CHAPTER 1. Where art thou, Wolf?

Ivy

Hi, my name is Ivy Stonebrook, and my wolf has yet to come out.

That's right, I'm already nineteen years old, and yet I haven't experienced the rite of passage that all members of the Hidden Valley Pack go through.

It's not just that I haven't found my mate yet - my wolf hasn't even made an appearance. It's like a part of me is missing, and I don't know how to find it.

I try not to let it get to me, though! I go through the motions of pack life, attending the gatherings and the hunts, but I always feel like an outsider. Everyone else seems so sure of themselves, so confident in their wolf, and I can't help but envy them.

I've tried everything to awaken my wolf. I've spent hours in the forest, connecting with nature, hoping that it will spark something inside of me. I've even tried talking to the pack's oracle, hoping that she could shed some light on my situation.

But so far, nothing has worked. And the longer I go without finding my wolf, the more I feel like I'm failing myself and my pack.

The other girls in the pack won't stop reminding me of my failure, either.

Like this bitch in front of me, who's snickering with her friends and pointing in my direction. I can feel the heat rising to my face.

"Seriously, Mindy?" I bark.

"Whaaat?" Mindy whines and twirls her perfect strand of blonde hair.

"You tripped me!" I growl.

We're in the training yard, practicing our fighting skills. I may not have a wolf, but I still have to be able to defend myself. And right now, I'm sparring with one of the more aggressive girls in the pack, who seems to take pleasure in trying to knock me down.

I dodge Mindy's attacks as best I can, but suddenly, she lunges at me with a vicious swipe, and I'm forced to leap out of the way to avoid getting hit.

I feel a sharp pain in my ankle, and I know I've twisted it. I try to hide my injury, but the other girl notices and takes advantage of my momentary weakness, landing a blow that knocks me to the ground.

I lay there, dazed and defeated, as she struts away, laughing with her friends. I try to hold back the tears that threaten to spill out, but it's no use. I feel like a failure, like I'll never be able to measure up to the other girls in the pack without my wolf.

Where the fuck are you, you worthless little shithead?

Guh, it's no use. I should just give up already.

But then a voice interrupts my self-pitying thoughts.

"Ivy, are you okay?"

It's Jack, one of the pack's elders. He's always been kind to me, treating me with the respect that I don't always get from the other members of the pack.

"I'm fine," I say, trying to sound tough.

But Jack knows better. He kneels down beside me and examines my ankle, which is now swollen and tender.

"You need to get this looked at," he says. "Come on, I'll take you to see the healer. And then I'll take you to see the Alpha. He summoned you."

Well, shit, that's not good. Every time the Alpha calls me in, it's usually to scold me. But I nod in agreement, knowing that I have no choice but to follow Jack's lead.

We make our way to the healer's house, where the kind old woman examines my ankle and gives me medicines to ease the pain. Then Jack leads me to the Alpha's den, where I feel my heart pounding in my chest as I await my fate.

Alpha Maurice is a formidable, towering man with a stern expression and piercing eyes. He looks at me as if he can see right through me, and I feel myself shrinking under his gaze.

"Ivy Stonebrook," he says, his voice deep and commanding. "Do you know why I have summoned you?"

I swallow hard. "No, Alpha."

He leans forward, his eyes boring into mine. "You have been a member of this pack for nineteen years, and yet you have not found your wolf. You have not fulfilled your duty as a member of this pack, and that is unacceptable."

I feel a lump forming in my throat. I know he's right, but it still hurts to hear it spoken aloud.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" he demands.

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my courage. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I've been trying everything I can think of to awaken my wolf, but so far, I've had no luck. I don't know what else to do."

The Alpha regards me for a long moment, and I feel as if he's sizing me up, trying to determine my worth.

"There's one thing you can do to speed up the process," he says grimly.

"What's that?" I look at him curiously.

"You will meet with another wolf your age and consummate with him. Sometimes it helps to bring out the animal."

"Eww!" I shout.

Alpha Maurice glares at me.

Oops...did I say that out loud.

"Pardon me? Did you just say eww?" the Alpha roared.

My heart pounds in my chest as I realize my mistake. I can't believe I let my disgust slip out like that. I quickly try to backpedal.

"I, um, I'm sorry, Alpha. That was inappropriate of me. I didn't mean to be disrespectful," I stammer, feeling ashamed of myself. "It's just that...the idea of having se-...I mean, consummating with someone right now just seems kind of..."

"You are not a child anymore!" Alpha Maurice roared again.

Alpha Maurice stares at me for a long moment, and I can feel his eyes piercing through me. Finally, he speaks. "I understand your hesitation, Ivy. But the fact is, you are already behind in your development as a member of this pack. You must do everything in your power to awaken your wolf, and you are also overdue on finding your fated mate," he says sternly.

I feel a lump form in my throat, knowing that he's right. But the thought of having sex with a rando, fills me with dread.

"Please, Alpha," I say, my voice shaking. "Is there any other way?"

But Alpha Maurice shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Ivy. You have one month. If you don't find your mate within the month, we are going with my plan. I will select a pack member for you."

I swallow hard, feeling a mixture of fear and desperation. "Yes, Alpha. I understand," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alpha Maurice nods, his expression softening a bit more. He must feel sorry for me. "I know it's not an easy thing, Ivy. But it's necessary for your growth and the growth of our pack. Trust me, it will be worth it."

I nod, not quite believing him but not wanting to argue, either.

"Yes, Alpha. I'll do my best," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel.

"Good," Alpha Maurice says, standing up. "You are dismissed, Ivy. Remember, one month."

I nod again and stand up, wincing as pain shoots up my ankle. I'll have to get that looked at soon. But for now, I have more pressing matters to attend to.

I better produce my mate out of thin air.