Chapter Two

Genevieve

"Eve" someone lightly shook me. "Time to get up" I slowly opened my eyes and saw my mom standing over my bed. "Ryan's here. He's waiting for you" she informed me. I nodded and she walked out. I carefully got out of bed, making sure that I didn't wake up Matthew. He stirred, but didn't awaken. I sighed and got dressed for the day.48

I walked to the kitchen in light grey sweats, a white crop-top, and my white converse. Ryan was sitting at the table with my parents. All three heads snapped up to me when I walked inside the room. I dragged my bags to the wall and sat at the table. "Are you ready?" Mom asked. I honestly have no idea.29

I was ready to leave. But am I ready to meet my mate? The one person who loves me forever. My other half. Someone who was literally made for me. I want to meet him. But does he want to meet me?318

'Of course he wants to meet us! He's our mate!' Ingrid, my wolf, shouted at me. I blocked her out, so I wouldn't be able to hear her voice.412

I nodded at my mother. "As ready as I'll ever be" I gave her a small smile, which she returned. Ryan and my parents slowly stood up. My mom walked over to me and engulfed me in a bear-hug.49

"Be careful. Call us when you get to the first pack" Mom whispered in my ears. I nodded and she pulled away. "Good luck" she said with a small smile. I wrapped my arms around her waist one last time, and she kissed my head.2

"Honey, she'll be back soon. A few months top" Dad said. Mom nodded and let go of me. I quickly turned to my father and buried my face in his chest while he hugged me. "Stay with Ryan at all times. Never go anywhere alone" I nodded in his chest and he pulled away. "I love you, Princess" he kissed my forehead.55

"Love you, too Dad" I said and grabbed my bags. I turned to Ryan who was patiently waiting for me.16

Dad walked up to Ryan and they firmly shook hands. "Take care of my daughter. I don't care that you're my best friend. I will hunt you down and rip off your head with my teeth if anything happens to her" Dad threatened. Ryan paled and nodded. "Have fun" Dad said with a smile on his face. My father changes emotions very quickly.424

I hugged both my parents and walked out with Ryan. "We are gonna be staying with each pack for a few days" Ryan informed me as we slid into the car. I nodded and rested my head on the window.8

I tried to go to sleep, but my mind wouldn't let me. I kept thinking about my mate. What he looks like. How old is he? What rank is he? What's his favorite color? What's his favorite movie? I sighed and gave up on sleep.96

"We still have another hour until we get to the pack lines" Ryan told me.

I shifted in my seat so I was sitting criss-cross in the chair. "What pack is first?" I asked. Ryan grabbed a piece of paper from the center console, and handed it to me. It was filled with dates, names, and packs. "Midnight Howlers" I read the first name.213

Ryan nodded. "We have to go to a meeting with them when we arrive" I looked at him confused and curious.

"We?" I asked. Ryan just nodded. "Why am I going to be there?" I questioned. A meeting sounds boring. Exploring and finding my mate sounds much better.6

"As the Head Alpha, I have to inform them about a new law. But you're gonna be there because I don't want you alone" he said.18

I nodded in understanding. He has to protect me. "What's the new law?" I asked. Ryan's eyes got darker and his grip on the wheel got tighter. "Ryan?" I asked. He looked over at me and his expression softened.1

"Only an Alpha and his true mate can lead a pack as their Alpha and Luna" Ryan stated.208

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Why are you upset? Aren't you all about that mates being together?" I questioned.

"I am. I just can't believe that an Alpha would choose someone, who isn't his true mate, as his Luna!" he said exasperated. "If she was supposed to be a Luna, then the Moon Goddess would have chosen her to be his mate! It's not like his mate was unfit to be a Luna. He's just another power-hungry Alpha!" Ryan ranted.163

"Someone who isn't meant to, took the place as a Luna?" I asked shocked. Ryan nodded. "Why would they even do that?!" I threw my hands up and dropped them on my lap.9

"Cause they wanted more power" Ryan's grip on the wheel got tighter, so his knuckles were turning white. "Two Alphas made a treaty. Their son and daughter will marry, to join the packs. But both of them had already had mates. They just weren't fully mated" Ryan explained. I nodded for him to continue. "So the son and daughter mated, and they united the pack. But they both have Alpha blood, so the pack suffered"47

Two born Alpha's can't rule one pack, especially if they're not mates. If they were true mates, there would be a possibility it would work; however, it would be difficult. All Alpha's are dominant. They wouldn't want to work together. "So that's why the Council created the law" I said. Ryan shook his head. "So why?" I inquired.

"That is only part of the reason. The pack suffered, but so did their mates. Their mates died" Ryan said. I gasped. "After you meet your mate, there is instantly a bond created. You can feel each other's emotions and pain and physical things. When the Alphas mated, their true mates felt it. They lost a part of themselves" I nodded, unable to form words. "That's not even the worst part!" Ryan shouted.64

I gaped at him. "It gets worse?" I asked. Ryan rubbed the top of his head with his hand and sighed.1

"She was pregnant" he stated. I looked at him confused. "The son's mate. She was pregnant when she died" Ryan said softly.125

My blood boiled. "So their stupid treaty killed two mates and an unborn child?!" I shouted.30

"That's why we got the new law" Ryan finished. I let it all sink in.2

A child?! Just for power! All of that for power. Letting your pack suffer. Killing your own mate! Killing a child! That kid didn't even have a chance to live. Didn't have a chance to meet its mate. Didn't have a chance to shift for the first time. The kid didn't even get to meet its Mom. They ruined lives. All for nothing. Their plan failed, and they just suffered.199

How could someone do that? To their own flesh and blood. To their family. To the one person that was made just for you. Ryan and I sat the rest of the ride in silence.29

"We're here" Ryan stopped the car just outside a forest. I nodded and he took out his phone and dialed a number. "Hello. It's Alpha Hayes. We've just arrived"42

"Alright. I grant you and your guest permission to enter my territory" a male voice said through the phone. Ryan thanked him and hung up. After he hung up, I borrowed his phone to quickly call my parents. We continued driving for another half-hour, until we stopped in front of a three story mansion. Typical pack house.48

Most people would stand in front and gape at the building. But I don't. I live in a castle. I'm used to fancy things. It's also not the best pack house I've seen. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful. But I've seen every other pack house, and its not the best. It has a lot of character though.160

"Come on. We'll get the bags later" Ryan said, walking toward the front door. We stopped at the front and Ryan turned to me. "Do you smell anything?" he asked.

I inhaled through my nose. I smelt werewolves, pine, chocolate, and cookies. Yeah. Chocolate. Its not my mate though. Ryan's scent smells like chocolate. It always makes me hungry. My stomach growled and Ryan chuckled.114