Emperor's Pet

Mate?!

My friends waved me over to where they were standing in the throng of people. Mom and Dad let's me stand in the crowd instead of in front of everyone with them. There isn't very many of us with the disappearence from the kidnapping. Compared to the other packs that are here. By the looks of it the mountain wolves are here and the river wolves or swamp wolves. They must of traveled a long way here for something important.

"Do you have any idea what this meet is about?" Jenny grabbed my arm. Xavier stood on the other side of her while packs surrounded us on all sides.

"It's about limiting territory again and can't leave without protection", I said sadly. They both wore frowns and were upset by the news like I was.

"I can't believe this", Xavier shook his head,"But why are the Mt. and swamp wolves here?"

"I don't know", I shugged. This is the first time I never knew what was going on. I hated that feeling of not knowing information about something. A group of people caught my attention making there way to the stage to my parents. A man and woman that looked like alphas of one of these packs. There was a old woman right behind a tall guy. A hand then tapped my shoulder which was Xavier's hand.

"Who are those people?" He whispers. I noticed everyone has gone quiet meaning the meeting has started. 'I have no idea' I mouthed to him. He nodded his head and looked at the stage. Jenny elbowed me in the ribs and I glared at her. She glared back and grabbed my face turning it to the stage. I froze. Slade? He waved at all the people and the people cheered. Why are they cheering for him for? Did he do something to impress them? My Dad took a step forward making them go silent.

"She-wolves and wolf-men as you all might know the vampires are closing in on our village. Many people have been getting kidnapped from the territory. Which made us limit the land to keep out of dangers way. However I have failed to keep us safe due to low protection of warriors. I have decided to make a bond with the Lunar Pack or the Shadow Pack. By doing so there will be a Mate Race held in the Evergreen Forest. The female of the race will be my very own daughter, Akira. It starts tomorrow when the sun is high in the sky with our two competitors, Slade from the Lunar Pack and Nathaniel from the Shadow Pack"

Everybody started to depart but I rooted to the ground. Still in shock that I have to be in a Mate Race.

"It'll be okay, Akira. Maybe you'll be happy with one of them", Jenny spoke in sympathy. Xavier just looked at me with pity in his eyes. They made there way past me and I spotted my parents talking to Slade my heart dropped. I slowly made my way to them. I stood behind keeping quiet hoping not to be dragged into the conversation.

"Its nice to see you again, Akira", Slade peeked between my parents. My parents step apart with everyone's eyes on me now. So much for not joining in on the conversation.

I nervously smile and wave looking like a socially awkward person,"Hi there. Nice to see you again too. Even though our first meeting wasn't that nice for you"

"What's that suppose to mean? You've two already met?" My Mom asked me.

"Yes, Ma'am. I was on my way here when she fell on me from playing in the mud with her friends", Slade butted in. Wow. You couldn't at least sugar coat it for me. My Mom shook her head with her fingers on her forehead. While my Dad struggled to not burst out laughing at the situation.

"That's why your new clothes that your Great Grandma made for you are a bit tattered and your face all dirty", the women dusted off his back. The women licked her thumb and scrubbed off a piece of dirt from his cheek. Slade complained and tried to make her stop. But she wouldn't give up until it was gone. The man and elder lady stood there with smiles on their faces. I take it that the woman is his mother and the man is his father. The one that made his clothes is the elder lady, the Great Grandma.

"I'm so sorry for my daughters behavior on my behalf. I let her go play with her friends and go mud sliding. Though she didn't know there was a pack meet today", Mom says, taking responsibility.

"No worries. I'm sure that a little dirt won't kill my son", Slade's Dad assured,"We better be on our way. I bet you want to have an interview with the Shadow Pack as well"

"Very well then. We hope you have a happy stay in our guest huts and see you at the Mate Race", my Dad says. Slade's family head toward to the guest cabins past the Shadow Pack. Slade eyed Nathaniel while he eyed him back. Oh boy. Nathaniel had black, wavy hair and wore nothing but black. His intimidating, dark eyes are set in my direction making me jitter. I don't know about this one. I'm gonna call it quits today.

"Um...Mom,Dad, can I go back to the hut? I'm not feeling well right now", I whisper to them. They look at each other then back at me.

"Of course you can, sweetheart. We understand", Mom granted permission. I run off before the Shadow Pack family could reach us to start conversation. I can't believe this is happening to me. Why didn't they tell me about this? How long was this planned? Was it when the vamps started showing up? I flop down on my bed and sigh. Well I know I'm not looking forward to seeing tomorrow. Or any other day matter of fact.