Amara

"Who was what? Amara, what're you talking about?" Carmin pulled me to my feet, staring at my face in concern. I couldn't look at her though. It was like I was entranced by the girl.

Blinking away the spell, I breathed in deeply. Carmin frowned and rubbed her thumb on my cheeks. The burning in my chest signaled my wolf wanted free from Carmin and just my skin in general. With a huff, I brushed aside the woman I loved.

Carmin growled softly, as the scent of the girl traveled towards her finally. Her blue eyes seemed to turn into slits, like a cat hunting. "Amara, that was a rogue." My lip twitched at the word.

Rogues has killed my father only two years ago. However, the mint came from the girl not the natural scent of blood and dirt. Rogues usually hunted like real wolves which gave them those smells. Every wolf had a specific scent, mine being the smell of pine needles.

My anger towards rogues didn't seem to matter to me when it came to this girl. Shaking away my thoughts, I turned to Carmin. "She looked familiar and she smelled of mint not of rogue. We need to find out who she is." The silver haired beauty tilted her head at me, confusion clouding her eyes.

"Amara, are you okay?" Tentatively, her soft hand found my cheek. I sighed and leaned into her touch, humming my reply. Carmin nodded before speaking once again. "Let's get back to the pack. Then we can send out trackers to find the wolf."

A grumble rose in my throat when she pulled back, causing Carmin to laugh. "Come on, ya big bad alpha." She smirked before sauntering off in the opposite direction, toward the trees and territory of our home. Glancing behind me, I watched the leaves blow away before following after the woman I loved.

Narrowing my eyes on the beta, I huffed out a growl that rumbled in my chest. "Seriously, Kieran?" I could feel the wolf inside pacing impatiently, ready to lunge for his throat.

My best friend bowed his head in respect, hearing the displeasure in my voice. "Amara, we've exhausted ourselves searching the forest for the wolf. None of the trackers want to search the human side." I could feel the fury build in my gut. "They believe that the wolf you saw is gone."

Kieran frowned, stepping back. "Mar, maybe you should take a break." Straining my eyes, I shifted them to his. Concern swirled in his hazel colored gaze. A soft smile grew on his lips, offering his hand. "I heard from Carmin that there's a bookshop in town."

I sighed and nodded, slipping my hand into his. My irritation bled through my skin and dripped to the floor, relieving my body from its stress. Kieran rested a hand on my shoulder, grinning. "The bookstore might have some new fashion books."

It only took a few minutes to rush toward the front door. The younger members of the pack, orphans mostly, laugh and shout in glee. Then came the stampede. Young wolves toppled onto my legs, screaming with joy.

"Afa!" One of the younger kids screeched the poor title. I growled playfully causing the kids to scream again. To say it hurt my ears would be an understatement.

"Josie! Let go of the alpha now!" A woman's voice commanded. My lips split into a grin as I turned my attention to the Luna. Or rather, my mother.

"Buh, afa pomis do pway." The wolf cub had trouble speaking but it was surprising, considering she was only four. The cub pouted, curling her limbs around my leg. Luna Abigail smiled, which pulled on a few wrinkles along her forehead.

My mother was quite a beautiful woman even with the evident human traits. Stress and strain of my father's death caused the wrinkles on her face. Even though it's been a few years since the incident, my mother never changed.

Her personality was kept intact. I always thought it was because of him. He was always insistent on making us his priority before the pack. He was the alpha, but he was still a husband with a daughter. My father made sure we had everything and even in death, he made sure we had each other.

Josie whimpered as my mother continued to stare at the pup. Reluctantly, she pulled away only to be swept up into my arms. My mother rolled her eyes at me as the cub squeaked in surprise. Beaming, I balanced the four year old on my hip. "It's alright, mom. I was heading out to the bookstore," I paused and shifted Josie's weight.

The child might be small but she was still heavy. "There's no harm in taking the cub with. We'll be back later." My mother hummed, knowing exactly where I was going. Turning towards the door, I twisted the knob and pulled it open.

"Just be back before dinner, sweetheart. And listen to the alpha, Josie!" She called out to us. Josie giggled and raised her hands in the air. My mother laughed and closed the door as we both slipped from the house.

"Woofy wide! Woofy wide!" Josie squealed into my ear, causing me to groan. That hurt worse than anything else. Her tiny arms squeezed my neck as she continued chanting.

"Alright, kiddo. Alright." I shook my head with a soft laugh. Grunting in effort, I set the cub down and stepped back. Winking at the kid made her screech in joy. "Watch... the... magic." Her eyes widened as my body reformed into the wolf I was inside.

Light brown fur brushed against the brush as I jumped slightly and barked. Hop on Josie. I won't hurt you. I spoke through a link which connected our minds together. Licking my muzzle, and nudged the pup gently before lowering my body.

Josie giggled again and climbed onto my back, curling her small fists into the fur on my neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Carmin. She smiled behind her hand as she watched us. My tongue lolled out of my jaws when I turned to her. Hold on tight, Josie! With that, I bolted off towards the town.

After running then realizing I forgot a change of clothes, the two of us finally reached the town. When I changed back into myself, Josie rushed out words to fast for me to follow. Only one thing could be clearly heard from her. "I wahn my woof." Squeezing her hand, I led her towards the bookstore.

"You'll get your wolf when you're older and stronger." I smiled down at the cub, longing in my eyes. She was one of the orphaned children. Her parents died in the rogue attack along with my father. They were the best warriors we had, having trained Carmin and my other friends.

Josie was two when they died. After that, my mother took her and a few other kids in. I wish I could've saved those wolves that died but my father needed me safe and alive, protecting the younger wolves in the pack.

I wanted a family of my own, even if the child was my own or not. Turning the corner, my feet led us into the small book shop. When the door opened, a small bell chimed telling anyone inside that someone had come in. New books and leather scents rushed my nose along with the intoxicating smell of mint.

"I'll be with you in a moment." A girl called out. Her voice was like silk, running along my finger. Josie beamed next to me and tugged the two of us towards the child section. That's when it happened.

The young pup had went too fast around a corner, causing myself and a girl to collide. Spark erupted from the contact as we fell, my back slammed into the hardwood floors while the girl fell on top of me. An audible oof left my lips then a grumble.

"Oh gods. I'm so sorry." Blue met brown in a clash when we made eye contact. Hers widened immensely, whispering a word I hadn't heard since my eighteenth birthday. "Mate."