The Human Society

Chapter 1

Lights flickered overhead as Darren made his way toward the largest stage. He smiled at no one in particular while his feet carried him. The smell of cooking meat and powdered dough hit him like a reminder of home. This year's festival was shaping up to be the best one in over fifty years, and on the night of a full moon no less.

"Beltane." Amelia Grevsword said curtly as Darren took his seat on stage. She shook out her short curls and swung her foot wide, Darren couldn't tell if she was chewing gum to complete the look of complete annoyed boredom or not, but he rolled his eyes anyway. "I had to attend this rutty festival while my brothers and sisters are dancing hand in hand with the Fae! I shouldn't be here!" She complained, throwing her head back and popping her gum.

"Be still Amelia, are you not in the presence of a Fae now?" Kauli Navarre, the Elven Chancellor, spoke evenly as he took his seat next to Darren and look out among the crowd.

"You?!? You are not Fae." She scoffed bringing her foot to rest and folding her hands in front of her.

"All Elves are Fae, have you not studied enough?" Kauli barely tipped his chin, giving the illusion he was only focused on the many bodies moving into seats on the risers in front of the stage.

"I've studied plenty!" She all but growled. "Elves are Fae, you are not."

They were always like this, long lives Darren supposed.

"Ammi, Kauli just one time can you two just be civil to each other? Darren requested righting his t-shirt

"We are being civil!" They responded in unison.

It took everything in him not to laugh at the two. A powerful Witch and a High Elf who were both absolute children when it came to the other.

"Shall we get on with it then?" A darker harsher voice came from behind them. Valentina Morrison, the Vampire Queen. She made Darren nervous, always had. Most wolves were uncomfortable around vampires. Once, when he was a child, Darren's mother told him that Vampires and Wolves had a history of hate between them, but when the world was put right the buried it. He hoped that were true.

Valentina stepped up to the edge of the stage holding out her arms and letting her many scarves flow behind her as she spoke to the crowd.

"Welcome to the Tides Festival!" She said regally. "We are here to celebrate the Great Righting of the world......"

Two hours later Darren was stretching from sitting so long. He always forgot how much Valentina could talk. Thankfully the opening ceremony was over and the moon was just about to rise.

"Yo Alpha!" Winston Rogers punched Darren in greeting.

"Not Alpha yet, and I'm trying to enjoy that Thanks Win." He grumbled shaking out the dark hair on his head to look more like the normal 27 year old he was.

Win rolled his eyes but rolled up his sleeves. They'd been friends since college and Darren knew that when he ascended Win would be his Beta. Win was also looking for a mate everywhere he went so Darren knew that more than likely it'd be a packaged deal even before the ascension.

"You think I'll find them at the run?" Win's round face beamed. "How great would that be?"

"You know the Moon Goddess could pair you with anyone right? What if its a guy? What if you hate your mate."

Win shrugged. "How could I hate my mate? They'd be mine and I'd be there's, everyone makes it so complicated. Girl,boy, neither, both. Wouldn't matter to me."He jogged in front of Darren. "I'd love them."

Envy made Darren roll his eyes. Win was still too naive, even if they were the same age. Once upon a time Darren wanted a mate as much as his future Beta, but that time had passed. He'd had his heart broken one too many times to believe in mates anymore.

"Any Wolf wanting to join the run please make your way to the forest we begin in two minutes." A crackled voice boomed over a loud speaker.

"Hell yea!" Win shifted and ran toward the forest leaving his clothes for Darren to pick up.

Darren followed suit after tucking both of their clothes in on of the changing tents near by. He'd never named his wolf, and the tawny brown canine never offered one, so Darren just called him "Wolf."

They ran to the forest's edge and made it just in time for the starting gun.

It was wonderful to feel the air through his fur and twigs break under the pads of his paws. Wolf had found a tree and was scratching at it when something hit his nose.

The scent was muted, but something in Wolf and Darren knew it was made for them. They veered off from the mismatched pack and followed their nose.

We have to find her, she's in trouble

Who Wolf?

Wolf whimpered softly but carried on. He'd wandered about a mile away when they almost tripped on a body. She was alive, but barely.

Nudging the heap of limp limbs with his snout, Wolf tried to make her move, but the pile of rags was doubled in on herself. They could smell blood, but couldn't see her other side to make sure it wasn't hers.

Wolf who is she? Why do you care so much?

Mate. He almost whispered as he laid next to her trying to keep her as warm as he could.

Tyson get over here I need your help. Wolf linked Win's wolf without permission.

Are you sure Wolf? Darren asked him Aren't we both suppose to feel it? Isn't she?

She can't, she's...Human

Darren's heart froze. Human's don't exist anymore, how...How was a human here? How was a Human his mate?