Chapter One: The Calm

“Annie!” my Mom calls from the kitchen, “Can you come here, please?”

“Coming!” I shout back from my bed.

I quickly finish the paragraph I’m on and use my bookmark to save my spot before closing my book. I place it on my end table next to the bed and make my way downstairs. When I round the corner, I find Mom covered elbow deep in flour beating the crap out of some butter. She is busy cooking away, prepping food for my birthday party tomorrow. She hid most of it from me, but I know she’s making my favorites like she does every year, just on a larger scale. Being the good daughter I am, I play along and act like I don’t know.

“There you are!” Mom glances at me with a smile, “I need to go over a couple of things. Also, there’s some lunch made if you’re hungry.”

My Mom’s name is Hannah, and she is Heaven-sent. I don’t think there is anyone more caring than her. She is a beautiful woman with her sun kissed skin, long blonde hair and our matching bright, blue eyes. She stands at a whopping five foot three, or “five four on a good day” as she likes to say. I tease her relentlessly about her height, especially when she stands next to Dad in all his six foot three glory. It’s absolutely hilarious. With me at five foot six, and my brother, Michael, at five foot eight, the “raising the bar” joke is common in our household. Though, she insists she could beat all three of us down, and we have been smart enough to not test that.

“Thanks, Mom,” I kiss her cheek before moving to sit by the island. “Dang. What did that stick of butter ever do to you?”

“Oh, hush,” she responds as she rolls her eyes. “I didn’t call you down here to critique my baking skills.”

“Sorry, Mama. What’s up?” I ask, grabbing a sandwich.

“First thing, I saw Helena this morning when I was heading to the store. She said you made her dinner and cleaned her house last night. Was that why you were out til almost midnight?” she questions with a raised eyebrow.

I offer a shy smile and shrug, “I know it’s been hard on her since Mr. Harris died, and her kids live in other packs. I noticed how much she struggles just to walk, much less cook and clean. I just wanted to help her out a little.”

“She also mentioned you cooked her meals for the next three weeks,” Mom smiles proudly.

I nod, “That way all she’ll have to do is pull whatever she wants out of the freezer, and either throw it in the oven or the microwave.”

“You have such a big heart. I love you,” she walks over and places a kiss on my forehead.

“I love you too. So, what else is on the agenda?” I ask, taking a bite of my sandwich.

“Beta Andrew called to say that the event hall is cleaned and ready to go. I will be heading over to decorate soon. Your father is already there setting up the seating. This way we don’t have to worry about it tomorrow morning,” she says as she moves back and reaches into the cabinet for another bowl.

“Do you need me to come help?” I question.

“Of course not! You are not decorating for your own party. Besides, I want it to be a surprise,” she beams at me.

I take another bite, “I’m still surprised Alpha Xavier said we could throw a party there. That’s normally reserved for important pack meetings and ceremonies.”

“Well, besides being the daughter of one of his Betas, you are his daughter’s best friend. He and Luna Enora consider you a daughter as much as we consider Alyssa one,” Mom says matter-of-fact, causing a smile to spread across my face.

I absolutely adore the current Alpha and Luna. They are pretty much my second set of parents. It meant double the lectures, but also double the love and support. Their daughter, Alyssa, has been my best friend since we were pups. We were always together, constantly spending the night at each other’s house. We started staying at mine more often as we got older due to her brother. I used to think he was cute, but his attitude ended that quickly. I barely spoke to Benjamin, because it was obvious he didn’t like me. The few times I tried ended in disaster. After that, he would glare at me or completely ignore me for whatever reason. Eventually I stopped trying.

My face falls as a thought pops up into my head. “Do you know if the future Alpha will be there tomorrow?” I ask, my nose scrunching in distaste.

Mom shoots me a look, “Annie, I know he is not your favorite person, but you need to be nice. He is, like you said, the future Alpha. His twenty-second birthday is coming up, and Alpha Xavier plans to transfer the position to him.”

I roll my eyes, “When he is in a couple of months, he will get the bare minimum respect that is required of pack members. Until then, he is my best friend’s jerk older brother, and I don’t have to like him.”

She shakes her head, “Has Benjamin even done anything to you?”

“Besides acting like an ass, or he’s the Moon Goddess’ gift to shifters everywhere, or glare at me for absolutely no reason?” I scoff.

She sighs, pinching her nose, “So you don’t like him because he’s annoying?”

I chuckle, “No, I don’t like him because he is an arrogant prick!”

“You know, if you two actually took the chance to get to know one another, you might actually get along,” she says, shaking her head.

I laugh, “Yeah right, Mom. He’s been rude and cold my entire life. As much as I lived at his house, he had all the time in the world to get to know me. I tried. Ask Alyssa. It’s a two way street, and he made it very clear that his Highness is destined for greatness with no time for us peasants.”

She takes a deep breath before focusing back to the bowl, “Fine. You don’t have to like him, but I do expect you to be respectful. As far as I know, he will not be there tomorrow. I believe he is still visiting the other packs, discussing alliances and trade once he takes over. However, the Alpha and Luna plan to pop in at some point.”

I nod, “I will, out of respect for you, Dad, and the current Alpha. Unless he changes his tune, I will have no respect for him outside of being my leader. Anyway, I’m glad the Alpha and Luna are. I adore them, you know that.”

Realizing she won’t win this discussion, Mom changes the subject. “Also, Jonathan is running to Alpha Xavier’s house to pick up Alyssa, then they are coming over to take you shopping while the rest of us go decorate. They should be here soon,” she says as she measures out some sugar.

Jonathan’s my boyfriend of almost three years. He is Beta Andrew’s son as well as Lunar Eclipse’s second best fighter, just below my brother. He was always a large man, muscular and the same height as Michael, but training definitely defined him out some more. His soft jet black hair and intense hazel eyes were already enough to bring me to my knees, but those abs are enough to send me to an early grave. I may or may not like to trace them with my fingers.

I was introduced to him as a pup, around the same time I met Alyssa. We all quickly became friends, and it’s been us three ever since. As we got older, he started making moves and hinting at wanting something more. At first, I point blank rejected him, but Goddess, the man was persistent. I had argued about what was the point when we would meet our mates one day. He then proceeded to declare that I was his mate and he loved me. Shocked was an understatement. With a little encouragement from Alyssa, I finally agreed. We started dating a few days after my sixteenth birthday and have been stuck at the hip since.

My face lights up as I jump out of my seat, “Yes! I need to get changed.”

“Wait a second, Annabeth,” Mom says seriously, stopping what she’s doing and facing me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned. She only uses my name when I’m in trouble or in serious conversations.

She sighs, wiping her hands on her apron as she walks up to cup my face, “I want you to have a great day with them and a wonderful birthday tomorrow, but I need you to be prepared for things to not go the way you want them to tonight.”

She’s referring to the fact that at midnight tonight, I turn nineteen and become of age to find my mate. I know she’s trying to protect me, but I don’t even wanna consider it. “Mom…” I say with a sigh, trailing off.

She kisses my forehead, “My dear, I know you and Jonathan love each other. You guys have been together since you were sixteen. I want nothing more than for you two to be mates, but I need you to be open to the fact that it may not be him.”

“I can’t, Mom,” I whisper, looking down. “I don’t want anyone else. Besides, he turned twenty last week and has been to dozens of packs over the last year during the joint fighter training. He still hasn’t run into his mate so maybe it is me.”

Mom smiles sadly at me, “I really hope so, Annie. Now, go get ready.” I give her a quick hug before running up the stairs. As I step into the shower, my mind wanders back to Mom’s concerns.

I feel my wolf stir within me. “What if our mate isn’t Jonathan?” Leah questions in the back of my mind.

Leah is my wolf that appeared on my sixteenth birthday. She’s sweet but fierce, and I absolutely love her. Nobody messes with me or those she loves. A couple of my bullies learned that the hard way. We have become incredibly close, and I know she will always have my back.

“He will be, Leah,” I try to say confidently to reassure her.

“But if he isn’t?” Leah presses. I know what she’s thinking. Her and Jonathan’s wolf, Seth, have become just as attached. The thought of separating hurts her just as much as me.

“Then we will spend our life alone. There isn’t anyone on this planet that knows us like he does. I don’t want anyone else,” I say stubbornly.

I feel the sadness roll off her in waves, “Could we handle seeing him with someone else?”

I shake my head as I wash my hair, “No. It would kill me.”

“Then we would have to leave..” she trails off.

“We could always go to the coast. I’m sure Uncle Marc would welcome us with open arms,” I offer half joking.

“I know you are trying to lighten the mood, but that could be an option. Do your doctor training there,” Leah says with a sigh.

“Well, let’s not freak out just yet. Let’s enjoy today and cross that bridge when we get there,” I say, trying to focus on my shower.

After a few minutes, I step out and get ready. I throw my hair up into a bun, not bothering to dry it, before throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. The sound of tires approaching the house sends me rushing down stairs. The front door opens as I round the corner. There stands my loving boyfriend and my best friend with big smiles on their faces. I bolt right into Jonathan’s arms.

“Hey baby!” he exclaims as he spins me around, causing me to giggle. He places me down on my feet before kissing me softly. My fingers find their way into his hair as my body trembles. Tiny sparks running down my back filling me with so much happiness. After almost three years, you think I wouldn’t be this affected anymore, but it never seems to fail. There’s no way he isn’t my mate.

I pull away with a smile as I look into his eyes, “Hi, my love. I’m so glad we are spending the day together.”

He smirks as Alyssa coughs dramatically, “Um!! Excuse me?! What about me??”

She stands there with her hands on her hips, her fiery red hair tamed into a long braid and her brown eyes sparkling in mischief. Laughing at the fake hurt in her eyes, “Of course with you too, bestie.”

“Uh huh,” she rolls her eyes with a hint of a smile on her lips as I tug on her braid.

“Alright you three,” Mom calls from the kitchen, “have fun and be safe!”

“We will. Bye Mama! Love you!” I call back as we walk out.

“Bye bye dear. I love you, too,” her voice rings out before the door shuts.

Alyssa runs ahead of us, jumping into the back of his truck. Jonathan weaves his fingers into mine to hold me back as we slowly follow, “You okay?”

I sigh, glancing up at him, “You want the truth or what you want to hear?” The look he gives me means he wants the truth. “Honestly? I’m terrified. I have always considered you my mate, so I never left any room to consider that maybe you weren’t. Everyone around me seems to feel like it’s their mission to remind me. I know they are trying to prepare me, protect me, but I just don’t see myself with anyone but you. What happens if…?”

He leans over to press a gentle kiss to my temple. My eyes temporarily close at the contact as my body leans into him. He pulls away to cup my cheek with his other hand, “As far as I’m concerned, you ARE my mate. If for whatever reason the Moon Goddess tells us differently at midnight, then you will be my chosen mate, because I don’t want anyone else either.”

My heart swells and sinks at the same time. It’s sweet that he would take me as his chosen mate, but what if he found his fated one and fell in love with her? As much as I love him, could I selfishly take that happiness from him?

Before I can express my concerns, Alyssa calls out for the back passenger window, “Come on you two love birds. I’d like to get to the mall before they close!”

Jonathan rolls his eyes before pressing a soft kiss to my lips, “Everything will be fine. Try not to stress and enjoy the next couple of days, yeah?”

I return the kiss and smile softly, “I’ll try.”

That seems to satisfy him, “Well, let’s not keep her Highness waiting.”

Before I can react, he reaches down and throws me over his shoulder. I squeal as he runs to the truck, “Jonathan!! Let me go!!”

He opens his passenger door and sets me in the seat before crashing his lips to mine, leaving me breathless. “Never,” he whispers before shutting the door.

Gagging noises come from behind me. “You guys are absolutely disgusting. Just mark each other already,” Alyssa groans.

I snicker, “Look who’s talking! When are you and your mate going to claim each other, huh? And as if you and Peter were any better the first few weeks after discovering you were mates. Remember that time I walked in-”

Her hand flies over my mouth as Jonathan hops into the driver seat, “Don’t you dare speak of that, Annabeth!!”

“Ooooh. First name usage. What did you do now, babe?” he laughs as he looks at Alyssa’s reddening face.

“Just giving her a taste of her own medicine,” I smirk.

“I hate you..” she mumbles.

I laugh as I turn on the radio. Jonathan speeds down the road towards the mall as he reaches over to grab me by the hand. Smiling at him, we begin talking about what we want to buy. Alyssa quickly forgets her embarrassment and starts discussing dresses for the party. Looking between the two of them, I can’t help but feel so happy. Jonathan raises my hand to his mouth to place a gentle kiss to it as Alyssa rambles on. He gives me a wink and I find myself praying to the Moon Goddess to let this be my life, now and forever.

*Time skip: Later that same night*

“Baby girl?” Dad’s deep voice rings out from the other side of my bedroom door. My head turns away from the thunderstorm raging outside my window.

“Yes, Daddy?” I answer, granting him permission to enter.

The door slowly opens and he hesitantly walks in. I look up at him from the center of my bed with a soft smile. He offers one back, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. I can practically see the concern swirling within his brown irises. His curly, brown hair is wet and matted down to his head. He must have just gotten home from late night patrol with Alpha Xavier and the other Betas.

“How was the mall?” He asks, coming to sit next to me.

“It was a lot of fun. I got my dress and a couple pairs of new shoes. Alyssa made me buy makeup, even though she knows I have no idea what to do with that crap. Mom told me she would help,” I chuckle, trying to make him laugh.

He smirks as he wraps an arm around my shoulder, “You know, when you were born, I knew you would be strong, but I figured I would have to play dress up at some point. A big, scary Beta completely covered in glitter and makeup. Goddess knows how happy I was when all you wanted was to be with me outside training and rolling in the mud.”

I rest my head on his shoulder with a smile, “Mom tried to put bows in my hair and dress me up, but I wouldn’t have any of it.”

“It drove her mad. ‘Of course, she would take after you, Kristoff!’ was what she said to me the first time you ripped a dress off yourself. I think she only tried a couple more times before just putting you in shorts and knee pads,” he laughs.

“She was so convinced I was going to be a fighter that she couldn’t hide her excitement when I said I was going to be a doctor. Though the way her face fell when I said I would still train was picture perfect,” I laugh.

“We have given your Mom too much hell, haven’t we?” he smirks.

We sit there in silence for a couple of minutes, before I feel him kiss my forehead, “I love you and I’m so proud of you, Annabeth. You know that right?”

“Of course, Daddy. I love you, too,” I confirm with a questioning look. “What’s wrong?”

“Good. Nothing baby girl. I just sometimes worry I don’t tell you kids enough,” he mutters pulling me into a hug. Something’s bothering him, and I know it’s not just about tonight. There’s something going on, maybe with the pack? Before I can pry it out of him, a soft knock taps against my bedroom door.

“Annie?” Jonathan’s voice calls out, almost drowned out over the thunder. My gaze flickers to my alarm clock.

11:45pm.

Dad gives me a soft smile, placing another kiss to my forehead, “Everything will be okay. I promise. Come on in, Jonathan.”

He stands as the door opens. “My apologies, Beta Kristoff. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Jonathan says as Dad approaches him.

“It’s alright. I was just leaving,” He places a reassuring hand on Jonathan’s shoulder before going out the door and closing it gently. My gaze falls to my lap, not ready to meet his eyes. I can feel him staring me down as I pick at my nails.

“Are you okay?” he sighs, walking to my bed.

“No,” I laugh half-heartedly, “I’m scared and nervous as hell.”

The bed dips next to me as a hand reaches out to cup my cheek. He slowly turns me to him, causing our eyes to meet. “Annie, I don’t care what happens. You are my mate, do you understand?”

I shake my head and look away to watch the rain pour outside my window, “I want to believe you, but what happens if you meet your fated mate? Before or after you claim me? What if you fall in love? What if you regret it?”

He immediately starts shaking his head, “I would never regret loving you. I want you, Annie. In every way.”

A tear escapes as he pulls me back to his gaze, “Even so, could I take that away from you? A chance at true happiness?”

He wipes away the tear before pressing his lips sweetly but firmly against mine. Pulling me close, I instinctively straddle his lap, never breaking our kiss. A few minutes pass before the need for air takes over. Resting our foreheads against the others, we stare loving into each other’s eyes.

“You are my happiness, Annabeth. No matter what the Moon Goddess says,” he whispers sincerely. Our heads turn simultaneously to the clock.

11:58pm

“Jonathan…” I whimper out, starting to panic.

“Shhhh. It’s okay, my love. Everything is going to be okay. Just look at me, Annie,” he says sweetly.

I squeeze the tops of his arms for dear life, never looking away as the lightning illuminates his face. Shortly after, he turns to the clock.

I watch in horror as his face falls.