PLEASEVOTE COMMENT AND FOLLOW :)

"All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others."

-George Orwell

Animal Farm

7 Years Ago...

I pushed the leather cased book into it's home on the shelf, wiping its spine to remove the dust. The store is usually quiet during the middle of winter, providing me with ample time to complete the small chores that go easily undetected. This last week has given me the chance to study once my tasks of dusting and stacking have been completed, which I am insanely grateful for given the fast approaching mid-terms.

My boss is a little, round Jewish lady named Helena who fled Poland during World War Two in pursuit of safety, she has grown too old and frail to keep up with running the store, thus the need for me. Over the years she has poured her love into the paper world, becoming a walking encyclopaedia for fine literature and in all honesty, she has become my idol. Her passion for an art that is greatly unappreciated by so many who don't understand the pain of not being able to read as she does.

Every nook and cranny of this place has been graced with her affectionate touch, she never married and this small store became her love, her life. Every now and again during the day, she will pop with freshly baked goods to, and I quote, "Get some meat on my skinny bones,". Not that I'm complaining. My job is my sanctuary, Helena the closest thing I have to family besides Avery. Plus, it pays my way through university and keeps a roof over my head.

Pushing my glasses to the bridge of my nose I descend the wooden latter carefully, dusting my overalls when I reach the bottom. I glance at the book trolley which is now empty and smile as my fingers skim across the books as I walk down the aisle, beaming as I find George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'. This should last me until the end of my shift. I looked down at my watch, 2 hours to go.

Rolling up the sleeves of my rainbow under-sweater I making my way to the front desk, littered with my study items and used coffee cups from endless all-nighters spent here with my best friend. I reach to my overall pocket to remove my phone and plug it into the stereo, clicking on a random playlist and placing it down.

There are some days where I sit curled up in a blanket on the small sofa in the corner of the room, only leaving the realm of fiction to serve customers, but today is not that day. The second the suggested song 'Walking on Sunshine' begins to play I can't resist the urge to start dancing.

I throw my hands in the air as I let out a laugh and sway my hips to the music, singing out the words whilst I throw myself into the world of Katrina and The Waves. Cranking the volume to full blast I shake my head, the messy bun situated on top moving dramatically with every motion. My pastel blue doc martins dance across the polished hardwood floor, moving rhythmically to each beat, George Orwell's allegory swaying in my hand as it moves around.

I become so entranced in the music I didn't notice a classic red Harley Davidson pull up outside of the store. The patter of rain and music drowning out the sound of the doorbell jingling as a customer entered.

A deep chuckle brought me out of my daze as I spun around to face the door at lightning speed, letting out a small, unattractive squeal as Animal Farm tumbled from my butterfingers meeting the floor between us.

Scrambling down to the floor in a rather ungraceful fashion I noticed that the customer had also lent down further adding to my seemingly endless embarrassment. Timberland boots sat directly in my line of sight as the customer held my book while I began to get off the floor.

When I glanced up I was met with the most handsome man to ever walk the earth, wearing washed jeans and a thick leather jacket over a white shirt, the wet drops of rain sliding down to splat on the floor. Just my luck... the guy has to look like a freaking god. Just kill me now lord. The silver dog tag around his neck gleamed as I gulped nervously, confrontation isn't my strong suit.

The second our eyes meet I bite down onto my bottom lip to hide my embarrassment, the bush on my cheeks most likely raging. His strong six-foot frame is shaking with mirth, emerald green eyes staring at me amusedly through strands of black hair that fall over his defined face.

The song on the stereo changes to Who's Lovin' You by The Jackson Five and I mentally curse at my song line-up.

He runs his hands through his hair before smirking, making his jaw-line flex. I begin to chuckle when he extends his arm that was holding my fallen book, our hands touching momentarily as I receive it. I scrunched up my face, smiling like an idiot before removing the blond locks from in front of my glasses.

"I am so so sorry, I- I, is there anything I can get you?" I nervously sputtered, trying to communicate over the music.

He just chuckled again before extending his hand out for me to shake.

"I'm Oliver, it's nice to meet you..." He glanced at my make-shift name tag, crafted from sticky tape and paper.

"Maeve." I finished, grabbing his hand and giving it a shake as we both just stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, smiling.

*******

Present Day...

The sudden halt of the bus pulled me from my memories as I looked up to see us entering the gates of division two, guarded by pack warriors. Security for the wolves is a higher priority. If an attack ever befell the pack then the humans would act as an extra problem for the enemy to tear through, giving the wolves a chance to organise themselves. We still have wolves patrolling the borders around our sector, they just work more to keep us in.

My mind drifts back to my memory of Ollie. It felt so real. Thinking about before is something that most of us try to not do, it usually leads to a downward slope of depression and pain. But nothing can stop those taunting memories from appearing in my sleep, dangling my happiness before my eyes only to take it away in an instant, mocking me.

The sniffling of a young girl next to me interrupts my thoughts, her small frame cradled as she holds her knees to her chest. She won't make it long even if she doesn't find a mate. To survive takes strength, the small innocent girl reaffirming my dedication to stay inviolable. There is a part of me that aches to cry and hug myself like a small child but I simply can't give up, not when I have so much to live for. Not everyone on this bus is sat in hysterics over their future.

Some sit gleefully, the chance of a finding a mate one that could provide them food, shelter and warmth appealing to their greedy desires. If only they knew. I stare at those few with disgust.

Some just look defeated, giving up the idea of a fight before they even meet the beast who will chain them to their side. If only they had strength.

Some sit with a look of vengeance, the rage in their eyes blinding rational thought as they plot and plan to kill anyone who dared claim them. If only they could actually defeat a beast.

I wonder which one I am? I guess neither. I know that if I make it out of this ordeal with a mate I will have to be tactful or else I can kiss getting back to Oliver goodbye.

The bus came to a halt alongside others that were occupied by potential mates as the wolves lined up outside to ensure our compliance with their ceremony. People slowly began to peel themselves from their seats, standing on shaky legs as the exited the bus. I held onto my satchel as I descended the bus stairs to be met with a wolf-man who grabbed my arm, scanning the barcode on the wristband before directing me to the middle of three parallel lines that merged towards a clearing in the woods.

Various humans had already been organised into lines around one metre apart, as around a hundred young male and female wolves stood opposite them, desperately onlooking the ordeal. There were other wolves there too, what appeared to be a priestess, sat with the Alpha and Beta, both of their families situated behind them. I noticed how they dressed. All prim and proper as if to make a good impression on us, or maybe to showcase their luxuries I don't know and either way I don't really care.

The second I was situated in my spot I began to search for Noah and Carter. They most likely got on a bus together and I presume they were smart enough to sit by each other's side. Their tall, well-built frames were the give away as they stared out at the wolves two rows in front of me in the fourth row.

I wait for a minute to see if they turn around but their gaze doesn't falter, a small rock in front of me giving me an idea. Glancing around to avoid being scolded by a wolf, I quickly reach down to hold the rock in my hand. My lips turn upwards slightly, me somehow managing to be wry in this awful situation, before I launch the rock at Carter's head, the small orange object flying like a missile through the air as it hits his blond locks with ease.

He instantly cradles his head, looking behind him in a confused state when he sees me, the pain seeping into his gaze as his confused expression morphs to remorse. He pulls at Noah's arm and he too snaps his head in my direction, Noah begins to mouth something and I can't understand what he is saying colourful? My confusion eggs him to continue mouthing colourful before a wolf interrupts our interaction.

"NO COMMUNICATING! STAND STILL IN YOUR SPOTS UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD OTHERWISE!" He roars into Noah's face although every human receives the message loud and clear as we fall into silence, the only chatter to be heard comes from the an-sty wolves.

Once all the humans have been lined up into six rows the Alpha stands in the centre of the stage, his powerful aura causing most people to cower, but not me. Call it a final hoorah if you will, but my body and mind are in sync when we decide upon not presenting our fear to those who wish to enslave us. In the end, they are all literally just sons of bitches.

The priestess, dressed in a ghostly white gown with elaborate dark eyeshadow walked towards the Alpha and retrieved a sleek silver blade from him. Holding it in her palms, she outreached it towards the sky before grabbing the handled end and pulling it across her palm. Watching as the blood dripped down her white gown, creating a trail of crimson red. She simply gave the Alpha a nod and walked away, leaving the crowd so silent you could hear a pin drop. These wolves are on another level of batshit crazy.

"The ceremony has commenced, in order of ranking, you may begin the search for your mate. I pray that the moon goddess grants you a healthy mate."

And so they begin. The firstborn son of the beta leading a line of wolves to the first row, his twin sister following close behind him, an expression of nervousness covering her face. In order for a mate to connect with their other half and recognise the bond, eye contact must be held. I am no Albert Einstein but my money is on them making the rounds until they have searched each and every human for their bond.

I've heard stories about wolves that have been unable to find their mate for a prolonged period of time. None of them good. Supposedly the stronger the wolf, the longer they last but for most, insanity chips away at their soul. Mates to them are like a missing puzzle piece, one that they literally cannot live without.

My thoughts are cut off with the screams of a young girl, the same one who sat next to me on the bus in tears, being held tightly by the Beta's son who at first, seems shocked at the reaction of the small brunette, whispering things in her ear to calm her down. It doesn't work. She flails and screams, her hysteric crying filling the field as she begs for him to let her go, every eye on their encounter, every single human and wolf doing nothing. At realising her extreme reluctance towards him won't be faltered with smooth words he lets out a menacing growl. He grabs her in a tight grip before pulling, and then eventually carrying, her pleading body away.

One look at the sheer terror on her face, the anguish as she realises that her human brothers and sisters won't answer her cries for help and my concern for her was confirmed. She won't last long. The wolves looking at the ordeal with shock. What did they seriously expect? For us to jump lovingly into the arms of our oppressors.

The soft cries of relief as wolves passed people created a symphony of sadness, the line entering the third row. Another male wolf who was searching the second-row latches onto the arm of a young woman, maybe my age, dragging her away as she fights him. She has more attitude, more strength. The second she kicked her mate in the balls and ran off sprinting, wolves hot on her tail, I liked her.

A small, skinny male was taken by a she-wolf and his physical state seemed relieved at the idea of not wanting for food or shelter anymore. The beautiful woman who softly led him away beaming proudly as her mate complied without hesitation.

My eyes focused on the brown hair of Noah as the line drew closer towards him, nerves forming in the pit of my stomach as I bit down on my lip. It can't be one of them. Clearly, consent isn't needed on the behalf of the humans, yet still, Noah and Carter both stand a little taller, not allowing intimidation to influence them.

The brunette leading the line looks into Noah's eyes and a look of awe and relief washes over her face, a smile beginning to form.

My heart drops to the bottom of my stomach as I let out a choked sob, a single tear running down my face. Carter's frame moving as he takes multiple short breaths while Noah just stands still, his head slowly moving side to side as he signals no. I can't see him. I can't even provide him comfort through eye contact as I am forced to see his painful reaction from behind. He visibly flinches from the hand she intended to place upon his cheek, the hand she intended to be comforting.

The brunette furrows her eyebrows, pain washing over her face as she begins to cry, stepping back from Noah and placing a hand over her mouth to stop her cries from escaping. How fucking pathetic. She looked remorseful and full of self-hate, taking a very different approach to a reluctant mate than her wolf counterparts.

Carter had turned his face to the side, looking at Noah with a pained expression and glassy eyes. They aren't just brothers they have been best friends since forever. When Noah tears his head aways from the she-wolf to face Carter their expressions mirror and the two stare at each other with immense intensity.

A growl rips through the crowd, the power behind it belonging to a higher ranking wolf. I turn my attention to the brunette to see if she has entered an angered phase to still see her stood in tears. I furrow my brows to look at the stage, trying to find the angered source of power, to find the Beta storming towards the humans. His deathly gaze fixed on Noah, he looks to be in his mid-forties with a strong build and slightly greying hair. So this is the bitches father.

Noah snaps his attention to the man storming towards him and I am yet again blocked from his reaction, my instincts to protect him pulling at my body to spring forward. But I don't. I can't. There is nothing I can do that won't get me killed if I turn out mateless. And that is a different kind of pain is all decided by a line from George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' I know all too well. "Four legs good, two legs bad,".

"YOU." The Beta sneers into Noah's face, pointing an accusatory finger at him. His daughter just stands there shocked, still unable to comprehend why her mate loathes her.

"How dare you disrespect my daughter. Disrespect the goddesses gift to you. If you were not her mate I would fucking kill you where you stand for even considering causing her pain!" He informs Noah in a deathly tone, the threat behind his words crystal clear. Noah just stands still, the lack of response to his superior a direct insult towards the Beta whose face contorts into a rage.

"You WILL accept my daughter as your mate." He grits out of his teeth in anger, his body positioned to be intimidating as Noah's defensive stance remained.

"Fuck you and your stupid fucking daughter."

In a flash the Beta had his hands at the scruff of Noah's collar, shaking with pure rage. At this, the brunette leapt to the scene, pulling her father away desperately pleading for him to leave Noah alone. Carter simply stood, his head facing forward whilst everything unfolded around him. Carter isn't stupid, he knows that now is not the time for heroics.

The girl somehow manages to pull away from her father, whose murderous glint doesn't waver, speaking so softly to him that I can't understand what she is saying. The Beta nods his head towards Noah, motioning for two guards stationed behind him to move forward. He doesn't fucking deserve this. I don't think that anyone does but he was such a good kid, so caring and kind and affectionate.

I sometimes wondered when the day would come for the boys to fall in love, meet someone they would die for, I looked forward to them trying to win someone over, Noah with his charm and Carter his charisma. I wanted them to have the chance to experience love as I did. And now one never will.

The guards move forward to Noah, preparing to take him no doubt as the tears escaping my eyes despite how hard I try to retain my strength. Carter pulls his brother's arm and they embrace each other with desperation, clutching onto one another knowing that this could very well be the last time they can.

The two guards pull them apart as a third removes silver handcuffs from his belt, the guard restraining Noah forcing him onto his back with his hands behind his back as he struggles. Carter receives a blow to the stomach with a baton as punishment, sending him curling onto the floor as well before he is violently pulled to stand in his assigned spot. I watch as they cuff my little brother, pulling him away from the clearing with the Beta family following close behind.

Once they began to pass me I felt the nerves that had formed in the pit of my stomach increase ten-fold, the haunting eyes of the wolves mere centimetres away from me engraining into my brain. I feel bare under their intense gaze like I am being strip-searched for a crime I know I didn't commit. My mind can't stop thinking about Noah. The memories we shared, the nights of laughter and the moments of pain. The memories that would've been if this world didn't exist. Family Christmas dinners full of children and love and pure, unaltered happiness.

I want to believe he will find happiness. Even as I feel the fear seeping through my soul with every new monster that passes, I hope he finds it. I pray to god, despite my belief in his existence, as the wolves continue to claim humans around me.

The wolves pass me by. I am not mated.

I am not mated.

The feeling of relief I imagined in this moment is replaced by repentance, my inability to protect my family weighing down on my shoulders as near ninety percent of us retreat onto busses.

Pain consuming me as I enter division three without Noah, preparing myself to return home and tell Oliver that his baby brother is gone. That he was ripped away in front of my eyes and I did nothing to stop it.

AUTHORS NOTE

Hey readers! I am still in a state of shock over people adding this to their reading lists and following the story it actually means so much and gives me so much inspiration!! THANK YOU!

There will be a shoutout given next chapter to the person who comments the most :)

Please go follow my new instagram @theauthorsoasis for upcoming hints!

I am so grateful that you guys even decided to pick up and read my book, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions :)

Lots of Love,

Khalesi <3