It happened every month; on every second Sunday, at exactly 11:59 P.M. the screams would start, echoing around the world like a dreadful reminder.
Anyone, human or not, who heard the screams of pain and terror would know that once again, The Event had started.
Routines were the same everywhere. Mothers would usher their children into their homes, whether big or small, while fathers and father figures alike would silently protect and pray; pray that The Even never hit their towns or came near their families.
Children under twelve years of age would be left curious, once again wondering about what had caused the shrill screams and why. If above the age of twelve, children would join their fathers in praying silently in their hearts; for they knew the consequences of The Event.
But there was always one category of people that prayed the most, hoped the hardest, and worried constantly. During The Event, one could often find females, between the ages of thirteen and twenty-one sitting in corners, surrounded by those who would give their lives to protect them. Tears would be rolling down their cheeks as even their screwed shut eyes leaked them. Most would bite their lip in order to contain sobs, so hard that often, there were also small, thin streams of the dark liquid tumbling down their chins.
The terror they felt, naked and strong on their faces, made it hard for anyone to lay their eyes on the females during The Event. They had everything to fear, because they were the ones being hunted.
It happened every month; on every second Sunday, at exactly 11:59 P.M. the screams would start.
And then, at precisely midnight, the screams would silence immediately, letting the world know that The Event was over for the moment. Everyone knew that, somewhere, a girl between the ages of thirteen and twenty-one had been taken, and would never be seen again in history.
This time, that unlucky girl just happened to be me.
Michelle's life was almost perfect. Loving family, great college, perfect grades, good friends, and a crush on one of the sweetest guys she's met. The only problem is that a local werewolf has decided she's his mate. With the struggles of falling in love and discovering things about herself she didn't know, she also gets thrown in the middle of a fued between the hunters and the hunted.
*****
He finally made eye contact and I couldn't tell what he was thinking, or how he was feeling at that moment. He had me shut out. "Dad won't let her in the pack."
"I know."
"Are you sure she's human?"
I rub my eyes again, they were really beginning to burn. "Yes, unless I've gone absolutely insane." I stopped rubbing my eyes for a moment. "Maybe I am crazy? I feel like it."
Caden sighed, "That's the mate bond. The longer you go without, the worse you get."
I knew that. I didn't like to think about it, but we all grew up hearing about it. Going crazy, your body shutting down. Wolves weren't meant to be separated from their Soulmates. It physically and mentally drained them until they just one day gave up. I never thought it would happen to me since it doesn't ever actually happen. We all knew better. Unfortunately my human mate did not.
Caden watched me from where he sat, he knew what I was thinking, and was thinking the same himself. We didn't know how much time I had. "Well, I for one, as Alpha, would not mind a human in our midst if she is your mate."
I let a small chuckle slip out and leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "Is it because you're so accepting of humans, or because you insist on having me as your Beta?"
Caden smirked at me, "Does it matter?"