Riverstone And moonight

Audrey The Menace

The ceremony had been called off. It had to be. I had spectacularly made a fool of myself and ruined my dress and what was left of my reputation. Funny as that sounded, I didn't behave like the typical alpha child. I wasn't graceful or well spoken and people always whispered that it was because I didn't have a mother. Even with Shania in the picture, it was clear to the community that I was very ill-mannered and strong-headed. Normally, my bad behavior wouldn't be a big deal except that my father being who he was made it difficult for me to grow up like a normal teen, even as a normal teen wolf*. People expected Joshua and I to be of pristine behavior and criticized us whenever we're less than perfect. As his heir, Josh had to be responsible at a very young age and had developed an air of command. He would eventually make a great leader to our clan when he ascends as King one day. I on the other hand, constantly caused scandals; I partied, I cursed, I fooled around, I publicly dated Leighton, whom wasn't in the same social class as mine. "And now, ladies and gentlemen", I've just ruined my own bonding ceremony. Biting my lips nervously, I'm alone in the dressing room I'd used earlier, when I was getting ready. I had wondered previously what had overcome me to act so ferociously. I know, I'm a tad crazy, stubborn and very reckless. But I've never crossed a line like this before. This felt like unchartered waters to me. I wasn't perfect, but I prided myself on being trained rigorously to control my wolf. "Why had I exhibited such a feral type of behavior?" I had been ready to face whomever or whatever had dared challenge me. I could still taste the blood thirsty feeling of wanting to rip everything to shreds. Wanting to explode in rage and ready to spill blood.

 More time passed as my anxiety increased, just thinking about the rumours that would unavoidably fly about, now that I had disgraced myself majorly. "Well, i guess this finally beats the time that half of the town got high off my fudge brownie at last year's summer solstice party. I laughed mischievously as I remembered how crazy the effects were. As an unrepentant troublemaker, I took extreme pleasure in pis*ing off the town's folk. Repentance washed through my body as I thought about Leighton. He didn't deserve this latest form of embarrassment. It was obvious that the stranger had wrought a foreign reaction. Well, foreign to me but familiar to everyone. The sort of possessiveness only experienced by mates. True bond mates. Guilt licked at my insides, I didn't want to believe it possible, but I remembered the feeling. I could remember the sense of urgency and need to submitthat overtook my body. Looking in his eyes, I kept wondering why he felt precious yet be so alien. I'd learnt how to control my baser instincts, especially as a child that lived among humans all her life. The discipline I usually didn't exhibit in public was always displayed during full moon shifts and hunts. Luckily for us, the older we got, the easier it was to check ourselves 

A growl came to my stomach. In amusement I remembered that I had not eaten anything this morning in order for my stomach to look flat in my dress. I hadn't been worried then because I'd expected to eat something during the reception. I didn't do well hungry, but I'd skipped breakfast. My metabolism was high and I became cranky when I was famished. The door opened to allow my brother's bondmate Jules to come in. Beautiful. Tall and haughty with silver blonde hair, lithe and long limbed, an arrogant face with such expressive green eyes. He reminded me of a cat. Graceful in movement, untouchable and proud. He was all that except with me. We got along surprisingly well. Jules pack was the richest of all the trimulative. His father was a high powered attorney and his mother was a descendant of the original settlers of this area. His family had impressive pedigrees and a great wealth to support their oppulence.

Julian's bond to my brother had been a strategic alliance between both our families. My father wanted to expand our timber business and his family had the connections to ensure that. A relationship founded on business, to the chagrin of both their children. It didn't matter that they could not stand to be around each other, Joshua was the heir and knew his responsibilities. Jules brandished a small package that had the aroma of cooked food. 

"I know you'd be hungry since you didn't join us for breakfast"

I sighed appreciately, Jules was had been staying at our place at my request. We had several things in common and I appreciated his insight on life. Once before he'd dreamt of practicing his art degree, far away from Polca. He was artiscally talented. Excited for a chance to travel to Europe with his then boyfriend, whom had been the great love of his life. He and Joshua had never gotten along ever since they'd known each other. That didn't stop the town's people from pairing them every chance they got Since they both came out as gay in middle school. Josh had been caught literally pants down with another boy at summer camp. My family though supportive decided to curb his teenage exuberance by pairing him with the other openly gay out and proud teen in their community. And just their luck, he was twealthy. Arranged pairings were nothing new to werewolf packs. They had to display their strength, money meant power. Marriages were bartered between the trimulative bloodlines to keep their alliance strong. People although, could choose to marry outside packs or even humans but not everyone had the privilege to make an easy choice as that. I was lucky to be with Leighton, because my father adored him. But unfortunately, Jules and Joshua were victims of their circumstances and they both resented the hell out of it. 

"I should have expected you to pull something like this. It's definitely your fortè to cause as much chaos in every serious situation you find yourself inside" his voice dripped with it's usual snarkiness.

Rolling my eyes i accepted the food and starting downing the meal of shrimp fried rice and fried fish.

"I'm glad you're finding amusement in my discomfort"

"Amusement? I'm having a whole field day, everyone keeps whispering about how you invited your secret boyfriend to the wedding to make father in-law dearest lose his mind. For shame, sister in law. I thought you were leaving the immoral life behind" He chortled while folding his arms.

"I didn't invite him over. I don't even know him. None of whatever happened today was by my designs. I genuinely don't know what's going on."

I felt his gaze on my face and looked up to see him studying me, speculation in his face. He wore a small smile and I know he was deeply analysing everything I'd just said.

"Are you sure you didn't invite him here on purpose Cailey?" I flinched from his use of my first name. I was Audrey to everyone on a good day. But whenever I was addressed by my other name, I knew that the proverbial sh*t had hit the fan.

"I'm serious Jules. I've never met him before. He doesn't seem familiar to me at all. I didn't do all that to cause a ruckus. I would never embarrassed Leighton that way."

"Leighton oh no!" In my campaign of self pity and reflection, I'd forgotten about Leighton. I winced as the image of his distraught face flashed in my mind. I always somehow ended up causing him pain, Even on the day that was meant to be the happiest of all for us.

"I swear Jules. I'm being sincere. Who's he anyway?, I've never seen him around. Is he a new resident?"

"hmmp... eager to know your new suitor huh?"

"No."

I was embarrassed but also curious at the identity of the stranger that had inspired such a reaction from me. Although fleeting, I had felt something monumental shift within me. My wolf celebrated at the opportunity of meeting my true mate. I knew what our connection was. Deep inside my very essense, I knew I'd found my mate and he was the one. I was certain and so was everyone in that hall that witnessed my epic defense scene. I blushed a bit, looking for a suitable answer to give a now bemused Jules.

"I saw Joshua grabbing him and it didn't seem like a friendly hug between friends. I wonder what caused him to react that way" I asked.

"I'd imagine that it would stranger if he hadn't reacted that way? Especially since it was a Patrick-Falls".

"Partrick-Falls?" I parroted as a spark of recognition warmed my head.

"Falls...as in?" I stuttered.

"Yes Dear, Falls as in Caleb Linus Partrick-Falls, as in your new love interest is the last born son of the man your father killed 15 years ago." He delivered finally.