CLAIR

The last three days went by fast. After the awkward first meeting with Dad after many years, we all tried to move on and be a family.

It wasn’t easy, and I wanted to be a rebel and let him know how badly he treated me for sending me away. But I couldn’t. As much as I hated him for sending me away, I loved my father. And I longed for him just as much as I longed for Mom. I knew it would take time before all the wounds of being abandoned would heal. But I wanted to make us a family again, even just for a short time before I moved on and became an adult on my own.

So I was trying just as he was.

Dad was the manager of the town’s public library in nearby town. He’d been bringing home additional books for me to read since I arrived. He was aware of my love of books, but Aaron had taunted him that it appeared he just wanted me to be cooped up in the house with books and with no social life.

But, to be honest, I haven’t had time for myself or for all the books Dad has given me since I arrived.

I thought nobody remembered me or cared. However, everyone appeared really pleased to see me back, from the elderly to the parents whom mom and dad were close to, as well as those within my and Aaron’s age range. And I’ve been to everyone’s house for the past three days - I’ve been invited from breakfast to dinner, or simply a coffee break or something similar, which I’ve had to decline on some occasions because I wanted to spend time with my dad and Aaron.

Nonetheless, the attention made my heart soar, and I would have been completely satisfied if the Alpha himself had acknowledged my presence. However, I haven’t seen him since the day I returned home.

I knew he was busy because I didn’t get to see Aaron for the entire day most of the time, but he kept his promise to stay home with us, so I got to spend some time with him before going to bed.

And then the full moon is approaching. Tomorrow will be a full moon. And from the looks of it, I was the only one expected to shift. And this just added to my anxiety.

Jenny was in charge of the afternoon training, which was the one I attended today. I had less than 48 hours before the full moon and I was determined not to die. She laughed it off when I told her I was terrified of dying and that was why I was so motivated to train.

"Get a grip, Clair! You’re not going to die. It’s painful, but you’re not sick or too old to die from shifting." She chuckled as she slapped my ass while I warmed up and told me what to do next. "Go and run! Give me ten laps before we can start!"

I lifted my right hand to my temple in a salute before acknowledging her. "Yes, ma’am!"

I let out a hearty chuckle before spinning on my heel and dashing towards the tracking oval. I was glad that I met Jenny. She’s one of the few female warriors under the guidance of my brother.

She and her mother transferred to our pack three years after I left. She was 17 years old then. She’s now 19 years old and has proven to be one of the best warriors in the world.

Her motivation? My brother. She had been crushing on Aaron since she was 17 and did her best to join his squad. And my oblivious brother had no idea, or at least he pretended he didn't know.

Unfortunately, they weren’t fated mates either.

But it was nothing unusual. With the werewolf packs growing everywhere, you would be lucky to find your fated mate sooner. Most gave up hope of finding their fated mates and just moved on with their lives with their chosen mates. My parents were among those who were lucky enough to be fated.

Mom and Dad didn’t belong in the same pack. And none of them were ever a part of this pack in the first place. They have to move away from their respective packs because both of them were in relationships before meeting each other, and the other parties were not willing to give up the relationship. Talk about Mate dramas!

So they both ended up here because my mother was good friends with Jake’s mother and convinced them that this was a good place to raise a family. And the rest is history.

I was lost in my own thoughts as I made my seventh lap when I felt a presence beside me. I tilted my head to my right and saw Jake, running at the same speed as mine.

"Hey!" I felt the smile on my face reach up to my ears. I was surprised to see him and, at the same time, excited that he was here.

"Hey! How’s it going?" He responded without looking at me, maintaining the same poker face he had used at his office a few days before.

I came to a halt and put my hands on my hips, panting as I did. He stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at me. "Tired already?"

I shook my head and looked at him. "No! I was just wondering if you would stop and look at me or if you plan on talking to me without looking at all."

He shook his head and walked toward me, stopping just a few steps away from me. "I don’t get you at all. Last time, you said you didn’t want me to look at you. Now you want me to look at you. Make up your mind, princess. " He chuckled, showing me those deep dimples on his cheeks.

I had to stop myself from melting from his boyish smile. Was he really smiling?

"Are you for real? I said, don’t stare at me, and not - don’t look at me!" I rolled my eyes at him and crossed my arms over my chest, still panting from all the running. I was trying to mask my real emotions. His smile alone made me giddy, and it was getting harder to control my own smile from tugging at my lips.

He squinted his eyes as his smile grew fuller, reaching his eyes. He looked so sexy that I had to look away because looking at him was hurting my eyes. He was too perfect!

"Yeah, my bad! I just don’t know how to talk to you. I know I must’ve pissed you off big-time with that mindlink prank." He scratched his head, looking like a lost boy. A good-looking lost boy.

I tried to stop myself from smiling again as his words sent tingles to my core.

I swallowed and tried hard to put on a poker face. "Well, you did. It’s an asshole move, Jake." But I couldn’t hold my smile anymore, so I let it curve from my lips. "But it’s okay, you can always get away with things around here, you know, being the Alpha."

I placed my hands on my hips again and I let out a playful smile before I continued. "But you can say 'Welcome Home' and then maybe come and hug me?"

I didn’t know where I got the courage to say the last part. It just came out. It took an eternity for me while I waited for his response. A part of me wanted to regret what I had just said. Was I too aggressive?

"Yeah, that would be nice. Come here, princess. Give this old man a hug!" He chuckled as he motioned with his hand for me to come over, a wide grin across his face.

And like a little girl who wanted to have ice cream, I found myself flinging my arms around him. He lifted me in an instant before letting me back on my feet but not releasing me from his arms. He rested his chin at the top of my head for a moment before placing his lips on the crown of my head. "I’m glad you’re back, princess. I miss you!" He said softly.

I closed my eyes and scooted my head closer to his chest. I did not mind the sweat around his shirt. I was enjoying the moment while I drowned in his warmth and his masculine scent. "Me too, Jake!"

We stayed in that position for a while, squeezing each other’s bodies until the moment was broken by someone clearing his throat. Jake let go of the hug but did not take one arm away from my shoulders. Instead, he pulled me close to his side as we turned to face Aaron.

"This is a training ground if you’re not aware. And I would be pleased if my Alpha and my sister could respect that." He stated, his face emotionless, but I could see him attempting to mask his scowl.

"Chill, man! I’m just welcoming Clair back." He said in a happy tone as he squeezed my shoulder. "Go ahead and continue your run, princess. Or your brother may beat our asses up."

He winked at me before letting me go, and if Aaron wasn’t there, I would probably be beaming at Jake right now. But instead, I let out a sigh before rolling my eyes at Aaron and sprinting away from them, disappointed that my brother had just cut off my happy moment.

JAKE

I watched as she sprinted away from us and let out the breath I’d been holding for a while. She's a real grown-up now. Far from the little Clair with messy hair and pigtails who followed me and my friends around all the time. And she’s so fucking sexy that my mind was still reeling from the image of her full ass as she sped away.

I shook my head, trying to let go of any thoughts about her, knowing that having my member on full erect while talking to my Gamma would be disastrous.

"What was that, Jake? Not Clair, please. No messing up with pack members, remember? Especially not my sister." Aaron broke the silence between us as we both looked in the direction where Clair was headed.

I could hear the disappointment in his tone, and I couldn’t blame him. He was simply protecting his sister from me.

"I don’t know what you’re thinking, man. I just hugged Clair. It s not like I’m fucking her."

A low growl reverberated from his chest, and I knew right then that I made a wrong move by using fuck in the same sentence as her name. I raised my hands in the air before turning to him.

"Don’t think anything, man. You know, I always think of her as my sister." I tapped his shoulder before turning away. "And I know the rules I made, not breaking them," I added as I walked towards the packhouse, not in the mood to continue with my training today.

I just lied to my Gamma.

I always thought of Clair as my sister, even if I knew that she was showing too much attention to me while we were growing up. But everything changed three days ago when she showed up in my territory. Every sisterly thought I had for her just went down the drain.

I had my fair share of females and never ran out of them, although I never touched anyone from my pack. It was a rule I set for myself, my Beta, and my Gamma — no messing around with females from the pack.

I always have one when I need one, but no female has ever taken my attention the way Clair did.

Girlfriends from the past had never had me take cold showers more than once to keep the heat at bay. Especially not those I’d just taken for pleasure. I stopped thinking about them the moment we were done with the deed. I’m a certified fuckboy. I wanted to fuck but I never lusted after just one female. Or paid full attention to any.

However, Clair, she has been stealing my attention since she returned.

Maybe because she’s Aaron’s sister. Maybe because she’s my little Clair, my princess Clair.

Maybe because she’s off-limits.

But I'm a man and very much aware that Clair is attractive. I don’t think I’ve seen a female more attractive than her. And just the thought of her sapphire eyes, her luscious lips, and the way her hips move could make my shaft twitch in an instant.

And fuck it! Her voice — her sweet angelic voice — could make any man fall to his knees. And when she’s angry, that’s where the biggest turn-on comes. I wanted to slam her on the wall and fuck her hard.

Damn! Everything about her sets my dick on fire!

I didn’t notice that I let out a low vibrating growl as I entered the hallway of the pack house, eliciting a confused stare from the warriors I met along the hallway.

"Alpha." They gave me a nod as I passed by. I didn’t even bother to respond and went directly to the flight of stairs to my room. I needed a shower. A fucking cold shower!

I had no idea how I would fight this ordeal. I wanted a taste of her. Maybe after that, my cravings for her would be gone. But I knew better. My princess didn’t deserve to be treated the way I treated other females.

She was the type of female that you bring home as your mate. And be loyal with. Something I won’t be able to do. Because I had no idea if I knew how to be loyal to someone.

After I took the much-needed shower, I went down just in time for my meeting, which was requested by some of the Elders, including the former Beta and Gamma of the Pack. I had no idea what the sudden request was for but accepted it out of respect for our pack elders.

My own Beta and Gamma were already by the door of the meeting room waiting for me.

"Alpha." Beta Gavin gave me a nod in acknowledgment, as did Gamma Aaron. "Everyone who needs to be in this meeting is already inside." He added.

I nodded back and opened the door to the room. I was quite surprised to see not just the Elders and the former Beta and Gamma inside, but the former Beta and Gamma mates were also in the meeting room.

They all rose from their respective seats out of respect. I nodded in acceptance and ordered them to take their seats before I took mine.

"Shall we start?" I asked in a monotone voice. I leaned my back on my chair and crossed my legs, my hands entwined while I waited in silence.

"Alpha, with due respect, we know this is a topic you would rather avoid, but we are hoping that you would keep an open mind and listen to us first before you make any decision or cancel the meeting." Marina started, she was the former Beta Female.

"I’ll do my best." I nodded my head as I answered. She smiled as her mate reached for her hand and urged her to continue.

"As you are well aware, Alpha. The pack has been thriving all these years despite not having a Luna. All tasks that the Luna should be handling are all well covered."

I cleared my throat which had Marina stop from talking.

"And for that reason alone, that we are thriving, it means we don’t need to have one." A scowl formed on my face in annoyance as I said these words. I knew where this meeting was leading to. "We’ve been through this topic for a long time. I’m not changing my mind."

"Alpha, we respect your views on this. But can you hear us out more?" Former Gamma Cesar asked. "Continue Marina." He gave her a curt nod.

Marina let out a sigh before she continued. The elders were shifting in their seats. They must have felt the annoyance rolling off me. "As I mentioned, Alpha, the pack is thriving with all the Luna’s duties because I and Katya, together with some of the elders, have stepped up to perform those duties. We’ve been doing it even before you took the Alpha post, Alpha Jacob."

Katya, the Former Gamma’s Mate cleared her throat before adding her piece. "And it would always be an honor to do it for you and the pack, Alpha. However, we thought that after our own mates stepped down from being Gamma and Beta, we could also step down and just enjoy our lives as pack members."

"But the women in our pack, they needed guidance too - the daycare center, the warrior’s cafeteria, the women’s hours, the celebrations, and all the things a Luna can work her magic with, we all need it. So we continue to take lead in all of these even after our mates have retired from their posts. And it would break our heart to stop doing what we are doing for them just because we wanted to retire as well when we are well aware that nobody will step up to this." She added.

"We all agreed that instead of our mates, we should have a Luna that oversees this." Beta Anthony looked at me, firm but respectfully. He has always guided me in the past and I know the sincerity of his voice.

"We, of course, would offer our assistance to our Luna if she needs us. But we all believe that everything should be in the Luna’s hand now." Marina smiled warmly at me.

"And it’s high time to have an heir, Alpha Jacob." Elder Rose added. "You’re not getting younger. And soon it might be too late for an heir."

"I don’t have a Luna," I answered curtly, my face void of emotions.

"We are aware of that. And your Beta and Gamma are mateless as well. And without a female in authority, it can lead to a pack failure." Former Gamma Cesar raised his hand to his chin and started to brush his beard. "You need to lead, Jacob, but your Luna needs to ease the burden of little things around the pack. Unless you have other females around who will step up to this role, then I suggest you get yourself a Luna."

"And for all it’s worth, I believe it’s time that Cesar and I take our mates away from these responsibilities." Former Beta Anthony added, not lifting his gaze away from me even after his mate Marina rested her head on his chest. "And most importantly, we need an heir. The next Alpha of this pack."

I shifted from my seat and leaned my elbow on my desk, my hands palming my face. "I appreciate your honesty. Give me time to go over this. It’s not easy to find a Luna when you don’t want one." I told them my truth.

"I know you’ve been avoiding meeting your mate, Alpha. If that is still the case up to now, then maybe we can go to the other road, pick a Chosen Luna." Elder Rose suggested, and almost everyone nodded in agreement.

I sighed and looked at everyone around my room, including my Beta and Gamma. "I will. just give me time."

I swallowed before I continued, "Marina, Katya, I would like to personally extend my gratitude for all your help all these years. It will never go unnoticed, but I ask for a little more patience and hope you will continue with your duties until I find you your Luna." I had no idea how I pushed those words out of my mouth. I just made a decision without thinking about it. I made a promise to them that I would give them a Luna.

Satisfied with my request, both Marina and Katya gave me a wide, warm motherly smile. "With pleasure, Alpha. We will wait and make sure that we will also assist the Luna once she’s ready to transition to her tasks." Marina assured me, to which Katya nodded in agreement.

AARON

After the meeting ended, the elders, together with the former Beta and Gamma and their mates, left the meeting room, leaving me alone with Alpha Jake and Beta Gavin.

Beta Gavin and I just looked at each other, waiting for the Alpha to break the silence. We dared not voice our opinion when it was not requested since we both knew this was a sour topic for the Alpha.

After a long silence, the Alpha cleared his throat and lifted his gaze, shifting it back and forth between me and his Beta.

"I honestly have nothing to say." He scowled. "Can you fucking find your mates now so I don’t have to deal with this Luna game?"

My lips pursed into a thin line, trying to gauge the weight of his statement before the whole room erupted into a spring of laughter. Alpha Jake was shaking his head while laughing. After a while, Gavin joined in, and in seconds I found myself laughing with them. Relief coursed through me that the Alpha was taking this lightly compared to what I expected.

"You got me there, man! I thought you were giving us an Alpha command to produce a mate at this instant." Gavin pointed out before turning serious. "But seriously, any plans? You are not disregarding this, right?"

I looked at the Alpha, trying to read his face, but as usual, once the playfulness was gone, he would go back to his poker face. "I can’t do that to Marina and Katya. They’re right, I am asking too much from them already. I don’t know how to get a girl and tell her she’ll be the chosen Luna for my pack." He let out a sigh before standing up. "It’s not as easy as picking a random girl for an easy fuck."

The one thing I like about us three is that we can speak our minds without having to filter our words.

"But you should consider as well that the Luna you’ll be choosing is one of those you can actually stomach waking up next to every morning. I hope you get it right, man!" I told him when suddenly the thought of him and my sister hugging by the oval flashed in my memory. The sooner he gets a Luna, the sooner he can stay away from Clair.

"I’m done for the day. I will think it over tonight. You can both go and do what you need to do." He dismissed us before he headed to the window and looked at the view outside.

"Alpha, have you reconsidered your mate? Or is it still out of the question? We can go around the packs within this zone and just spot to see if we can find your mate there. It’s high season now, and most of the packs are throwing balls for that reason. And the Claiming is coming in a couple of months as well, just in case we don’t find her." I added before I stood from my seat.

"Think about it, Jake. Your mate should be the one ruling beside you." Gavin continued, still seated.

The Alpha turned around from looking at the window, his brows furrowing with his hands in his pocket. "I’ll consider the Claiming Ball." He kept his reply short and just ignored mine and Beta Gavin’s statements about his mate.

With a defeated sigh, I looked at Gavin and motioned for him to follow me out.

"We’re leaving Alpha," Gavin confirmed, and we bowed our heads towards him in respect. The Alpha just nodded his head and did not say anything more before we left.

As soon as we left the meeting room, I bid my farewell to Gavin and headed home. As much as I want to think more about the Luna problem, I have other things in mind.

Tomorrow is a full moon, and if all went well, Clair would be shifting. I haven’t discussed what she needs to do tomorrow just yet. That was why I was in a hurry to get home tonight. I needed a word with her.

As soon as I entered our house, I just waved at my father and went directly upstairs towards Clair’s room.

"Come in." My sister answered after a few knocks on her door.

I strode in and closed the door behind me. Clair was plopped down on the floor, painting her toenails red.

"Hey, Clairy! Preparing for tomorrow?" I asked playfully as I sat beside her on the floor.

She beamed at me before putting her attention back on her toenails. "Yes, I was just wondering if my wolf would have red nail polish too once I shifted." She let out a giggle, but it felt like it was forced. She sounded nervous. "Aaron, after I shifted, would I be able to smell my mate then?"

"Not yet. As I told you before, you can only smell your mate once you turn 18. Don’t think about the mate thing, you need to focus on shifting."

She just took a deep breath before nodding her head.

"Are you scared?" I asked as I tried to catch her eyes.

She nodded without looking at me. "Do you think I can make it? That I would have a normal shifting?"

"Of course. Don’t think about it too much. The full moon will be at its peak around 7:55 tomorrow night, but I’m guessing you’ll start to feel the symptoms around 6. Shifting can happen from that time till the moon peaks. But before you know it, you’re running on your paws and it’s the greatest feeling!" I tried to pass on the excitement in my voice to her.

She looked up and beamed at me again. "You’ll be there right?"

I ruffled her hair and pulled her to my side for a hug. "I wouldn’t miss it, Clairy. I have a training to go to till six in the evening, but message me anytime when you start to feel pain. I will pick you up by then. I would rather you shift within the forest grounds. In a way, you’ll be one with the earth."

"Thanks, Aaron." She nodded and applied the nail polish to the last unpainted toenail.

"By the way, what’s with you and Jake?" I asked, trying to mask the irritation in my voice.

She snapped her head suddenly, her nose scrunching up. "What’s with me and Jake? Nothing. What were you thinking?"

I just shrugged my shoulders and stretched my legs, palms on the floor at my back. "I saw you hugging like you were lovers on the tracking oval. It just didn’t sit well with me."

"We didn’t do anything, it was just a welcome home hug." She huffed.

"If you say so. Just be careful Clair. Whatever childhood crush you had for him, just let it go. You’ll just get hurt, especially now."

"What do you mean especially now?" She asked with a raised brow.

I looked at her as she started to collect her pedicure materials from the floor and placed them in her kit. "We just finished off a meeting with the Elders. They wanted him to pick a Luna, knowing he had no intention of finding his mate. I just don’t want you to get all your hopes up and get hurt in the end."

She let out a sigh before tilting her head to look at me, her face smiling. "Awww, so sweet of you, Aaron. But don’t worry, I don’t see Jake that way. He’s just like a brother to me."

I nodded before I rose from my sitting position and pulled her up as well, enveloping her in a hug. "Glad we have that sorted out. Your mate is still out there. No need to rush."

She giggled as she rested her head on my chest. "I hope I find him before I turn out to be as old as you."

"You got me there!" I chuckled as I place a kiss on her forehead. "But enough of the teasing. You need to retire to bed now. You’ll be needing all your energy when you shift tomorrow."