Chapter 3
Waking up to hitting the floor, cursing my now sore hip and asking myself what in the actual hell was up with my dreams lately was not my idea of the perfect morning. My dreams had been so far-fetched lately that I wasn't getting much sleep, today wasn’t going to be any different. Then it got worse, "Cortlyn for the love of the pack get out of bed NOW!!" Mother was also not my idea of a good wake-up call either. Phoenix Gentry sucked at wake-up calls. I grunted and limped to the bathroom for a shower before she decided to return. Facing her before a shower and breakfast was not going to happen. I often wondered how someone who gave birth to me could be so indifferent towards me. We had never been close. Aren't mothers and daughters supposed to have a connection that ties them to an unbreakable bond or something? For us, there was nothing but the annoyance of having to be in the same house with each other. Hell, I didn't even look anything like her or my father for that matter.
I was thin and fairly tall, but I looked nothing like them. My hair for one was not jet black like the tale tale sign of Oak Bane pack. It was fire red, even in the “human” world it was a rare color, long and hung down my back and was that pain in the ass wavey that you could do NOTHING with. It was one of many things that set me apart from my pack. The fact that my wardrobe rivaled that of a thrift store junkie didn’t help either. I was the daughter of the richest family in the city, but my jeans and hoodies were me in a nutshell.
I got out of the shower prepared to start the many lies that made up my normal day-to-day life. Hearing the shuffles of the staff in the hallway let me know that my mommy dearest was on the warpath making sure that everything was ready for the big "event" in a few weeks. Oh, it was the talk of the city. More like I was the talk of the city. In just a few short weeks I would be turning seventeen and the wolves of the city were preparing for it. Dressing in my usual hoodie with Day of the Dead in neon colors and worn jeans with those perfect-fit Vans, not at all the attire of the future Luna which meant it was absolutely me and with very little luck needed it would possibly drive my mother nuts. That thought made me smile a bit so for good measure I threw on some dark plum-colored gloss, halfway ran a brush through my long hair and headed downstairs. Marcel, who I considered my oldest friend, and not due to our age gap, gave me a knowing smile as he handed me my usual and favorite breakfast, Eggo waffles.
Marcel had worked for my father since I was a young girl and since day one, he has always been my favorite person. He had such kind eyes, a beautiful gray. The type of eyes that when you look into them all you seem to be able to find is a sort of peace that crept up on you and warmed you from the inside. He was freakishly tall though, like my father, 6'6 easy even barefoot. Slender of course and chocolate brown hair. He reminded me of a professional basketball player only without the coordination and grace.
"Morning Marcel!" I said with a crooked smile as we shared the private joke about my chosen outfit for the day.
"And a good morning to you Cort" he replied using the nickname he had given me.
"Seen Phoenix this morning?" I asked as I rarely referred to her as my mother in company. "Of course, she was down for coffee early this morning. She is already busy with the party plans". As he said this my father strode into the kitchen giving me a swift kiss on the forehead and a cheerful "Good Morning" to Marcel.
"Morning Sir, coffee?" "Yes, the usual." As Marcel turned to prepare Father's coffee, I tried to look extra interested in my breakfast to avoid any conversation that may lead to the "event" everyone was so keen on talking about.
Father had also been waiting on the day since I was born. Though each Alpha male would rather have a son to hand the leadership of the pack down to, my father never once made me feel like it was a burden to hand it down to me. He only showed pride in having an heir to the throne. I was daddy's girl when I was younger. I can remember sitting on his lap and looking into his deep emerald eyes and feeling as if I could see another world. A place to keep me safe. It’s too bad things change and now I felt like there was something missing. Like a lost connection, we had just grown apart and it just wasn't getting any better. Not sharing his joy at the idea hadn't given us much to talk about lately either. "How are you feeling?" he asked me trying to sound casual and failing. "I'm good, thanks". "Spoken to Artic yet?" Ugh I groaned. Artic was the beta of our pack as well as fathers' secondhand man, head of security and an asshole to boot. I couldn't stand him. I did everything in my power to avoid him. Which was easier said than done since as beta he lived in the guest house, so he was close to my dad at all times. "No, what's the rush? There's still more than a month before my birthday!" I replied with a bit too much force because he looked up at me with his full Alpha causing me to sink back in my seat. Unlike Marcel who could warm you up with a glance, my father's alpha can freeze you where you stand. "Pack law states that you are to meet with the beta before turning seventeen. Betas are often Alpha female's mates, as you are aware. There are things to discuss with your possible mate and future husband, Cortlyn. I don't know why you are giving this such a negative outlook. You were born for this, and you will be great at it. I will set up a time with Artic and I expect that you will attend as I plan." the Alpha had spoken, and I was screwed. "Yes sir". "Thank you, child,". he said both his eyes and tone softening to the father and Alpha I missed.
I got up, dismissing myself with a nod for Marcel before any more could be said and, grateful only for the fact that father was the one I had had to face for breakfast and not my mother. Grabbing my bag, I dashed out the door before that much luck had run out. Off to the human world where I could forget about all the mating stuff and pretend to be just an ordinary girl with ordinary hormonal girlfriend problems. I no more than made it to the end of the drive when I wanted to kick myself for the lack of clothes I had on. Winter in the city was not something to take lightly. This hoodie was not enough. Even though snow had not yet begun to fall, there was a chill in the air that said its arrival wasn’t far off.
Pulling my phone from my bag I shot a text to Mera hoping she had not left home yet and could bring me a jacket. As the perfect best friend would she texted me right back saying she's got me. Thank you, Mera!!