My Rogue Mate

I was running through a beautiful forest, overgrown flowers and vines hanging all around. The moss floor padded my steps as I sprinted through the undergrowth. Looking up above the trees, the moon was ginormous - almost taking up every inch of the sky. I came to a halt as I reached a serene pond, lily pads floating, a weeping willows leaves tickling the water, and an otherworldly warm light emanating from the water. I slowly walked into the water and peered down at my reflection. Looking back at me was a snarling wolf, with grey teeth, matted fur, and a long scar running past it’s bright red eyes. Darkness engulfed me. I shot awake, sitting up in my bed gasping for air. I turned my bedside light on and the room became dimly lit. I looked down to my hands expecting to see matted fur and claws, but all I saw were my own pale hands. I leaned back onto my pillow out of breath. I looked down at the clock, it read ‘4.30am’. Today was the day, not only was it my 18th birthday, but I was going to shift for the first time in front of all of the most influential members of the Bright Moon Pack. After that - my birthday party, where I would be presented to my boyfriend of, well, basically my whole life. Nathius was the son of a strong and feared alpha, of a large pack that neighboured our lands. He was born 6 months before me, and for as long as I could remember, we were told by our families that we were fated to be mates. Not only would this bring the largest and strongest pack alliance of history, but would bring the strongest heirs. I did love Nathius, or Nate as I called him, I had known him for so long and we grew up together. But I couldn’t imagine kissing him, or leading with him, or… mating with him. I shook the thought out of my head, I knew that the moon goddess knew what she was doing. Nate would be my mate and we would be the most powerful couple ever, we would make our families proud. The door crashed open and my mother, Luna Clarice - came bustling into my room. She pulled the curtains open, turned around and gasped when she saw me. ‘’Aleynia! You aren’t out of bed yet?! Today of all days?! Get up, Get up, Get up!’’ she said, pulling me out of my warm bed and into the cold air of my room. I groaned, wrapping my bare arms around myself. The silk night gown I was wearing providing no protection from the cold. My mother always insisted on me looking my best at all times, that meant no comfy joggers and sweatshirts for sleeping in - even though we lived in the middle of a freezing forest and it was the middle of winter. “Come now, let me look at you”, she said standing in front of me, pulling my arms down to my sides. I looked at her, expecting her to say something heartfelt about her only daughter becoming an adult. Instead she muttered “we are going to need to use some extra concealer for those dark circles under your eyes”. She turned on her heels and went over to the closet, pulling out a long white dress made from sheer, floating fabric. “Get showered, and dressed - we only have an hour until the ceremony and you can’t be late.” I nodded, quietly disappointed by my mothers lack of sentimentality. “Yes, Mother” I said, turning to the en-suite bathroom door. “Oh and Aleynia?” My mother said sweetly. I spun around expectantly. “Did you take care of your down stairs area like we discussed? Or do I need to call Kendall to come over and quickly wax you?” I groaned and rolled my eyes “Mom!”. She rolled her eyes in response “Aleynia, you need to be perfect today - not a hair out of place, for the ceremony, the party, and - you’ll probably be mating with Nathius tonight!” “Mom!” I wrapped my hands around myself in embarrassment, “Let’s not talk about this please! I have it all under control” “Okay, okay - well I will be here for when you are ready to check you are perfect and to take you down” Luna Clarice announced. Not that I expected anything less. I closed the bathroom door behind me and wanted to scream into my hands in annoyance. I took three deep breaths instead. Once I was composed, I turned the water in the shower on to heat up, and walked over the the mirror. I looked up at myself reluctantly. My mother was right, against my pale skin the dark circles under my eyes stood out like a fox in the snow. Must be all the nightmares. I glanced over the rest of myself, my red hip length hair fell in bouncy ringlets. My sharp grey eyes looked dull with tiredness and my pale white skin looked almost silver in the fluorescent bathroom lights. I nodded at myself in satisfaction, 20 minutes to become perfect. I turned as I took my nightgown off - I hated seeing myself naked, but I guess I would have to get used to it. Soon my body would belong to my mate and everyone in the pack would see me as I turned for the first time. I shivered at the thought, and stepped into the hot shower, letting the water wash away my worries.