Anyone But Her

Tell Me What It's Like

"Why?" Julia suddenly called out incredulously. "Every day he walks past our shop and stops to look at the gloves as though he wants to buy some," she let out an exasperated sigh. "We both know very well that the great Raven Orpheus would never support a Fire pack's shop," Julia said with a hint of sarcasm, bowing at his name. Audrey knew that Julia was only mirroring her own annoyance, as firstborn to the Fire pack's alpha, Audrey had always been despised by Raven. He too was first born to his pack's alpha and would one day lead the Night Shadow pack. His misplaced anger got under Audrey's skin and Julia knew it; he had behaved that way since childhood. Audrey looked up just in time to see Raven turn and walk away, his short black hair catching the afternoon sun.

"Good riddance," she said as she rolled her eyes and got back to work, glad that Julia was there. Julia and Audrey had been best friends for as long as they could remember. Often considering their relationship to be more like that of sisters, especially since neither had any by blood.

Julia picked up a pair of deerskin gloves and continued to stitch the hem, the soft fur helping to refocus her mind. The shop where they worked was an old tanner's workshop that specialised in leather gloves and trapper hats.

There was a large front window with a thick timber frame and a row of potted forget-me-nots on the window sill. Through the window you could see the cobbled market square where the fresh food stalls were set up each day. The shop was often filled with the delicious aromas of fresh baked bread and raw, wild honey. Beyond that was the center of town; a gentle stream ran through the middle, edged by majestic, deep blue iris. The stone statue of the five great warriors who founded this town many generations back overlooked the whole area. Their descendants now made up the five packs that lived here: Fire pack, Night Shadow pack, Moon pack, Silver Dawn pack and the Snow pack. This was Havenbrook and it was home.

"He probably does it on purpose, he's always trying to cause trouble" Julia muttered, she knew as well as Audrey did that the Fire pack and Night Shadow pack did not get along. For the past nine years the Fire pack had been declared strongest pack at the Annual Havenbrook Tournament. Raven's pack took second place each time. Audrey never really understood why it mattered to him so much. Julia's father was the Moon pack's Alpha and she held no grudges. Although the packs had never actually fought and on paper they were all allies, there was an obvious rift between Audrey's and Raven's family. Nobody spoke about it but it was definitely there and it had to be about more than just the tournament.

…

Raven walked away as soon as Julia noticed him by the glove stand. He couldn't remember the first time he'd decided to go past their shop as a joke, but their reaction was so good it had become a habit. He smiled as he remembered all the annoyed looks he'd received from Audrey and Julia. Although Audrey was the Fire pack's firstborn and he was meant to avoid any contact, he couldn't help the excitement he felt when he saw fire in her amber eyes. It's because I can't stand her, because she belongs to them, he told himself she's the kind of person you love to hate.

He arrived home shortly afterwards still smiling from the memories which earned him a raised eyebrow from his mother, Stella. He walked to the polished, red cedar table and sat down next to her after giving her a kiss on the cheek. She eyed him suspiciously.

"Hi mum," he said cheerfully. His mother poured him a glass of salmonberry wine as she spoke.

"You weren't causing trouble again, were you?"

"No mother," Raven said with a cheeky grin before gulping down the cool wine.

"You better not still be visiting that hat shop," Raven's smile disappeared and he tightened the grip on his cup as he turned to look at his father in the doorway.

"No sir," he lied, his father was the one who seemed to have the biggest problem with the Fire pack. Most of his life he had thought it was because his dad wanted to take first prize at the tournament but the more he thought about it, the less it made sense. The tournament was meant to strengthen and unite the five Havenbrook families, not tear them apart.

"Good," Henry said, his eyes narrowed as he studied his son's face. Raven sighed inwardly, as firstborn he felt the responsibility to follow in his father's footsteps and so he continued to tell himself that Audrey Kenna was someone to be despised. To his relief, Raven's younger brother James walked in at that moment and the attention shifted to him. James' cheerful face brightened the atmosphere in the room immediately, he loved that about his brother. Raven studied his brother's face, above his broad smile his eyes were full of anticipation, tinged with fear. Even though he was not the oldest, he was the first to find his mate and was due to be married on the first full moon of Spring.

"Not long now," his mother said, smiling "How is the house coming along?"

"It's almost finished," James boasted. It was customary for the groom's family to build a house for the newlyweds before the big day. James had been working tirelessly to make sure it was ready on time. "Lauren has already started planting things in the garden and Matthew has been a huge help."

"That's wonderful dear, we are all very excited. Would either of you boys like something to eat?" They both shook their heads, Henry was still watching Raven intently. "Alright, I'll be outside if you need me." The brothers took the opportunity to go to their rooms. Raven lay on his bed, staring at the timber ceiling. The setting sun cast a warm glow on the walls; outside the birds were calling to their mates as the nearby stream bubbled over the rocks. Winter was nearly over and he could smell the fresh pollen in the air. A small part of him was jealous that his younger brother had found his mate. He began to daydream about the moment he'd meet his. He had seen how the mate bond had ignited something in James and wanted to experience it for himself. A woman to love, protect and call his own. A woman he would give everything to, a woman he would do anything for, a woman he would die for. She would be mine and mine alone.

…

Audrey was woken by rapid banging on her window. She glanced at the clock, it was just after ten. Wondering who it could be, Audrey reached over and turned up the oil lamp on her bedside table, sending shadows dancing all over the room. Quietly, she slipped out of her warm bed and walked to her window, pulling aside the thick curtain to reveal Julia's bright eyes beaming up at her. As soon as she saw the look on her friend's face, Audrey knew what had happened. Without waiting a moment longer she unlatched the old brass lock and slid her window up, ignoring the blast of icy wind. Julia practically flew through the window, landing on Audrey's bed with an excited squeal. She was panting slightly and her hair looked ruffled.

"Who is he?" Audrey asked with baited breath, her curiosity mingled with excitement.

"Matthew," his name dripped like honey from Julia's lips. It took Julia a few moments to realise that Audrey was staring at her with a blank expression. "From the Silver Dawn pack, he's three years older than us; Lauren's big brother."

"Of course," Audrey said, shaking her head at herself, how could she forget? Although Audrey doubted that they would have said more than ten words to each other before tonight. Julia sighed and lay back against the fluffy, feather pillows. The soft light from the oil lamp reflecting the happiness in her hazel eyes. Her long, chocolate brown hair in loose waves around her pretty face.

"I know they say the mate bond is strong and comes from deep inside you but this is nothing like I could have ever imagined," Julia's eyes were distant as she spoke, as though she was in a dream. Audrey sat on the bed opposite her, eager to know every detail.

"I'm so happy for you Julia, I want to know everything. What's it like to meet your mate?"

Julia let out another contented sigh, her gaze drifted to Audrey's and the most beautiful smile lit up her face.

"It's magic," she whispered. "It was his scent that hit me first, it sent shivers down my spine and my head started spinning. From the moment our eyes met it was like my heart started beating for the first time, everything around me stopped moving and we were the only two people on the planet."

"Where were you?" Audrey asked.

"Walking home, he nearly crashed into me as he came around the corner, next to the old mill." Julia's face began to glow with happiness as she relived the moment. "At first neither of us could move or say a word, we just stood there, staring at each other. He was the first to speak, he looked deep into my eyes and whispered so beautiful. I put my arms out to steady myself, sure that I'd faint from shock and that's when he pulled me into his." Julia looked up at Audrey, the gold flecks in her eyes glistening as a shy smile formed on her lips. "We spend the rest of the evening… getting to know each other." Julia bit her lip and her cheeks began to burn as she remembered how he had made her body feel. They had only kissed but it had sent waves of pleasure through her body and ignited a longing deep within her. She could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers. She looked up at Audrey and smiled, overwhelmed with joy.

"I'm so happy for you Julia," Audrey said, nothing made her happier than seeing Julia smile like that. Audrey sat up and gasped at the sudden realisation, "The first full moon of Spring is coming up soon," Julia met her gaze with matched excitement.

"You're right, I hadn't thought about that. It's the perfect time to get married, so romantic!" Julia rolled over and buried her face in the pillows, letting out another excited squeal. Every she-wolf dreamed of getting married under the first full moon of Spring. "How am I EVER going to sleep tonight? I want to see him again." Audrey giggled at Julia's sweet confession.

"Well you'll need your beauty rest if you're going to be a BRIDE in just a few short weeks," she teased her besotted friend. Julia's eyes grew wide.

"A bride," she repeated "Oh, there's so much to do."

"Yes, and it starts with the announcement and the engagement party," Audrey said in her most calming voice. "Which means you have to tell your parents." Julia's parents, her father in particular, had always been very protective of their only daughter. She was worried that he wouldn't be pleased about having to give her away, especially with so little notice.

"You're right, they are probably wondering where I am now. I better go home." Julia smiled at her friend before giving her a warm hug. "Thank you," Julia whispered.

"You're going to be the most beautiful bride," Audrey replied, she couldn't wait to be there for her best friend's perfect day. After one more squeeze Julia quietly slipped out of the window and raced towards home. Audrey slid her window down, climbed back into bed and turned her oil lamp to minimum. Her bed was soft and still warm from Julia sitting on it, she could smell Matthew's scent mixed with Julia's familiar one on her pillows. Audrey imagined what it would feel like to meet her mate and the happiness that would come with it. Someone to belong to and call her own. Julia often teased that her mate would be Michael, Julia's older brother, that way they could really be sisters. Audrey had always found Michael extremely handsome. "Maybe," she sighed as she fell asleep.