Luna Unknown

Cuffed Freedom

                                                                                       *DAMEN*

    I'm looking around the room at the party taking place. All of my pack members twirling around their mates, dancing and living as though they haven't got a care in the world. I can see the looks on all of their stupid faces as they gaze at their mates. Complete love and adoration swallows all of them. I remember when our pack parties didn't resemble that of a Valentines Day festival. We used to get together for pack meetings which started in talking about protective measures to keep the pack safe. We then would discuss any upcoming attacks from other packs. A few times we were ambushed during these meetings. I smiled to myself remembering those ambushes. My pack was one of the largest and strongest, full of carnivorous rage. It always brought me great joy to fully dismember someone else who had the intent to harm myself, my pack, or my family. To look around and see all of my pack brothers equally as thrilled for a blood rage, tearing apart both attacking men and wolves alike, always winning. Afterwards we would always celebrate. The pack house was huge enough for any sort of party we could throw. It was hidden far off into the wooded mountains where only someone who was a wolf or the occasional extreme hikers would be able to find. We would drink kegs of beer like savages. Covered in victory blood, all of our wounds healing extensively fast. Now we didn't have any problems with any other packs because my pack were all too shoved up their mates' asses. A party after one of our victories 2 years ago, after Dean, my brother and Beta, had nearly gotten his left arm chewed off after a fight with a large gray wolf, he was waiting for it to heal. Should have only taken a few hours at most. Dean decided to say hello to the bottle of whiskey while he waited for his arm to heal, becoming plastered within a matter of minutes. I was also drinking so the memory is hazy, but Dean ended up on the top balcony above the pool, claiming that he was a Moon God and that he was practically the s**t. Then our newfound Moon God jumped from the balcony into the pool, nearly missing, the only thing not landing in the water and rather on the side of the pool was his right arm. When he came splashing above the water, screaming about both of his arms being broken, we all couldn't help but to die laughing, most of us spilling our beer. Dean was the smartest person I knew yet such an i***t at times. Reminding myself of these memories makes me stare off into space smiling like an i***t. I'm broken away from my memories when a man and woman swirl passed me, long brown hair smacking me in the face. Ouch. I look up to see Emily mutter an "I'm sorry" while Dean just grins and continues spinning his mate. That asshole.

     A year ago, only a few of my pack members had mates. Supposedly every werewolf was granted a mate from the Moon Goddess. It is believed that the better of a wolf that you are, the better of a mate that the Moon Goddess would stow upon you. It was no surprise that Dean found Emily. She was great for him and pretty damn hot, though I would never say that out loud. Dean was a great Wolf. If I weren't around, he would be the absolute greatest. But no, I, Damen was the Alpha. Not only because I was the oldest, but because I was the strongest. The biggest. The absolute most terrifying warrior wolf that apparently anyone has ever seen. However I've always just tried my best. My parents and brothers deserved a strong and worthy Alpha, and I've always done well to protect my title. With that being said, I've always hoped that the Moon Goddess has noticed, and gives me a mate with rockin' double Ds and that isn't always trying to get me to meet their parents or tell me about their boring ass day shopping. or picking flowers. or whatever she She-wolfs do when they're not in combat. If I do have to suffer through having a mate, anyways. I've heard from Dean and the rest of my brothers that once you find your mate, everything else vanishes out. You see her and then everything else in the world turns to dust. You want to protect her, to be around her at all times. I've also heard that once you've found your mate, no other s*x with any other person will ever compare. Not that you would even be able to think about having s*x with other people after that. Once mated, infidelity becomes almost impossible. To be honest, the best s*x thing is the only thing to me that has ever sounded cool about finding a mate. I was a leader. The best Alpha that had been known by history. I didn't need someone else to worry about with all of my heart. I was tall, dark, and handsome from what I've heard from several women. I've had no problem obtaining them in the past. And s*x has always remained one of the greatest gifts to men, so making it better has never really been an interest of mine. Especially if that means keeping my freedom.

    Last year only a few of my pack had mates. They weren't any of my favorite members, so their occasional absence to keep watch over their mates/and or children didn't bother me. Within a year I watched my Beta and brother, Dean meet his mate. A pretty cool girl named Emily. She was a brunette with brown eyes, and a wicked curvy body. Typical characteristics of a female wolf. She fit right into the pack. Shortly after that it seems as though Dean broke down some sort of wall; my four favorite pack members found their mates one by one within weeks or months of each other. Tommy had found Linda, Adam had found Misty, Chester had Amanda, and Avery had found Ava. All of my brothers' mates were smart and fun girls. All attractive too, which didn't really matter to me. I was just exhilarated by the fact that that confirmed that I had great and worthy wolves in my pack. They really made me feel pride. The rest of my pack brought me pride too, those five were just my strongest. All of my pack was fierce and fast. I just wish that they weren't all so damn smitten and in love these days. It was sickening. Part of me was hoping that someone would attack or ambush us soon, just to unleash some c*****e and to cause reason for a party with beer and blood as opposed to dresses and champagne.  

    My brothers stand around me chatting amongst themselves with their mates. Tommy was tall and towered over most, while Linda almost matched him in height, giving her long beautiful legs. I noticed that I was staring at them when I heard Tommy growl while looking at me. "Sorry buddy, was just staring off. wasn't aware that my eyes were on your mate. You know it happens from time to time. No hard feelings. What were we talking about?" and I gave him a smile to make me believe my words. After a few moments his eyes became less dark and he shook his head, motioning that he was over it. "I was just talking about how I found Linda. It was wild. I was just running through the woods in wolf form, exploring for a body of water that I haven't seen around here before. I paused when I heard something loud in the trees to the West, I looked up and saw a wolf. A beautiful dark one. My first instinct was to attack, as I did not know this wolf. But then something in my brain clicked. I had to know who she was. So I started chasing her. And she started running away from me..." his story trailed off as he started to break into laughter. Linda piped in "Yeah, well you try having your whole body go into tingles for no apparent reason after seeing a large brown wolf, and then you tell me how one should react." For some reason their story and Tommy's laughter sparked my interest. "So did it have a funny ending, I presume?" I asked. Linda looked at me and smiled as she answered, "I outran him. for 60 miles. yet he still wouldn't stop chasing me. eventually I picked up speed to really escape him, and my wolf tripped over almost nothing, sending my ass rolling down a large hill. Apparently to some, it was quite funny." At the end of her story, she was smiling sarcastically now as Tommy was still in laughter. "It. Was. Hilarious. Babe." Tommy managed to get out. She smacked his arm playfully and looked at Misty. "So Misty, please tell us about you and Adam!" she said through girl shrieks. Ugh. I couldn't stand this s**t. Don't they normally talk about this type of s**t in the bathroom or something? 

    I stood there while they all went around in circles talking about how they found their mates, about how in love they were, all of that boring s**t that I hope I can escape soon. I came back to reality and noticed that Avery, the shortest of the pack, had not yet said anything. He was definitely the shortest and maybe even the smallest of the pack, however I had seen him rip apart three wolves at once on more than one occasion. He was quiet and usually kept to himself unless we got him drinking and in a good mood. He seemed happy enough to be there with his mate, Ava. I thought that was funny. Avery and Ava. She was also very short with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Probably one of the tiniest humans that I had ever laid eyes upon. The word "cute" comes to mind. Perfect for "cute" little Avery. I laughed to myself as I had the thought. Avery noticed me looking in his direction while laughing and spoke up. "Penny for your thoughts, Alpha?" 

    I tried to put on a serious face that says "I care" while I answered. "Oh nothing, Avery. I was just curious about how you found Ava." His eyes got big and his face turned to embarrassment. Ava's face followed suit. "I would rather talk about that elsewhere, Alpha." Avery was a good guy but now my curiosity was peaked. "Avery, tell us or we can all just mind-link you. Don't make us disrespect your privacy, please." I spoke sternly. Avery let out a deep breath and sighed. "Alright. Don't kill me, please. You asked a question. I am answering. I went to see a witch. I was the last one to find my mate, other than you, Alpha. I felt lonely after all of these guys started shacking up in their rooms at the pack house, and I got desperate. Thought that maybe I didn't have a mate."

    His words sent a surge of anger through me. I could feel heat swelling under my skin. "You went...to see...a witch?" I tried my best to sound calm although it wasn't working. "Avery, what in the f**k is the matter with you? Have you eaten since you saw that witch? Have you grown another toe? I can't believe that you were so careless! Witches are evil, Avery! She could have cursed the whole damn pack, all so that you could find your mate!" I was breathing deeply to try and suppress the anger as best as I could and not punch Avery in his face for such carelessness.

    For the first time ever, Avery stood straighter up. His eyes got dark. I could feel the heat now running through his veins as well. He spoke with confidence and clarity as he spoke, "Look, Alpha, no disrespect but just because YOU have had a bad experience with witches, DOES not make them all bad. In fact, the witch in question is a dear friend of mine, one I have known for years. For longer than I have even been in this pack! and you know what else, with no disrespect Alpha, I would go to see Jenny a million more times and pay her for her services if I knew that in the end, it would lead me to Ava! Not everyone is alright with just being powerful! Ava gives me a reason to live, a reason to howl, and her love is greater than anything I have ever known. I wouldn't have found her without information given to me by, yes, A BIG SCARY WITCH." He was breathing calmly and collectively as if he weren't just screaming at me, The Alpha.

    Most of my entire being wanted to show Avery what being Alpha meant. I wouldn't kill him, but damn him for talking to me like that. the heat was boiling in my fists as I tried to keep them to my sides. Noticing him doing the same wasn't helping the situation. Just as I was about to lose control and turn loose my wolf to start a full on brawl in the middle of the party, Dean stepped between us. "Guys, fuckin chill. Damen, forget about the witch. Avery, go grab us all some shots."

    Avery and I's eyes both lightened and our skin returned to a normal temperature. My breathing was becoming more even as I weighed Deans words. "Alright. No problem. Sorry, Alpha." Avery muttered as he turned with Ava to retrieve shots. I was still pissed off at him, but more so at the witch. "Avery, make them doubles. of Whiskey." I returned. He shook his head and walked off.

    Dean pulled me to the side to talk privately. "Look brother, I know you don't want to hear this, but I've met Jennifer. She really isn't a bad chick. I mean sure she practices magic, but she's a good one. She's even sort of funny." he said with a weak smile. This information pissed me off more. The heat was coming back. Had everyone met this f*****g witch? What was she, some sort of werewolf groupie? Did they not all know and understand just how strongly I hated witches and saw them as a threat? I turned to Dean with dark eyes that made my lie less believable. "I want to meet her. She sounds cool. Where is she?" Apparently my voice and body language revealed the truth behind my words. I wanted to find this witch and destroy her. Dean could see my thoughts even though we weren't mind linking. "Brother, she isn't harming anyone. What would doing away with her solve? She's an innocent." Dean pleaded. I broke my rule of mind linking my brothers without their permission and saw the witch's house. after I imprinted the image to my memory, I got out of Deans head and could really act calm. "No worries brother, I've thought about it for a few. She isn't bothering us now, perhaps she won't at all." I lied, sounding more believable. Dean broke into a smile as Avery came back with a tray of whiskey. "Good timing to calm the f**k down, let's get wasted brother."  Dean said as we all took a glass from the tray and threw them back. "More, Avery!" Shouted Dean through a scrunched face from the alcohol burning his throat. "Already on it!" Said Avery over his shoulder. After a drink I could cut loose and enjoy the company of my brothers and the party. Tomorrow though, I'm finding that witch. And destroying her. Witches can't be trusted.

        The next morning I was awake before the crack of dawn as I usually am. The rest of the pack used to also wake up early as s**t, but they all found mates and shacked up in different rooms of the pack house. What was once a dorm room for young wolf bachelors, is now a Martha Stewart f*****g nightmare. Being the Alpha, I've always had my own place about 5 miles through the forest from the pack house. My father and I built it along with some help from the pack several years ago when my father was the Alpha. It was huge and luxurious, with us upgrading it damn near every year to have all of the newest appliances and luxuries. It was a huge mostly log cabin, with several walls being made of stone. Putting those walls up was one of the most laborious 3 weeks of my life, but my father insisted as it was he and my mother's house at the time. I enjoyed having the entire place to myself, it certainly made dates go easier. One look at my house from a woman and I was pretty assured to get laid. That, and my naturally good looks. I'm not exactly cocky, I've just had a few several hundred woman tell me that I'm attractive. It's not my fault that I started to believe them.

    I'm standing a few hundred feet away from the witch's cottage hiding behind a tree in hopes of a surprise attack. I can feel the energy shift as I get closer to the house, and both me and my wolf can't stand the feel of magic. It also stinks. Like dried herbs and boiling bat heads or whatever those crazy bitches did inside of their homes. My inner wolf was telling me to get out of there. To forget about this whole thing. Dean was right, she wasn't bothering anyone. But once my wolf got a strong whiff of magic energy, we both became instantly full of heat and anger. The plan was set into motion. We had to put a stop to this. I tried to form a plan inside of my head, but the more that I could smell magic, the angrier I was becoming. The red rage was clouding my ability to think straight. Just as I thought that I would just instantly transform into my wolf and blindly attack, I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard a soft feminine voice through the trees. "Oh, Yoo-hoo! Alpha Damen! I know you're heeerree!" she said it in such a confident and sing-songy voice. I turned from around the tree, I was caught anyways. I didn't want to have to actually fight the witch. Wanted to destroy her easily and off guard. However, I was Alpha Damen. I could take on a witch.

    I took a few steps forward before looking up and getting a closer look at the witch. I had to stop in my tracks to make sure that my eyes were really seeing what was in front of me. She was average height, with pale skin and big brown eyes. her semi-short black hair was crazy all over the place. Her lips were thin and inviting. Hey body was the perfect hour glass shape, and she was wearing a short, low cut black dress that clung to her curves tightly. Fishnet stockings down her legs to her bare feet. Holy f**k. Were witches suppose to be seductive? I couldn't remember. I definitely wasn't considering banging the last witch that I had encountered.

    I got pulled out of my thoughts when she spoke again. "I knew you were going to visit me! I just knew it! I'm getting better at this!" she was smiling as if proud of herself. The next thing she did was throw her arms up in the air and start dancing in little circles, still smiling from ear to ear. It was actually sort of cute, in a crazy type of way. No, Snap out of it damn it. We have to destroy this witch. You're stronger than her seductive powers. You've proved through worse in the past. Lets do what we came here to do. Just as I channeled my inner wolf and tried to take form, I couldn't. I stood there, flexing and channeling. Nearly sweating from trying so hard. What the f**k? The witch started laughing hysterically and spoke through her small voice, "Are you trying to change right now? Oh. my. Gaia. Is that the face that you all make? Do you always have veins pop out of your head? Totally looked like you were trying to poop, dude." She fell to the ground of her front porch, still stuck inside of cute laughter. I have never been this confused before in all of my life. Did she change me? Is my wolf gone permanently? The witch saw the look of terror on my face and stopped laughing. "Hey hey hey, calm down Alpha Damen. It's alright. It's only because you're so close to my home. I have a spell on my house to protect me. No werewolves can shift in my area. I'm only half witch. The other half is human, making me super vulnerable. I couldn't take on a regular wolf, let alone one with a human brain. If you don't believe me, feel free to venture 10 miles away and shift. I promise you that you will be able to. But this is my safe space. And unless you came here to attack me, You'll have to be just fine with talking to me as a man and respecting my boundaries."

    I was still so confused. I apparently had a re-occurring problem with underestimating magic. I still couldn't help but to think that the witch was smart. And also, half human. I don't know why she would share such a vulnerability with a stranger. Especially a known werewolf. Her lack of fear irritated me. Still, I couldn't let her know that I did come here to attack her. As I just figured out, if I ever want to do that, it will have to be away from her home.  

    "How do you know who I am? and that I would be here?" I asked angrily. She smiled again. "I've been practicing reading the future. regular magic can be such a bore. wreaking havoc and causing mischief. I want to tell people their futures. Help them find their mates. That sort of thing. By the way, I'm Jenny. My mom still calls me Jennifer though."

    I started to reevaluate. She didn't fear me, She appeared to already trust me, and she didn't seem like a bad witch. Other than the gross aroma of magic all around me. I decided that it probably wasn't too late to adhere to Dean's advice and let her be. But now that I decided I wasn't going to kill her, my man brain was immediately wandering other places. like her breasts and cleavage that were topping out of her black strapless dress. 

    She saw the way that I was looking at her and threw her hands in front of her, smiling apologetically. "No way can do, handsome. Don't get me wrong, you're just as gorgeous as I've heard them all say you were, but I'm spoken for. Always have been." giving me a faint smile.

    I snapped back to her face and replied. "No problem, babe. To be honest, I was looking for a different witch anyways. Your future detector might be a little bit broken." I was trying to save my ass. Now I really didn't want her to know that I came here to kill her. And then thought about bending her over a cauldron and getting caught with the thought. I needed an excuse to get the f**k out of here.

    I swear this woman was always smiling like a smug little villain. "Are you sure you didn't come here to find your mate?" She said almost in a whisper.

    I was about to start seeing red again. How dare she accuse me of wanting to use magic? I was about to lose it and muttered out "Listen lady, Actually I wanted to rip-" "Because you do have one, you know." She cut me off. Her words stunned me. was this some stupid trick? My mind thought to Avery and Ava. They were definitely mates. We could all feel the connection shared between them. She could be telling the truth. She could also be lying. Just because I wouldn't kill her did not mean that I trusted her. Or wanted her help. I sighed so she would get the hint at how bored I was by this conversation. "Wrong again, Sweetheart. I don't have one. I've been everywhere. I've seen everyone. Quite literally a lone wolf, I am. But I don't have to be alone tonight, if you'll have anything to do with it." and gave her a wink.

    She rolled her eyes and the smile finally disappeared. She really did seem to be spoken for as my charms annoyed her. "Actually, yes, you do. I've seen her. Quite beautiful, really. But you seem quite content with being a lone wolf. Guess I'll leave you to it." and she turned to her stove where I just noticed that she was making tea. As if she were expecting company. As if she were expecting me. 

    My thoughts were running wildly in my head. I possibly had a mate? Damn it. I wish the f*****g witch wouldn't have said anything. I've always thought that in addition to being powerful, I wouldn't end up with a mate. With a weakness. I very much loved my freedom. This had the ability to ruin everything. But also being the strongest Alpha to ever live, maybe the Moon Goddess also gave me the strongest Luna to ever live? My entire pack did seem happier after finding their mates. Thoughts that were running through my head that were no good for me, taking over me and my wolf. Thoughts of curiosity. Both over my mate, and the witch's to tell the truth. 

    "Alright Witch, how does this work? I give you some silver coins and you tell me who my mate is? Or do you have a crystal ball that you have to break out of a cabinet somewhere?" I said sort of surrendering. She smiled in a sarcastic way. "Well, I heard that you were hot. Didn't hear about the Alpha being so rude." she laughed, letting me know that she was mostly kidding. "And no, I don't require silver or chicken bones, I'm here to help. for free. That's what I enjoy doing. But if ever need a small favor from the almighty Alpha, it will be nice to have in my pocket. I won't tell you who she is. I will tell you where you can find her. within so many miles. My visions work in that sort of quirky way. So in a way, it's still up to you to put the effort into finding her. And it's Jenny, Werewolf."

    I see why my brother and Avery liked her. She was funny and cute once you got over the wretched smell of magic. "Okay Jenny, I apologize. Where do I start?" She smiled and made it clear that we weren't having this conversation until the tea was properly made and poured into two cups. I hated feeling controlled by women. And this was just a witch telling me what to do. What was I getting myself into? I thought miserably.