I'm taking what's mine, brother

The wind teased my long, wavy locks as I stared numbly at the field of wild flowers. My favorite spot in the pack. Our spot. Reece and I. My soul mate. My fated, I'm sure of it. Only 2 more weeks until we could find out once and for all. I have been lost without him. He was supposed to be back a week ago from warrior training but then alpha pushed for more. We were already the strongest pack in the Northeast territory. Alpha Raiden seemed relentless in his pursuit of power. That greed was now keeping me from being with the love of my life. Reece was too far away from the pack for me to mind link. For the first time in my life I felt truly and utterly alone. Reece and I had been by each other's side since we took our first steps. Our close bond crossed the boundary of friendship when we were 12. A smile teased my lips as I remembered how gentle and clumsy our first kiss was. I could still see his brilliant green eyes shining with triumph as they met mine. His lopsided grin spread across his face as our fingers entwined. "Your lips taste like cherries," he had breathed. "Can I do that again?" I pulled my knees to my chest as my heart constricted in pain. I had no idea if Reece was ok. Was he injured? Was he scared? He was a damn good fighter. Born with a natural talent to lead. I knew River was the main reason Reece was sent off to war. He always had taken Reece as a threat. River was the alpha's first born son, Reece's older brother by 5 years. He'd always envied Reece, taking every opportunity to try to knock him down. The brothers were complete opposites. Reece had the body of a warrior. Tall and toned. The purest green eyes that took you in with the finest golden specks you only saw when he was up close. His light brown hair always seemed mused but effortlessly sexy. Just long enough on top for me to tangle my fingers in. Gentle and kind, he had an aura about him that just pulled you in. River was tall, yes, but formidable, with bulky muscles. He focused on brute strength vs athleticism. His eyes were darker than his brother's. A depth of green that made you shiver. He kept his dirty blonde hair longer, sometimes pulled back. He wore a permanent poker face, rarely donning even a smirk. He oozed power and dominance. People scattered and avoided his eyes when he made his presence known. River and Reece did not share the same mother, and it showed. River's mother died when he was 4 during a rogue attack. Alpha Raiden was blessed with a second chance mate in Reece's mother. Luna Aphina took in River as her own son but he never fully accepted her. Therefore, he never fully embraced his little brother when he came along a year after they were mated. That didn't stop Reece from idolizing him though. All throughout our childhood, Reece would try to mimic River, always trying and failing to impress him. Until one day, he gave up. I felt the pressure in my mind as a link came through from my father, the beta of our pack, Come to the packhouse. Alpha has something to speak with you about. My head snapped up and I scrambled to my feet immediately. My heart raced with anticipation. There had to be news about Reece! I sprinted barefoot back down the hill, moving gracefully in my yellow sun dress as it billowed behind me. What if something had happened to him? What if he was coming home?! I didn't slow down as I took the stone steps 2 at a time to the door. I heaved the heavy wooden door open. My bare feet slapped lightly on the cold marble floor as I rushed to the alpha's office. I forgot to knock, pulling open the oak door before making myself presentable. 3 pairs of eyes widened in shock at my abrupt entrance. I made an attempt to smooth my dress and tame my hair, pulling it over my shoulder. My cheeks were flushed and I smiled nervously, trying to catch my breath. "Pardon me alpha for not knocking," I said sheepishly, keeping my eyes to the ground. "I didn't want to keep you waiting." "You succeed then. That was impressive time," he replied with a chuckle. I lifted my head up to see him smiling at me so I relaxed. Although my Father's stern look made me feel small, "Is Reece ok?" I asked nervously. Alpha Raiden smiled softly, "Yes, Reece is ok. Making head way in our pursuit of Moon Stone." Hope radiated through my body, "Then he's coming home soon?" That hope quickly died when Alpha's smile dissolved and he shot a look at River before meeting my eyes, "I'm not entirely sure when he will return but surely in the next few months." Months?! It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Reece was supposed to be back a week ago! Now it would be months?! We didn't have time to wait, "Surely, alpha, he will be back for the Moon ceremony...." I said quietly. River was the one who answered, "There's no need for you to worry about such a foolish ritual." His tone was demeaning and filled with disdain. I looked down at the floor, biting my bottom lip. It felt like my heart was being stomped on. How could he say the moon ceremony was foolish? It was a special night in the life of us wolves turning 18. It was when our mates would be revealed to us. The night Reece and I would confirm what we had known all along. "That's actually the reason we wanted to speak with you Teagan," Alpha said. His tone was hesitant, like he didn't want to say the words coming out of his mouth. "Well, sort of." He cleared his throat, "As you know, River will be the next alpha of the pack and the next necessary step for him would be to find his Luna..... since he has not yet found his fated mate, this makes it more difficult....." I furrowed my brow. What does River's lack of a Luna matter to me? I genuinely felt sorry for the woman that was mated to him. He was insufferable. "I'm tired of waiting," River cut in with an edge to his voice. "So I'm choosing my mate. And I choose you." I stared at him dumbfounded. Surely I hadn't heard him right.... "What?" I whispered in shock. "You--You can't...." I turned to my father, "My mate! My fated mate! I haven't seen if--" My father started to open his mouth, pain clear on his face but River cut him off, "You won't need to. You'll be Luna. There's no better fate than that." I looked at him like the lunatic he was, my hazel eyes brimming with tears, "But Reece," I choked out. "We're fated.... we have to be! We must be. I can't--" A dark look crossed River's face, "You can and you will. You have no choice. You should be honored to be Luna of this pack! To be able to stand at my side and give this pack an heir!" I couldn't hold back the cry that left my lips. My body shook with the grief that poured out of my soul, "Please...." I begged through my tears. "Not me! Pick someone else, please! So many would die for the chance to be your Luna!" A satisfied smirk spread over his lips, "That's exactly what makes you the most worthy," he answered, completely unbothered by my broken heart. "The ceremony will take place tomorrow. I expect you to dutifully take your place as Luna, so prepare." And then he left, just like that. Casually walked out of his father's office like he didn't just obliterate my entire life. I couldn't breathe as panic closed in on me. "Teagan!" my father cried helplessly as he rushed forward to catch me in his arms. My legs had buckled as I came undone. "Is there any way---" I heard him beg alpha Raiden as he held me to his chest. "No," came his haunting reply. "He's 23, Jameson. He hasn't found his mate and he must have a Luna before he can take my place." I heard the crack in his voice when he spoke. "But Teagan, Raiden? You know she and Reece are destined. They have to be! You would do this to them?" my father challenged bravely. "We do not know that to be true, Jameson. Reece will understand. The pack comes first," alpha Raiden replied. But even I could hear the doubt in his voice. The sorrow. But it was nothing compared to the hole in my chest where my heart used to be. My once vibrant, full heart felt gutted. I silently begged the moon goddess for Reece to come home. Surely the goddess wouldn't allow this to happen when she takes her loving time to match wolves perfectly. I feared she was my only hope.....