Storm stood in her room, staring out the window at the moon, her eyes glowing with an ethereal light. Knight, her wolf, stirred within her, and Storm's gaze turned inward.
"What is it, Knight?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
_I feel your unease, Storm,_ Knight replied, her voice a gentle growl in Storm's mind. _The pack is restless, and our parents are hoping we don't reject the mate bond when we find our mate on our eighteen birthday in a few days.
Storm sighed, her shoulders tense. _I know. They don't understand. We don't need a mate. We are strong enough, powerful enough.
We are the Shadow of the Pack,_ Knight agreed. We are a force to be reckoned with. But the pack needs a leader, and a mate can provide balance and support.
Storm snorted, a small, humorless smile on her lips. _Balance and support? You mean submission and weakness? I will not bend to any man, Knight. We are the protector of the pack, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.
Knight's growl grew louder, a rumbling agreement. We are the Alpha, Storm. We will not be swayed.
Storm's gaze turned back to the window, her eyes narrowing. I will make them understand, Knight. I will show them that we are enough, mate or no mate.
She took a deep breath, feeling Knight's presence within her, a comforting warmth that filled her chest. _Let's go, Knight. Let's go talk to Mother and Father._
Storm walked into her parents' chambers, her head held high, Knight's presence a steady beat in her mind. Her mother, Luna, Sofia smiled warmly, but her father, Alpha kain, looked stern.
"Storm, my dear, we need to talk about you finding your mate," her mother said, her voice gentle but firm.
Storm's eyes flashed, and Knight's growl echoed in her mind. Here it comes.
"I don't need a mate, Mother," Storm said, her voice cool and detached. "I am strong enough to lead the pack on my own."
Her father's expression darkened. "Storm, you are young and foolish. A mate is necessary for a balanced Alpha."
Storm shook her head, her silvery-white and purple hair shimmering in the light. "A mate will only hold me back, Father. I will not be swayed. a mate will want a submission mate and I can't give that dad you know it.
Her parents exchanged a worried glance, and Storm's eyes narrowed. They don't understand.
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them. It was Rain, Storm's younger brother, his eyes shining with excitement. "May I come in?"
Storm's expression softened, and she smiled, a rare gesture. "Come, Rain."
Rain entered the room, his energy infectious. Mom, Dad are you begging storm not to reject her mate? Rain asked. Both their parents nodded their heads at him.
Storm's eyes rolled, and Knight chuckled in her mind. _Rain, please don't join them. My mind is made up. Storm said, her voice gentle.
I know sis, but I have a feeling your mate is going to be someone you can't reject, Rain said.
But Rain your sister is convinced she doesn't need a mate luna Sofia said,
Storm's gaze turned to her brother, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of... something. Not love, exactly, but a deep affection for her brother.
Rain has always been the light in the family, with normal human feelings he believes in love and mates, he feels empathy and emotion.. whereas I don't, his Nothing like me she thought to herself.
_He is like you, Storm,_ Knight replied. _He is a true Alpha in the making._
Storm's attention turned back to her parents, her expression firm. "I will not discuss this further. Knight , and I are enough, we don't need a mate. will do what is best for the pack."
Her parents exchanged another glance, and for a moment, Storm thought she saw a glimmer of understanding in their eyes.
_Maybe, just maybe, they will understand._
As she turned to leave, Storm caught Star's eye, her best friend standing quietly in the corner. Star's expression was neutral, but her eyes sparkled with worry for her friend
Star, why are you here? You should have gone to my room. Storm said , and I know storm but I just wanted to make sure you don't fight your dad like the last time, star responded, with a small smile playing on her lips.
Storm smiled, a rare gesture, well it wouldn't have come to that I only went to tell them I will be rejecting my mate if I find him or her on my birthday.
But strom rejecting your mate might affect the pack.. you shouldn't the mate bond is Beautiful look at how happy are parents are with each other said hoping her friend will reconsider but it was only a wishful thinking.
No star, I don't need a mate. We have talked about this before, stopping trying to convince me it won't work, she said as they entered her room, star nodded and proceeded to take off her clothes. She never likes to sleep with clothes..
Storm stares at her and asks.. when are you going to stop this star? We are not kids.. what does it matter we are friends and girls no big deal storm, Star said..
Storm couldn't help but feel a bit attracted towards star and was wondering what was wrong with her star is Her friend almost like a sister.. and knight. felt it too. What was that?