The Lycan Queen

Chapter Four:

As we drive through the pack grounds, I couldn't help but take in the view. Crescent Moon is one of the largest packs in North America. It has gorgeous pack lands, stretching over almost 10,000 acres of forest. The land is even shaped like a crescent moon, with a large river on one edge and a vast mountain range allowing cliffs to enclose its arc. With that much land, it's no surprise that the pack is very isolated. In fact, apart from the Alpha, the pack has very little communication with the outside world. That's one of the reasons my parents sent me here. But that won't be for much longer. Flynn said he wants to change that when he becomes Alpha. He wants to bring the pack into the 21st century. He wants to increase trade with other packs and make new alliances, to strengthen the pack in case of the worst. At first, I thought he was crazy. Crescent Moon has the land and population to withstand an attack from almost every werewolf pack in the country and, for the most part, Lycans leave werewolves alone unless they are challenged. But as we grew older, I came to understand his reasoning: eight years ago, a large, isolated pack was massacred by rouge Lycans and werewolves. The pack that he thinks I came from.

Guilt pangs at my heart as I think of the eight years I have spent lying to him. That his parents have spent lying to him. But first thing tomorrow, we're telling him. He has to understand why I won't be taking part in the pack ceremony, why we won't shift together, why I won't kneel with the pack and take the oath of loyalty to him. Like most Alpha wolves, Flynn is hot-headed, but I hope he understands. This was the only way to ensure I wasn't the only one who had a normal childhood. These thoughts swirl around my head for most of the drive, but ultimately, the voice of reason wins out. There is nothing that can be done to change the last eight years, nor is there anything that changes who I am. And for that reason, I should stop acting like a Cinderella, counting down the minutes until the fairy tale ends, but instead should be excited about what's to come. I just graduated with all my friends. We're on our way back to the pack house for a celebratory dinner. Tomorrow I turn eighteen and get my wolf, and then get to celebrate with a huge party! Shaking the negativity out of my mind, I put on a smile and tune back into the real world just as we pulled up to the pack house.

The Sharps, the Lawrences, and the Matthews are standing outside waiting for us. Noah and Ryder help Jess and me out of the car before greeting the Sharps and their families. It's no surprise Jess's parents aren't here. Her father hasn't come to anything since her mom died two years ago. They were true mates, and it's said the pain of losing your true mate is worse than death. I remember going over her house when it was vibrant and full of life and laughter. He used to take us on hikes to show us the best swimming holes and climbing spots. But Jess's mom got pregnant again and was extremely high risk. She refused the doctors' attempts to explain to her all the things that were certain to go wrong. But Jess's mom refused to listen, and by the time things went wrong, it was too late for the pack healers to save her or the baby. To his credit, Jess's dad still goes to work every day and provides for her, but he's just a shell of his old self. I give her a small smile and open my mouth, but she stops me.

"It's alright Alex, I'm used to it. I'll see you inside, okay," she says, as she's already walking away from me. I watch as she quickly pays respect to the ranked families before going inside the pack house.

When I reach my family, they give me a quick hug before Noel zips back inside to go approve the appetizers or something like that. The second she's out of earshot, I turn to Aaron and Flynn.

"Alright, go smoke your cigars. But if she asks where you are, I'm not covering for you," I say. Needing no further encouragement, they took off so fast I swear I saw literal dust clouds form in their wake.

Always one to follow the proper procedure, I turn to greet the Lawrences. I've known Noah's parents since my first day here, and to say they were thrilled when we started dating is an understatement. A lot of being a pack member is about status, and while Nick and Abigail Lawerence were already highly ranked as the beta family, the Alpha line and the Beta line finally mating would only make the pack stronger (I swear those were Abigail's exact words). They've always been nothing but nice to me, even after many, many times of catching Noah and me at very awkward moments and in compromising positions. Like the one I'm in right now, as I am suddenly very aware that I'm in a short dress and, thanks to their own son, I'm not wearing underwear. But always my knight, Noah saves me from an in-depth conversation, telling his parents we will catch up with them after dinner and leading me over to Ryder and his parents.

Jordan and Madelyn Matthews might be my favorite people ever. After a quick greeting and congratulations, they tell us to head inside and hang out with our friends before dinner. Not needing any further instructions, Ryder, Noah and I headed inside.

Noah grabs my hand and begins pulling me towards the stairs, as Ryder reminds us dinner starts in thirty minutes, and he is not covering for us again today. I start to take the stairs slowly, struggling between my heels and trying not to flash anyone below me, when Noah picks me up and throws my body over his shoulder. I scream, because I can feel that my whole lower half is on display for anyone walking down the steps. But Noah reassures me that absolutely no one can see me as he reaches the beta's floor and heads toward his room. Once we're inside, he lays me down on his bed and whistles.

"Damn, could you actually take the dress off? I'd love to have a picture of you like this framed on my nightstand," he jokes. I look down at myself. My dress is now scrunched up above my hips, and I'm bare from the waste down, but my tall red heels are still on. When I look back at Noah, his gaze is heated as he stares at me and he unties his tie. It's indescribable how hot this view of him is. How he's looking at me as if I'm the first meal he's had in years. But I stick my foot out to block him as he advances, and don't miss how his focus shifts instantly to between my thighs.

"Oh absolutely not, not after you forced me to walk around all afternoon without panties," I start. "What if I dropped my phone during pictures? Or if I tripped in front of your parents," I reason.

"Then I would have killed anyone who saw you," He deadpans.