Secretum Passionis

Pack Life

My pack, the Stygian Pack, was one of the most prosperous werewolf packs in the country. We were by no means the biggest pack, but in time we knew that would change. Our Alpha, Ronan, was fair and inspired a ferocious loyalty amongst his pack members, which he matched in return. From the youngest pup to the oldest wolf, each of us knew he would lay down his life for us.

Ronan was also not as territorial as most Alpha’s. Once he was proclaimed our leader he gradually assimilated smaller packs into Stygian. They had gladly joined, as Ronan came from a long line of strong Alpha wolves and it was easy to see that under his leadership, prosperity would follow. Which it did.

With the addition of smaller packs, the lands of Stygian expanded. Not only did the territory grow, but with the fresh blood came fresh skills and new ways of thinking. More and more wolves found their true mates and more and more pups were born under the sacred bond. The wealth of the pack skyrocketed and every member lived a more than comfortable life. It didn’t matter if you had been born into the original pack or if your came from an outlying pack, every single person had equal opportunity.

I was one of them. I was orphaned at a young age. The story went that my pack was brutally attacked, leaving only a handful of us alive. No one had ever been able to find out who was responsible, despite Ronan’s best efforts. But he had only recently been proclaimed Alpha and his warrior team was not the slick operation I was a part of.

I was raised in the Stygian pack by an older couple from the Yarrow pack. Their son had been killed in the slaughter and despite their heartache, they took me in and loved me as their own. And so I grew up. I went to school with the Stygian pups and never felt like I wasn’t one of them. Through play and sport, I was identified as being particularly strong and was recruited into the warrior training program. I had been raised to be loyal and grateful to Ronan, so I gladly joined, vowing to lay my life down for my pack and Alpha if it was ever required.

Soon after I turned 18 and got my wolf, my position amongst the warriors was made official, and I had been running with them for six years. I loved my roles as a warrior almost as much as I loved my pack and leader. Whenever I reflected on my life I felt surges of gratitude and pride. And that was how I felt, leaning over the railings that bordered one of the training fields. I was watching two promising youngsters sparring in the dust while Simon barked instructions at them.

I sharp jab in my ribs made me spin around. It was Gina.

“Earth to Cassia!” she waved a manicured hand in front of my eyes. I didn’t know how she did it. She was a full time warrior, but somehow managed to keep herself immaculately groomed. “Where were you just there?”.

I snorted at her. “Just daydreaming.”

She leaned her back against the railings and examined her nails. “You need to start dating, my friend. Maybe that will keep you head out of the clouds.”

Gina had found her true mate soon after she turned 18. Or rather, she saw him for the first time. His name was Dean and he was a few years older than us. He was by no means a gnarly warrior type. Instead he was a mild mannered, gentle werewolf that dedicated himself to teaching the pups of the pack our history as werewolves and how to behave as good pack members.

His calm nature helped balance Gina out. As we trained to be warriors, I always feared that Gina would get herself into trouble. She had a quick temper and an affinity for fighting first and asking questions later. Dean had mellowed her out. And he made her happy. Seeing them together, with their mate bond, I knew I didn’t want to settle for just anyone. I would wait for my mate. Besides, I was very content with my life.

“Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? Dean’s cousin from the Skyward pack is visiting. He’s really handsome.”

I sighed with annoyance. Dean was an exceptional cook and it would take a lot for me decline an invitation. I still lived in the barracks and it could get very noisy with the younger warriors still adjusting to their positions and getting to know their wolves. A night away wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

I was about to agree when the intercom interrupted. It was an announcement made by Beta Lukas’ mate, Gweneviere. “Good afternoon, Stygians. Please can you all join us in the plaza this evening at 7pm. We have several announcements to make. Refreshments will be provided.”

“Ugh,” Gina grunted. “I thought they would wait for the full moon.”

I turned to look at her. “Wait for what?”

She grabbed my elbow and started pulling me away. “Come with me, Cassia. There’s one announcement you need to hear before tonight.”