Genevieve

"Eve." Someone lightly shook me. "Time to get up." I slowly opened my eyes and saw my mom standing over my bed. "Ryan's here. He's waiting for you," she informed me. I nodded and she walked out. I carefully got out of bed, making sure that I didn't wake up Matthew. He stirred, but didn't awaken. I watched him for a moment. Despite our 13 year age difference, Matthew was still my best friend. He can get annoying- like any other five year old. But I know Matthew loves me and looks up to me.

I sighed and got dressed for the day. I walked to the kitchen in light grey sweats, a white crop-top, and my white converse. Ryan was sitting at the table with my parents. All three heads snapped up to me when I walked inside the room. I dragged my bags to the wall and sat at the table. "Are you ready?" Mom asked. I honestly have no idea.

I was ready to leave. But am I ready to meet my mate? The one person who loves me forever. My other half. Someone who was literally made for me. I want to meet him. But does he want to meet me? These insecurities need to leave me alone. 

'Of course he wants to meet us! He's our mate!' Ingrid, my wolf, shouted at me. I blocked her out, so I wouldn't be able to hear her voice. Although we are part of one person, our human forms and our wolves are separate beings. Our human forms are the more dominant side. Our wolves just linger in the back of our minds.

I nodded at my mother. "As ready as I'll ever be." I gave her a small smile, which she returned. Ryan and my parents slowly stood up. My mom walked over to me and engulfed me in a bear-hug.

"Be careful. Call us when you get to the first pack," Mom whispered in my ears. I nodded and she pulled away. "Good luck," she said with a small smile. I wrapped my arms around her waist one last time, and she kissed my head.

"Honey, she'll be back soon. A few months top," Dad said. Mom nodded and let go of me. I quickly turned to my father and buried my face in his chest while he hugged me. "Stay with Ryan at all times. Never go anywhere alone." I nodded in his chest and he pulled away. "I love you, Princess." He kissed my forehead. Water prickled at the corner of my eyes and I tried to blink them away.

"Love you too, Dad," I said and grabbed my bags so they couldn't see my tears. I haven't been away from my parents for more than a few days. They have always been constants in my life. My mom cooked for Matthew and I. My father protected us. They love us with all of their hearts. I turned to Ryan who was patiently waiting for me.

Dad walked up to Ryan and they firmly shook hands. "Take care of my daughter. I don't care that you're my best friend. I will hunt you down and rip off your head with my teeth if anything happens to her," Dad threatened. Ryan confidently nodded. I was also confident in him. I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to me. "Have fun," Dad said with a smile on his face. My father changed emotions very quickly. 

I hugged both my parents one last time and walked out with Ryan. "We are gonna be staying with each pack for a few days," Ryan informed me as we slid into the car. I nodded and rested my head on the window.

I tried to go to sleep, but my mind wouldn't let me. I kept thinking about my mate. What he looks like. How old is he? What rank is he? What's his favorite color? What's his favorite movie? I sighed and gave up on sleep.

"We still have another hour until we get to the pack lines," Ryan told me.

I shifted in my seat so I was sitting crisscross in the chair. "What pack is first?" I asked. Ryan grabbed a piece of paper from the center console, and handed it to me. It was filled with dates, names, and packs. "Midnight Howlers," I read the first name.

Ryan nodded. "We have to go to a meeting with them when we arrive." I looked at him confused and curious.

"We?" I asked. Ryan just nodded. "Why am I going to be there?" I questioned. A meeting sounds boring. Exploring and finding my mate sounds much better. I knew that I would have to hold these meeting eventually, once I'm Queen. However, I couldn't stop myself from wanting to put my mate before that. It was a dream come true to finally meet your mate. I couldn't stop myself from avoiding losing more time with him.

"As the Head Alpha, I have to inform them about a new law. But you're gonna be there because I don't want you alone," he said.

I nodded in understanding. He has to protect me. "What's the new law?" I asked. Ryan's eyes got darker and his grip on the wheel got tighter. "Ryan?" I asked. He looked over at me and his expression softened.

"Only an Alpha and his true mate can lead a pack as their Alpha and Luna," Ryan stated.

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Why are you upset? Aren't you all about that mates being together?" I questioned.

"I am. I just can't believe that an Alpha would choose someone, who isn't his true mate, as his Luna!" he said exasperated. "If she was supposed to be a Luna, then the Moon Goddess would have chosen her to be his mate! It's not like his mate was unfit to be a Luna. He's just another power-hungry Alpha!" Ryan ranted.

"Someone who isn't meant to, took the place as a Luna?" I asked shocked. Ryan nodded. "Why would they even do that?!" I threw my hands up and dropped them on my lap.

"Cause they wanted more power" Ryan's grip on the wheel got tighter, so his knuckles were turning white. "Two Alphas made a treaty. Their son and daughter will marry, to join the packs. But both of them had already had mates. They just weren't fully mated," Ryan explained. There are two steps to becoming true mates. The marking, which is literally marking one another with your teeth. And intercourse. Both typically happen in the same night. I learned rather quickly that mates cannot keep their hands off of each other. I nodded for Ryan to continue. "So the son and daughter mated, and they united the pack. But they both have Alpha blood, so the pack suffered."

Two born Alpha's can't rule one pack, especially if they're not mates. If they were true mates, there would be a possibility it would work; however, it would be difficult. All Alpha's are dominant. They wouldn't want to work together. They'd clash heads too often. "So that's why the Council created the law," I said. Ryan shook his head. "So why?" I inquired.

"That is only part of the reason. The pack suffered, but so did their mates. Their mates died," Ryan said. I gasped. "After you meet your mate, there is instantly a bond created. You can feel each other's emotions and pain and physical things. When the Alphas mated, their true mates felt it. They lost a part of themselves." I nodded, unable to form words. "That's not even the worst part!" Ryan shouted.

I gaped at him. "It gets worse?" I asked. Ryan rubbed the top of his head with his hand and sighed.

"She was pregnant." he stated. I looked at him confused. "The son's mate. She was pregnant when she died." Ryan said softly.

My blood boiled. "So their stupid deal killed two mates and an unborn child?!" I shouted.

"That's why we got the new law," Ryan finished. I let it all sink in.

A child?! Just for power! All of that for power. For gaining a larger pack. Then letting your pack suffer. Killing your own mate! Killing a child! That kid didn't even have a chance to live. Didn't have a chance to meet its mate. Didn't have a chance to shift for the first time. The kid didn't even get to meet their mom. They ruined lives. All for nothing. Their plan failed, and everyone just suffered.

How could someone do that? To their own flesh and blood. To their family. To the one person that was made just for you. Ryan and I sat the rest of the ride in silence.

"We're here." Ryan stopped the car just outside a forest. I nodded and he took out his phone and dialed a number. "Hello. It's Alpha Hayes. We've just arrived."

"Alright. I grant you and your guest permission to enter my territory," a male voice said through the phone. Ryan thanked him and hung up. After he hung up, I borrowed his phone to quickly call my parents. We continued driving for another half-hour, until we stopped in front of a three story mansion. Typical pack house.

Most people would stand in front and gape at the building. But I don't. I live in a castle. I'm used to fancy things. It's also not the best pack house I've seen. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful. But I've seen every other pack house, and its not the best. It has a lot of character though.

"Come on. We'll get the bags later," Ryan said, walking toward the front door. We stopped at the front and Ryan turned to me. "Do you smell anything?" he asked.

I inhaled through my nose. I smelt werewolves, pine, chocolate, and cookies. Yeah. Chocolate. Its not my mate though. Ryan's scent smells like chocolate. It always makes me hungry. My stomach growled and Ryan chuckled.

"Do you smell anything other than my scent?" He questioned with a knowing grin. I shook my head. "He's gonna be in one of these packs." Ryan gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back and he knocked on the double doors.

A woman with dark brown hair and bright hazel eyes opened the door. "Hello. You must be Alpha Hayes. I'm Rebecca Laney, the Luna" she stuck her hand out for Ryan to shake.

Ryan took her hand in his. "Please, call me Ryan. Alpha Hayes makes me feel old," Ryan joked. Rebecca laughed and Ryan turned to me. "This is my niece, Genevieve,"

'Niece?' I asked Ryan through our mind-link.

'Your father wants your identity to be hidden. No one needs to know that the Princess is out of the castle,' Ryan replied. That makes sense. Not everyone likes the King and Queen. Regardless of the packs being part of our Kingdom, that doesn't mean that they like it. I've heard about what people have done to our Royal Warriors. Not to mention there's so many people out for the Crown. If our Royal Pack and my parents could be defeated, that would make the victor the new ruler.

I pushed the fear far down and took a deep breath, focusing on the Luna. "Hello. I'm Rebecca," she introduced herself again. "It's nice to meet you, Genevieve."

I cringed at my full name. "Just Eve, please," I said with a small laugh. Rebecca nodded and opened the door wider, motioning for us to come inside.

"Michael is in his office. Would you like something to drink?" she asked. Ryan and I shook our heads. "Alrighty then. Follow me," she walked up stairs and stopped in front of  a wooden door.

"Come in," a male voice said from inside. Rebecca opened the door and we walked inside with her.

I glanced around the office. There were shelves of books and pictures. He had a shiny dark brown desk that matched the dark brown coffee table and a black leather couch. "Alpha Hayes is here," Rebecca stated.

The man turned in his chair, so he was facing us. "I'm Alpha Michael Laney." The man stood up from his chair and took two steps around the desk.

"Ryan Hayes." Ryan shook hands with the Alpha. "This is my niece-"

God, not the full name. "Eve" I cut him off. I shook hands with Michael and he motioned for us to sit on the leather couch. Rebecca and he sat in the love seat as Ryan and I sat on the three-person couch.

"You said you have news from the Council," Michael said, getting straight to business.

Ryan nodded. "Are you two mates?" Ryan asked. The couple looked at each other and smiled, then turned back to us and nodded. "True mates?" Ryan questioned.

"Yes. Where are you going with this?" Rebecca asked confused and slightly wary.

"The Council has passed a new law. Only a true Alpha and Luna may lead a pack," Ryan said. The couple didn't look surprised at all.

The Alpha nodded. "This is about the Crescent Moon and the Nightfall pack," Michael stated. Ryan nodded. "Those poor kids," Michael said sadly.

"Was that the only news?" Rebecca asked.

Ryan nodded. "If it is no trouble, my niece and I would like to stay for tonight." Rebecca quickly nodded her head.

"No trouble at all. The Head Alpha is always welcome in our home," Rebecca said. "We actually have gotten two rooms set up already," she stated.

"Rebecca wanted to be prepared for your arrival. She even stocked the fridge and told the teens not to eat any of the food. She used her Luna voice," Michael laughed.

Rebecca turned red from embarrassment and slapped Michael's arm. "Would you like a tour?" Rebecca asked. Ryan said that he needed to discuss some final things with Michael. She turned to me. "Want a tour? I can introduce you to some people," Rebecca offered.

I looked at Ryan, who nodded at me in approval. "Sure. Thanks," I said. I followed her out the office and into the hallway. She gave me a tour of the second story, that consisted of other offices, a few bathrooms, and hospital rooms.

The house was a pretty basic pack house. There were rooms for teen girls, rooms for teen guys, rooms for mates, and there was a whole floor just for the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma families.

"Are you hungry?" Rebecca asked. I nodded eagerly, causing her to laugh. Its not my fault I'm hungry. I didn't eat breakfast. "We can make some sandwiches," Rebecca said while we walked down the stairs. She led me into the kitchen where someone was making food.

He looked to be around my age. He had dark colored hair and his abs were visible through his white shirt. Saying he was hot would be like saying sugar is just kind of sweet. The understatement of the world! He looked up and noticed Rebecca and I. He smiled at me, but paled when he saw his Luna.

"Anthony Tyler Reynolds!" Rebecca shouted. I awkwardly shifted from foot to foot. "What are you doing?!"

"Making a sandwich," he said in a duh tone. Rebecca walked to his side of the counter and smacked the back of his head. "Ow!" he exclaimed.

"What part of 'no one better eat the food or I will personally rip your head off with my human teeth' did you not understand?" She crossed her arms and waited for him to answer. When he didn't, she continued. "I will not rip your head off since you are my son's friend, but you will make this girl a sandwich." She motioned to me.

Anthony's head snapped up to me. "Hey. I'm Anthony. Ant for short" he winked at me. Flirt much?

I looked at him questionably. "Ant? Like the bug?" I asked. He's most definitely not my mate. Don't want to be flirting with him.

Rebecca chuckled. "No. It's 'cause he likes to bug the crap out of people." Ant and I stared at her while she laughed at her own joke. "Tough crowd," she mumbled, walking out the kitchen.

"So... That was weird," Ant stated while starting to make another sandwich.

I sat on the stood by the kitchen island. "Yeah. Is she always like that?" I asked. Ant chuckled and nodded.

"Most of the time. She's kinda scary sometimes," he admitted. "So, what's your name?"

"Genevieve. Eve for short," I mocked his words. He smiled and handed me an plate with a sandwich. "Thanks."

"No problem. Are you new?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Just passing through," I stated vaguely. Ant's eyes went wide and he stared at me.

"You're her aren't you?" he asked with a smirk.

I looked at him confused. "Who's her?" I questioned.

"The Princess!" he shouted. I put my hand over his mouth and he licked it. I shrieked and wiped my hand on his shirt. Gross! Why would you lick someone's hand? Especially if you just met them! "So you are?!" he exclaimed.

"Shut up," I scolded him. He frowned. "Sorry. It's just that no one is supposed to know who I am. How do you know?" I asked.

Ant shrugged. "Word travels fast around packs." I gaped at him.

I'm in such big trouble and danger. And trouble. No one was supposed to know that I left the castle. What was the point in Ryan introducing me as his niece if people already know? "Eve?" Ryan's voice echoed through the kitchen. I couldn't say anything. I felt like I couldn't move. Like I was frozen, but watching everything happen around me.

"She's in the kitchen!" Ant yelled. Ryan walked into the kitchen and looked from me to Ant. His mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear him saying anything. Black dots started clouding my vision.

Nothing mattered. People knew that I was out. People would be out to get me. It wasn't safe anymore. I would probably have to go back home, mateless. Ryan stood in front of me and gripped my shoulders. "Genevieve. What's wrong?" Concern was clear in his voice. I knew what was happening. I was going into shock over something that seems so small. But I couldn't stop my thoughts from floating to what had happened to our Royal Warriors. 

I remembered playing outside, before Matthew was born. There were warriors standing guard, but were never needed. My mom was inside cooking, I just wanted to play. I was a kid. I remembered several men coming out of the tree line. One held a decapitated head. I remembered screeching at the top of my lungs. It was my first encounter with death. The warriors looking after me had sprinted to me. One grabbed me, hid my face in his shoulder, and told me not to look. I heard the other warriors shift as I was carried inside. 

I forced the memory out of my head, but I could only force two words out of my mouth. "They know." Then darkness took over.