LUKA'S POV

The first few months spent with the Dawson family were fun to say the least. We all got along well, not including my sister, and we appreciated each other's company. I had met Rae during the fall of my ninth year of life and we had spent quite a bit of time together, much to Willow's dismay. It was a little annoying to hear my baby sister complain about my lack of concern for her when she knew she was my world. It hurt me to think that she doubted me.

"Luka I don't like Raelynn." On a Friday afternoon when fall was in its full swing, leaves all over the ground just begging to be stomped on, the last thing I wanted to be doing was my homework. Sadly Alphas must take responsibility for their actions and that includes completing homework. I look up from my math questions and frown at my sister. I notice the door to my bedroom is wide open and she's holding her favourite Disney Princess doll Ariel.

"And why not?" I ask put down my pencil. Her presence is a much needed distraction anyway. Willow pouts and plays with her hair.

"She takes you away from me." I'm shocked by what she says. Turning in my chair I face my Willow and narrow my eyes.

"Rae does not take me away from you. You're my sister; I'm always here for you." I tell her honestly. She continues to pull on her hair and I have to grab her hand so she doesn't hurt herself.

"Yes she does. Every time she is here you are there. It's not fair." I smile at her complaint and poke her tummy.

"You just made a rhyme, you know that?" Willow smiles as well but frowns again.

"Luka!" Sighing I go down on my knees and turn her around so her back is facing me. Taking her hair away from her hands I begin to braid it.

"You know, Rae wouldn't be spending so much time with me if you would just get along. She wants to be your friend. She doesn't even like me that much." Willow huffs but continues to let me braid her hair. I know she enjoys it.

"I don't want to be her friend. I don't like her." She crosses her arms and cuts a glare in my direction.

"Well then if you won't be her friend then I will have to remain her friend and she will always have my time because that's what friends do." Ripping out of my grasp she gasps and her eyes go wide.

"No! NO! I will be her friend Luka! I promise!" Inwardly I am smiling wide but on the outside I just nod my head and stand up.

"Alright but I am holding you to that you hear?" She nods her head quickly and runs back to her room. I don't know if what I said will actually get through to her but it's better to say something than nothing at all. That's what my mom always told me.

After that conversation Willow tried her best to like Rae. It wasn't easy I could tell but she did try. There was always some sort of tension between them and it wasn't hard to miss. Even my parents began to take notice.

On Rae's birthday in January Willow thought it would be funny to blow out Rae's candles on her birthday cake. Willow was scolded and punished while Rae didn't complain. No, instead she asked her father to relight the candles so that both of the girls could get a wish. I was shocked. I know if it was me that this had happened to I would be furious. She's an interesting child to say the least.

Months flew by and before I even noticed my birthday was arriving. In many cases it wouldn't be much of a big deal but in my case it was. My tenth birthday signified the day that I would become united with my wolf. The day I have been looking forward to for years now. I couldn't be more excited. With April 5th only a day away the entire pack prepared a celebration. Of course the Dawson's were invited to this.

"Mom do I have to wear this suit? I want to be able to run around with Naal and I can barely move my legs in this." My mother looks up to me with a big smile and shakes her head no.

"I'm sorry little one but today is a special day. Though it may not be your birthday until tomorrow it is still a monumental moment and the entire pack wants to share this with you." I frown and nod my head. Now I won't be able to chase Naal around. It takes my mother a few more minutes before my suit is finished and she makes me look in the mirror to inspect.

"Do you like it sweetie?" I take a good look at myself and smile. I look like my father and that's a good thing. He is a strong Alpha and if I look like him that means people will see me as a strong Alpha too. I smile at my reflection and my mother claps her hands together.

"Alright then pup you go back to your room and wait for your father to announce you. The pack should be here by now." I nod my head and walk back to my room down the hall.

When I turned 6 I asked to move into a bigger room because I was older. My mother was worried I would be scared being so far from them but my father said it was a mature decision and he granted me one of the biggest rooms in the Pack House. It has a perfect view of the open backyard and the forest behind it. I love watching the seasons change from my window it's like watching a movie.

Listening to my mother's heels clicking down the stairs I jump on my bed and sigh. I'm really excited to go to this party because all the new friends I've made that are a part of the pack will be here. They are really nice and we've become close very quickly. It's nice to have human friends and pack friends so you're never bored and alone. Human... Rae is going to be at this party too. I like seeing her, though sometimes I've had to leave her with Willow because she was too young to play with my friends and me. But whenever we're alone she's cool. And cool rhymes with school... ugh.

Sitting up in my bed I look towards my backpack and take out my geography textbook. Last week we learned where our pack borders are and what American state we live in. There's always one class within the human school that wolves must go to. Some kids think it's special education but we know better. Whenever parents question why their children aren't involved my father always has the principal, who is a wolf as well, speak with them.

I was surprised to learn how small our pack really was. We live in the state of Ohio and our borders were between Akron and Newark which made me sad. Sure we are basically surrounded by forest which is good but I always thought our pack was really big. Everyone liked my father so that must mean that we had a lot of land because of it and yet we didn't.

When the teacher saw my sad face she said that a small pack means it is better protected. When a pack is too big rogues could enter the land and hurt people and we wouldn't even know. It was comforting when she told me that, but not enough. And also not entirely true... though I didn't know that yet.

Our pack holds 600 people including my family. The packs surrounding have the same amount if not less. I always thought why not join us together? That way we could protect each other, but then father said some packs aren't fond of new leaders and some leaders are too corrupt to protect. Pack business was definitely hard work.

I put back my textbook and sigh again feeling boredom take over. I wish I could go to the party but I am to be called upon in a proper manner as I am the guest of honour. How boring. I'm about to collapse onto my bed again when I hear a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." Big brown curls are the first thing I see, then those eyes. "Rae? Aren't you supposed to be downstairs?" She walks into the room and closes the door.

"I know but I wanted to give you something in secret." I look towards her hand notice she is holding something tight.

"Is it a birthday present?" I ask smiling. She just puts her finger to her lips and sits beside me.

"I know when you come down that you will go to your big friends and I am ok with that. I just wanted you to have something to help with tomorrow." I immediately go serious and turn towards her.

"What is it Rae?" She opens her hand slowly to show a white tooth with a wolf's head made of metal on top. It looks so cool. She dangles it in front of me and I see it's hanging off of a leather rope.

"Do you like it? It cost a lot of money from my piggy bank." I gently take it out of her hand and touch it. Feeling no sting I'm glad to know it's not silver. Even though it won't do massive damage to me, it would still be an annoyance to have it burning my chest from time to time. I've never truly understood why we are so effected by silver and not other metals but I remember my grandmother telling me that silver is one of the few metals to be associated with the moon and it was said to be blessed by the Moon Goddess herself to not kill but harm werewolves if we were to lose control or go rogue. She called it a precautionary measure. I remember her saying "God created a flood and the Moon Goddess created silver," it's all very confusing to be honest but we need to always be careful.

"Rae... I love it." She squeals and hugs me tight.

"I remember you said I can't be with you when you change so I got you that instead. Just so you remember me and you are not too scared." She smiles and I notice she is missing a tooth.

"When did you lose your tooth?" Rae looks down and frowns. "It happened a few minutes ago. I was standing with my mommy and Willow pushed me. I think it was by accident but I fell and my tooth fell out. It's ok because it was already loose so it didn't hurt and there wasn't much blood but I lost it." She plays with the end of her pretty lilac dress and remains quiet.

"I will talk to Willow about that." My voice comes out stern and I mean exactly what I say. Her head shoots up.

"No! She already got trouble with my mommy. I don't care about her pushing me, it's just..." She looks away again.

"What's wrong?"

"Will the tooth fairy still come to me? This is my first gone tooth!" Her big blue eyes look sad as she asks me and I frown.

"I don't know Rae, but if she doesn't come then I will make sure you get better than what she gives you." Her eyes widen.

"What can you do? You're not magic." I chuckle and put the pendant around my neck.

"No I'm not magic but I will be a wolf and that's pretty cool too right?." She smiles a little and nods her head.

"Ok Luka. I have to go now. Good luck!" She turns to leave but then stops. Running into my arms she holds me tight and I smile. "I know you'll be ok." With that she leaves my room. My hand automatically grips the pendant and I feel myself smiling. I guess waiting up here wasn't all that bad.

With the sunlight shining through my curtains the tooth looks as glossy as a pearl and the metal glints as I inspect it. I really do wonder how much it cost for Rae to get this. I'll treasure it always. The next twenty minutes are spent playing with my new pendant until my mom knocks on the door.

"Luka it's time to come down." I jump off my bed and put the pendant underneath my shirt. When I open the door I see my mom is in a pretty black dress with lots of sparkles that make her brown eyes look brighter. The dress reaches past her knees and is sweeping against her ankles. Her dark hair is up and has lots of curls, not a pretty as Rae's curls because hers are natural but it looks really nice. My father doesn't like it when my mom wears makeup so she has a little bit on her eyes and lips. She looks like a beautiful woman which makes me proud to call her my mom.

"You look really pretty mom." She smiles down at me and fixes my hair.

"Thank you sweetie. You look very handsome too. I'm sure all of the girls will be watching you." A blush creeps over my cheeks when I think of one particular girl. Noticing my blush mom pinches my cheeks and takes my hand. "No matter what I want you to have fun ok?" I nod and begin to walk forward.

When we reach the stairs my mom slowly walks down, so I follow her lead. As the staircase curves I begin to see faces. My father is waiting at the foot of the stairs with Willow and Naal and his family are beside him. The entire pack is waiting either inside the house or they are lingering outside. There's so many of them it's great to see they are here to support me. Mom and I reach the bottom of the stairs and Willow jumps into my arms. I hug her tightly and pinch her arm.

"Ouch Luka! It's your birthday not mine." She rubs her arm while pouting.

"Well that is what you get for pushing Rae. It was rude and you know it." She rolls her eyes and scowls. I had a feeling she did it on purpose.

My father pulls me in for a hug and whispers in my ear.

"I am proud of you son. Even if you don't shift tomorrow you will always be the rightful heir to this pack and I'll love you regardless." He pulls back and kisses my forehead softly. I try not to cry at his kind words because I truly was afraid that he would shun me if I wasn't blessed with my shift. I couldn't be happier to know the truth.

When I reach Naal and his parents they both hug me tightly before Naal punches my arm ten times with a big grin on his face. They are about to scold him but my laughter stops them.

"I have to be first and you know it." He says cracking his knuckles. I rub my shoulder a little and laugh.

"Don't forget your birthday is in two weeks so you'll get what's coming for ya." He throws his hands up in mock surrender and we both start laughing.

Our parents allow us to walk ahead of them as we greet the head pack members. The top enforcers next to Naal's parents are Jade and John; they're twins that are gifted with incredible strength. They've been enforcing for almost twelve years now. They received the enforcer position when they were only sixteen which is a big deal in our pack. Both are dressed up; with Jade wearing a green long dress and John wearing a black suit. They nod their heads at us and we return the gesture.

Next we see some elders that have come from different packs. We have two elders in our pack one including my grandmother. She has tears in her eyes when I hug her and she kisses the top of my head.

"My precious little angel I am so happy. Many blessings on this day and the next and know your grandfather is smiling down on you proud of your growth. I love you." She wipes her tears and lets me go. I don't remember much of my grandfather except that he was killed by hunters when I was two. The reason was unknown as apparently he was good friends with some hunters in his day but he was gone before I really got the chance to know him. The next elder from our pack is a strict old man named Edward. He nods his head at me and looks away. He isn't one for affection.

The next six elders I see I don't know much about but as I greet them I notice that they are really old and look almost sickly, but each one shakes my hand firmly as if they aren't weak at all. The last one to shake my hand smiles softly and speaks.

"We hail from the packs of Blue Moon, Blood Moon and New Moon. On behalf of the Alphas we send our respect and encouragement to the future Alpha of Dark Moon. May the Moon Goddess touch you tonight so that you may become what you are destined to be. And a happy early birthday young pup." I smile at the man.

"Thank you, all of you. May I have your names so that I may remember your kindness in near future?" In my peripheral view I can see a small smile grace my father's lips showing his approval.

The elders' backs seem to straighten before they speak. The first man that shook my hand speaks.

"I am Eldimir, elder of the Blood Moon pack." I nod in his direction and he nods back.

"I am Seraphia, elder of the Blood Moon pack." The woman beside him says. I notice now that each pack has both a female and a male elder. They are dressed nicely with cloaks that show their packs' symbol.

"I am Melina, elder of the New Moon pack." I look towards the woman and stop myself from dropping my jaw. She is old as well but I thought she was a man as she had a hard hand shake and a gruff voice.

"I am Boris, elder of the New Moon pack." He smiles at me and winks.

"I am Nora, elder of the Blue Moon pack." Says the woman beside the elder that greeted me kindly.

"And I am Kayden, elder of the Blue Moon pack. I appreciate your packs' hospitality and we will make sure to remind Alpha Wren of this day. Enjoy yourself young pup. We will no longer stand in your way." As he said that they all took a step back to let me and Naal continue the greetings. I noticed that they didn't say anything to Naal just shook his hand nodded their heads. Elders are weird.

Father's Beta scoops me up in his arms and spins me around. David is awesome. He doesn't have any children because his mate passed away but he is still strong and caring, treating us as if we were his children. That's what makes my choosing Naal that much easier to be my beta. If David had a child then Naal would have to challenge them for the title and in turn one would be rejected... I don't like thinking of that.

"Congrats kiddo! You're going to do great tomorrow. And if nothing happens then we will drown ourselves in junk food, fair?" He puts me down and I laugh.

"Definitely Dave!" He scoops up Naal as well and spins him too.

When we see the Gamma we both blush. Father's Gamma is a beautiful woman named Josephine but we just call her Jo. She has flaming red hair with blue eyes and a strong personality and she is hot! Naal and I have had a crush on her for a year now, but I don't think she knows. Walking up to her she bends down and gives me a kiss on the cheek. My heart pounds in my chest and I shakily smile.

"Happy Birthday young Alpha. May the moon goddess bless you when she deems you fit." I nod my head and try to hide my face as I know I am blushing really hard. She doesn't kiss Naal but she does hug him and he blushes just as hard. We're such babies.

We are greeted by the heads of the trackers and fighters as well before I walk towards the backyard and look at my father for permission to go outside. He walks ahead of me and opens the door. When the rest of the pack sees him they quiet down and wait for him to speak.

"Tonight I would like to thank all of you for coming to my son's 10th year celebration. If the Moon Goddess deems him worthy he will be blessed with his first shift! But even if it doesn't happen now or any time soon we are still proud to have raised such a remarkable young pup." The crowd hollers and I straighten my back to look more mature. "Luka Holden Garretson today we commemorate you and honour you. Enjoy this night and blessing be on the morrow!" Everyone cheers and I walk forward for them to see me.

They cheer even louder and I smile.

The music begins and everyone makes way for Naal and me to walk. The kids around my age refrain from joining me without permission because it is seen as disrespectful but I just signal them to come and we all begin to play. As we're running around playing, the parents and older pack members gather around to help set up the buffet. To say this is the best birthday I've had yet would be an understatement. Having all of my friends and family around is amazing.

When we stopped playing to cut my cake I looked around for Rae. I hadn't had much time to play with her earlier and wanted her to be close for this special moment but I couldn't find her. I look around the swarms of faces one last time before I blow out the candles.

"Go ahead little one, make a wish." My mom encourages. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

I wish for continued peace throughout my pack, a long healthy life and a mate that can not only love me but be my best friend.

I blow out the candles smiling and open my eyes. Looking up from the cake the first face I see is the one I've been looking for. The cute little light skinned girl waves at me before vanishing in the crowd again.

The celebration went on until midnight. By then I was beginning to get restless and wanted to find Rae. I didn't like the thought of her being alone and began to search for her. For an April night it was really hot outside and I had to rip off my clip on tie to get some relief. I looked all around the buffet area and couldn't find her, but something in me was telling me she wasn't there in the first place. I turned towards the forest and groaned.

She better not be in there.

I clutch my stomach as a searing pain shoots through me and continue forward. Taking a deep breath I can catch small traces of her scent near the tree line and I frown.

She's definitely in there.

I venture closer to the tree line searching for her scent again. Another shot of pain goes through me and I feel like I'm going to pass out, but I push pass it because she could be lost in there.

"Rae?" I call out, my voice sounding weaker than I expected. I look back towards the dwindling crowd and turn back to the forest.

"Rae can you hear me?" I begin the trek through the woods using the faint smell of her scent to guide me. The heat of the night causes me the rip my shirt off panting. My body is already sweating and I curse global warming for its annoying side effects. My vision begins to get dizzy and I hear a crack in the far off distance. A small cry sounds out and I realize that the crack came from me. Looking down at my ribs I see one is poking out against my skin and I topple over a branch in shock.

"Rae answer me!" I shout trying my best to stay awake. Sweat runs down my back and soaks into my pants as I struggle to get up again.

"Raelynn!" I push up from the ground and hold my side still trying to catch her scent.

"Luka?" I hear her voice to my left and my head snaps in the direction... but it doesn't snap back. I cry out even louder at the pain and drop to my knees. Blue eyes waver in and out of my vision as I struggle with my pain. I force my eyes open to see something small and furry in Rae's grasp. She comes closer but I shout out again and she stops.

"Luka are you ok?" Another rib cracks and I roll onto my back. I can't see anything from my position but I can hear her moving closer. The thing in her arms yawns and I can smell it's a pup of some kind. The pain shoots all over my body and my chest juts out as more ribs crack. The pain is almost unbearable and when I feel a soft little hand touch my shoulder I shoot a glare in its direction.

"R-Rae! St-Stay back!" My voice sounds deeper than usual and I feel my vision begin to blur again. The scent of a predator is what keeps me awake as a female wolf lurks 10 yards away from us. I look towards the pup and realize this must be hers. I try to speak again but my throat is burning and my body feels as though it is paralyzed. Tossing my head around I feel tears slipping from my eyes at the absolute agony I am in. Squeezing my eyes shut I try to focus my energy on talking and when they open, the vision seeming somewhat clearer, I notice the wolf is nowhere in sight.

"R-Rae! The p-pup... dr-drop." Is all I can get out before another wave of pain hits me. I scream out again and pull at the ground beneath me. 'CRACK!' The sickening sound echoes through the forest and I feel my leg bend out of place. My heart rate becomes faster and my senses begin to dull. The last thing I remember hearing is my father's voice yelling "Get back!"

The first 'POP!' is what set it off.

The heat became unbearable and everything turned to black. I could feel the excruciating pain as my body twisted and cracked out of position. I faintly felt hands on my face as the shift continued.

Everything felt impossible to do. Even breathing. My consciousness was almost completely gone... until I heard that howl. It wasn't the call of a fellow werewolf to mine it was a threat to a little girl unknowingly holding a female's pup.

Everything happened too quickly to process. My eyes shot open and I saw my father above me holding my head. Beta David and Naal's father were with me as well and Rae's father was trying to ward off the angry she-wolf. When I heard her whimper everything went black again.

Within seconds my senses became stronger and sharper. The pain had stopped and I could feel my body move into a new form much easier than before. Face elongated into a snout and my eyes pointed outward. My eyes darkened before reopening and my canines extended. For a pup I feel much bigger than most and by the looks on the men around me I obviously am different. I felt a pull behind me and then a small twitch; it was probably my new tail. I shake out my fur as I stand on four paws. My body wobbles a little trying to get used to this new change but I force it to move forward. With my first step I look down to see my fur is dark grey, almost black. My head feels a little dizzy but I ignore it and look up at my father. He's never looked more proud.

My eyes could see everything around me and even things yards away. My ears twitch at every little sound around me including the soft cries of a six year old girl. Her scent hit me like truck and I almost buckled at how amazing it smelled. She smelt like heaven. My head snapped in her direction and a deep guttural growl tore through my throat. The she-wolf looked over to me and I ran towards Rae and her father. I pushed him behind me and encircled Rae. Everything in me was screaming to protect her and I did. I put my body in-between Rae and the she-wolf eyeing it down fiercely. Turning from her for merely a second I tore the animal from Rae's arms and placed it on the floor. The wolf picked up on what I was doing and backed away slowly, still in a crouch as she bared her canines to me. She knew she was no match but she was trying to seem strong. The pup seemed to wake up fully and turned towards Rae again. He whined and tried to go to her but I growled and pushed it forward with my snout. Hearing its whimper Rae cried again and I whacked her with my tail to keep her quiet. The female wolf took the pup between her teeth and ran out of our direction. As soon as she was out of sight I collapsed.

***

"Is he going to be ok?"

"He'll be fine love."

"Yes but-"

"I understand you're worried but you weren't there. His first shift... it was amazing. When he heard Gannon's daughter cry out it was like a calling to his wolf. He just shifted as if he was doing it since he was born." There's a gasp and then silence.

My mind feels groggy and my body is tired but I know for a fact that my parents are talking. I try to open my eyes but the pain nearly makes me pass out. Instead I groan alerting them that I am awake.

"He's awake!" I feel the air around me surge as my mother grabs my arm making me cry out. "Oh no I'm so sorry little one!" She lets go but I can feel her presence beside me, just as I can feel my father's presence. With one word, used in an Alpha tone, everything around me awakens.

"Heal." Just like that my wolf snaps awake and I can feel him take over. 

Just relax and let me heal you. 

I hear his voice whisper to me as I take a deep breath. Within minutes I feel opening my eyes is not a struggle anymore and I can sit up fully. I look towards my smiling parents and sigh.

"So what happened?" My father laughs and sits beside me. I notice I'm in the pack's hospital. It's not as big as human hospital just the size of a large cabin really but we are fully equipped with beds, medical needs and trained doctors.

"Well son you went through your first shift a few days ago." I frown and sit up straighter.

"A few days ago?" He nods his head and my mom sits on my other side.

"You've been out for four days pup. But you're fine. The first shift is always the hardest and takes a toll on your body. You did very well." I nod my head slowly and stretch my fingers. I feel my father staring at me and then I hear it.

"Can you hear me son?" My eyes widen and I look at him. He smiles a little but remains silent. "Focus on my voice. Focus on the sound of it and the feeling of it. Now close your eyes and search for it." I close my eyes and try to find it but I can't.

"I can't do it." I say out loud.

"Don't give up. Find my voice. Imagine it's an island and you need to swim to me. Find the island Luka." I relax again and do as he says. At first it's silent but then I begin to hear a low murmur before it becomes louder. All at once I hear a stream of voices, my pack member's voices. I try my best to tune them out but it's hard and is giving me a really bad headache.

"Can you hear it?" I nod my head yes. "Good now find mine and mine only. Push away the other voices and focus on mine." I listen to my father repeat Son over and over again and begin to follow it. It's like each voice is a string and with each sound it makes, the vibration is shown through that string. In my mind's eye I touch each string to silence them and it works. Ahead of me I can see a vibrant red string and I follow it.

"Can you hear me father?"

"Yes pup. Excellent job you can now mindlink." I open my eyes to see him smiling widely at me.

"Was he able to do it?" My mom asks beside me, I nod my head and she hugs my side. "You're becoming more and more of a man little one. First the shift, then your mate and now the mindlin-"

"Mate? I didn't choose a mate." My father shoots my mom a look and she pulls back.

"But hun when you saved Raelynn we all figured..." I scowl.

"Mom Rae is four years younger than me! I don't want her to be my mate! She's just a baby!"

"Don't say that little one, you never know." I cross my arms pulling at the IV and turn away from her.

"When I choose my mate I want her to be just like Jo. She is the perfect example of a strong female. Besides Rae is just my friend and only human." I can tell by the way my parents are looking at each other that they are mindlinking and I choose to give them their privacy because it will take a lot of strength to try to mindlink again. My father looks down to me sympathetically and smirks.

"I apologize son. It's just the way your wolf sprung to action when he heard Raelynn's cries we thought you had made your choice. We were wrong. Now get some rest. You have Alpha training and school to get back to." I look up to my father confused.

"What's Alpha training?" He smiles and ruffles my hair.

"It will be the beginning of the end pup. But it is what every Alpha must learn and experience. You will begin your combat training in two weeks, so for now we will start with pack law, boundaries and responsibilities. You are expected to balance this with your schoolwork, no questions asked. Understood?" I nod my head and settle back into the bed.

"Understood." Both parents leave the private room and I close my eyes. How could they ever think I would choose Rae to be my mate? That's just crazy. And gross.

LUKA'S PENDANT ON THE RIGHT >>>>>