Last Call For Mate

Chapter Two

In the moonlit night, Gideon led Ember deep into the woods, determined to ensure their privacy. The age-old belief held that most shifters received their wolf at sixteen. Gideon had been fortunate to bond with Remus on their shared sixteenth birthday. However, Ember's wolf hadn't arrived that year, leaving their family anxious about her impending transformation. The whispered notion that weak shifters yielded weak wolves only heightened their apprehension.

Behind closed doors, Gideon's father secretly implored the Alpha to expel Ember on her eighteenth birthday, hoping to safeguard the pack's reputation. Gideon, however, stood resolute, declaring himself her protector and vowing to keep her hidden if they'd only let her fade from memory for a while. Shifter politics were a labyrinth, and many were incensed by Ember's very existence. Gideon couldn't bear the thought of Ember becoming a Rogue, vulnerable and alone. His mother often blamed his unwavering attachment on the unbreakable bond shared by the twins, and occasionally faulted him for emerging strong while Ember struggled. Doctors even speculated that Gideon might have claimed an undue share of nutrients in the womb, possibly influencing Ember's development.

As Ember stepped into the moonlit clearing, she fell in step with Gideon. The night, though dark, was illuminated by the radiant moon. While not quite full, the impending full moon marked the approaching pack run, just days away. The clearing, nestled beyond a thicket of robust oak trees, was a haven. A babbling brook flowed through, its crystal waters revealing the graceful dance of small fish beneath. Soft grass rolled over gentle hills, extending towards the next cluster of trees. It was a picturesque woodland scene, a sanctuary Ember had never before encountered.

"I thought, since no one ever ventures out here, it'd be our secret sanctuary. I can't shield you from everything at home, but I can at least spare you from the worst of it." Elaine's face lit up with gratitude as she embraced her brother. "I never doubted you. You've always had my back. In fact, if not for you, I think I might have snapped and used a beer bottle on Dad by now." Their laughter filled the clearing, but was abruptly cut short by a sharp pain in Ember's abdomen. It coursed through her, culminating in her collapse. The long-awaited shift was finally happening.

Typically, an Alpha or Beta supervised a first shift, but Ember and Gideon had chosen secrecy. With Ember's runt status already a source of tension, introducing a weak wolf could prove disastrous. Gideon had spent a lifetime protecting Ember from those who couldn't fathom her true worth. She was his sister, and he refused to let anyone mistreat her over something beyond their comprehension.

"Ember! I'm here, we'll get through this." Gideon chided, as Ember was quite literally screaming as if her body was ripping itself apart. In truth, it was. The first shift was always the worst. There were times when a shifter was too weak to complete the shift, and their body more or less rejected the change and they died right then and there. Gideon made a promise to himself that no matter the outcome was, he would be there for her, She didn't have anyone else. Gideon

could hear the sickening crack of bones breaking, something that sounded a lot like muscles ripping, but what he heard mostly was the sound of her terrified and agonizing screams, as the change started to overtake her.

"What the f**k is all of this?!" Gideon's blood ran cold as he recognized the sound of the voice behind him.

Nath Black was the Alphas son. His dark hair was trimmed short, but his caramel-colored eyes pierced into Gideon with a cold contempt that Gideon hadn't

experienced before. They were caught. "Mate" was the word that hissed from the Alpha's son, as he stared

down at a screeching Elaine. He looked beyond pissed off, and Gideon couldn't really understand why he was so angry. Was he mad that Gideon took Elaine out there to experience her first shift? Or,

was he more pissed off that she was his fated mate?

He didn't really know how to feel about either one of those scenarios.

"You know damn well that an experienced wolf is supposed to oversee first-time shifts in case of problems or fatalities. The fact that you brought her out here alone, is a major f****g offense. Then again..

Tean see why you would want to hide the first shift of that." Nath said as he pointed down at Elaine: "Any Wolf she gets won't make the cut to be Luna, let alone to remain in the pack. She'll probably look mangy and just as scrawny as she is. If she's not strong enough to handle a decent wolf, she is of no use to this pack. Might be interesting to watch though.

I'm curious what the thing will look like, so I'll stick around. She needs to be able to speak properly so she can accept my rejection formally. I for sure am not going to have someone like her be the future Luna of this pack."

Gideon flinched from Nath's words. He didn't understand why people showed se much distaste for Ember. He found her to be pleasant company. She was kind, thoughtful, and very selfless. He didn't care who she ended up mating with, as long as it was someone who could value her for what she was. While he

wanted to be angry at Nath he also understood his anger towards this prospective mate. The Luna was someone that everyone could look up to, and there was no one that he knew of that would ever accept

Ember the way she was in any place of authority.

Nath lit up a cigarette as he watched the change. He was bored of this little were-b***h's screams already.

He wanted all of this to hurry up as soon as possible, so he could be on his way. His wolf hated him for what he was about to do, but he honestly couldn't care less.

He would not have Emberlynhe as a mate. She was weak,

small, everything he despised wrapped up in one package and it had to be a f*****g joke. No, he would not accept her

He had te stifle back kis laughter when he saw the wolf's form emerge. Well, he thought to himself. At least it didn't look diseased.