Hidden Lake’s secret

Chapter One.

Chapter One.

Aria

“Hey…” I sighed. “Relax. You never stopped to let him explain before you made assumptions.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at best friend. Cassidy is almost 20 and still hopes to find her mate, but that hasn’t stopped her from seeing other people. Honestly, I couldn’t care less what the newest guy had done. He seems like a jerk. But I’ve known Cass my whole life. She’s the closest thing I have to a sister, and my only cousin. When her parents passed in a fire, when I was almost 3 and she was 4, my parents didn’t even hesitate to take her in. So, I know exactly what she wants to hear from me.

“He was holding her hand, and tucking her HAIR BEHIND HER EAR!” She sobbed out the last part, as if this was really breaking her heart.

I love Cass to death, but I know that her investment into this guy was minimal. She’s just killing time. I personally want to wait for my mate, but I’m not a goddess like Cassidy. She’s gorgeous, tall and elegant. Although Alpha Mark is MY father, Alpha blood runs through her veins, also. Unlike me, however, it’s so obvious in her. Her grace and charm doesn’t take away from the power she has from the constant training she endures. My cousin may not have a problem with soothing her s****l desires, but she isn’t the type to need a man’s help for anything. She radiates power and demands respect with her presence.

“Aria..” she whines. “Are you even listening to me?” She stares at me questioningly.

I sigh again and lay back onto my bed. “Yeah. You we’re probably right to slap him.” I say as I sit back up after moment. “I didn’t like him much, anyways. Besides, the guy at the coffee shop the other day seemed to be checking you out, and he was cute.” I wink at her. She knows that I’m aware of her lack of real concern for her current ‘love problems’.

She lets out a squeal. “I knoooow!” She rambles on a bit more about coffee shop guy.

Our pack, the Hidden Lake Pack is one of the largest in the northern US. My family has held the Alpha position for generations. My father is the first Alpha since my great grandfather took over the pack to have only a daughter. He’s never shown an ounce of disappointment in me, though.

Cass is perfectly sculpted, with a 5’-9” figure, and stunning naturally platinum blonde hair. She looks just like my father and late uncle. I, on the other hand, am only 5’ 6”, not short, but I don’t really stand out anywhere. I’m quiet, I guess, but I still like to have fun, and I can hold my own. My mid length auburn locks are complimented by a sprinkle of freckles across my small nose. I look just like my mother. She is from a long line of Gammas. Crystal clear emerald eyes are the only thing that Cass and I have alike. I’m cute, and although my figure is more curvy, my strength is on par with my cousin. We both train hard and often. As daughters of the Alpha, it’s expected to act as such. We also both want to be able to protect our family and pack.

It is likely that I will end up as future Luna when my future mate becomes Alpha. And I’m sure Cass’ mate will be of some ranking. I turned 18 three months ago, and graduated 2 month before that. I didn't get my wolf in school, where the possibility of finding one’s mate would be higher. I’m worried that I may have to wait longer than my wolf, Snow, and I would prefer to find our mate. It’s been almost two years and Cassidy still hasn’t found hers. She keeps telling me to enjoy single life while I can, but I just can’t. I guess I just feel like true love is worth the wait.

-“Aria.” my father mind links me. “Can you please come to my office, I have something I’d like to discuss with you”-

-“Ok, I’ll be there shortly” I mind link back.

“Who was that?” Cass asks casually, as she starts stripping out of her training clothes. She had her own room, but she almost always just stays in mine.

“Just Dad. Apparently he has something he needs to discuss with me? I didn’t ask what it was about.” I reply.

“Figures…” she states. “We’ll I’m gonna jump in the shower then go for a run. Sky has been itching to go since training was only in human form today. Lemme know if he says anything interesting.” She finishes with a hint of curiosity in her voice. Cassidy’s wolf, Sky, is just as radiant as she is. She’s large for a she-wolf, with an ashy gray coat and deep blue eyes. She’s so soft, and I love petting her fur. My wolf, Snow is slightly smaller than Sky, with white fur that matches her name, and black paws. Her crystal blue eyes look like frozen lakes. I’m always in awe of how beautiful my wolf is.

“For sure. I’ll see you sometime later today.” I say as I walk out of my room and head down hallway towards the stairs. -“I don't know why she cant just wait for her mate,” Snow grumbles in my head. “Sky is happy this new guy didn't work out.” She says smugly. “It her decision. I’m sure Sky will calm down once she’s claimed.” I retort, before I block Snow out. I start to wonder when Cass and I will finally find our mates, and what will feel like to meet mine. I’ve heard its an immediate attraction, and Snow says we’ll just know.

Before I know it, I’m facing my father’s office door. I knock and wait til I hear a muffled “It’s open”, and let myself in. My father is sitting at his desk surrounded by paperwork. He’s an excellent Alpha who cares deeply for his pack. He spends a lot of time helping solve problems, securing borders, and maintaining alliances. However, paperwork is his Achilles heal. He sighs and looks up at me with pleading eyes. I didn’t graduate 5 months early, for no reason. I did it to get a jump start on learning how to run a pack. I smile, and pull a chair up to his desk. I grab a stack and start going through the documents. Most of them just need signatures. I like to help my parents with as much as I can in preparation for their eventual retirement.

“I’ve read through and approved all those in that stack.” My father says, handing me his signature seal. “They just need stamped”

I nod and start stamping his signature on the pile of papers in front of me. When I finish that, I start reading and filing away some of the other finished documents. Soon we’ve cut the pile down by three quarters. My father leans back and sighs deeply. “What would I do without you?”

I laugh and wonder the same thing. Sometimes I’m not sure how he survived before me. My mother, Luna Alaina, might be even worse at office work. I’ve never met pair more dedicated to their pack’s safety snd happiness, though.

“So is this all you needed, Dad?” I ask as I finish up and organize what’s left over on his desk.

“Actually no.” He pauses and stands up before continuing, “Alpha Garret from the Blue River pack will be arriving in three days, and I’d like you to help your mother prepare for him. He recently took over when his widowed father retired and decided to finally hand over the pack so he could do some traveling. Garret is already 22, and from what I’ve heard, has been aiding his father for some time now. I’d like to establish a good relationship with him as soon as possible.”

The Blue River pack is directly on our territory’s southern edge. Although their pack is smaller than ours, they’re known for their rigid training regimens, which have resulted in some of the strongest warriors in all of the country. Most packs fear them, because the former Alpha was not afraid to show off his strength. Even we’ve never had problems with them, I can understand why my father would like to ensure that the new Alpha is planning on continuing our peaceful alliance as soon as he can. I don't think my father has met with them in quite awhile. It’s kind of weird, because Alphas from all our other borders visit quite frequently. I’m wondering why I never noticed that before when my father clears he throat, waiting for a response.

“Oh! Yeah, okay. That’s not a problem.” I reply back quickly and smile and walk around his desk to give him a quick hug. “I’ll go find mom now and and we can start getting preparations ready. How many people is he bringing?” I ask.

“As far as I know, he’ll be bringing his Beta, Ethan, and his Gamma, Jax. I also suggested he bring some unmated warriors with him, so prepare for about a dozen or so.”

“Sounds good” I reply as I walk out of my father’s office to go search for my mother. It doesn't take me long to find her, in the kitchen. She’s always had a love of baking.

“Aria!” she calls out when she sees me. “Perfect timing! Will you grab me that bowl over there?” She nods her head towards the island in the middle of the kitchen while trying to juggle a mess of ingredients in her arms as she tries to blow her short auburn curls out of her eyes.

I chuckle to myself and bring the bowl over to where she's gathering what she needs. “So what are making today?” I ask, as I roll up my sleeves and wash my hands. I’m not much of a baker, but I’m a great assistant!

“Well, I’m sure your father has told you about Alpha Garret’s arrival at the end of the week. And of course, what better way to welcome guests than with fresh baked goods?” She smiles warmly at me. “I was thinking about fresh apple pies from our orchard, so I’m starting the crusts today.” My mother is the sweetest person I know. She always puts others first and works hard to spread her kindness. “Why don't you grab that bag of flour over on the counter…and I know I had the measuring cups around here somewhere..”

“I was actually just coming to find you for that same reason.” I try to bring her back to the part about Alpha Garret’s arrival. I grab the flour and the measuring cups, and place them in moms pile of crust supplies. “Other than baking, we should probably go over preparations for a welcome dinner Saturday and possibly some kind of entertainment for Friday evening, after they get settled? I’m sure the meetings with Dad will take up most of their time here, but I’d like to ensure that we show them what the continued alliance with us will have to offer.” I state. I know that eventually, I’ll be the one taking on these responsibilities and so I really like participating in the planning of events, as much as possible.

My mother grins knowingly at me. “You’re always ahead of the game, my love. Do you have any ideas already? Because I was thinking that we could have a small gathering Friday night with pie and ice cream?” She asks. “It’s not really entertainment, but people can mingle. Your father said that Alpha Garret might bring unmated male wolves, so we can just keep it casual.”

“I love that idea!” I smile at her. She always has the best ideas when it comes to event planning! We do a little more brainstorming for a dinner menu and while prepped the crusts, we got the majority of the weekend scheduled out. Our guests will be arriving Friday evening and we’ll offer desert. The next day they will be joining our morning training session, before the meetings with my father. Saturday evening will be a welcome dinner, with some additional mingling. Maybe some of his unmated warriors will find their other halves in our pack. That would help to solidify our connections with them. Then they’ll take their leave Sunday morning. It’ll be a simple, but tasteful, experience. With the hope that our alliance with them continues as expected.