One is not enough

-ONE-

I’m Indy. I’m 22 years old and a virgin werewolf. I’m an orphan and I’ve always felt different in this pack. You know, it’s weird when you’re the only ‘fat’ werewolf around. I don’t fit in with those gorgeous creatures around me. I hate working out but I love food. And I can tell y’all, that’s not a good combination. I haven’t found my mate, and that’s hard. We’re the only pack in this area, the chance that I will meet my mate is close to zero.

But I’m hopeful! Because, the mate-bond is a precious thing for werewolves. It’s almost sacred. We’ve been told from a young age to respect that bond. And I’ve seen it around me: the mate-bond IS special. But what I love the most, is how he’s treating his girl, his princess. He loves her unconditionally. And I’m certain that everything will change when I meet my mate.

Boy, was I wrong!

“Oh for God’s sake, Jack. Leave her alone, she’s nothing!”

I’m laying in the middle of a pool, it’s pouring outside and I tripped. For some reason, the person behind me automatically wanted to pick me up, to help me. But as soon as he tried, one of his friends called him back. Of course, it’s just me. Nobody cares for me.

Jack hesitates for a moment, but listens to his friends. He hurries over to them, and doesn't give me a look anymore. This happens all the time, and I can’t blame them. I try to stand but I feel my ankle is hurt. Great, why should I be lucky for one day. I sigh and falter towards the packhouse, my clothes all dirty and wet. I try to fashion myself, but it’s no help. I give up.

When I enter the packhouse, I directly walk towards an abandoned corner. For some reason, the Alpha called us for a meeting. Every adult needs to appear at those meetings, if not: you’ll be punished. For real, the Alpha doesn't allow any mistakes. Our Alpha is a man you would be afraid of. I don't even know his age or his name. Everyone needs to address him with just ‘Alpha’. But I’ve eyes in my head, I can see he’s good looking and probably around the age of 30. He’s big, not the same ‘big’ as me, but he’s tall and has broad shoulders. And behind his fitted clothes you can definitely tell he’s muscular too. Of course, he is. Every werewolf is. I can’t name a werewolf who’s not a beautiful creature.

My thoughts are cut off by his voice: “Thanks for coming everyone! I’ve called you this evening because I’ve some news. We’ve found some signs of another pack, far in the south. They are very well hidden, but we found signs that can only come from werewolves..”

I can feel how the mood changes. Everyone is shocked. I’m shocked too, my heart beats hard in my chest. Can it be? That would be awesome! There are new opportunities to meet a mate! I’m not the only one getting excited by that idea, I notice the sound of whispering is getting louder with the second.

“Silence! I know you’re all excited, it offers new perspectives. I’m aware of that! But we should be careful, they probably don’t know we exist. We didn’t know they existed until a day ago! We thought we were one of the only packs left on this earth. But now we know we’re not alone in this area, people. I repeat: We. Are. Not. Alone…”

I can feel the excitement in his voice, I see the shine in his eyes. Even from this far! He hasn’t found his mate, either. And a lot of people around me haven’t. I know everyone wants that one special, including myself. I would love to have that one special person, someone who likes me for who I am. From the day I discovered I'm 'different', fat is a better word, I yearn for my mate. And I see the same desire in the Alpha's eyes. I get distracted by my thoughts again. You know, werewolves are searing creatures. We are half beasts, and our animal has - well duuhhh - animal instincts. And soon it’s mating season again.

I sigh at the thought of it. But I’ve no time to think about it, the people around me are moving. Oh crap, I haven’t heard the last words of our Alpha. Should I go home? What is happening? I mindlink Fiona, my surrogate mother:

Fiona? I - I got distracted again. What’s happening? Is the Alpha done speaking?

Oh dear child. You should not get distracted by your thoughts, that easily. It will kill you one day. But it’s OK, we’re leaving now. Don’t worry, I’ll explain at home.

Well, lucky me. The meeting is just over. Nothing more, nothing less. I exhale and look around me, almost everyone has left the building. Our pack is not the biggest one, due to the low birthing rate. We live very segregated, we don’t see other creatures often. The chance of finding your mate is very low, and because people are still hoping and searching for the special one, there are less babies born than before the war.

After I made sure that I’m the last one, I sneak out of my dark corner - ready to leave the building. I don’t want anyone to see me. The less people notice me, the better. But voices are making me step back into the darkness.

"Beta? We have a few weeks left before mating seasons starts. I want to investigate the south asap, do you understand me?" I hear the Alpha's voice. His voice is deep and I feel my body react to it, a shiver is going down my spine. Damn, he's so sexy!

"Yes, Alpha, I do. I'll prepare a patrol to the south immediately. We can go in three days." the Beta responses.

"Fine. I'm not sure if I can handle another mating season without my mate. This pack needs their Luna. I'll have to find her! I know she's alive, I sometimes feel a subtle string of energy. She's out there, somewhere..."

The voices are fading away, I guess they've left the building. I sigh of relief, that was close! I wait for another few minutes before I continue my walk back home. I can't help the strange feeling I'm having right now. A part of me wants to follow the Alpha and I've to fight that feeling. I whisper to myself: "Darn, Indy. I know he's sexy, but come on! Don't act this silly... He's just another man, a gorgeous one, but still..."

Mate

I'm shocked. Did I hear something? I swear I heard a voice saying 'mate'. I close my eyes, taking deep breaths. "It's just my imagination, relax. I'm just an omega. The Moon Goddess would never mate me to somebody like him." I shake off the feeling, walk to the exit and run towards our house. I’m always glad when I see our small house on the edge of the village. Fiona built it herself, it’s a wooden house on a hill. It’s built away from the centre, Fiona always liked the silence and quietness. When I walk inside, I can smell she baked us a cake. “Fiona! It smells amazing in here!” I yell excitedly, while I put down my shoes and jacket.

“Thanks, sweetheart. But change your clothes first, you’re all wet! How did that happen?” she asks, worried. I shrug my shoulders. “It’s nothing, Fiona. I stumbled and fell in a pool. My ankle got swollen soon after it, but it’s already healed.”

Fiona shakes her head. “You’re lucky you’re a fast healer, otherwise you had bigger problems with your clumsiness.”

I know, I know. Fast healers are very rare among werewolves, and the moment I found out I am one, I asked Fiona to keep it still. I’m not sure why, but it always felt important to not tell anyone about it. Right now, the werewolves are fighting extinction. Over generations, the bloodline became less pure, because there are not many werewolves to procreate with. The war killed over 90% of our population, humans are ruling the world right now. That means that our gifts from the Goddess became a rarity. And people will do anything to have a bit of power. And when I say anything: I mean literally, anything.