The Pack’s Treason

Dissonance

"So, no sign of your mate yet?" Rachel and I were finally coming back from shopping after she looked for hours and in several different stores to find THE perfect dress for tonight. I was riding shotgun in Rach's car, a white jeep wrangler, as we were getting out of town and heading back to the pack's territory. I had to scream my question to try and cover the sound of the wind blowing through the open windows while we were speeding on the small road. She rolled them back up a little before answering.

"No, none. I keep going into town to try and get a whiff of his scent but to no avail. Cass is starting to get reckless. I hope I find him soon." Cassiope was Rachel's wolf. I could totally understand she longed for her mate, Nyx was longing for hers too even though we had'nt shifted yet.

"I sure do." My wolf's voice interrupted my thoughts. "I can't wait to find him. He must be sooo dreamy." I growled inwardly.

"We do have a mate. Luke is."

"I don't feel anything when we're with him. His wolf doesn't appeal to me."

"It's because we haven't shifted yet. LUKE IS OUR MATE." I shoved her back to the corner of my head and cut off all communication with her. She didn't know what she was talking about. I did my best to hide the anger I could feel rising inside me and turned to my best friend as if nothing had just happened.

"My brother and Luke are supposed to go to an Alpha meeting with my father soon. I don't remember which pack they're supposed to travel to, but I can ask them if we could accompany them. Maybe you'll meet your mate there!

"Really? Oh Goddess, I would love that!" She turned and flashed a smile at me. "Ah, we're back home just in time, see? Told you we would not be late for the ceremony!" I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, we're not late, but I did wish I had more time to get ready."

"Stop worrying so much, I'll help you get ready!"

She slowed down considerably, once we finally made the turn on the small dirt road leading to our territory. The entrance was barely visible from the bigger gravel road we were just following. The nearby trees camouflaged it in such a way that normal non-werewolf's eyes wouldn't be able to find it. Even with our supernatural vision, if we didn't know the road was there, we would probably miss it. We drove deeper into the pack's forest, passing the training grounds where several warriors were currently training. They waved and howled like stupid frat boys when they saw us and Rach giggled and waved back. Our pack was one of the biggest and strongest in North America, mostly because we had a lot of warriors and they received the most ruthless training from my father's Gamma, who was an unparalleled fighter. Also, unlike most packs, everyone of age thirteen and up was allowed to train, even she-wolves. Most people trained, but not all of them were warriors. Becoming one took a lot of time, discipline and dedication. You also had to pass several tests to rise through the ranks and there were obligations like night patrols or security surveillance. In my opinion, it all looked incredibly boring. Rachel trained sometimes but it was mostly to hang out and flirt with the warriors. I preferred to go on runs to keep myself fit.

"I wish we would train." This time I couldn't help but sigh out loud when I heard Nyx's whining, which got me a weird look from my friend. Couldn't me and my wolf ever agree on anything?

"I don't like training, you know that. Can you even imagine me fighting?"

"We are stronger than you think. We can do more than go shopping, be pretty and hang out with that boy. Alpha blood runs through our veins." She growled in response.

"You know I don't care about this stuff! I don't want to be Alpha or Luna and I don't want to be a warrior or learn how to fight! I don't need to! Do you really think anyone would try and hurt me, the Alpha's daughter? The future Alpha's sister? The future Beta's mate? I'm perfectly protected by my family and I love my life just the way it is. Stop trying to ruin everything, Nyx!"

This time I was really starting to lose my temper. I temporarily cut contact with her and tried calming myself down with some deep breaths.

"Bee, are you okay?" Rach asked me with concern in her eyes. Not even she knew how bad my relationship with Nyx was. I didn't tell anybody because a werewolf who didn't get along with their wolf was unheard of and I was starting to worry I was abnormal. A freak. I shook my head trying to chase my worries for what seemed to be the hundredth time today. What was going on?! Everything was supposed to go perfectly! Today was the day of my first shift, the day Luke and I would finally accept each other as mates. I couldn't let my Grinch of a wolf ruin this for me.

"Yes, I'm great" I answered between clenched teeth. Thankfully, she didn’t press any further. I didn't feel like explaining myself to her, I just wished I could go see Luke and let him hold me like he did this morning. He was the only one who could have made me feel better right now. The only problem was, I had no idea where he was and he probably was occupied dealing with pack matters with my brother and father.

I got out of the car as soon as she parked in front of the pack house. The impressive manor made of dark wood was three stories tall and was bustling with activity. The only people here normally were the families of the Beta and Gamma, a few warriors on duty, some Omegas in charge of maintaining the place and my father working in his office in the pack house. Today was different since it was the full moon. Everyone was making sure everything was ready for the ceremony.

We got into the pack house, passing a few Omegas who were busy cleaning the hall. They bowed their heads as we passed by before going back to their work. Then we climbed the stairs all the way to the second story of the house where Rachel’s room was. We took the next two hours to get ready, listening to music and chatting about trivial things like school gossip. Rach put on her new outfit, which was a short silver A-line dress with straps. It looked so good on her, making her legs look even longer than they already were. She paired that with laced up ballerina-type flats of the same colour and curled her beautiful red hair before letting it down. Her makeup was light and romantic, a little bit of pink on the eyes, some brown mascara, pink blush, pink gloss. She was stunning as always.

I looked down at my own dress. It was really not something I would normally wear but Nyx had fallen in love when she saw it at the store and I had thought, why not let her choose for once? It was her first shift too. Granted, that was before she decided to be an ass to me on the car ride home. Now I kind of regret it.

The dress was black, short and hugged my well-developed body just right. There was a hole at the top, right on my chest, and a slit in the skirt. The hole was not too low and the slit not too high, so it didn’t look indecent, but it was very hot. I had to give Nyx that. I normally would have done my makeup so it looked like Rachel's, but again my wolf had something else in mind and I caved in. I made my brows a bit more sharp and pointy and did the same with my black eyeliner, adding some in the inner corner of my eyes. I put on some red blush and went in with some bronzer and contour and finished the look with black mascara and a dark red lip. I also braided my long black hair in an elaborate way and let it fall on one of my shoulders. I took a look in the mirror a bit unsure. I looked fierce and a bit mysterious. This was far from my usual style, but I didn’t hate it. For once, I felt a wave of appreciation from my wolf. She was almost purring from contentment. I laughed nervously. Rachel turned around and examined me with a critical eye.

“You look.. different.” My face fell and she quickly added ; “ But different good! You look really hot, actually.” she took a mischievous tone. “ I’m sure Luke will be all over you tonight.”

I felt my face heat up. Me and Luke had never done anything else than kiss before. I was actually waiting for tonight to give myself to him. Making love as mates was a beautiful, powerful thing since the mate bond, this strong connection, amplified every shared sensation. This reminder only made me more impatient for the ceremony to begin and for Luke and I to finally be in each other’s arms.

Rachel’s phone rang and I jumped. We had been too occupied getting ready and now it was almost 8 pm.

“We better get our asses downstairs.” I said, already imagining how mad my dad would be if I was late. We finally stepped foot outside Rachel’s room and inside me I could feel Nyx’s impatience echoing mine.