The Steelcrest Luna

As I lay there on the cold wet ground, I try to focus on the leaves in the tree overhead. If I can try to keep my mind sharp, maybe then I'll be alright. The leaves start to blur as my entire world begins to disappear into a bright white light. I should have known it would end like this. My eyes start drooping closed and I hear a beautiful voice in my head “Don't give up my little one. I'm here.” That is the last thing I hear before the bright light turns into a deep darkness. ~1 year earlier~ Today is my birthday. Today is my birthday! I turned 18 today and I am so excited. This is going to be the best day ever! Because today is the day I get to meet my wolf. My name is Willow Rhodes. I'm a bit small for a werewolf. I'm 5 '2, with long deep red hair, bright green eyes, pale skin covered in freckles and 125 pounds of ferocity. I'm a member of the Moonstone Pack. The Moonstone Pack is the 2nd largest pack in the country. The only pack that is bigger than ours is the Steelcrest pack. It's rumored that their alpha is sadistic, blood thirsty and cruel. Everyone here calls him the Monster Alpha. There has been a war between our two packs for as long as anyone can remember. Here at Moonstone, everyone goes to school until they are 17 years old and then the boys go to training and the girls go to finishing school. We learn all about how we are expected to behave and carry ourselves. We are taught proper cleaning, cooking and childcare practices. Everyone meets their wolf once they turn 18 and we shift for the first time at the first full moon after we turn 18. We have a big celebration where the first time shifters shift in front of the whole pack. Our alpha then decides our standing in the pack. We can end up as Deltas, which are our teachers, healers or warriors, or Omegas, which are the workers, servants and the breeders. If you are chosen to be a breeder, you are given to the royalty to produce heirs to continue the royal line. Breeders are also expected to reject their mates if they find them. However, that rarely happens because they are kept inside the pack house and seldom ever come outside. As wolves, the Moon Goddess gives us a mate. It is said that once you meet your wolf at the age of 18, you are then drawn to your mate. They are supposed to smell intoxicating and that is how you know they are meant for you. Also, your wolf is said to know when they are near. Mates are fated on the wolf plane as well, so our wolves will be connected to them before they meet in person. It is said to be a wonderful feeling like no other. The royals are Alpha Max, Beta Theo, and Gamma John. We are required to call them by their titles when we speak to or about them. Our royals are very strict here. Once, an omega servant tripped and spilled wine on Alpha Max, and they had a public punishment where the Alpha had him whipped 20 times. Whippings are very common here. There are other punishments as well, but whipping is the Alpha's favorite. He even carries around his favorite whip. It's a scary looking brown whip with several knots down each string. As I'm waking up, I turn to look at the alarm clock and noticed that I woke up early and a smile crept onto my face. That means I'll be first in the bathroom today. I gather up my bathroom bag and hurry to the bathroom. I live in the pack orphanage so I have to share the bathroom with the other 4 kids that live here with me. They are all a little younger than me, so I never really got close to them. I'm kinda a loner to be honest. I was told that my parents died in a rogue attack when I was just a baby. I don't have any pictures of them, so I don't know what they look like, but I've grown up pretty well. Mrs Tasha runs the orphanage and she treats us all really well. Her mate died when she was younger and it nearly killed her. Her mate was taken in the same attack that took my parents. She didn't have the heart to settle down with anyone else and instead started to look after us kids. She has a way with food. She can win anyone over with her snickerdoodle cookies or her ooey gooey peanut butter bars. I keep telling her that she should open up a bakery, but she always makes excuses. Personally, I think she is just a homebody like I am. We have bonded over many games of rummy played wrapped up in blankets while sipping on her special hot coco. That's how we both prefer to spend our Saturdays. I finish up in the shower and get dressed in my new, to me, emerald green sundress and matching sandals. I normally don't dress up but Mrs Tasha got it for me from the thrift store for my birthday and I didnt have the heart to tell her I don't like dresses. Besides, it feels right to dress up a little for my 18th birthday. I only turn 18 once, so why not? I put my hair into 2 french braids and put on a little lip gloss. I never wear makeup. I've never really needed it, even if I could afford it. I look at myself in the mirror and smile. I actually look pretty today. I'm filled with anticipation and nervousness as I think about my birthday. I could meet my wolf at any point today. I also lucked out with my shifting ceremony. Some people have to wait a long time before being able to shift for the first time. I only have to wait 1 day. Today I will meet my wolf and tomorrow, during the full moon, my pack will meet her. Getting back into my room, I rush to gather my things for school and 15 minutes later I'm getting onto the bus as it heads across town.