The Origin

Royal Blue Eyes

---POV Esa---

“Okay, we aren't going!” Johnny dropped his coat on the floor and the guys started laughing. “Where's my baby? Who is this gorgeous woman in front of me? I cannot allow other men to look at you. Your father will haunt my dreams!”

I shook my head at his drama and swatted away his hands as he walked towards me in shock. “Let's just go. This might be a great opportunity to work with the wolves again. It's been a while since we’ve had a job from a pack. Remember they pay way more.” I noted walking towards...a limo? I turned to look at the one I know is responsible for this.

“What? We have to arrive in style. I'm just glad my cousin even gave me an invite and not just you guys. I guess she doesn't like being the only witch in a den full of wolves.” I laughed at Abs' statement while she confidently walked to the back door opened by the driver.

“What do you mean crazy woman? She lives with a den of wolves...like...as their Luna.” I smirked and the guys started talking amongst themselves while we continued our banter.

“So?”

“So, she is literally the mother of the pack. She is not uncomfortable around wolves. She probably just wanted to see you, silly.” I playfully bumped her shoulder and she laughed.

“Okay, okay, but wait, what does that mean for you?” She asked, slightly confused.

I tilted my head quizzically. “What do you mean?”

“Well, aren't you an Alpha. How do you have a Luna?” I shrugged.

“Well, some female Alphas are mated to other females, but that is very rare. Normally we just...I don't know how to explain it, we kind of step to the side a bit or something. The male we mate with is usually part of a much stronger pack and majority of the time it's a great alliance. The smaller pack gets safety while the female doesn't lose face. The Alpha Luna is the Alpha's equal. An Alpha's female with their own pack, they are technically on a different level. Not only are they the equal of their Alpha, but also, the pack is more respectful to her because she didn't earn her spot as an Alpha Luna by looking pretty or becoming mated to the Alpha. She earned her spot because she earned her spot in battle. Whether it be to earn her spot as the Alpha or just to protect her pack. She proves to her new pack that she can nurture and protect them.” The whole car froze as we drove along. All the side conversations stopped, and everyone looked at me, including Abs. I looked around confused. “What?”

“I think that is the most you have said since we left our pack, Esa.” Johnny said, surprised.

I shrugged. “Well, I wanted to make sure I was aware of what I was saying. If she asks, she needs to understand what she is asking about with all the details included.” I wasn't going to say just one word in my response.

“Uhuh. Well, at least I'm aware, so I won't say anything stupid.” Abs nodded, trying to retain all that information.

I agreed. “Oh, and when I tell you it's an Alpha Luna, please never call her just a Luna. That's an insult to their sacrifice.”

She looked stunned. “Wait, so are you guys like...being mean to the Lunas? My cousin?” She accused.

I leaned back, shocked a bit. “Oh nooooo....no, no, no. The Lunas are just as respected and they are amazing women, but it's kind of like seeing a warrior and not respecting that they were in fact a warrior. There are even some Alpha Lunas that never owned a pack. Rare, but respected because they are warriors as well as Lunas. Makes sense?”

She laughed lightly and the guys started getting into our conversation. “If you have to ask, that means it’s a solid no.” Dawn chimed in.

Jason shook his head and patted Abs's knee. “If it gets too confusing, just stay with one of us. It will be easier that way.”

She nodded aggressively and just then, the limo pulled out of its portal, and we drove up to the red carpet leading to the mansion housing the Wolfen Gala this year. “Wow...this is a lot.” Johnny said, looking out the window. We all groaned in agreement.

“This is going to suck.” I said just as the driver opened our door. Lovely. They all agreed. Well, all except Abs. She just ignored us. The men climbed out first and Jason held out his hand for Abs and Johnny held out his hand for me. It was sweet and it felt like I was going to this function with my dad. I'm sure we would have at some point, and now is better than never. “Thanks...for being an awesome uncle, Johnny.” He chuckled and we looped our arms together before walking into the main dance hall littered with many wolves of all shapes and sizes.

“MATE!” I heard in between my ears from my normally extremely quiet wolf. I looked around confused and Lydia growled happily. “MATE!” She shouted again.

I cleared my throat, trying not to get my hopes up and chuckled. She must be playing a trick on me. Mate? Please. I'm 27 years old and never caught a whiff of the guy. It’s been almost ten years since I became of age, and I haven’t necessarily been a hermit that whole time. I’ve traveled the world and no sign of them. Yeah, what are the odds? “You want to hear something funny, uncle?”

He turned and laughed at me as we walked down the stairs. When we reached the marble floor, my heels clacked against the tiles. “What's up, little Alpha?” He asked, pinching my cheek slightly. He was almost 7'4, but when he called me that nickname, it was a form of endearment that he picked up from my father a long time ago. Probably before they realized I had stopped growing. So, I let it pass. Now that my father is gone, Johnny’s the only one left that can call me that.

I chuckled again. “Lydia thinks we have found our mate. Ridiculous, right?” I looked down at the hem of my dress to make sure it made it along with me. I wasn't really used to wearing this much of an outfit. It's a lot. That and either way, I'm the Origin Shifter. I already looked through all the books the Origin Witch gave me, and it already said not one Origin Shifter has ever found their mate, except for the Original. While Drac – I still cannot believe I call him behind his back that after all these years – and the Origin Witch both have life partners. Oh well. I guess it just wasn't in the cards. It just would be nice if Lydia would stop adding salt to the wound and screaming ‘Mate!’ every seven seconds.

“Uh...Esa...”

I smiled and looked up from my fidgeting and ignored my self-pity to look over at Johnny. “Yeah, What's up?”

“I…uh…don't think it's ridiculous.” Why was he so fidgety?

I tilted my head confused again before a rush of an intoxicating scent overwhelmed me. The smell of fresh rain in a redwood forest. I turned in shock and I could feel my face redden as a Lycan approached my uncle and me. I gasped, feeling the sheer dominance radiating over his chiseled muscles restrained underneath that rather perfect dark grey suit and black button-up. His polished black dress shoes slammed against the floor with authority and everything in my soul wanted me to run to him, but my human half clenched hold of my uncle’s arm in sheer fear.

Once we finally stood face to face, I felt Johnny wrench his arm away from me and bow on one knee with his fist clenched and pressing into the floor. He rested his other arm on the other side of his upright knee and looked down at the ground. “King Lycan.”

“K-King?” I whispered more inaudible than I thought was possible.

He growled deeply and the room fell silent. Even a couple of other people were kneeling now…well…everyone was kneeling now, but I couldn’t move from my spot. Why couldn’t I move? He breathed heavily and looked over my flushed cheeks with those royal blue orbs increasing my body heat the longer they assessed me. I, an Alpha, froze in fear. “MINE!” Bellowed throughout the room and I, Eliesa McRylan, shook in my heels.