Introduction

Chapter 1- Introduction

"I think I found the perfect dress, Mom!" I Call softly across the store as I gently caress the burgundy silk fabric occupying my body. "Oh, Briar, that is stunning!" She gasps when she comes into view. Looking back into the floor-length mirror, I admire myself. I have always loved myself; never have I been one to second guess the looks of my body. Every curve and dip that most would hate, I adore. It makes me feel like I am my own unique person, and I am stronger for it. Mom gently pulls the clip from my hair, and I watch as my long curls fall around my body. My hair is long, and it takes me over an hour in the morning to curl it how I like. That is one thing I do to ensure I care for my hair. I love everything about my long brown hair, everything but sitting on it.

                A long whistle comes from beside me. "Briar, if you buy that dress, every available wolf will fall at your feet." Devin coos as he moves closer to my side, wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to his side. "Now that is a perfect picture, don't you think?" He asks as he looks us up and down in the mirror. He has on the suit I presume he will be wearing for our prom this weekend, and he is gorgeous. "Oh, hello, Luna Mindy. It is wonderful to see you. You are looking radiant as always." He speaks so smoothly as he takes my mother's hand in his, then kisses the back of her hand ever so gently. "It is good to see you as well, Devin. Who will have the pleasure of being on your arm for Prom?"

Her words do not get lost in my ears. She knows exactly what she is doing, and I shoot her a look that pleads with her to stop talking. "My mother has asked me to accompany Omega Megan's daughter, Judith, to prom. I did not have the heart to tell my mother or Judith no. Judith is a wonderful young wolf, and I am lucky to be accompanied by such a brilliant young lady." Mom's eyes light up with pride hearing him speak so highly of an Omega. Hearing any beta speak highly of a lower rank, especially younger wolves within our pack, is rare. "That is one of the nicest things I have ever heard. You are truly a spectacular young man, Devin. I will leave you two to talk." Her words are sweet, touched with pride. "Briar, when you are ready, I will be upfront, and I will meet with you to pay for your dress." She nods and walks away quickly, giving us time to speak alone.

                "You look smoking in that dress!" Devin immediately states as he moves closer to inspect me. "It is a beautiful dress, isn't it?" I ask as he takes my hand and twirls me in a circle. "I would say so." He states before leaning on the back of a sitting couch closest to me. "Who is getting the privilege to bring you to prom?" "I have decided I am just going to go with some friends. I don't want to risk letting anyone down if I find my mate. I turn 18 that day, and that last thing I want to do is have to apologize to someone the day after for running off on them." I shrug.

 It is a lie. I hate lying to Devin, but I cannot tell him I have been in love with him since the 6^th grade and no one else could compare to his company. He is my best friend, and I know he would be kind about turning me down, but I cannot take that heartache. "You are welcome to be my second date, and you can run off with your mate if he is there. I promise I won't ask for an apology from you." He suggests. "That's a nice offer, but I won't do that to Judith. She is a nice girl.” "Yeah, she is. Too bad she is ranked so low; she doesn't deserve that.” "A rank doesn't always determine your life. There have been rumors that an Omega was mated to an alpha.” "Says the Alpha's Daughter." He laughs. "Yeah, but I am not Alpha mate material. A Beta or even a Gamma is more my speed. You know this. I rather take orders, not give them.” "Your mom doesn't give orders. Don't you think you could be like your mom? Kind, caring, tentative, and always available to anyone in the pack which needs a listening ear. I think you very well could do the job.” "I could, but if I were mated to an Alpha, I would have to leave Blood Water Pack. That is not something that I want to do." I shrug.

A call on Devin's phone from his mother brings our conversation to a screeching halt. "Your dad called a meeting. We have to get changed and go." The words are just out of his mouth when my mom approaches us. Her face has lost all color to it. "We need to leave. Now. Change. Hurry." She demands before pushing Devin off in the direction of the changing room. "You will ride with us, Devin!" I hear her call as I quickly pull on my shorts and tank top.

"What is going on, Mom?" I ask her as I rush out of the changing room, dress in hand. "Let’s buy this as we wait for Devin. I will explain in the car.” Her worried look has me internally freaking out. Others look at my mom and see that she is calm and collected. Not me; I can see all of her tells. Being her daughter is the biggest reason, but reading body language is one of my most significant gifts. Something is incredibly wrong.

After buying the dress, we walk to the front of the store and hear Devin’s feet falling at a jog to catch up to us. “Ready?” Mom asks him, giving him a look that says he has no other answer besides ‘Yes.’ “Ready.” He confirms, and we follow her at a quick but not panicked pace from the mall. “Want to tell us what is going on?” I whisper when we get outside. “Human’s dear.” She whispers back to me as her head whips from side to side scanning our surroundings. We are still within our territory, but something has her so shaken that she is doing surveillance sweeps continuously.

A black suburban screeches into the parking lot with Beta Gary, Devin’s dad, and other Betas. “Mom?” Fear floods me as I recognize the beginning steps of what precautions are for war. “In the car, dear.” Her words are strained. “Mindy, we are here to escort you back to the house.” Betta Gary’s voice is on edge as he looks around the parking lot to see humans looking. “Shall I follow in my car or ride with you?” She asks, calmer than she was before. “Not enough room. Devin and I will ride with you and Briar back home. They can follow if that is acceptable?” Beta Gary had already gotten out of the car and begun walking alongside mom before she could answer him. I feel Devin’s hand slip into mine and squeeze, drawing my attention to him. “This is bad.” Fear radiates off him. Right then and there, I decided to be strong for him now. “We will be just fine. Come on, let’s catch up.” I smile softly and pull him by the hand at a slow jog to catch up to our parents.

                I don’t release Devin’s hand until we are safely in the car. We are quiet as Mom quickly drives away from the mall, the suburban behind us at a safe distance. As the town leaves our view, I finally lean forward and ask. “What is happening?” Beta Gary looks at Mom. “Sweetheart, something bad has happened. Your father wants to announce it, but I feel the two of you should now know what is happening. It would be best to have your head cool and collected when it is announced. We will need the pair of you to help us keep everyone under control and not go into a full panic. A panicked wolf is a wolf that can be killed. Do you agree, Gary?” “I agree, Mindy.” Beta Gary surprises me by using my mother’s name so casually.

                “You have to promise me that you two will not say a word to anyone. If the Alpha finds out that I told you and you let it slip.” Her words stop, her body tenses, and I can see the whites of her eyes in the rearview mirror. “Would he kill us?” Devin asks just above a whisper. “Yes, son, he would. If you let this slip, there would be no saving either of you.” Beta Gary states. “You have my word; I will not repeat anything said within this car,” Devin announces. “You have my word as well.” I grip Mom’s shoulder, trying to comfort her slightly in whatever she must tell us.

                I watch as she takes steady breaths and slows to the standard speed limit. “We have just gotten a letter from Execution Bay Pack.” Her words are forced. “Isn’t that the Lycan pack?” I confirm. “It is.” Beta Gary clarifies. “What do they want?” Devin questions. Looking up, I see Mom staring at me in the mirror. “Briar, Devin, they have captured our king and threatening to kill him if we do not do exactly what they say.” Mom’s words feel like a sharp knife stabbing into my gut. “How?”

I whisper. “He had a spy within his walls. He was drugged and brought to the Execution Bay Pack that same night.” “How do you know that for sure?” I demand. “Because it was in the letter. They told us exactly what they did and will do next. We are not safe. We are being watched, and they have people within our territory. We cannot smell them; we cannot recognize them. I have no idea who they are.” I watch as tears begin rolling down her face. “I have no idea how to keep you all safe right now. All I know is that you are all at risk and that I cannot do anything to help right now.” She weeps as she drives.

                The rest of the ride is silent. There is nothing we can do. We know our King has been taken, and we know that they are making demands. What that all entails is another story. For now, I must be strong. Put aside my feelings about the situation, and put on a solid persona for my pack. I can cry and panic at my 3 am personal dilemma hour. I gave myself time to deal with all the issues that I couldn’t deal with, and I just had to push aside to be strong for others—time for me to allow my emotions to be felt.

                Pulling into the packhouse parking lot, I can feel the energy shift. Everyone is on edge as they enter the packhouse. A mansion is more like it; a packhouse sounds small compared to our home. It has over 40 bedrooms, each containing its own bathroom. We collectively utilize the massive kitchen. The front door opens into an enormous ballroom. Above the ballroom hosts an orchestra Pit. Where the conductor would stand is the location my dad, or any Alpha of the pack, would stand for pack meetings. So he could be heard and seen by all.

                “Thank you all for joining me.” His voice sounds different. I think to myself as I look around at the people nearest me. They all have the same facial expressions, that how their Alpha speaks seems uncharacteristic of how he typically presents himself. “Before I begin, I would like to introduce you to Beta Brett of the Execution Bay Pack. I am sure all of you will join me in welcoming him to our pack and assist in any way we can if he needs anything during his stay. Welcome, Betta Brett.” Everyone falls in line instantly and welcomes Beta Bret and claps for him.

                “Thank you for that warm welcome. However, I am not here for pleasure. I would like all of you to continue your daily activities as though I am not here. Your Alpha and I have some business to discuss, and I hope to be out of your hair as quickly as I have come. I have a pup on the way and wish not to be separated from my mate for longer than I must be. So I bid you all a good day.” He holds his hand in the air and walks away from my father.

                After a moment, my father steps forward again. “I will be in a meeting for some time. If you have any questions, please direct them to Luna Mindy.” He bows deeply to all of us and points to my mother. She immediately holds her hand in the air and signals us to go outside quietly, which we all obey immediately.