Luna’s Inevitable Mating Quandary

Betty's POV My fists pounded repeatedly on the leather of the focus mitts.The umpteenth time, my coach screamed, "Again." It seemed like my arms were going to break every time he drilled me with a combination. However, I didn't mind at all. It is preferable that I learn self-defense skills so that I am not one of those helpless women. After finishing the morning's combo he had shown me, I exclaimed, "Hyaah!" I had committed fully to the finishing blow as a symbol of my completion of this lesson.He muttered at me, "Damn Betty, that hurt," but he wasn't angry or even visibly irritated. The look of pride in his eyes brightened my day.This time he laughed as he spoke: "If you weren't so little, then I'd say there was no way you were really a girl. ""Don't be so cruel to Jim."My whining had only made him laugh more, or maybe it was my pouty face: "It's a compliment, and you know it." To paraphrase, "You fight better than most of the guys in my gym."To paraphrase, "That's not hard to do. Most of them think they need to be the biggest to be the best, but that just leaves them with less speed and more places to hit. And most of them have no brains at all and can't put those muscles to good use." Plus, most of them don't have the added advantage that I have which I mentally added. Jim nearly collapsed at my remarks, and he had to hang on to the wall for support.Then he said, "That's why I like you kid; you're spunky and definitely have brains. Now go on, get changed, or you'll be late for your next class." When I looked up, I realized he was right. Since Grandfather had ceased paying for my prior instructor, I had to fit my training sessions in between my classes at the local college. I reassured Jim, "Alright, I'll see you next week," and then sprinted to the rarely-visited women's changing room. I showered quickly as usual and then tied my long brown hair into my signature high ponytail, where it would dry into its regular wavy curls. I put on some trousers, a t-shirt, and a hoodie. I'm sure that typical college freshmen, particularly female ones, spend more time primping before class than I did, but I simply didn't have it in me. Not at that particular time; I was already quite late.These were the moments when I was relieved that I ran at a somewhat faster pace than other people. Faster than a human, yet perhaps not as swift as the rest of my family or my pack. As I hurried back to campus, I had to force myself to slow down. Thankfully, I was able to get to class early. Though it did assist that I had an innate awareness of when someone or something was approaching in my blind spot or blocking my path ahead, It was a supernatural ability bestowed upon us by the moon goddess that seemed to be shared by all werewolves. Not that I was a werewolf in any meaningful sense, but whatever.The lecturer entered and began to give her talk. This was a required course; therefore, I didn't have much interest in it. The only thing I've learned from them so far is what my grandfather's tutors taught me when I was a kid, and I was hoping for something more challenging and thought-provoking. I had a very privileged upbringing and education, but everything changed when I turned eighteen. Although my grandfather continued to provide some financial assistance for me into adulthood, it was far lower than it had been when I was younger.But it was okay with me. Being on my own has done wonders for my mood. His strict restrictions are no longer obligatory for me to follow, at least not to the same extent. I didn't mind that the only regulations I had to adhere to were the norms of the pack. ~~ I'm Betty Wilson, and my ancestors held prominent positions in the Red Springs pack. My grandfather was once the Beta to the previous Alpha; however, the previous Alpha was just assassinated, and the son of the previous Alpha assumed his position. But being Beta didn't save my family's reputation when we were involved in a major scandal.We wolves take our honor seriously. Every day since I was a tiny girl, Grandpa has told me that. From what I can recall, way back when My mother was very proud of her family, but when she was fifteen, she ran away for the weekend and came back to her angry father. The fact that she was pregnant only made things worse. She flat-out refused to reveal the father's identity to them. Since they already knew the father wasn't a wolf, they automatically considered me a monster. However, I was still considered a member of the pack, and the previous Alpha had mandated that I be treated normally until it could be established that I would not undergo the same change as the rest of the pack. The transition to our wolf forms often occurs between the ages of 13 and 18. Despite the fact that it's not always the case, many people believe that the sooner you shift, the stronger your wolf will be. Here I am, approaching the big 2-0, and I haven't changed a bit. Nonetheless, I retained my wolfness in every other respect. Everything was in my favor; I was quick, strong, and had heightened senses and a natural urge to fight. I felt like I belonged there. Although it was obvious that I was not human, I was also not a werewolf at this time. I felt like an outsider everywhere I went. I was unable to inquire directly about my father from my mother. If she was too afraid to talk to her father when she was younger, or if she might be braver now that more time has passed. She couldn't take the insults and stares any longer, so she left the house shortly after giving birth. When I was a little over a month old, she took her own life. My mother gave me a pendant and instructed that it be presented to me when I was old enough. After my mother and grandmother passed away, I spent most of my time with my uncle Dan, his wife Ava, and their two boys, who treated me like a sister and were the best part of my childhood. I honestly can't believe that they followed through with it, and if it were up to Grandfather, they probably would not have.If it weren't for Grandfather, I think everything would have gone swimmingly. I know he has it in for me. He expected way too much out of me. Constantly assuring me that I would never be permitted to follow in the footsteps of his terrible excuse for a daughter. For many years, I was subjected to daily repetitions of all of his regulations. My cousins and the other kids in the pack could go to public school, but I couldn't. I was designed to study extensively and acquire a wide range of skills. I had an extremely challenging education that included etiquette classes, martial arts training, ballet, boxing, fencing, language classes, instrument instruction, and more. Grandfather footed the bill in the hopes that I'd make the change by the time I was eighteen, at which point he could utilize my marriage into a respectable family to reestablish his place in the social order. After my birthday passed, however, it was obvious to everyone that I was not going to change. There was no wolf to be found. I was a monstrosity, a freak of nature, and an outcast who had no business being among my kind.Even so, I was bound by the code of conduct of our pack. I was still expected to show up at every pack meeting. When the alpha commanded us to kneel, I still had to lower my head and bend my knees. His words had the same effect on the pack as a compulsion, and we were powerless to resist them. Despite my efforts, most of the noble houses continued to view me with suspicion. As someone out of place among the popular crowd. ~~ Professor Timmy's tone of voice always let me know when the lecture was winding down, so I snapped out of my reverie in time to hear the night's homework assignment. The assigned composition would be too simple for me to pass. A little over a month had passed since the beginning of the semester, and I still had nothing to do. The Introduction to Criminology course was the only one of my four requirements that I found even mildly engaging. I'm waiting for the action to pick up here. As I walked out of the room, I reminded myself once more.A man's voice came from behind me and said, "Hey Bet, I see you were spacing out again." Another person chimed in, "Yeah, Astro, can't you keep yourself grounded for a single class?"Sonia smacked the two of them on the arm with a sigh and said, "Ignore them, Bet." The four of us then moved to the side of the hallway so as not to impede the flow of traffic. These were the only people I'd ever been able to call pals.Sonia and her twin brother Jeremy were both tall, thin, and attractive because of their ash-blond hair, green eyes, and angular features.