My Lost Spirit-Mate

Mackenzie POV : As I was sitting on my own by the stream, I closed my eyes to feel as close to the forest as possible. The sound of the wind in the trees, the chirping of the birds, the smell of the wet grass and dirt, everything in the Forest of Evergreen seemed peaceful and welcoming and I was happy to call this place my home. That’s when I smelled something familiar, something unholy, something that … scared me : blood. I looked around and the green grass had left place to a brown dry straw, the birds were no longer making sounds and my gaze went to the stream… The beautiful transparent water was replaced by gallons of blood, threatening to overflow and invade the surroundings. I stood up and ran, as fast as I could from this horrid place. What the hell was happening to the forest ? Why did everything changed so freakingly fast ?! As I was running between the big trees, I noticed something by my side, just a shadow, following me and I couldn’t get a good look at it. I didn’t want to slow down my pace so I waited to hit the clearing then maybe I would be able to take a better look at what was running with me or was it... after me ? I wake up with my sheets completely wet, covered by my own sweat and it takes me a full minute to understand that what I just saw was only a dream. Although it seemed so real… I take a look at my phone. 5 am. After a dream like that, I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again. I stand up and get to the bathroom to clean myself up. While I let the water run until it’s crazy hot, I look at myself in the mirror. The bags under my eyes will be easy to cover, but I really look like sh*t. I strip from my nightgown and jump in the shower, I let it wash away the scare. It is not the first time I dream vividly like this and everytime it seems like I am living it for real. I could hear the birds, feel the grass and… even smell the blood, as if I was there. And I felt something, like someone was in the forest with me, this shadow. I know that the forest of Evergreen is a place filled with supernatural powers, I’ve lived there all my life, my people even teach us about all the creatures we can find there. Not that this is scary, WE ARE the supernatural creatures. At least, most of us. Until we are 18, we live as normal kids and teenagers, we don’t have any particular power, but once we hit 18 years old, we turn. It’s said that an immortal spirit is entering us to give us some abilities. Some people turn out to be werewolves, some witches, some even fairies, we don’t know what is going to happen to us until then. Of course, along your genetic background, you are more inclined to be one creature rather than another, but to know for sure, you have to wait. Luckily it’s my birthday in a week and then I’ll see. I take a towel exiting the shower, wrap it around me and go to my closet. As always I am going to wear something sober, I don’t like bright colors, I don’t feel it too cozy and that way, I am less noticeable. Grey hoodie and a pair of jeans will do the job just fine. I go back to the mirror in an attempt to tame my red hair, but after ten minutes I give up. I put on some concealer to try to hide the bags under my eyes and some mascara, then go downstairs to eat my breakfast. I live in the packhouse, the house of the Head of the pack of werewolves and it’s a very big house. There are three families living in the Packhouse. Mine of course, the Beta family, including my father Henry, the Beta of the pack, second in command, my twin brother William and me, my mother died a few years ago in an accident. Then there is the Gamma family with the third in command, Gamma Xavier, his wife Helen, his son Shane and his daughter Alice, my best friend since forever. And finally there is the Alpha family with the chief of the pack Connor, the all mighty Alpha of the pack of Evergreen forest, his Luna Mary and their son, the soon-to-be Alpha Alexander. I have to admit, living in a house like this has its advantages, I mean, I live with my best friend and some CRAZY HOT guys. As children of werewolves, it is our duty to train a lot, at fighting, running, anything physical really as we have to protect the land in case of an attack. So boys and girls are training five days a week to keep in shape, inhance the Greek God bodies. When I arrive in the kitchen, I start cooking, taking a pan out one of the closets and breaking a few eggs to make myself an omelet. Usually we have a few maids and cooks at the packhouse to help us take care of everything, but looking at my watch, it’s 6 am so everyone must be asleep or not ready yet. While I serve myself a bit of food on a plate - I am cleary not going to eat everything on my own - I hear someone entering the room. -“ Good morning lovely” It’s Shane, the son of the Gamma of our pack. Growing up together, he has always been very nice to me and I have always considered him like a brother. With his short blond hair and big blue eyes, he is my personal sunshine. -“Good morning Shane, can I interest you in an omelet I just made ?” I ask him, very proud of my cooking skills. -“Sure, it smells good. I am starving anyway !” he answers. Shane turned 18 three months ago and he is - as expected - a werewolf, so his new metabolism is requiring that he eats at least ten times a day, and a big quantity of food at that. -“ I can cook you another one if you want “ I smile at him. He agrees and we start talking about school and how our teachers are putting so much pressure on us for our finals. We dig in our food, and we laugh, making jokes about our biology teacher when I hear a growl behind me. In all his magnificent stature stands Alexander, our soon-to-be Alpha, wearing just a pair of shorts, showing his V-shaped torso and his gorgeous six-pack. Glup. -“And good morning to you too Xander ! Waking up on the wrong side of the bed today ?” says Shane with a malicious smile. I look up to Alexander and see that he seems pissed. Xander always was so sweet and funny with me, always making jokes and helping me to get better at combat tactics, until a few months ago when he turned. His spirit is a very powerful werewolf and maybe this is a lot of pressure for him but he became very distant and cold all of a sudden. I suspected for a while that I must have done something to piss him off but he didn’t seem to hold a grudge, he was just ignoring me most of the time. I meet his gaze, his big green eyes like two emeralds and I decide to smile at him. I notice that he begins to relax and he takes a sit at the table. -“You’re both up early today.” he states. -“Yeah I have an exam first period so I have to read my notes and Mackenzie was cooking so … here we are !” Shane replies. -“You know we have people for that right ?” asks Alexander showing me the empty plates with his finger. -“Yeah but I like to cook so it really doesn’t matter and I had a bad dream anyway so…” -“Oh and what did you dream about ? Are you okay ?” Xander seems almost… concerned ? Why ? I mean not that he cared for me in the past months. And it’s just a dream, was it ? I feel annoyed at the question and don’t really like the protective ton he is using. Shane is watching the exchange, a bit amused and I just want to avoid another weird query. -“I’m fine” I retort, kind of puzzled “it was just weird. Anyway, I have to go prepare my stuff for school, I’ll see you guys around !” and like that, I walk towards the stairs to go back to my room, hearing Shane saying from afar : -“Dude, what was that about ?” Yeah Xander, what was that about ?