! Goddess have mercy Gen the sun isn't even up yet," I complain while rolling out of bed. Of course, Gen is excited about the envoy. I know I should be too. Mortimor and Mordecai are both meant to be traveling with the envoy just to see me. But none of us have ever been that excited about our parents' plans. I suppose, though things could be worse, as far as mates go, I could do a lot worse than either of the Le Doux brothers. Quickly, I pull my hair into a pony tail and pull on only a simple dress. I'll only need it as long as it takes Gen and I to eat and then leave the grounds for our patrol. Once we actually start patrolling, we'll be doing so in wolf form, no reason to get dressed up just for Gen. Ready I throw open the door and there, still waiting, is Gen. He's grinning, green eyes bright, arms crossed over his bare chest in only worn jeans and leaning against the hall wall. "Happy?" I asked, leaving my room and leading Gen through the dark halls to the estate kitchens. "I'm not unhappy," comes Gens' chipper reply as he tails me. How is he so energetic in the morning? Together we hurried down the stairs. Gen takes them two at a time and quickly passes me. I roll my eyes fondly, Gen is exactly 3 months older than I am. So we were always close growing up, even before his parents died and he came to live in the Morelli house. Whenever I leave to join my mate's pack, I have no doubt in my mind that Eugene will follow me; perhaps even as my gamma, Goddess willing, of course. Though the rest of the estate is dark and quiet at this early hour, the kitchens are warm and lively. Adjacent to the kitchens is the casual dining hall, where almost all members of the household eat all their meals. Already three pairs of patrols are sitting to eat, either about to head out or having just returned from the night patrol. Only two pairs sit together, chatting quietly over their food. From one of the distant tables Kieran smiles shyly at Gen, but my debonair companion only flippantly returns the smile. "You could go say good morning. I can survive a few moments of peace," I teased, hip bumping playfully against Gen's while staking hash bowns and bacon on my plate. With a soft sigh, Gen shakes his head, "Nah, I want to give Kieran some space. I'll finally be twenty-two next month and he keeps hinting that he wants something serious. We both know I don't do serious." Frowning, I refrained from glancing towards our pack mate. "Shame, he's cute for a scout. I heard that he's been hounding Dalton for a chance to join the warriors. If he makes it you could do worse," I pointed out, logic as ever. Beside me, Gen breaks out into laughter. "I don't want 'I could do worse', I want my destined mate. I get that you're happy with something arranged, but I'm not Saffron. Sure it's fun to kiss, but if it isn't destined love, then I'm not going to accept a mate." It's the same romantic notion that Gen always repeats, and has been repeating since we were pups and first learned about that fateful love of destined mates. Such a mate is supposed to be a gift from the Moon Goddess, a perfect mate that is only revealed when one marks the other. There are supposed to be signs of some sort, but the story always changes. One thing everyone knows though is that the mark of destined mates is supposed to look like a tattoo instead of the silvery crescent moon scar others receive when they mark each other. Personally, I think it's childish. Only thirty percent of wolves ever find their Goddess destined mates. Of course, higher-ranking wolves such as myself usually have better luck, we meet more people after all, but, someone like Gen, a soft-hearted Omega. . . . they rarely find their mate unless the mate is actually hunting for them. Which really makes me wonder why he never accepted training to be a Delta when my father offered it. Of course, I've asked Gen about it but he always laughs that he's not cut out for politics, not like me. A flimsy excuse, but one he's stuck to since we were thirteen. I don't feel like starting up our old debates and simply shrug. "To each their own I suppose," I mutter while taking a seat. First: Breakfast. Then Gen and I will run out on our patrol. After that, I'll have to meet the Lich Paw envoys and entertain them for the week that they're visiting. How will that be? I can't help but wonder. I've known about Mortimor and Mordecai since childhood, but I can't say that I really know either of them. I've only ever seen the brothers for a few hours at a time at inter-pack events. So this week will be the longest stretch of time I've ever spent in close proximity to the Le Doux brothers. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm excited or nervous because I know what this means; I know why the Le Doux brothers are both coming to visit us. It means we'll be expected to marry soon. By the time the envoy leaves, my parents will expect me to pick one of the brothers to take as a mate. How am I to decide such a thing in only a weeks time?