Lost and searching

Chapter 3

I had been back in the pack three days for a gathering of the local packs. I was already excited to get back to the institute. I never stayed longer than necessary, my bag was packed and I was ready to leave I just had to have a quick meeting with the Alpha and I was gone.

 Due to the numerous attacks on packs by the rogues over the years the Alphas had come together from packs all over the country and even some from other countries to come up with a plan on how to maintain packs and their future. They came up with The claiming. For wolves to find their mates they would have to cross paths and so if you weren’t in the same pack as your mate then the chances of finding them was low. Of course you could just take a mate but destined mates made each other stronger and produced stronger pups and therefore The Claiming was introduced in hopes that more destined mates could be found, so that packs could become stronger and survive. The rules were simple the female werewolves were sent running through the claiming grounds after a five minute head start the males would set off after them to find their mate it is encouraged that the males only chase after their destined mate however really they could claim any female they wanted as long as they marked her she was his. The theory behind this was that the stronger males were able to catch the faster stronger females and the weaker males caught the weaker females. If you were not claiming or chose not to mark anyone you could just take part again the following year. Packs did not have to attend but every pack was sent the invitation for most packs it was a good opportunity to mate off lone females and find mates for their males. 

ISLA POV

My blood ran cold "you want me to take part in this years claiming?!" I was freaking out, this was the last thing I had expected the Alpha to say to me. I was expecting the usual "be good, keep up the grades" talk but this has taken me by complete surprise. 

"why did you think I wouldn't expect you to participate" Alpha Alexander asked with a raised brow. Unlike other packs that could chose to not participate the Red Moon pack always took part mostly because it was the idea of Alpha Jackson who was Alpha Alexanders father and as such the claiming grounds were inside the pack territory therefore the Red Moon pack hosted the event each year meaning mandatory participation for all those of age. "We must lead by example, no exceptions".  

"but but… my studies i'm not finished, I thought you would let me finish at the institute?! I could feel the panic rising in my chest. This was not the plan! I was going to finish my studies and then start my travels using my new knowledge and connections to find my place in the world.

"the claiming is a fortnight from today, plenty of time for you to finish up your last few assignments so you can graduate if that's what you want" the Alpha looked set in his decision, his tone giving no hint of uncertainty. 

"After the claiming if you are unmated I will give you the freedom to decide what you wish to do after you graduate but only if you are not claimed" the Alpha added with a look of determination on his face.

Hope welled up inside me all I had to do was make it through this horrible ritual and I could get on with my life. I just had to come up with a plan on how to get through the claiming without getting mated. 

I agreed with to the terms with the Alpha and gathered the few belongings I had brought back with me  and headed back to the institute but not before making a quick stop on the way.