Chapter 1

• Julian's Pov
• I awoke with a start. Sweat covered my face and neck; my hair sticking to my skin.
• My heart was hammering and my hands shook.
• Out of fear my head whipped around the room, as if I was looking for an evil demon or something else that had scared me.
• I took in the familiar view of my bedroom, and let out a breath of relief. “It was only a dream” I whispered, “it was only a dream”.
• I looked around the room, frowning slightly, before I flopped back down in the bed. It was close to dawn, but it was still dark.
• I didn’t return to sleep, I just stayed lying on my bed for a few hours.
• When it reached close to six am, a knock came on the door.
• “Time to get up” my mother shouted,
• sounding rushed. She didn’t even open the door before running down the corridor to wake my sister up.
• I heard her say a few words to my sister, as I sat up in bed.
• I sighed heavily, looking over at my closet – my outfit for the day, which was picked out three months previous,
• and handing off the door, and my packed suitcase standing next to it.
• The day was November 10th. To humans it was just another day, but to Werewolves it was a day of excitement and joy.
• Because November 10th was Mate Day.
• Every year, on the sixth day of November, every Werewolf from the age of eighteen to twenty five met on neutral ground – for the Mating Ritual.
• The male Wolves – from all the different Packs – got the choice of all the She Wolves in the country.
• To see which one they wanted for mating. As soon as a She Wolf turned eighteen they had to go,
• and then if they weren’t chosen they continued to go back until they turned twenty five.
• I was dreading the entire process. And the fact that all the She Wolves had to line up according to strength was just degrading.
• I didn’t want to stand with the other weak Wolves, awaiting someone to decide I look good enough to be his mate.
• However, my opinion was not shared with many.
• Most females couldn’t wait for the Mating Ritual, in the hope that one of the Alpha’s would choose them.
• To be picked by a Pack Leader – an Alpha – was rare, but not unheard of.
• However, Alpha’s mated with Alpha’s.
• That was just how it was. An Alpha male, who wanted strong pups would always chose a She Wolf who had an Alpha father or grandfather;
• to ensure their pups would be as strong as possible.
• Yet, that didn’t stop the eighteen year old girls living in hope.
• It was in a She Wolves nature to want to be with an Alpha.
• “Julian you better be dressed in the next two minutes, or else I’ll come up there and dress you myself” my mother shouted.
• I groaned loudly, as I grabbed my outfit and walked into the bathroom.
• I glanced myself over in the mirror – realising that the sleepless night didn’t do me any good.
• I had some serious work to do.
• I showered myself before changing into my outfit – a knee length cotton white dress, with small delicate ivory flowers decorating the others.
• The top of the dress was strapless, and hung to my chest tightly – but not in a revealing way.
• The dress was A-Line and showed my figure.
• My mother told me that I had to show the male Wolves what they would be getting.
• Once my dress was on, I headed downstairs.
• My mother and my elder sister were both waiting for me. My sister – Jazmine – was three years older than me.
• She met her mate, Adam, on her second year at that the Mating Ritual.
• Adam was nice guy, quiet, but nice. He was in our pack, so Jazmine continued to stay with our pack and live with us.
• “ Julian ” my mother greeted me, smiling nervously.
• “I knew that dress would be perfect. Now, please, sit”.
• There was a seat in the middle of the lounge, a table next to it covered in beauty products.
• I wore the basics of make-up most days,
• but looking at the table I suddenly felt like I knew nothing of beauty regimens.
• I took a seat at the chair, and let my sister and my mother work on me.
• My sister curled my hair, leaving it to cascade down to my lower back.
• My mother then worked on my face – making it seem flawless and bright.
• I mean, I wasn’t an ugly person and I was fairly slim – but even I was surprised by how pretty I looked once I was completely ready.
• My skin seemed to glow, and my cheekbones were obvious.
• My large eyes, a silver colour, looked almost bewitching as they were lined with black.
• “Well she defiantly looks the part” Jazmine commented to my mother, who nodded in agreement.
• “Let’s just hope they don’t try to talk to her, then she might have a chance of being picked by someone” she replied.
• I frowned, slightly hurt, but didn’t comment.
• It wasn’t exactly untrue to say that my personality was so what lacking.
• I had been told I didn’t have a personality on many occasions.
• I was told I was boring and quiet, but I knew I was just comfortable in my own company.
• I got it from my father; who didn’t speak much, but when he did it was said with wisdom.
• “Let’s just hope her looks distract people from her strength and personality” my mother muttered, as I headed towards the front door.
• I grabbed my suitcase and pulled it with me.
• My mother kissed and hugged me goodbye, as did my sister, before they waved me off – not before a quick reminded on how I needed to act.
• I met the other Wolves who were all going to the Mating Ritual.
• Both the girls and the boys were all dressed to impress; but obviously the girls more than the boys. When I saw my best friend, Jacob, I smiled and rushed over to him.
• Jacob wore a pair of black jeans, and a white polo shirt. His brown hair was tousled and styles messily, but in a good way.
• Jacob was an attractive guy, there was no doubt that She Wolves would be pushing their chests out for his attention. “Jul” he smiled.
• “Hey” I grinned brightly at him.
• “You look amazing” he commented, reaching forward to give me a hug.
• I swatted his hands away – blushing profoundly. I didn’t like being the centre of attention – never had.
• “Don’t mess up my hair” I joked. He laughed with me, shaking his head.
• I was quiet, but I spoke more when I got comfortable with people.
• With Jacob, I could be myself. He gave me a large smile, before a voice sounded to my left.
• It was our Alpha – we had a bus taking us to the Mating Ritual.
• I instantly took a seat near the back, next to Jacob and we shared his IPod for the ride.
• When we arrived, our Alpha gave us a small speech about presenting ourselves.
• Our Alpha, Alpha Jones, was attractive – for an older man – and always walked with an air of authority.
• I climbed off the bus and Jacob placed his hand my lower back.
• It was an odd thing for him to do, and I frowned.
• It wasn’t that I had a problem with him touching me, it was just that I was there to find a mate, and his touch was like a claim.
• He was warning other males away from me.
• “Jacob, what are you doing?” I hissed quietly, as we lined up at the entrance.
• As if he hadn’t even realised what he done, he dropped his hand.
• “Sorry” he mumbled, almost embarrassed.
• As I waited to get my badge – which would say my name, my age, my strength out of ten and my current pack – I looked around.
• The entire ritual was held outside.
• There was three large marques, all contained food, drink and other refreshments.
• People stood around everywhere, just talking and mingling.
• There was a long queue to get the badges, and get inside.
• When I got to the front of the queue, an elder Werewolf asked my name and then handed me my badge.
• It was small and white, with basic script and words. Julian Myra.
• Strength 3/10. 18 years old. Gresall Wolf Pack. I looked at it with slight distaste, before I clipped it to the top of my dress.
• “The Alpha rated you a three out of ten?” Jacob asked, looking upset.
• I gave him a look, telling him I was fine with it.
• But it wasn’t. I knew three was not good.
• There was only so far my looks could get me – I wouldn’t get much attention from the males.
• Because my pups wouldn’t be strong.
• “What did you get?” I questioned Jacob; changing the subject.
• “Six”.
• “That’s good”.
• “It’s alright” he smiled smugly, before giving me a playful smirk.
• I giggled, “I’m surprised you got that high”.
• Annoyed Jacob pushed my shoulder, I hadn’t been expecting it.
• I yelped in shock as I fell backward, but I didn’t hit the floor.
• No, I hit something worse, or rather someone worse.
• I crashed straight into an Alpha. But not just any Alpha – the scariest Alpha of them all.
• The Alpha was tall with a large build – his chest wide set and toned, from his shirt.
• He was a handsome looking man; hair the colour of a midnight sky, and eyes the colour of brown
• He was a good foot, or so, taller than me – just adding to his intimidation.
• I was terrified.
• I had never met a man more scary in my life.
• His face was void from all emotion, as if he was a zombie – completely wiped clean of all thoughts and feelings.
• I gulped nervously, as his arms steadied me.
• His hands were strong and firm; as if they were made of steel.
• I glanced at his badge and almost collapsed.
• Alpha . Lincoln Addison. Strength 10/10. 25 years old. Endoro Wolf Pack.
• I knew who Alpha Lincoln was – everyone did.
• The man was well known, and not for any good reasons.
• On his eighteenth birthday he murdered both his parents, before taking over his Wolf pack.
• He ran his pack harshly, and if anyone so much as looked at him in a way he didn’t like – he would kill them.
• He was the thing of nightmares, a monster of the greatest heights.
• Every year at the Mating Ritual – since his eighteenth birthday – he hadn’t picked a mate.
• He refused to do so, yet he showed up every year; more because he had to, not because he wanted to.
• That was the last year he would be able to attend, and the last year he would be able to choose.
• But, everyone knew he would remain mate less – despite the hundreds of She Wolves who threw themselves at his feet.
• He was the BAD Alpha – and I had just crashed into him.
• “A-Alpha” I stuttered out, jumping away and snapping my head to the floor.
• I was being submissive – showing him that I understood that he was my superior and I was weaker than him.
• “I’m sorry, it was an accident. Please forgive me”.
• I was terrified he was going to kill me; right then and there.
• “Look at me” he growled out. His voice was rough and hoarse, a hint on foreignness in his accent – he was a quiet man,
• I knew that, he never addressed many people.
• Only a handful of people had ever heard him speak.
• I gulped at his tone. But, I didn’t dare look up at him. “I said look at me” he snapped.
• I whimpered in fear, as his hand grasped my chin.
• His hands were hard and callous; as if he spent his entire life doing manual labour.
• I was shaking, terrified, as he pushed my chin upwards.
• My eyes, unwillingly, met his. His eyes were large and circular, with a bright green orbs that looked both alive and dead at the same time.
• Alpha Lincoln scared me to my very core.
• He didn’t get the nickname ‘The Bad Alpha’ for no reason.
• He stared into my eyes for a few seconds – his eyes narrow as if he was trying to read my mind.
• Then, finally, he let go off me, before stepping away.
• He paused – fingered my badge to see it clearly – before stalking off.
• He walked with as much dominance as he stared with.
• When he was completely out of sight, I let out a long shaky breath.
• I quickly looked around, noticing everyone’s eyes on me – they all looked as terrified as I felt.
• I had a feeling they all thought he would have killed me as well.
• But then, as I reminded myself, he could still come back for me.
• That thought made me shiver with fear.
• “Jul, I am so sorry” Jacob gushed, pulling me into a tight hug.
• I no longer cared that it may have turned other male Wolves away from me, because they thought I was already spoken for, because I was still shaking with fear.
• “I can’t believe I almost got you killed” he breathed out, pulling back.
• “I was so scared, Jacob. I thought he was going to kill me” I muttered.
• I was close to crying – to breaking down.
• I didn’t have a lot of courage, or experience with Alpha’s, so I felt like I was about to keel over in fear.
• “Come on, let’s get a drink” Jacob suggested, taking my arm and pulling me towards one of the marquees.
• He was trying to make me feel better.
• As we walked away, I glanced to my left to see Alpha Lincoln once more.
• And his intense stare was firmly on me.