Chapter 1 - Kaleigh

Kaleigh was standing on the packhouse's large upper balcony, looking over Lake Tahoe's beautiful view in the distance. The Pale Moon packs' location was in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There were surrounded by forest in every direction.

All the houses in the area where the pack members lived were cabins accessible by cars, so when humans found their way there, they didn't think anything of it. Many pack members worked in the small towns up and down the lake in stores, medical offices, or as police officers.

Having pack members in the towns gave the pack eyes and ears all over the area to know what was going on in the human towns or if any rogues were causing trouble. Most humans were unaware of the supernatural beings that lived all around them.

From the balcony, the lake looked small but still beautiful. Kaleigh could make out a few people walking on one of the beaches with her wolf's eyesight. The weather was still rather cold, with some snow on the ground, but that didn't stop the tourists.

Kaleigh was now nineteen years old and still looked exactly like her mother. She was tall for a woman of her pack at 5'10". Her cousins knew Kaleigh's parents died, but they didn't know the truth about how they died or that Kaleigh was a hybrid.

Kaleigh was gorgeous, and many of the unmated wolves in the pack had tried to get close to her, but Kaleigh had no interest in them. After what happened to her mother and father, there was no way she would put someone else's life in danger because she was a witch.

Kaleigh's wolf Skylar kept telling her they needed to find their mate, and he would protect them. That was the one issue that they disagreed on constantly. Kaleigh would tell Skylar she didn't need a man to protect them; they could defend themselves. Skylar believed in true love and that finding their mate would free them from hiding for the rest of their lives.

Skylar was a beautiful wolf. She was completely white on one side of her body and black on the other side. Skylar believed it was because they were a hybrid, and one side represented the werewolf side while the other represented the witch side. Kaleigh thought that the color had no meaning and was just unique. Even though Kaleigh had no intention of finding her mate, that didn't stop Skylar from trying to sniff him out every chance she got.

Skylar was determined that finding their mate was the key to their happiness. She didn't like seeing Kaleigh alone and sad all the time. Kaleigh may be able to hide her feelings from others, but Skylar was a part of her and knew the truth. Kaleigh understood that she would always be alone because that was the only way to survive.

Kaleigh ran her fingers through her long hair and let out a frustrated sigh. She was to be the maid of honor for her cousin Allie's wedding in two days. Most packs didn't have weddings; however, many Pale Moon pack members did because of their close relationship with humans. There were usually just as many humans at the weddings as shifters.

Kaleigh loved her cousin like a sister; they were only a couple of months apart in age and grew up together. However, she didn't like being around so many people, especially from other wolf packs. Kaleigh knew there would be members from multiple packs at the wedding because many unmated wolves used these opportunities to mingle in hopes of finding their mate.

Kaleigh hadn't gone to the commitment ceremony held at Allie's mates' pack, White Raven. As a compromise, she promised Allie she would be her maid of honor for the wedding. Kaleigh just hoped that her mate wouldn't be one of the guests in attendance. She didn't want to hurt anyone by rejecting them, but that was what she would have to do to keep them both alive.  Kaleigh could feel Skylar's displeasure with her thoughts, but she ignored her.

"Kal, what are you doing up here?" Kaleigh fixed her face into a smile before turning towards Allie. She knew it wasn't fair to Allie to show how much she didn't want to be part of the wedding.

"I was just getting some air. With all the guests in the packhouse, it feels cramped inside." Allie jumped up and down in excitement as she started laughing.

"I know, isn't it amazing. I didn't think this many people would show up for my wedding. There are even representatives from other states outside of California and Nevada. I know Lenny's pack is big, and they have many friends from all over, but I never thought it would be like this." Kaleigh couldn't help but smile at Allie's excitement; it was infectious.

Allie was very petite, only 5'2", with curly black shoulder-length hair and bright blue eyes. Her skin was the golden tan that was normal for the members of their pack. Kaleigh felt like a pale, awkward giant compared to her cousin and the other women of the pack, but she never really cared what others thought of her. She loved Allie and would do absolutely anything to make her happy, including being her maid of honor.

"Were you looking for me, Allie? I didn't forget one of my maid of honor duties, did I?" Allie immediately started laughing.

"As if you would ever forget anything. You have the best memory of anyone I know. I was looking for you because Sue is here to make the final adjustments to our dresses. Can you come down so we can make sure everything is perfect?" Allie grabbed Kaleigh's hand, letting her know she didn't have much choice.

"Of course, I will. Thanks again for picking bridesmaid dresses that won't make us all look like Little Bo Peep." Allie smiled as they headed hand in hand down the steps.

"You know I would never do that to you. I never cared for those dresses; I like the classy ones better. I honestly don't think it would matter what you wear; all eyes will still be on you, Kaleigh. You are so tall and beautiful, like a model, that no one will even look at me as I walk down the aisle." Kaleigh rolled her eyes.

"Allie, you have got to be kidding. You're gorgeous, and in your wedding dress, you will have every man there wishing they were Lenny. You're so lucky your mate is such a great guy. You seem truly happy with him." Allie looked up at her again with her eyes sparkling.

"He really is a dream come true. I could not have asked for a better mate, and he will be a Beta too. When I move to his pack, I'll miss you, Kaleigh. Do you promise you will come to visit me often?" Allie didn't see the panic that briefly flashed in Kaleigh's eyes before she answered.

"Of course, I will." Even though Kaleigh made the promise, she was not sure she truly meant it. She rarely ever left the pack lands since her parents died. She was too scared of those that may be looking for her from Dark Sphere, and she was afraid of finding her mate.

They walked into one of the extra bedrooms that had been turned into a large dressing room. They saw the other three bridesmaids had their dresses on, getting adjustments done. The dresses that Allie had picked with Kaleigh's help were beautiful. They were made of silk in a teal green color, off the shoulder with short sleeves. The long skirts were tight but had a long slit up one side to the thigh.

The dress was very flattering on each young woman, but they all looked at Kaleigh in envy when they saw her putting on her dress. Even though they were all wearing the same dress, Kaleigh's seemed to be made for her. It accented her impressive breasts, curvy figure, and very long legs. The teal color seemed to make the red in her hair look like a beautiful flame.

Sue walked around each of the young women making sure nothing was out of place. When she had finished with the bridesmaids, she had Allie put on her wedding gown.

Allie looked like a princess in her white dress. It was form-fitting white satin off the shoulder with long lace sleeves. The skirt was narrow to the bottom, where a little flare floated around her ankles and flowed seamlessly into the long train. Intricate patterns were sewn into the dress's bodice with little clear beads that shined like diamonds. The same beads were also sewn on the thin veil that was connected to a small white gold tiara. Everyone in the room was speechless looking at Allie; she was stunning. Allies mother, Luna Leila, ran up to her with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, my baby girl, you're so beautiful." Allie beamed at her mother as they hugged. Kaleigh felt her throat get a little tight at the sight of Allie and her mother. It was times like those when she really missed her mother.

"Ok, ladies, everything looks good. Please be careful hanging up your dresses, and I will be here in two days to help you all get ready for the big day. Now I am off to help the men with their tuxedos. Let me know if you need anything before I leave." Sue waved at the women as she left out of the room. She shook her head as she headed down the hall where the groom and groomsmen were waiting. Sometimes the men were more complicated than the women to get adjustments because they didn't like to play dress-up.