Chapter 1

2015

Layla

"How do you feel about going back after all these years?" Josh, my elder brother smiles at me, I feel the warmth in his eyes. "I don't really remember much. It has been so long and I was too young "I reply, gazing out of the window of our car. It is a lie. I remember a boy. The one that always held my hands. He would kiss me on the forehead and read me fairy tales. I might just have been five years old when we left but werewolf memory was strong. I remember his essence. The smell of pine wood and forest. Rose, my elder sister, takes my palm and places it on hers. Werewolves are touchy feely. We couldn't help it. It made us feel safe. I am thankful to the moon goddess for blessing me with a wonderful family.

We were going back to Blood Moon pack after ten years. Alpha Victor was dad's best friend. They met in college and we lived in his pack, my dad as his Beta until I was five years old. That is when I fell sick and our family had to move to California for the treatment.

Now that I had fully recovered and Caspian, the Alpha Prince, was preparing to take over as Alpha King of the Pack, King Victor and Prince Caspian had invited us back to the pack for assistance.

As soon as Caspian would be eighteen, in around seven months from now, he would take over the pack, find his Luna and Alpha Victor would retire as the Alpha King of Blood Moon pack. Female North American werewolves found their mates as early as they were fifteen whereas the male werewolves only found their mates after they were eighteen. Often female werewolves had to wait until their mates were eighteen for the true mate bond to truly take effect.

"Oh, come on Layla! You are no fun. I can't wait to pull you out of this weird world of yours as soon as we reach Corcine Valley and join the new school" Rose screeched, her high-pitched voice tearing through my ear drums. My sister is loud, but she is a part of me, not just a sister but my best friend and protector. The bond we shared is unbreakable even if she is only a year older than me. At fifteen and sixteen, we had built our own little girl universe with me hiding behind her shadows, enjoying the warmth and joy that she brought with her.