Her Fate

LUCY

“Good morning,” my mother calls from the kitchen. I give her a distracted wave and settle down at the dining table.

“Everything okay, Lucy?” Derrick asks, setting the table.

“I’m about to go toe-to-toe with Lyla,” I grumble, resisting the urge to stab my own head with a fork. “Are all wolves this difficult?”

Having Lyla in my head is like sharing a room with a swarm of angry bees. My wolf is always on high alert, hyper-aware of everything around us.

If I make a single misstep, she sends a throbbing headache my way as a reminder to correct my course.

Lyla also finds it amusing to wake me up in the middle of the night to raid the fridge for any kind of meat I can find.

“It’s only been two days, Princess,” my father says, patting my head. “You’ll find a balance.”

“I thought wolves were supposed to be helpful, like a second half of you,” I say, rubbing my temples. “But Lyla is—”

“A newly-emerged wolf,” my father interrupts. “Think of her as a pup. Lyla is testing your limits—seeing how far she can push you before you push back.”

“Please find your balance soon, Lucy,” my mother says, setting a plate of waffles in front of me. “You’re eating all our meat and it’s barely spring.”

“Oh, lighten up, Flora,” my father laughs. “When you first shifted, Fiona made you eat an entire winter’s worth of meat.”

“That was your fault, Dean,” my mother retorts, kissing my father’s temple before sitting across from me. Derrick is next to me this morning, his breakfast a pair of sausage patties tucked inside biscuits. The smell sends Lyla into high alert.

“Derrick…Can we switch?” I ask. Derrick looks to our parents for support. He knows my wolf won’t take a refusal from a lower-ranked wolf. Especially not her brother.

My parents just look at me, waiting for a decision. I rub my temples again as Lyla sends another headache my way, impatient for the meat she craves.

“Lyla, back off!” I slam my hands on the table in frustration. My wolf retreats, shocked, to the back of my mind. My mother and brother flinch in response, while my father sits with his arms crossed.

“That’s my girl,” my father says, ruffling my hair and placing a large piece of sausage on my plate. “You decide if you want this, Princess. Lyla doesn’t get a say.”

***

“Lucy, for the fortieth time, we’re fine.”

My brother groans as he brushes his teeth in our shared bathroom. I’ve been apologizing to him and our mother since breakfast ended. Lyla is sulking behind the mental barrier I’ve managed to erect.

“But this is the second time I’ve made you bow,” I protest. “And now mom, too…”

“Dad said not to worry about it,” Derrick says, rinsing his mouth and checking his reflection one last time in the mirror. “Your training will start the day after your birthday.”

“What if I do it to a teacher?” I ask, shivering at the thought. “I can’t imagine what Principal Granite would do.”

“He wouldn’t do anything,” my father says, suddenly appearing in the bathroom doorway. “He’s part of this pack and won’t interfere. He and the faculty have been briefed. They’ll make sure you don’t get too out of hand.”

“Dad, seriously?” I groan. “Why can’t you just teach me how to control my energy now?”

My father shakes his head. “Traditions are law, Lucy. You’ll learn when you turn sixteen.”

Derrick watches our father as he leaves for the pack house. It’s barely seven in the morning and I’ve already had enough of today.

“Get dressed, Lu,” my brother says, pushing off the sink and patting my head. “I need to pack up my homework from last night.”

***

Lyla is not pleased when I try to pick out something to wear. She sends waves of disapproval my way when I consider a nice shirt and shorts for the day. I groan and wince from the headache.

I pull out a dress my mother bought for me at the start of my freshman year, but I haven’t worn it yet. The form-fitting top and flowing skirt that reaches my knees isn’t really my style.

I hold it up to my body and glance at my full-length mirror across the room. Lyla purrs with approval.

“Fine. You win this round,” I mutter.

The dress fits me better than it did last year. I’ve filled it out more. Lyla pushes to the front of my mind to confirm her approval. She looks through my eyes and nods with satisfaction.

The burgundy color brings out the light flecks in my brown eyes. It definitely shows off my figure and cleavage. I figure I can pair this with some thigh-highs and my converse.

“Lyla, stop,” I grumble. My wolf is definitely sassy, that’s for sure. The complete opposite of me. I’d rather not wear such a revealing outfit to school, but I can’t handle another headache.

“Lu, are you ready?” Derrick knocks before entering my messy room. He takes in the piles of clothes at my feet and looks me up and down.

“Don’t ask,” I sigh. “Let’s just get this day over with.”

Derrick takes a deep breath and covers his nose, looking disgusted. I raise an eyebrow.

“I know I don’t normally wear something like this, but you don’t have to be so—”

“Lyla is amplifying her scent,” Derrick explains. “It’s an Alpha thing mom told me your wolf would do. It’s kind of gross since I’m your brother, but other males will be attracted to your dominance.”

“I’ve had it up to here with this freaking wolf,” I growl, pulling a light gray jacket and my black thigh-highs from my closet.

My wolf is restless, unhappy with the fading of her scent, but I push back this time. She yields to me, for now.

I gather my hair into a high bun, letting a few wisps fall across my face. My skin has been a bit oily lately, and I can’t ignore the glaring red bump on my chin.

“Let’s go, squirt.” Derrick picks up my bag and my makeup bag. “I know you’ll want this. I’ll take the highway, fewer bumps that way.”

“Done.” I flip the sun visor up and swipe a touch of lip gloss over my thin lips.

Derrick rolls his eyes and parks his car in our usual spot in the senior parking lot, to the left of the school. I douse myself with a generous amount of perfume over my chest and upper torso.

“Lucy, really!” Derrick complains. “Couldn’t you have done that outside the car?”

“And let everyone get a whiff of Lyla and her musk?” I adjust my thigh highs one last time before turning to Derrick. “Can you smell me?”

“It’s there, just not as strong.” My brother turns off the engine and unbuckles his seatbelt. “Ask dad if there’s a better way to mask it. That perfume will probably wear off once you’re outside.”

I nod and slowly open the door. Luckily, the wind is gentle today, not knocking anyone over. As usual, Moranna is waiting for me in her white Porsche.

“Wow!”—she pinches her nose—“your wolf doesn’t mess around, does she?”

I groan and bury my face in my hands, “Of course you can smell it.”

“I’m your Beta, Lu,” Moranna reminds me. “I’m the first in the pack to know anything. It’s only natural.”

My friend pats my back and compliments my outfit. She loves it when I dress up, even more than I do.

Moranna is wearing a simple sweater dress with tights and heels. Her hair is pulled to the side, out of her eyes.

“Anything new?” Moranna asks. “With Lyla, I mean.”

“Other than her being a royal pain in my ass, no,” I grit out. “She’s the complete opposite of me, Moranna.”

“I’m sure you two will sync up sooner rather than later.”

We stride through the front doors of the school and everyone immediately turns to look at us. Most of the guys eye my outfit with lust, while the girls bow respectfully.

“I hate this,” I whisper to Moranna. She giggles and links her arm with mine. She always enjoys any attention she can get.

***

“X equals four when Y equals six.” I answer when Mrs. Gilbert, my algebra teacher, calls on me. She nods when I’m correct and quickly avoids eye contact. I can’t even talk to the teachers without them submitting.

“Hey…” A whisper comes from behind me, followed by a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Franklin Putnam, a regular ranked wolf, staring right at me. I give him a quick once-over, annoyed.

“What?” I ask.

“There’s a party at my brother’s house tonight.” Franklin’s gaze drops to my chest and then back up to my eyes. “I think you should come.”

I narrow my eyes and raise an eyebrow. Lyla is enjoying all the attention today. My wolf is definitely a flirt, but I refuse to play along with her games.

“It’s Tuesday, Franklin.” I tap my finger on his desk impatiently. “I don’t do parties on school nights.”

Just as I’m about to turn back around, Franklin stops me. “Okay, not tonight. How about Friday? The whole pack will be there. You can bring anyone you want.”

I glance at his hand on my forearm, and Franklin wisely removes it when I look back up at him. “Thanks for the invite, Putnam, but I’ll pass.”

For the rest of class, I can feel Franklin’s eyes on me. I have to restrain myself from ripping his head off in the middle of the lesson. The rest of the class is quiet as I tap my foot.

***

When the bell rings for lunch, I gather my things. I’ve just slung my bag over my shoulder when Franklin appears in front of me outside the classroom. I roll my eyes and laugh at his audacity.

“Why won’t you come to the party next Friday?” he asks.

“I thought it was tonight, Frankie?” I cross my arms. “You can’t fool me, Putnam. Just because I’m an Alpha doesn’t mean I’m going to let you hump me until I find a mate.”

Franklin is speechless. I don’t blame him, I didn’t think I had it in me either. Normally, I’d shy away from guys and politely turn them down. But Lyla has made me more assertive overnight.

“Lu, is everything okay?” Derrick appears behind Franklin with Moranna on his left. They both look ready to fight.

“It’s fine, Derrick.” I step past Franklin and sigh heavily. “We’ll be there next Friday. Just send me the address on the pack’s website.”

Derrick and Moranna follow me to the cafeteria. They both look worried and upset that I’d even consider going to a party in my current state. Lyla could lash out with the wrong move from a pack member.

“What’s happening next Friday, Lucy?” Derrick asks. His voice is deep and low. Moranna just stays by my side, waiting for my answer.

“Franklin’s brother is throwing a party.” I say lightly, “He invited me.”

“You’re joking, right?” Derrick scoffs, “One wrong move Lucy and—”

“Derrick, stop.” Moranna intervenes. “Lucy knows her limits. Besides, a party might be just what her wolf needs to let loose for a night.”

My brother gives Moranna a quick once-over. His eyes fill with an emotion I can’t quite place as he turns away.

“Fine,” my brother says. “But Moranna and I are coming with you to make sure nothing happens.”

“There’s no other way I’d want it.”