I came from the kitchen to bring cold meat to Montavius' eye. He was laying on the couch complaining about a headache. I felt bad that I brought it upon him, but I'm almost glad he didn't have to deal with those guys. "They were jerks." I told him. 

He took the meat and placed it on his eye, "Yea, but I should've done something. Not just be a punching bag for them." 

I rubbed his shoulder in comfort. He's always had trouble of "proving his manliness", "'Tavius. You did a lot out there. Just unlucky. That's all." 

He simply stared up at his ceiling, deep in thought, "Did they hurt you?" 

I shook my head, "I'm fine, 'Tavius. You need to focus on getting better." I pulled the blanket up over him to keep him warm. 

"You can take my bed for the night. Mom won't be back til noon tomorrow." He told me. His mother loved me, so I knew she wouldn't mind either way. 

"Thanks." I grabbed my purse and extra clothes and started making my way upstairs, "I'll try to get up early to make you some breakfast." 

I could already see Montavius getting comfortable on his makeshift bed, "Thanks. You're the best. Night." 

"G'night." I made my way upstairs and entered the first door on the left. His room was a little dirty, with a pile of clothes in the corner, but besides that, he kept it rather clean. I closed the door behind me so I could get dressed in my white shirt and sweats. 

I went to put my stuff on his desk, but I made sure to check my Samsung before I went to bed. I had a message from Shelly, "Sorry about earlier. Hope you made it home safe. Ttyl." 

I looked at the time. 12.01. She'd probably be asleep by now. I typed in the message, "I jus dont wanna talk about it anymore all Im concerned about is getting to college and I jus wanna be normal for once." I stared at the message for a long time. Normal. That was the word that stuck out the most. I knew it was a myth for me. That it'll never happen. I deleted the text and started over, "We did. Gn." I sent that one instead. I put the phone down and finally laid in bed. 

Normal.

That was the word that followed me to my dreams.

Amina. Amina, why didn't you help me? I died for you. Aren't you happy that you're alive? You're gonna make a great Luna some day. Right, Amina? You wouldn't leave me, Amina. We're the bestest of friends. Nothing can separate us. Right? Amina...

My phone alarm rang at 630. I groaned as I turned it off. I forgot why I had so early. I felt I never had enough sleep anymore. I would never get any sleep anyway. I decided it was alright to stay in my pajamas. They didn't stink just yet. I got from bed and went to the bathroom, trying not to wake up Montavius. I washed my hands and headed downstairs quietly. I could hear a light snore in the living room so I could tell he was still asleep. 

I went to the kitchen and remember seeing bacon and eggs in the fridge. I could even make some toast. I took out the ingredients and put them on the counter. I was singing a light tune to myself as my bare feet pattered across the cold tile floor. I was opening the package of bacon before I heard the crying of a child. I looked around. There was no child around. So who was crying? "Give her back, you bully!" Came the child's voice again. If I had to guess, it was a little girl. 

I finally noticed the window in the kitchen was open. It must've been coming from outside. It was hard for me to simply let the child cry. Before I knew it, I was heading outside. It was almost as if my legs were carrying themselves. The sun was hardly up and the grass still had it's morning dew on it. It couldn't be no later than 7.00. What were kids doing up and around so early? 

"You're gonna rip her!" The little girl's voice rang again. I had to walk down the street a little further before I saw the little girl and the bully. The bully had to be about two years older than the little girl, gripping onto a stuffed bunny, threatening to pull apart by its legs and ears. 

"Hahaha. You're too little." The little boy teased. 

I could see the little girl in tears. It broke my heart. She kept wiping away tears, but more replaced them, "I just want Mrs.Bunny! Don't hurt her!" 

The boy stuck his tongue out, "Stop crying, you big baby." 

"Hey!" I barked. They both turned to look towards me. The girl was more happy to see me than the boy. "Give her back her toy and play with someone your own size." 

The boy stared me down, and I stared right back. Some nine year old wasn't gonna scare me at all. I walked closer towards him and he threw the bunny back. "You're such a tattletale." I heard him mutter. 

The little girl hugged the bunny close. I don't think she could've been happier. She ran towards me and hugged my legs, "Thank you, ma'am. I thought I lost Mrs.Bunny." 

I looked down at her sweet blue eyes and I smiled. I even wiped a tear off her cheek as she kept hugging me. "No problem, sweetie. Now, go along. Wouldn't wanna get in trouble with your parents now." She nodded and started running down the street. I had to go the opposite way, but I watched her go. So small and innocent. It was so adorable. 

That's when I took in my surroundings. The sun was higher now and things had gotten a bit warmer. It looked almost like a brand new day. I smiled and slipped in between the houses. I decided to take a walk near the forested area. The tall, towering trees seemed comforting. I knew today was gonna be a good day. 

-Zannic's POV-

I kept rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. We were in the conference room with baby blue walls and a round table. Members of the pack were talking about issues and complains reported. I simply tuned it out. They were talking about something with rouges, "Alpha, how do you think we should proceed?" 

All eyes were on me. I sat up in my seat. It wasn't my official title, yet, but since my father was out of town, I had to take charge. "I suggest we increase patrol. Maybe even set an example with a few of them. They should know better, but sometimes, they need little reminders." 

Most the round table agreed with me. Besides, most of them had families to protect. I could say kill them on the spot and they'd be down for it. Rouges are getting stronger and ballsier. If they revolted against us. Honestly, we'd be screwed. "Since Alpha Zannic is here and will be in the position permanently very soon, I propose to allow him set up arrangements for the pack house." 

I smiled. Now this was something I'd been waiting for for 18 years. Change the rules around the house. Rufus, my top adviser spoke before I could, "May I remind you, Zannic. This is a pack house. Not a frat house." He was about my dad's age but with much more white hair. He'd probably become the pack elder once he decides to give up his position. 

I nodded towards him in acknowledgement, but that didn't mean I wasn't gonna have a bit of fun. "First thing I want to change is the placement of the Beta." I looked towards Tyson. He smirked. He's my best friend since birth, so of course I was gonna give him a better position in the house instead of in the basement, "He will take up the room to the left of mine. I must have my Beta nearby." I watched as the pack advisers wrote down my requests. I had to get used to the responsibility of Alpha, but so far, I was liking it. 

Rufus piped up once more, "Zan, have you found a mate yet?" 

I sighed. Every time, the word "Mate" gets thrown around somewhere. "No, Rufus. I have yet to find a mate." I said through gritted teeth.

"Have you been looking?" He asked again. 

Now, I was starting to get annoying. I growled at him and hit the table with my fist, "I can handle being Alpha without a mate, dammit. My father did it for 12 years, didn't he?" 

Rufus kept his calm, even as I threatened my fangs at him. There was a long silence before Tyson stepped in and took control, "I believe that is all for today's meeting.  Meeting dismissed." 

It seemed everybody couldn't wait to get out of the room. It was cleared in four seconds flat. The only people left in the room were me and Rufus. I glared back at him as he calmly cleaned his round, metal glasses, "Your father was a mess when your mother died. You know this." 

I felt my wolf starting to take over, my nails grew longer from my fingertips and my arms grew bigger in size, "so what's the big deal if I don't have one--" my vision was becoming sharper and almost harder to focus on everything-- "The pack's handled a single Alpha for over a decade."

Rufus sighed and shook his head, "Look at you, Zan. You without a mate would be horrifying. You're impulsive, arrogant--" He looked me up and down. "and quick to anger." 

My snout grew and my claws were almost into the table, "Are you saying I'm not fit to be Alpha?!" How dare he accuse me of such. 

He started walking out the door, "I'm saying, you're gonna get someone hurt." He closed the door behind him. I was left alone in the room. I sat back in my seat and rubbed my forehead. I knew I was gonna be a good Alpha. Much better than my father of course. He's almost ran our pack name to the ground. Well not anymore. 

That's when I smelled the most beautiful scent in the world. It was almost like...vanilla and lavender. It was the perfect blend and it sent my head spinning on my shoulders. I had to find this scent. I had to. I sniffed harder. It was coming from outside. I don't really know what came over me, but I pushed chairs aside and leapt out the window and out in the morning day. It wasn't busy just yet so it would be easier for me to find this smell. Maybe someone was cooking.

My wolf was going insane. Trying to take full control, when I know I didn't need him right now. I just wonder what's got him so riled up. I started walking in one direction. I wasn't sure if it was right or not, but I knew where I was going. I took another whiff, the smell was getting stronger. So I was going the right way. I began to sprint towards the woods. I hadn't even realized how fast I was going or that I was using my wolf. I was on all fours and my heart was pounding. Not by the running, but by this...whatever was pulling me closer. I went past some houses and stood right next to the line of the trees. 

I looked through them, looking for this pull. I didn't see anything at first and I was unconsciously whining. What if I never find it? My heart became heavy at the thought. I had to find it. 

I have to.

Then I found it. My eyes landed on...a person. A girl. Walking through the woods by herself. Her curly, bouncy locks of hair that fell to her shoulders. Her light brown, warm, golden-under toned skin. Her full, pink lips that stuck out on her beautiful face, sitting on top of her curvy body. She took my breath away. She was stunningly gorgeous. I could no longer control myself. My wolf took over.

"Mate!"