Out of the ashes, a new people have arisen. They don't do packs but have an unspoken code that they will respect and help each other when needed. The werepanthers.
People just like the werewolves, with everything about them the same, minus an Alpha, Beta, warriors, packs, all of that jest. Werepanthers stick to their own families and then leave home to find a human or fellow werepanther to mate with. When they shift, they are the average werewolf's wolf's size. Large, muscular, dangerous, and faster than any wolf.
But that won't be the case for Everliegh Vanessa "E.V." Skyluck. E.V.'s family lives, in secret, on the lands of a werewolf's pack's territory. E.V., her older brothers, and parents manage to get their cats out for runs, and hunts while also eluding the werewolves.
Well, they manage this until E.V. discovers that she is the mate of the Alpha, Alpha Zayden. And Zayden is shocked to discover that his mate is the very werepanther that seems to be the most elusive of all the werepanthers that slinked around his terroitory.
All werewolves have mates. So what happens when you fall for someone before you're 18... "Hopefully hes my mate" is all Markie can think as she waits for her 18th.
This is a short story that takes place in the middle of "Orphan Wolf". It can be read independently but will have spoilers if you intend to read "Orphan Wolf"... I of course would suggest you read it and pause at the point I marked to read "Markie" but the choice is yours.
Story excerpt
"Come on Ryan leave me alone!" A boy yells.
"You started it Francis... come on pup don't start that with me... I don't have time for this! GO HOME!" I felt the command.
I see the little 8 year old boy from last night run away crying, one of Ruby's cousins. When I turn the corner I see a boy about 20 and am hit with an overpowering smell something like fresh cut wood and autumn leaves. It is amazing. I see the guy turn towards me and duck behind the house I am standing by before he sees me. Nope! Not him! Not happening! I hear footsteps coming towards me and run.
Into the woods I find a pine tree. Perfect! Pine trees are great hiding places. The branches hide you visually and the smell masks your scent. I climb up as quickly as I can and watch the guy approaching. He circles my tree looking around but eventually gives up and goes back towards the houses.
"Mate!" My wolf happily purs.
"Not him!" I respond.
"Denial." She says.
"Refusal." I counter and she growls at me.
"You will NOT reject him!" She orders.
"He is a bully!"
"He is mate!"
"He commanded that kid when he could have just talked to him! He is a bully with no patience!"
"He is an Alpha!" She purrs with pride at his rank. I don't care!
"I don't want him!"
"The one you want isn't mate. He isn't yours. He isn't interested... I want mate!"
"No."
I block her out and climb down the tree.