Chapter 3

3 years later.

A white wolf sprinted into the forest after a rabbit. It would be her breakfast. Lily was proud of her wolf and its colour. Although she was a late bloomer due to being a half witch she was able to catch up with the rest of her peers. Her wolf was very fast.

She caught the rabbit and went to hide in the bushes to snack on it. The warm fresh meat was delicious. Lily hadn’t even eaten half of her meal when her wolf suddenly became restless.

A glorious scent hit her life a truck. It was purely nature. The forest and the earth. Her wolf whined in search of the scent. Lily didn’t want to be controlled by pure instinct so she fought for control over her wolf.

A huge wolf with his coat and black as the night emerged from the trees. He stared at Lily as if trying to figure out who she was. Lily hasn’t seen a huge black wolf on pack lands before but didn’t feel threatened by the wolf one bit.

Lily remembered that she had to be at school early so she dashed to where she came from. Surprisingly and thankfully the wolf didn’t chase after her. When she got home she shifted back to human and wore the clothes that she left on the porch before entering the house.

Her father; Mr Rivers; was making some breakfast, since she didn’t finish her rabbit meal she scarfed down some. Bacon, eggs and sausages.

“Whoa, honey. Slow down.” Mr Rivers said with a smile. He like that Lily liked his cooking.

“Thanks for breakfast dad.” Lily said after she swallowed her last bite of food clearing her plate. She dashed up the stairs to take her bath in record time.

“Happy birthday kiddo.” Mr Rivers said as she headed towards the door.

She smiled and kissed his cheek.

“We will celebrate your birthday with a little dinner tonight.” He says hugging her tightly. She hugged him too.

“You know that I love you right. Very much. I’m proud of you.” Mr Rivers whispered into her ears. Warmth and love filled her chest.

“I love you too dad. I can’t wait for tonight.” Lily said smiling against his chest trying not to cry.

When he finally released her she headed towards the door and paused turning back to smile at him.

“Thank you dad.” The door slammed shut.

Lily just turned 18 today. It didn’t really feel like her birthday. It felt like it was just another ordinary day. She was finally in her senior year of high school and couldn’t wait to graduate. Turning 18 meant that she would soon meet her perfect mate chosen for her by the moon goddess. She tried not to think too much about the wolf she met earlier. He seemed so familiar.

Lily walked to school hoping to catch Hannah her best friend on the way. The school was for only werewolves built by their pack. Her face lit up when she saw Hannah. Hannah was already 18 but hasn’t found her mate yet.

“What’s up girl?” she said hugging her.

“Happy birthday to you.” Hannah sang in her horrible off key voice prompting lily to laugh.

“Guess what?” Hannah said as soon as the song was over. “Jackson is back. Or should I say alpha Jackson.”

Lily’s chest constricted at his name. All through the time that he had been away she avoided saying his name or talking about him like a plague. Obviously she knew he was back. The entire pack had been clamouring about his return but she chose to ignore them. Hearing it from Hannah’s mouth made it seem more real. The fact that he never came to see her.

“Is anything wrong?” Hannah asked, her face full of concern.

“Everything is fine.” Lily quickly said. “Everything is just fine.”

They walked into the school building together. Lily wondered what she would say if she saw him again.

She paused her tracks when the same scent she smelt earlier in the forest hit her. It was faint and overwhelmed by other scents but it was still there. She looked ahead in search of the scent of the forest and earth but there was a crowd of students.

Hannah pulled her out of the crowded hallway and into the classroom.

“you have been distracted since morning.” She said as they headed towards their assigned seats. Lily didn’t respond because the scent was getting closer and closer.

Panic flooded her chest. She tried to calm her pounding heart in vain. Hannah gave her a concerned look as they sat down but she ignored it.

The teacher walked in and the scent drew nearer.

“as we all know alpha Jackson has finally returned so there no need for introduction.” The teacher said.

Lily was sure that everyone in the classroom could hear her heart thump with each step that Jackson took into the class. Fear and panic gripped her but not only that. Desire.

Jackson entered the class with a bored look on his face, but suddenly froze. His head came up with a start his eyes meeting Lily’s in an instant. It was like time stopped and it was just them caught in bubble.

His lips slightly parted slightly. Electricity crackled between them and it seemed they weren’t the only ones that noticed. The entire class were already coming up with conclusions in their heads.

She knew it. He knew it. They knew they were mates.

A hand nudged her slightly. It was Hannah. Her face was full of confusion.

“What’s going on? It’s like you’re in a trance.” she says in a hushed whisper. Lily felt like she was in a trance.

Jackson finally snapped out of it and walked towards her with a determined look on his face.

Lily did the only thing she could think of in that situation.

Get up and run.