Moon Goddess: Ungrateful Fated Mates

The wedding between the Alpha and the Luna is always a big deal in any pack. The moon goddess strategically places bonds between the ones who will be most suited for each other and complement the pack. Each decision is carefully weighed to avoid catastrophes and the end of bloodlines. Yet even still, these ungrateful Lycans and werewolves ignore these fated bonds, cast out the moon goddesses decisions and choose their own selfish momentary desires over destiny. Raven sat thumbing through the packs paper reading about the upcoming nuptials between the newest Alpha and his choice to reject his mate. “That was certainly a decision that will affect the pack.”Raven’s father bellowed over his own copy at the breakfast table. “ I shiver at the thought of what consequences this is going to bring.” “It seems to be happening a lot more lately. These younger leaders do not seem to have any respect for the long traditions of following the moon goddesses design.” Raven’s mother responded with concern. Raven’s parents sat at the table, sipping on their coffee and picking at their plates full of breakfast meats. Raven wondered what the implication would mean for her. She had been looking forward to her 18th birthday since she was a cub. Her wolf came in early as they tend to do with Lycans, and since then she had always felt that silent pull that her faded mate wasn’t far. Raven stood up from the breakfast table, kissed her parents on their forehead as they read their papers and had their conversation as steam from their coffee rose past their eyes. She walked sure and strong in her footsteps towards the front door, picked up her bag full of her school books and headed to the pack high school. Raven had one thing on her mind- finding her mate. Blood Moon High stood tall as a building teeming with history and future meeting at the stone steps nestled in a thick forest should. The school banners draped over the sides of the building: black, red and gold with the emblem of a howling Lycan. Footsteps and shuffling shoes echoed in the pavilion. Sounds bouncing off the walls, voices rising into an excited hum the further inside Raven walked. Suddenly, Ravens green eyes lit up as her path was about to slam into the quiet intellectual walking towards her. He unknowingly turned the corner and slammed into her. “s**t, sorry. I didn’t see you.” Stefan said as he dropped his book while papers floated to the ground like gravity was failing. Raven blushed and bent down to help pick up the papers Stefan was gathering. “Hard to see anyone when you only look at pages…” Raven thought. Stefan paused and looked intently at her. He noticed the rich depth of her green eyes flashing up at him just under her lashes. They used to play together when they were cubs. That seemed so long ago now. “I heard that.” Stefan mind linked back. Raven blushed harder. Her wavy black hair bounced as she stood back up. Raven felt nothing. She had hoped he would have been her fated mate. Trying to hide her disappointment, Raven tightened her grip on her bag and spoke out loud, “Morning, Stef. What has your interest peaked?” “You read the Paths article today? Alpha Darien rejected his mate for a chosen one! I’m not sure what he’s thinking but from what I’ve read that puts this pack in danger of being brought before the court.” Ravens eyebrows wrinkled, “It’s time for the Mate Selection Ball. I’ve waited years to meet mine. You don’t think that this will cause it to be postponed do you?” “Raven, there’s no telling what the consequences of this choice will bring to us. Blood Moon High has always been the rule not the exception. But now, it’s hard to say what is what. As far as I can tell the committee is still arranging it to be tomorrow.” Raven took one last deep breath attempting to smell any trace of the moon goddess bond with Stefan… nothing. “Well then I have to find MY mate. I don’t smell him anywhere.” Ravens eyes wondered around her. She saw all the usual suspects: the popular pretty girl who tortured others to fell superior, the book worms like Stefan who sat quietly around the base of the old trees in the courtyard, the artists who dressed like they didn’t care attempting to hide how much they did, the unpopular who just tried to move past the bullies and rumors to their classes. Raven told her friend bye and keep looking for any sign of her mate. “All right, everyone. Go change into your clothes and meet me on the field. Today we go for a pack run and then a swim in the enchanted pools. We have birthdays so we will follow tradition and prepare to discover the moon goddesses decision. Chop. Chop.” Mrs Christy chimed. She took over physical training and transformation when old Hammer retired. Changing into our uniform seemed useless as we would be naked most of the class, but being naked in wolf form and walking around that way in human form were two different things. Raven laced up her shoes and pulled up her knee high socks and headed back to the field. “All right! Resume formation. Three rows of 10 and leave your uniform in your position. Transform and stand in ready.” Mrs Christy barked. After every wolf had been released, it was clear who the Lycans were. Lycans are larger and richer in color than werewolves. Lycans had longer teeth and claws, more muscle and thicker fur. Raven was dark black like her human hair. That was also common in pure bloods, their human form having the same color hair as their fur. Mrs Christy stood gigantic. You wouldn’t have guessed she was Lycan from her human form as she seemed unassuming but you’d be wrong. She was beautiful. She had white fur, icy blue eyes and a strong physique. Mind linking to the class she instructed, “Birthday Wolves up front, I’ll head the back and Lycans keep your attention in the forest line. We don’t want a repeat of last month.” Last month the pack in the next territory snuck out and tried to run with us. We have the best access to the enchanted pools. Mrs Christy let them run with us but they weren’t listening to her so she frightened them. Their parents called and complained to the Dean. Raven in the front, next to the popular werewolf Nancy who was dating the likely Beta to our new Alpha when he graduated next month, who was next to the shy kid who didn’t talk much or engage with the pack. Nancy was teasing her over her coat color being brindle and how that meant she was part dog. It wasn’t true but she kept that rumor going. Raven started low growling at Nancy. Nancy shifted from foot to foot and mind linked Raven saying, “Okay. Then let’s race. And this time I’m going to leave you eating my dust.” Raven almost laughed, she was half her size but she had to give it to Nancy for her ambition. Mrs Christy howled and we took off. Nancy started to take the lead as Raven stayed in formation. Mrs Christy mind linked, “Do not leave your pack behind.” Raven jumped high and over Nancy, as Nancy jerked down and flinched. She stumbled a bit but stayed as close to Raven as she could. Just as the enchanted pools came into sight, a distant howl erupted. The deep illustrious scent of leather, vanilla and Sandalwood filled Ravens nostrils. She felt her heat coming on. Instinctively she turned towards the scent. Mrs Christy tried to course correct Raven but deep motivations were driving her. “Mate!’” Raven said back.