My Challenging Mate

Moving On... I Think

All Rights Reserved

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"Ravyn!" My father shouted from outside. I just stayed right where I was, standing in front of my mirror, searching for any signs of weakness. I looked down at my left wrist and held it up so I could see it more clearly. The defined markings of my past were layed out before me and that just made me feel stronger. I was over the past. Over everything that happened, well, at least I kept telling myself I was.

It was nearly a month since my brother, Wes, decided to leave the pack and become a rogue with his new... girlfriend and my ex-best friend, Laura. For me, things went tragically down hill since his leaving. I never ate, I never slept or talked or did any of the normal things I always did. I always did what I was told, never talking back or dirty looks. Some people would say that I was going through a phase, but this phase was never going to end. No matter how much I kept it hidden inside, I'd never be the same girl I used to be back then.

I'd never be lively, free-spirited. Never again be the badass, back talking, smart alec everybody knew me for. I was now the quiet, no trouble, always do her work kind of girl and nobody liked it. Yeah, people tried to help me, but they usually quit after the first week or so. They said I was a lost cause. Nobody helped me except for my dad. He would make me go on runs and patrol with him every single day. It got my mind off of things, sure, but as soon as I stepped foot inside that house, all the memories came rushing back to me.

"Ravyn!" My father shouted again, this time from inside. I still stood right where I was.

Well, this is it. I'm finally going to become Alpha... Yay. This gene should've went to Wes. He should've been the first born. Maybe then he would've stayed. He would've been more prepared for this than I am. He would know what to do with this role...

"Ravyn!" My father shouted one last time before he opened my bedroom door.

"Ravyn Smith! I've been calling for you for ten minutes now!" He yelled at me, although his face seemed to soften when he saw my expression.

"Dad, listen, I don't think I'm ready for this. I know I spent the last week trying to prove to you that I was, but I'm really not. Maybe if I tell Wes that I -"

"No! Wes will NOT be mentioned in this household again, young lady! Do you understand me?" I just nodded my head. "He made his choice! He left us! He left YOU. He's never coming back here, even if you want him to, he will NEVER come back here! If I ever see him again, I'll kill him." He said through clenched teeth.

"Now, come on downstairs. Everybody is going to congratulate you on accepting Alpha. And tomorrow, I'll step down, as will Beta, and you will take your rightful place as Alpha she-wolf. Understood?" He raised his eyebrows in question.

"Yes, sir." I responded, looking low.

"Good." Then he left and I was left alone, again.

Henry, my dad, is a very hard-headed man. He always wanted things to go his way, or no way at all. He's tall, around 6 foot with dark brown hair - which I got - and green eyes - which my brother got. He's also not afraid of a good fight, which can sometimes get him into trouble. But, that's where I got it from. My dad can be kind, but ever since my mom died when I was little, he'd been sort of... out of it. He'll bounce back soon enough, though. Maybe another ten years...

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"Oh, Ravyn, darling, I know you're going to do wonderful! That mate of yours is sure a lucky fellow to have you!" Some lady that I had never met, but was somehow related to my family, was exclaiming to me.

"I don't have a mate." I said bluntly. A shocked expression overcame her face.

"What do you mean you don't have a mate? You should've found him when -"