Chapter 3

Ella’s POV

The next morning came, and I woke up to the sun beaming through the crack in my purple silk curtains as it shined right into my eyes. I turned onto my side away from the window and pulled my down comforter up around my neck trying to cocoon myself in its warmth. My mind automatically started to go over the events that took place yesterday. One I didn’t find my mate and two my wolf. I grabbed the nearest thing I could get my hands on which was one of my decorative throw pillows and held it over my face in hopes that it would muffle my screams. I know that sounds a bit childish but after the day I had yesterday I thought I deserved that few seconds of release.

I started to wonder last night before bed if the Moon Goddess was punishing me for something I did, but I thought long and hard and couldn’t come up with one thing that would cause her to punish me. I also tried to remember all the stories my mother had told me about the white wolves when I was a child. The stories my mother would tell me seemed more like a fairy tale bedtime story nothing that was a real-life story.

Last night while I laid in my bed trying hard to remember her stories one particular came to mind. The story started off with a lonely Alpha who was desperately trying to find his mate. He searched every inch of his land and his neighboring packs but couldn’t find her. Years went by and the Alpha went into a depression and the members of his pack started to feel the pain their Alpha felt. One day a family of rouges were captured on his lands, and they were brought to the Alpha for their punishment. The Alpha was in so much pain he didn’t even bother to look up at the rouges and ordered the women to be punished by servitude to him and the father to be locked up in silver chains. But before they were removed from his presence the daughter stepped forward and got down on her knees and begged the Alpha not to do this to her father. The sound of the girl’s heavenly voice made the Alpha look her way, but the girl was down on her knees with her eyes were to the floor. The Alpha stood and moved towards the girl with everyone’s eyes were on him. The father begged the Alpha not to hurt his daughter, but the Alpha paid no attention to the desperate father pleading for his daughter’s forgiveness for speaking out. The Alpha now stood directly over the girl, and he did what no one would have expected. He kneeled before her and cupped his hand under her chin. As his hand touched her tear-stained face sparks erupted between the two and the girl raised her head and looked into his eyes. “Mate” both said in unison. The two mated that same day but the she wolf had a secret which is why they were rouges. Her father was trying to protect his daughter from the Alpha they had fled but she knew she could trust her mate and he would protect her and her family. After the mating bond was sealed the Alpha felt an enormous power fill him which made him feel indestructible. He looked at his newfound mate with so much love that he thought it was just their bond that made him feel this way that was until she turned into a beautiful white wolf in front of him. He then knew that all the pain and sorrow he went through all those years was a test by the Moon goddess and she felt he was worthy of his special mate. He promised to love and cherish his mate to his last breath and to never use these powers for evil but to use them to protect his pack and the rouges that seek refuge. And the promise he made stood until the day of his last breath.

I fell asleep last night hoping that it could be possible to find a mate that could protect me and that the Moon Goddess has this planned for me. It’s my only hope of ever being able to be myself and not hide who I truly am.

I left out another scream into the pillow and then threw it across the room just missing the porcelain lamp that sat on top of my makeup stand. “Why me?” I asked. After a few more minutes of self-pity, I willed myself to get out of bed and face the new day. I mean today couldn’t be any worse than yesterday, right?

I threw the down comforter off me and threw my feet over the side of the bed. Shuffling my feet as I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The hotter the shower the better to wash away what happened yesterday. The water felt amazing as it hit my shoulders and my neck. I didn’t realize how sore my muscles were until now. I wondered if it was because of my first shift, but it’s not like I could ask anyone due to the fact that I’m a liar and keeping secrets from everyone I love.

The shower did wonders for my body but not for my emotional rollercoaster of a brain. I got out and dried off and grabbed a pair of skinny jeans and a baggy Under Amour sweatshirt. I wasn’t in the mood to even bother with my appearance today. I decided to throw on eyeliner and lip gloss and call it a day. My hair would have to air dry because I wasn’t in the mood to dry it either. I obviously had no mate at school to impress so why bother.

I grabbed my backpack and headed out of my room. As soon as I opened my door, I could smell the delicious smell of bacon. I let my nose lead the way to the kitchen where my mother had made bacon and pancakes, two of my breakfast favorites. I wonder if she did it purposely to try and cheer me up. I sat down at the table and placed a pancake on my plate and a piece of bacon in my mouth. My mouth instantly started to water once the bacon hit my tongue. The bacon tasted ten times better this morning for some reason. I wonder if that also had to do with the fact that I shifted and now my senses are heightened. I quickly grabbed another piece of bacon and started to eat it.

“Hungry?” my mother asked me as I finished off the second piece.

“Yes. I didn’t eat anything but cake for dinner last night.” I said as I poured syrup onto my pancake. Realizing what I just said knowing that my mother would feel guilty about not feeding me supper, knowing that it was my own fault, I wanted to take back what I just said.

“I’m so sorry Sweetie. I didn’t even think to ask you if you were hungry last night.” She said as she looked like she was upset with herself.

There it was the response from her I knew was coming after saying what I wish I could take back. I didn’t want her to feel any worse than she already did and here I am making her feel that way. I had to think of something fast to make her feel better.

“It’s okay mom. I wasn’t very hungry last night. Plus, the cake was amazing. Thank you.” I said trying to make her feel better about herself. “Also, I had you all worried about me. It’s my fault not yours.” I added.

A small smile creeped on my mother’s face as I complimented her on the amazing birthday cake, she had made me. It really was amazing, and I half wondered if she stole the recipe from Samantha’s mother. But I couldn’t reminisce about the cake too long because my mother smile was short lived. In its place I could see the worry come back to her eyes and it pains me that I am causing her so much pain.

“Yes, you had me worried last night, but tonight I needed you to come straight home. I forgot to take you to get a dress and we need to go as soon as you get out of school.” she said as she poured herself a cup of coffee turning her back to me.

“Dress?” I asked confused. I wonder why on earth I would need a dress.

“Yes, a dress. The Alpha’s ball is this weekend. Hunter will become the new Alpha.” She said with a big smile.

My mother had always liked Hunter. She had become great friends with the Luna, Hunter’s mother when my father brought her to the pack. Hunter and I were inseparable when we were pups. Years ago, we use to live in the pack house before my father thought it was time to have real estate of his own. During those years Hunter and I became close almost like siblings. None of the other pups would dare to come near me when Hunter was around me. I remember the incident that started it all when one of the male pups thought it would be an awesome idea to lock me in the well house. Screams for help poured out of my lungs for what felt like forever as tears pour down my cheeks. I banged on the door with all my might, but I was so little and so fragile back then. Laughter is all I heard from the other side of the door for what felt like an eternity until a low growl shook the well house and then the laughter stopped. I was sure my father had come looking for me and it was him that would be saving me but to my surprise when the door opened there stood before me nothing but a boy. As I looked into his eyes through my tear-filled ones, he extended his hand to me, and I reached for it with my own. He promised me that day that no one would ever hurt me again on his watch but that was short lived when his father sent him away. It has been many years now since I have seen Hunter and he has all but become but a memory of my childhood.

“I didn’t know Hunter was back and I totally didn’t remember anything about a ball this weekend.” I told her as I realized that I had been so focused on my senior year and my birthday. I had totally forgot about the coronation of the new Alpha and the ball which was tomorrow. Honestly it didn’t dawn on me that I would be of age to go. Only wolves eighteen years old and up were allowed to attend any functions like this at the pack house. Not realizing the coronation fell two days after my eighteenth birthday I never thought a second about it after my mother mentioned it months ago. I started to feel excited of the thought of my first ball and thoughts of dancing the night away with Samantha popped into my head. The thought put a smile on my face as I envisioned us both in lavishing gowns as we took the dance floor and busted out in one of crazy dance moves. I laughed knowing that no way the Alpha would be playing our kind of music tonight. The thought of Call Me Maybe blasting across the speakers at the pack house made me giggle inside.

“You know Sweetie the Alpha has invited guests from other packs to be there tonight. Maybe you might find your mate.” She said as she took a sip of her coffee.

“How did you know I didn’t find my mate?” I asked her curious of what her answer would be.

“Because that would have been the first thing you told me last night. Although I did at one-point last night think that’s why you were late coming home.” Mom said with a slight giggle. “I remember the first time I met you father. I didn’t want to be apart from him for a minute. The mate bond is very intense, and you have to learn to cope with not being with your mate all day and night.”

She was right it would have been the first thing I would have told her last night. The sheer thought of the excitement of finding my mate would have been so hard to hide from anyone especially her. But then what she said before this last statement hits me. The Alpha has invited other packs to the coronation. I don’t know if I am feeling excitement or if I am now scared at the thought of going. The thought now of possibly finding my mate frightens me a little. Yes, it excites me too because it’s what I have dreamed of for years but now I have the weight of my secret haunting me. Will my mate be so happy to find out that his mate is a white wolf, and will he be able to protect me? Or will he be someone that I will have to keep this secret from?

Finally, I found the words to respond to my mother, “I hope the Moon Goddess blesses me just like she blessed you with dad.” as tears started to form in my eyes. I quickly wiped my eyes and recovered before she could notice. Because knowing this was the only way that I would be able to find happiness. To find a mate like my father, one that would love me unconditionally, one that would be strong enough to protect me, and one that would accept me for who I really am.

Maybe this was the reason I hadn’t found my mate yet. Maybe the Moon Goddess had this planned out all along. Just maybe I might find my mate tomorrow at the Alpha ball and just maybe I was to find out about my wolf first before my mate found me. So many maybes and just filled me and it was making my head spin. I needed fresh air and I needed it now.

I took a long gulp of my orange juice and told my mother I had to go to school. I didn’t want to be late and have to stay after because of my tardiness. I gave my mother a hug and told her I loved her and grabbed my backpack and leather jacket and headed off to school.

As soon as I stepped outside, I took in a few deep breathes letting the fresh air fill my lungs. Never before have I had anxiety or panic attacks but lately, I have felt on the verge of them. I decided against taking the woods to school and stayed to the streets. The weather was getting colder by the day. I was glad I had grabbed my jacket because the air was a bit crispy when the wind started to blow. Most wolves ran hot but I for some reason have always been cold blooded. Maybe it had something to do with the fact I wasn’t a normal wolf. I need to make it a point to stop by the library and grab a couple of books to do some research on white wolves.

I continued to walk with my head down towards the ground because the cold wind was blowing in my direction making my eyes start to water. A few leaves began to dance on the ground in front of me and I began to think about the Alpha’s Ball. I wondered if it was really a good idea for me to go or if I should fake some illness to get out of it. Normally I would be ecstatic to be going to my first ball, but something was telling me that I was putting myself into a den of lions. Knowing that the Alpha had invited other packs meant that there would be multiple Alphas under one roof and to say I wasn’t worried would be the lie of the century.

As I continued contemplating ideas on how to get out of going, I was at the school before I knew it because I heard Samantha yelling my name. I looked up to see that Samantha was standing across the street waving me to come quickly. I started to wonder what had her panties in a bunch and without thinking I stepped into the street to race across to her, but before I could take another step I was jerked back onto the sidewalk by a set of large hands. The sound of a loud horn filled the air as I was twirled around landing face first into a rock-hard chest. Strong masculine arms wrapped around me like a cocoon making me feel safe. Tiny sparks of electricity started to tingle on my exposed skin, and I found myself taking in the scent of the person that just saved me. The scent of pine in wooded forest with a hint of sage filled my nose as I relaxed in his arms.

Slowly the arms around me started to release me and I whimpered at the loss but with the loss of his touch I started to regain my surroundings. For those brief seconds, time almost stood still but it was only for a slight moment. I wonder if he broke his hold because he felt something too or if I was just imagining something that wasn’t there.

I took a step back, but he stopped me with his hand on the small of my back. That’s when I realized I was about to step back into the street. With his hand on my back and the tiny sparks starting to come back I decided to finally raise my head and look into his eyes. Staring back at me were the most captivating set of emerald, green eyes but as I looked closer, I could see specks on gold intertwining through them. I was finding myself getting lost in his gaze as my heartbeat began to pick up but then I heard my name being yelled. Whatever trance I was in was now broken and I turned away from him and found Samantha running to me.

Before I could prepare myself, Samantha lunged for me wrapping her arms around me. “Oh, thank the Goddess you are okay.” She said with a shaky voice.

“I’m fine.” I said to her as I pulled myself away from her death grip finally able to speak. I looked back at the male and said, “Thank you.”

He nodded his head and said, “You’re welcome.”

At this point Seth had approached. “Are you okay Ella?” I could clearly tell he was concerned about my wellbeing.

“Yes, Seth I’m fine. This guy.” I began to say and stopped. “I’m sorry I don’t know your name.” I looked at him as he smiled and said, “My name is Chance. Chance Ryder.”

The look of shock filled my face. The male that saved me was Chance Ryder, the nephew of the Alpha. My father had told me that the Alpha’s nephew would be coming to stay for a while. Chance’s father had passed, and he was to become the next Alpha of the Blue Moon pack. Our Alpha, his uncle, was going to prepare him to take the role of Alpha. My thoughts went then to the moment we had just shared and the bedtime story my mother use to tell me. I wondered if Chance could be my mate but if he was, he wasn’t showing any signs that would make me believe he was. He was just standing there cool and collective while I stood here in shell shock that the Alpha to be just saved my life.

Samantha gave me a hard nudge. “What?” I said to turning to look at her.

“Earth to Ella.” She said with a giggle.

I must have been in thought way too long and turned back to Chance feeling embarrassed. “Thank you, Alpha Chance.” I said with a slight lowering of my head.

The look of shock on Seth’s and Samantha’s face now was priceless. Maybe now she would understand why I had frozen after hearing who he was.

Chance then looked down at me. “I’m not the Alpha yet, but you are welcome. I didn’t quit catch your name.” he said to me with a smile that showed off his perfect set of white teeth.

I looked into those beautiful emerald-green eyes and said, “Ella. Ella Michaels.”

“Ella Michaels” Chance said. I loved the way my name sounded coming from his lips. Chance looked like he was deep in thought. “Wait. You’re Beta Scott’s daughter?” he asked like he already knew who I was.

“Yep. That’s me.” I said as I put my head down wondering what my father had possible told him about me.

“I met your father and he told me I would be going to school with you.” He said quickly as he probably could tell my discomfort wondering what my father had told him. “I bet your father is excited with his upcoming retirement. “

“Yes, he excited but decided to stay on helping train the warriors.” I said now being able to talk to him like a normal person.

“Good.” Chance replied, “Your father is a skilled warrior, and the warriors should feel honored to have him train them.”

I realized that I had forgotten about my two friends that were standing next to me until I heard Samantha clear her throat. “Oh, where are my manners.” I said feeling like I had just come out of a bubble with Chance and no one else was in it but us. “Chance, this is my best friend Samantha and her mate Seth. Seth’s father is the Gamma of our pack.”

Chance extended his arm to Seth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The two embraced forearms. Then Chance turned to Samantha, “And it’s a pleasure meet you too, best friend to Ella.”

Samantha gave out a giggle. “The pleasure is ours.” She said as she wrapped an arm around Seth.

Seth and Chance began to talk as we started to walk across the street to school. I took the time this time to look both ways before I stepped off the sidewalk. Samantha had let go of Seth and walked with me as the two men conversed in a conversation. We left them get a couple of feet in front of us before Samantha started to giggle in my ear.

“So, an Alpha?” she said with another giggle.

“What do you mean?” I asked her confused.

“I saw the way you looked at him. Ella, do you have a crush?” She asked with a big smile on her face.

I felt my cheeks heat up at the accusation, but truth is what exactly was it that just happened between us. Or do I want a mate so bad that I was hallucinating that we shared a moment. The truth is my wolf didn’t stir within me like she sensed him, and I was sure that was one of the major signs but on the other hand I had her pushed down deep inside me trying to hide her from the world. I then started to wonder if Chance was my mate and that’s why we only had a partial connection because I was hiding my wolf. Goddess why does this have to be so difficult.

Before I could answer her, we were inside the school and Seth turned to us and kissed Samantha on the lips. “I’m going to show Chance to the office and then to his first class. I’ll catch you later baby.” He said to her as she shook her head yes.

The two men were about to leave when Chance stepped towards me. “I will be seeing you soon Ella Michaels.”

I gulped at what he had just said. All I could reply was one word, “Yes.” Because at that moment when he assured me, I would be seeing him soon again my mouth went starch dry. Maybe he did feel something just minutes ago like I did. Maybe he is just as confused about it as I was. Only time would tell because if I learned anything in the last few minutes about him is that he has an amazing poker face and with that poker face I couldn’t tell if he was messing with me or playing a game of cat and mouse.

Chance got a big smile on his face as he turned and walked away with Seth. Before the two were out of site Chance turned his head one last time to look at me.