The Borderlands

Coming of Age

Steam rose slowly from dollops of melting snow as the early morning sun beat down relentlessly. Freya took a deep breath and was surprised to find that the air still held such a crisp bite to it. Quietly pulling the front door firmly closed she took several delicate steps to ensure that no one inside would know that she had slipped away.

The ground gave small pleasing crunches with each step across the grass as Freya made her way past her sleeping pack mates and into the forest.

The towering pine trees that surrounded the village exuded the most amazing fragrance that made her enhanced senses tingle with delight. Being a Werewolf came with many benefits; enhanced senses, the ability to shift at will and advanced regeneration skills. Pausing momentarily to remove her clothes, Freya quickly shoved them into a bag

Changing into her wolf seamlessly, she dashed off towards her favourite morning lookout. Freya took a path that zigzagged through the undergrowth, she was careful to tread lightly with her paws and let her wolf guide her. It was in this form that communicating with her inner wolf was effortless and they performed as one. Since awakening her wolf at 16 they had been forging a bond together. The initial struggle of shifting had been daunting and the first several times had been painful as her body adjusted to the changes. The work was well worth it as they now worked together beautifully.

Today marked Freya's 21st birthday and her coming of age which was to be marked by a ceremony at dusk. The coming of age was very important event as it was the height of a werewolf's development and the end of schooling. Being given several years to bond with her wolf meant that Freya could hone her emotional, physical and communication skills in order for her to be at peak health.

Freya knew her family was one of only medium status, due mainly to her mother being an early childhood educator. Her father was a labourer and worked hard to provide whatever the pack or the Alpha required of him. Alpha Benedict was the top of the totem pole in the pack hierarchy and was considered a strong leader and well respected. He wasn't however the most forward thinking wolf. On the other hand, his second in command Beta Callum was still fresh faced and ready to give good ideas that sometimes showed maturity beyond his 30 years of age.

The Evergreen pack was relatively small, cutting themselves off from the outside world in order to maintain anonymity and pack safety. Freya knew this decision had something to do with the rebellion but the elders were tight-lipped about what had happened and there was no tangible written history about it. There was much she didn't yet know about the outside world as leaving the 'reservation' as she fondly called it was forbidden without strict permission given by the Alpha. There were those whose sole job was to venture out to get supplies and information but this was rare as the pack was mostly self sufficient. Nearly everything they needed could be found, grown or made! They were lucky in some ways to be perched high in the mountains in land that wasn't always hospitable to outsiders.

There had been a few pack members that could not accept living in such seclusion or could not follow the regimented pack life and chose to be exiled and labelled as 'rogues'.

Gracefully dodging her way through the undergrowth Freya playfully burst through the last set of bushes before setting her eyes on her final destination. A rocky outcrop took pride of place above a steep valley filled with lush vegetation and small animals. It was this outlook that made her feel one with her wolf but also one with nature. Freya liked to spend time envisioning what was out in the world and imagining different scenarios for herself that she knew would never eventuate.

Her time away was stolen as she knew the Alpha didn't like any member straying too far from the village. Though still on pack land this precipice was dangerously close to the borders. The borders were frequently patrolled by specially trained sentry wolves whose sole job was to enforce the boundaries and laws.

Freya could feel her wolf's pride and happiness beaming through so she allowed herself to linger in the sun. As a medium sized wolf with beautiful charcoal grey fur Freya had to work hard to remain strong in order to hold her position in the pack. A weak werewolf was no good to anybody. Going on regular runs was something she used to not only keep fitness levels high but because she enjoyed it. She regularly boxed in human form and it was pack policy that all wolves trained with the Sentry wolves. The training was tough and in her opinion unnecessary, there was no way she would ever have the need to wield weapons.

Freya knew her position in the pack had already been predetermined and the thought that she had no choice slowly killed her inside. It was the way it was done and had always been done.

A sharp smell drifted along the breeze, turning her nose into the air Freya took several long sniffs. The scent was thick and had a slightly musky earthy hint to it.

'It's not something I recognise,' Freya thought. 'It's not strong enough to be recent but it is concerning that it may be within the territory!'

It was her job to report such things but revealing what she had scented would also reveal where she had been.

Quickly pulling her clothes on Freya ducked out from behind the tree and made her way back towards her house. The village was located in an established clearing with its own convenient water source and agricultural areas. The majority of the pack members lived in small cottages that generally comprised of 2 bedrooms and enough space for a small family. The Pack house where the Alpha, Beta and the other high ranking members resided took pride of place in the village. A beautifully built 2 story manor that allowed members to come and go freely in order to allow continued trust and communication.

"Freya," A deep male voice called out to her from behind.

Twirling around quickly Freya caught sight of the Beta moving to stand right behind her. Towering at just over 6 feet, she had to crane her neck up to look at him. Bright blue eyes framed by shaggy blonde hair stared intently down at her.

"Callum," Freya greeted with a cheeky smile.

"Happy Birthday," he whispered with a ghost of a grin before pushing a small gift towards her.

Freya narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. Most of the time Callum was busting his balls to keep his distance professional and his face unreadable. It was no secret that Callum had always held an interest towards her and was always helpful and somewhat more protective of her. It wasn't until he had whispered those words that she realised it for what it was - attraction. It was only in moments like these that Freya could see the soft-hearted side that he tried to keep locked away. Callum was un-mated, though not for lack of trying by several of the other she-wolfs in the pack. He had yet to select his mate and it seemed that he was not willing to settle for what some saw as 'second best'.

Freya's mother had always told her that having a truly compatible mate would create a far more superior bond and in turn stronger children.

Freya glanced down at the small package in her hands and then back up at the male wolf in front of her. A smirk began to tug at her face as she watched him wrestle with his apparent nervousness. Callum slightly bounced from foot to foot and he continually raked his hand through his hair. Freya took a moment to appreciate his appealing body. His grey t-shirt was pulled taut against his body and did little to hide his ripped muscles and his jeans were tight enough that she could just imagine what his ass would look like. A shiver rippled through her and she quickly ripped into the wrapping paper to cover up her reaction.

Freya pulled out a beautifully created leather wrist band that had been intricately designed with many swirling bands.

'It's beautiful," She whispered and watched as his eyes lit up. Holding out both her arm and the band, she raised her eyebrows at him.

Taking the hint, Callum gently gripped her wrist and tied the band around it but didn't let go.

"Yes, it is beautiful," Callum admitted in a quiet voice though Freya knew he wasn't talking about the wrist band. Clearing her throat and trying to think of a reply she was saved when Callum dropped her hand and took a step back.

He pointed to his head and smiled sheepishly, "Pack business, see you at the ceremony?"

Freya nodded, "Definitely."

Today had just gotten even better...If that was possible.