The Mating Revolution

Chapter One

“You’ve got to be f*****g kidding me!” I jumped up off the couch, screaming. My mom threw me a look. “Language young lady!” I scoffed at her as I turned to her and put my hands on my hips. “They just passed a law that forces us to have babies starting at 16, even if we don’t want them. That is total bullshit!” Mom’s face got red and I knew I took the language too far. I huffed and sank back down next to her on the couch. “Its just so cold hearted. They expect you to have children then be ok with leaving them if they claim you as a mate. I hate werewolves!” I wanted to scream it out, but I knew that would land us in big trouble. Mom’s eyes got big and looked around quickly. “Be careful what you say. You know they monitor us.” I rolled my eyes. “They won’t kill me. I can provide them with babies.” Mom closed her eyes and placed her hand on my arm. “There are so many things they can do that won’t harm your reproductive system.” I narrowed my eyes in confusion. “What do you mean?” A lone tear ran out of mom’s left eye. “Just be careful, please.” I wrapped my arms around mom and hugged her. I don’t know what she was hiding but I knew to trust her. My parents were amazing, even in this f****d up world we live in. We heard the front door open and my dad walked in. He was still in his mechanic uniform. He kicked off his shoes and joined us on the couch. He looked at mom and I wrapped together, and his arms joined. “I guess you heard.” Mom nodded and threw me a look. “Katie doesn’t agree.” Dad smiled and shook his head. We broke apart from each other. I saw him give mom a sad look. “Mary, this means we have to provide two more children.” He hung his head. My parents loved each other so much. Even with the threat of The Mating hanging over their head they stayed together and had me. Mom wanted more, but the fear of losing our family got to them when they had to leave me at the city daycare every year to participate in The Mating.

The Mating was an event held every year to help our werewolf overlords find their mates. About 200 years ago the werewolves showed themselves to the world and dominated the human race. From what I’ve heard those first 10 years were bloody with us fighting back but we lost every time. The werewolves were a superior species and we eventually stopped fighting back. They herded us into cities surrounded by walls that we couldn’t leave unless it was for The Mating, or The Kidnapping, as I like to call it. Every year men and women, 18 and older, had to go. If a werewolf spotted you and felt the mate pull, then you were kidnapped and no allowed to talk to anyone from your old life. They take you to their pack and turn you into a werewolf then force you to have their babies. It made me sick. Humans don’t even feel this mate pull that they do. It was only after you were turned that you felt it. My parent’s conversation pulled me out of my thoughts. Mom had dad wrapped in a hug. “It’s ok Tom. At least I haven’t hit menopause yet. I get to be the one to carry your babies, no one else.” I could still see the fear in their eyes. Like me, they still had to go to The Mating every year. Mom will get to stop when she hits menopause and gets the tattoo that everyone looks forward to, NM, on her hip. It stands for No Mate. The werewolves thought they were degrading us by forcing us to get the tattoo, but they don’t realize how badly we don’t want them as mates. Some women do. At my first Mating last year there were several girls that were excited when a wolf chose them. I know of several who hate this as much as I do. No one wanted to go up against the wolves though. I personally don’t think they would kill us anymore since we are dying out, but mom’s words came back to me. I looked over at my parents and realized they were getting ready to go to the dining room for dinner. I followed them. “Mom can you tell me what you meant earlier; about the other things they can do without harming my reproductive system?” Mom took a deep breath and dad placed his hands on her shoulders. “She should know. Katie wants to lead the revolution. She needs to know the danger she is in.” I looked at them both, expectantly. Mom cleared her throat and dad wrapped his arms around her once more, to provide her with strength. “I had a friend growing up that was just like you. She was very outspoken about the wolves. When she boycotted The Mating her first year, they dragged her inside. A werewolf pointed her our as his mate. To punish her for speaking out against them he turned her right there. The turn, as you know, is very painful. Most wolves allow for painkillers to be used during transformation, but it was her punishment that she wasn’t allowed. The first three days of the event she screamed and writhed. We weren’t allowed to go near her. On the fourth day she was turned but she was still strapped against the table that had kept her prisoner during the turn. When her mate approached her, she spat in his face so he mated with her right there where everyone could see. When he was done, someone cut her arms off so she couldn’t hold a sign ever again. That was the last time I saw her.” I watched the tears roll out of my mom’s eyes and I approached her for a hug. “I’m sorry momma. I’ll be careful.” She smiled at me and we headed to the dining room to eat dinner.

After dinner we retired to our respective bedrooms. I could hear mom and dad already starting on their second baby. I shook my head and turned up my music while I worked on homework. College wasn’t required like grade school was, but I wanted a good job. I was more than just a baby maker and I was intent to prove it. I was majoring in School Psychology. I wanted to help the incoming generation learn to stick up for themselves. The werewolves forced the teachers in school to follow their lesson plans. It was filled with pro-werewolf lessons. I wanted to be the change. I wanted to be someone the kids could come to with doubts and feel safe telling me. I wanted to make a difference, even if it would get my arms cut off. I just had to be careful about it. The werewolf population is huge now that they always find their mates. Not everyone ends up with a human for a mate. The Mating gives the wolves a chance to find their mates from other packs too. I’ve heard of wolves from other continents coming as well to find their mates. I don’t know what I would do if I had to leave home. I hope to never have to. I won’t take a human mate though. I refuse to bring any child in this world. With my homework done I snuggled into my bed after turning off my music. We had a month before The Mating which meant three weeks before finals. I had a lot of studying to do.