1.2

“Who did this to you”,Luna Ayla asked while seeing Mina's dirty appearance. Mina lowered her head like a child who has been caught being naughty. “Mummy it's Alex". Amya rattled even before Mina had the chance to explain, “Alex get down here". Ayla shouted. Alex rushed downstairs annoyed. “Mom why did you call me"? Alex asked. “Apologize to Mina now before I loose it or you will be grounded, no video games for you until you realize your mistake. Alex knew straight away that it was his sister who had betrayed him. Her face was beaming with joy knowing she had won this time around. Alex sighed and approached Mina. “I'm sorry, I was just playing with you, didn't know you didn't like that". Alex said through gritted teeth. He's not someone to apologize for his wrong doings, but Luna's present aura terrified him. If he doesn't apologize, she will definitely see to it that what she said is done. “That's better". Ayla patted his head. The little girls laughed at that gesture. They knew how Alex hated being treated like a kid, especially in front of his friends.

As the driver alighted Amya,Mina,Alex and Noah at school, he sped off, leaving the four kids ready to enter school. Being in grade 4 was hectic, as the kids will say, but it's always fun. Alex likes to be at school since he's popular for being the Alpha's son and the next Alpha in line of the pack. “See you after class". Amya winked at Mina. She was the only one in grade 3. Being the youngest among the 4 friends, she is always pampered by her friends. “I'm sorry about yesterday, I didn't mean to snitch on you to the Luna, she just found out herself”. Mina said in a whisper. Alex smiled. Mina looked cute and he couldn't help but admire her. “It's alright we are friends, remember?. Expect more pranks your way". Alex grinned. Mina giggled while Noah just tagged along.

The bell soon rang for class. Alex and Mina had a lot of classes together with Noah joining them for Science and Maths only. Mina was very intelligent, just like Noah, and she didn't like playing with her studies, unlike Alex, who didn't study but still passed his exams.

During lunch,Mina hurried into the ladies' washroom so her friends took their leave to the cafeteria before her. She took her time because she knew they would reserve a seat for her. While approaching her friends at their favorite spot, she came across the school's bully who happened to be in grade 6 and a human who didn't know anything about the existence of werewolves. They've been warned never to show any wolf side to humans. Steven the bully with his maniac friends blocked her path.

“Where do you think you are going to". Steven snickered. “Please excuse me".Mina said, biting her lower lip, which was something she'd been doing whenever she was nervous. Steven just laughed, which echoed in the halls of the cafeteria. “Did you hear Miss Ponytail",he asked his friends while imitating Mina. Meanwhile, her friends had realized what was going on. Alex was burning with rage, clenching his fist. No one messes with his friends. As he stood up to approach the bully,Noah tried to block him. Alex pushed Noah aside and marched towards Steven. “Let her go else you will face my wrath". Alex demanded. “I would like to see what you can do". Steven laughed. Mina used her eyes to tell Alex to go back and sit down but he wouldn't listen. “ Alright, if I let her go, what are you going to give me?" Steven asked. Alex raised his eyebrows, completely annoyed by Steven's statement. “Who does he think he is to ask him something like that?", he thought.

“You can go". Steven pretended to make way for Mina to pass through but he blocked her path with his leg, making her trip and fell on her face. Alex saw red as he pushed Steven down, punching him square in the face several times. “Stop it Alex, it's not worth it". Mina replied. Alex was pulled back by Noah and Amya. He pushed them out of the way and rushed outside with Mina. He stopped while Mina halted. He checked her face for any form of bruises. Mina couldn't help but blush at the close proximity between them. She had always had a crush on Alex, but she knew Alex saw her as his friend only. She just wishes she becomes Alex's fated mate. “Why are you smiling while you clearly have a bruise on your head, Alex asked, confused. Mina snapped from her silly thoughts and looked at him. “ Thank you for defending me back there, it means a lot”. Alex chuckled. “Promise me you won't allow people to bully you again, even me, learn how to fight back”. Alex replied. Mina just nodded sheepishly.

Ever since that day,Mina had been having a serious crush on Alex, stealing glances here and there whenever she had the chance.

End of flashback

Present day

Mina winced as the pen collided with her forehead. “Ouch that hurts". Mina said while glancing to see the person who decided to mess with her sweet memories. Looking up, she realized it was none other than Amya. She shot her an annoying glare. I was asking you about what to wear for the training sessions today. Mina scoffed. “So you threw a pen at me because of ordinary training sessions,is there something new going on there that I don't know about”. Mina asked. “I just want to look pretty as always,Noah will be there". Amya replied. Mina giggled. She was well aware of her friend's crush on Noah. She wondered what had changed now, because Amya wasn't really close to Noah when they were kids. “I also know you like my brother”. Amya laughed. Mina understood Amya's action. At 16 years, Alexis looks more muscular and his face is sculpted like a Greek God, with Noah being slightly less bigger than Alex. They don't look like the guys she used to play merry-go round with. She shook her head and sighed. “Lets get going, the blue shorts with the navy blue sports bra looks perfect". Mina replied. Amya hurriedly rushed into her closet to change.

After the training session, they sat at the pack dining table. Alpha Damien clicked his juice glass to get the attention of the people gathered. “I have an announcement to make. My son Damien is of age and is required to do the Alpha training at the Royal Pack. We received the letter from the king yesterday, so he leaves tomorrow with his best friend Noah and his beta to be. Let's enjoy our meal,shall we dig in". The Alpha continued. Everyone was happy for Alex and congratulated him, but Mina felt a little sad because the Alpha training lasts for two years, which means she won't be seeing him for two years. That's a lot of years, she thought, and they only have tonight to bid farewell.

After dinner, she saw Alex sitting in the living room with the Alpha and Luna. She hurriedly rushed past the Luna and Alpha after a slight bow. She was stopped by a hand on her waist. “Wait Mina, don't you want to say goodbye to me?”. Alex joked to lighten the mood. “I'm happy for you. I'm just sad I won't be seeing my nosy and annoying best friend around, but it's definitely for the best”. Mina replied. Alex hugged her. Mina bid him farewell and rushed to her room on the beta's floor. She just couldn't let Alex see her tears. She cried herself to sleep.

The next day, she woke up very early to be the first to wish Alex good luck, but unbeknownst to her,Alex and Noah left with the Alpha in the night, since it's a 5 hour drive from their pack to the royal pack and the training commenced tomorrow. “Guess that was the farewell”. I shouldn't have run like a scared cat. Maybe he wanted to tell me something yesterday". She sighed.