Chapter 2

Colleen chose her favorite pair of clothes to wear before stepping out of her bedroom. As she eagerly went downstairs, all of them tilted their heads and stared at her.

She could feel her heart pounding hard as beads of sweat formed on her face. She decided to sit between her mother and grandmother. She felt her mom's arm wrapping around her shoulder while waiting for her dad to speak.

Colleen decided to do the same. She looked at her father and noticed how he breathed out a deep sigh before staring straight into her eyes.

"I know you're wondering why we need to talk to you," he said in a soft voice. Despite hearing this, Colleen can still feel the command that her father has. "Pup… from now on, you need to be trained; though you are a woman, you need to be strong for the sake of our pack." her father stated in more of a command than a statement manner.

Her forehead knitted in confusion.

"What did he mean by that?"

"I'm not a man..."

"I'm supposed to become a Luna, so why do I need to learn how to fight?"

"Only Alphas need to train, so… why?"

Questions filled Colleen's mind as her eyes roamed towards her family, passing from her grandparents to her mother, who immediately embraced her into a tight hug.

"Mom..." she uttered.

Even before she could say anything, her mother already spoke. "Remember that you have Alpha blood running into your veins. You can conquer everything. You can put down any enemies coming your way."

These words only added to Colleen's confusion.

"Mom, what are you… I don't understand anything," she whispered. She broke away from the hug and turned to look at her dad again. "Dad, I'm about to turn eighteen soon, so isn't that what you're all worried about? I will meet my mate at that time, right?" She looked at him, waiting for an affirmation. Her father couldn't look straight into her eyes and instead slowly shifted towards the elders.

"Colleen, my dear, your father wants you to be prepared because we still don't know if you'll find your mate when you turn eighteen," her grandmother explained.

"We still don't know if you are the reincarnation of our great grandfather," her grandfather added, in which she furrowed her brows. "Do you know the reason why we are still alive?" he asked without pausing. "It's all because we are waiting for your mate to arrive. It's been a tradition from generation to generation to stay alive until their grandchild meets their mate."

Colleen shook her head. "I'm sorry... but I really can't understand anything. What's wrong with me?"

"Our great grandfather's mate was kidnapped by the Rogues. He was killed because of his kindness. Everyone in the pack at that time hoped and prayed to the Moon goddess to give him a chance which reincarnated him along with his mate."

"What does that have to do with me?" Colleen couldn't contain herself anymore. Her voice became louder, and her eyes narrowed into a glare.

"Why can't they just say it straight to my face?" she thought.

Her grandfather heaved a sigh before continuing. "Let me finish, my dear child.'

"No, tell me!" Colleen interrupted.

She can't help but raise her voice as she appears to be more troubled than before.

"I'm a woman and a soon-to-be Luna, yet you guys keep on shoving the idea of being an Alpha into me!"

The room fell silent as if a spell was cast on everyone. After a moment, Colleen's grandmother tried to calm her and elaborate further, "Our great grandfather wished in his dying breath that while he was out on a journey of nothingness, our pack would be blessed by protection. Once he comes back, he will lead us, the silver wolves, into our glory."

Her gaze was locked onto her grandparents, looking for more answers. She only saw her grandfather lower and shook his head.

"Dad, please," she begged.

"You don't understand, pup--"

"You're right; I don't understand anything! I'm a woman, so how could I be our great grandfather? I might be the reincarnated mate," she suggested.

Colleen couldn't accept the possibility. She can't help thinking how awful it is to be a woman and a warrior at the same time. She can't see, nor does she dream of fighting in the frontlines for the sake of protecting the whole pack. She doesn't want to be burdened; she doesn't want her people to cling to her words.

"Enough, Colleen." she flinched upon hearing her father's baritone voice for the first time. "We're only telling you that we want you to be prepared while waiting for your mate," he added.

She lowered her head upon succumbing to his authority. She knows she wouldn't be able to do anything once they say something.

"This is my mistake," her dad suddenly mumbled.

Colleen can feel a looming sadness in her father's eyes, something that she rarely sees.

"Father and mother are right, I should have trained you when you're still young, but I didn't want to restrain you from being a normal woman," he said. "I thought that when you grow older, you will understand us."

Seeing her father full of regrets made Colleen's heartbreak. She never thought of seeing her father in such a weak state. Colleen loves her father dearly, his bravery and also kindness.

Their pack is growing larger in numbers. After many werewolves joined their asylum due to their Alpha's dying at the hands of the rogues, they had no choice but to protect more than they can. They had to shoulder the burden of saving the lives of their lines, and now. They were looking at Colleen as if she was the only hope of their family.

Her mother held her hand and comforted her with a gesture. Colleen put her lips into the back of her palm and felt tears gushing down her mom's eyes from all the pressure she will now take on.