Chapter 1

OMG not again, “RYKER STOP! Ezra, do something, don’t just stand there!” I slammed my body into my brother’s side, knocking him off the guy he was hitting. “I said get off of him Ryker, you’re going to kill him.”

The guy jumped up and started running as soon as Ryker fell to his side.

“Great, there goes my date for tonight. What the heck is wrong with you, he didn’t do anything to you.” I crossed my arms and stared Ryker down.

“He’s not right for you, he’s too weak.”

“That’s not your decision, it’s mine. What would make you think that you have any control over my life? You’re my little brother, remember jerk face.”

“And you,” I pointed at Ezra, “Why didn’t you stop him?”

“Sorry Bell, but I agree with him. That weak little shrimp wasn’t taking you out anywhere. He would have tried something.”

“Stop calling me that, and maybe I wanted him to.” I crossed my arms and squinted my eyes at them.

“Both of you are ridiculous and unbearable. I can’t wait to get out of here.”

Ryker started laughing, “You know it’s not going to happen. Dad’s never going to let you leave, and no one is allowed to touch you except for your mate. You should be happy we’re here to take out the trash. We’re just looking out for you.”

“No, you’re just annoying me.” I threw my hands up and stormed off toward the house. Today’s the day. I’m determined now more than ever to get through to my dad. I need to go to Moonlight Academy.

When I walked into my house, my dad was sitting in the living room. I walked over to him and tried to calm myself down to make my case.

“Dad, we need to talk.”

“What’s up princess.”

“Well, like we talked about before, you know that I got accepted to Moonlight Academy. I know you don’t want me to go, but it’s a huge opportunity for me. I need to go.”

My dad stood up so he could face me, “Bella, I already said no. It’s too far away. That’s the end of this discussion.” He started pacing in front of me.

“I don’t understand what you’re so mad about. This is a huge opportunity for me.” I shook my head in disbelief. I can’t believe this. I worked so hard to earn my spot at moonlight academy. My dad just stood there with his arms crossed, so I continued.

“I have already taken a year off from school. I don’t want to sit around here and end up just being some loser’s mate. It’s a double standard.” I took a deep breath and tried to hold back my angry tears.

“Ryker graduates this year. When his acceptance letters start rolling in, are you going to tell him he can’t go? Just because I’m a girl, it doesn’t mean that I’m helpless. I’m stronger than anyone in this pack. I’ve proven it.” I rolled my eyes and slowly shook my head.

“You will probably be happy for Ryker, or anyone but me. You just don’t want me to leave, and you won’t even consider what I want.”

My dad let out a low growl, “Bella, you’re not listening. I want you to get an education, but why do you have to go halfway across the country to do it? It’s not safe. You need to stay closer to home, so we can protect you.” He let out another low growl.

“You’re not like everyone else. If anyone outside of our pack finds out about your powers, they will come after you and do who knows what to you. You’ll be in constant danger.”

“No, you’re not listening. I’m 19. I’m not a baby anymore. I can take care of myself. I’m stronger than Alpha Kain and Luna Siah and stop growling at me. You don’t scare me.” I stood there and stared him down with my arms crossed. I need to prove to him that I won’t give in. I refuse to submit.

“I said NO, and that’s final. Find another college closer to home,” he yelled as he slammed his hand down on the coffee table.

“Break it up you two,” Mom came down the stairs with the twins right behind her.

She kissed my cheek before she whispered in my ear, “I’ll handle him.”

“Damian, will you go start the grill. We can finish this conversation after we eat.” Mom winked at me from behind my father’s back, and I hid my excitement.

Mom was happy for me, and she had a way of always calming my dad down. From her reaction, I know it’s a sure thing, he’s going to give in and let me go. Mom will come up with something. I might not like the compromise, but it will get me to moonlight.

I went upstairs to my room to give them some privacy, and to let mom work her magic. I grabbed my acceptance letter and flopped on my bed to read it over again.

I couldn’t contain my smile as I read the words again. Congratulations Arabella Volino, and welcome to Moonlight Academy. I’ve wanted to get out of here for so long and this is really going to happen.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my family. They are amazing. They are just seriously overprotective. I need freedom. I need to see the world. I need to experience things on my own, without the boys standing over top of me every minute.

They scare off every boy that even looks my way. I’ll never be able to get a boyfriend, let alone find my mate with the three of them constantly hanging around me.

I had to laugh as I could hear my parents going back and forth in the backyard. My mom’s trying everything to get him to see her point of view. I’ve heard that she had a wild side when she was younger. I think she understands my need for freedom. My dad is so irritated he keeps growling every other word.

He may be the gamma of this pack, but when it comes to his family, he’s a big teddy bear. He likes to act tough and argue, but in the end, he always gives us whatever we want.

The only exception to that is if he feels like it’s too dangerous. Which apparently is everything I want to do outside of our pack or the surrounding towns.

I know that I’m different. On my first birthday, the moon goddess blessed me with a unique mark on my right hip. No one knows exactly what it means. Some people think it’s a prophecy mark, and that I’m destined for some kind of greatness.

Other people think the mark and my powers are a blessing for my family’s role in taking down an evil pack.

To make a long story short, Damian is my stepfather. My biological father and his family were what are called wolves with magic. However, they turned out to be a bunch of power-hungry psychos that were kidnapping witches and using them for their powers.

When I was a baby, my biological father kidnapped me, and my Aunt Violet. My family as well as the witches saved us and dissolved the black moon pack, killing my father and his family in the process.

As far as we know, there are only six wolves with magic left in existence, and they are all part of my family.

The powers that we have are different from a witch's magic. Our wolves have the magic, not the human counterpart. We draw our power from the four elements, and we don’t all have the same powers.

I am the only wolf with magic that has all 4 elemental powers; fire, water, earth, and wind. To make me even more unique, my paternal grandmother was a very powerful witch. I inherited the ability to do basic witch’s spells, and I have very vivid dreams that Aunt Violet believes are connected to the moon goddess.

Having any kind of magic and a wolf is incredibly rare. Even for hybrids. Apparently, my biological father also had witch magic and a wolf.

Maybe that’s the whole problem with the way I am feeling lately. Maybe I’m more like him than anyone realizes. He was evil and I know I’m a good person, but I have a need for freedom. I’m craving something, a thrill, excitement, danger, or some kind of an adrenaline rush. Anything to get me out of this boredom. I feel like I’m just here, but I’m not really living.

When I look in the mirror, I see my mom’s sparkling blue eyes staring back at me, but this thick dark brown hair is from him. They may have killed my biological father, but I think everyone forgets that half of my genes came from him. I’m not the princess they want me to be.

Whether they like it or not, they have to let me grow up. I mean come on, I’m 19 and my bedroom is still designed like a princess’s dream. The walls are a light gray, but everything is decorated in light pink. My bedding, the curtains, wall decorations. You name it and it’s pink. I’m beginning to despise the color.

I know I shouldn’t complain, it's just frustrating. I love Green Ridge. I’m proud to be from this pack. My family has built a weird supernatural community here. It’s become a sanctuary for all supernaturals that are willing to live under our pack’s rules and pledge their loyalty to us.

Sometimes I’m jealous of the other members of our pack. They have freedom and are allowed to be whoever they want to be. They can experience everything life has to offer, without people watching over them every minute of every day.

Freedom is supposed to be the best part about Green Ridge. We welcome all supernaturals that are honest and trustworthy. Everyone here is free to build a life for themselves where they can thrive and be the best version of themselves. Except for me, apparently. I can’t even be free to move out on my own and discover who I truly am.

My dad and my uncles work for the wolf council, and I know we have a reputation to keep, but I feel like everyone here expects me to be perfect. Like I’ve somehow become the green ridge princess. I’ve always got good grades, I help out wherever I’m needed, I excel in all my training. I’ve never even been out on a date, and they still don’t trust me to leave the pack.

I know that my dad means well. He loves me and he just wants to keep me safe, but they can’t protect me from everything. What’s the point in keeping me safe if I’m not allowed to fully live? I can’t get them to understand that I’m suffocating. There’s a large part of me missing. One way or another I need to leave Green Ridge to find it.