Fuck yeah, it's Friday!! Which means today is a whole day of people celebrating me turning eighteen and tacking over as head alpha! Well, I'm not fully tacking over just yet, first I have to find my Luna at the party tonight. Once I find out who she is we have to mate for me to get my full scope of powers, but that can be solved after the after party. I mean, what girl doesn't want all of this. I check out my sexy self in the mirror, admiring my flawless light brown skin, rippling abs, and nine-inch cock (and yes, it's this size while limp). Oh yeah, mating by tomorrow can be assured.

After freshening up and throwing on some sweat pants I saunter downstairs to the first floor of the pack house. The pack house is really big and acts as a hub for members to meet up and/or hang out; at least on the first floor. There's a giant kitchen, den area, gaming room, nursery/day care center, and theater all on this one level. The upper floors are reserved for those who live here and important rooms, meaning only certain people are allowed up there. The second floor houses the most important advisors to the head alpha, their families, and a giant infirmary (in case someone needs medical help quick or hospitals are full).

The third floor is where the head alpha and their family lives, and also where father's office is. When I take over fully everyone will move out to their secondary homes and my people will move in. Of course, I'm still letting my brother stay here since he still has a while before he finds his mate, plus I'm sure that mother and father will want a house to themselves. Speaking of the little devilish angel I spot Conner cooking a big breakfast in the kitchen. Might as well jump start his morning with a little scare.

I silently sneak up behind the small gamma and let out a mighty howl. He quickly turns around looking startled and I'm about to bawl out laughing, when I feel a super-hot spatula slap me across the face. "Ouch!!" "Oh, my goddess! Gray?! What the hell, you scared me half to death!" Conner shouts still wielding his deadly spatula.

"Well it was funny until you slapped me with hot butter and plastic!" I retort.

"I thought you were an intruder! Also, you slightly deserve that for scaring me. Now come here idiot." I reluctantly lean down to his 5'1 height so he can heal my burn/bruise. A faint green glow emits from his hand as he gets to work on my cheek. Gammas and omegas have the ability to heal others but gammas are way better at it. Unfortunately, it's pretty rare to born as one, so I guess I got lucky having one as a brother. Once he's done, I sit up, rubbing my cheek and no longer feeling any pain.

"Thanks bro. You're really getting better at your healing abilities."

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Just grab some food and leave me in peace," he says going back to cooking. Since today is a big day for the pack, school is canceled. So I can, thankfully, chill for most of the morning before football practice and prep for the party. I make myself an egg sausage biscuit from what's been cooked and sit at the huge island in the kitchen to chow down. Father walks into the kitchen dressed in a clean suit looking like he's been up for hours even though it's still pretty early.

"Morning boys."

"Good morning father," Conner responds, handing him a breakfast sandwich.

"What's with the fancy suit, the party doesn't start for hours?" I ask.

"Well if you must know your mother and I are leaving for a meeting with another pack leader. However, that doesn't mean that you get to slack on your training. Nor does it being your birthday count as an excuse." Shit. "We will be back before the party commences, so don't do anything stupid," he says leaving the kitchen.

"Well goodbye to you too," I mutter under my breathe. Believe it or not my parents aren't as cold as they may seem; they're just strict and very formal. Mr. Ward said that before me and my brother were born they actually used to be very wild and rebellious, especially on the battle field. Apparently, one time they took down an entire rebel pack with only them, Mr. Ward, and Kristy's dad fighting. Wish I could have seen THAT before they got boring. I throw away my trash and sulk back upstairs to get ready for training AND football practice. Sigh, just have to survive until tonight.

*****

FINALLY, it's party time. Straightening up my suit, I take one last look around the enormous ballroom like building that we're having this event at. The place is decorated with balloons and streamers in the pack colors of gold, purple, and black. There's plenty of tables for people to sit at. The banquet is all set up at the back of the room, with the snacks and booze hidden in the kitchen. The stage is set up for the DJ and the audio for the speakers is good. Plus, the field in the back is cleared and ready for Jaden's people. This party better be the best thing that has happened to this pack for all of the shit I had to set up. I gesture for the wait staff to open the doors, and soon a flood of young and old pack members enter the area.

An hour passes by in a blur of greeting guest and pack members as they enter. Most of the pack should be here; excluding mothers who have young pups, the sick, and warriors guarding the borders. I even saw Eli and his crew of misfits sneak in; fucking losers. Eventually the flow of people slows down to a trickle so I head backstage to get ready for the ceremony. Backstage I see Conner pacing nervously and biting his nails (his natural scent has turned sour so he must be really stressed), while the pack Elders are talking to each other in hush tones. Well this can't be good. "Bro, what's going on back here?" I ask. He looks startled at me for moment before going back to pacing.

"Father and mother aren't b-back yet, that's w-what. They w-won't even answer their phones," he says tumbling over his own words.

"Okay well than we'll wait until they do get here, problem solved," I say clasping my hands together.

"No young alpha, it's not that simple. We have to follow traditions and do the ceremony before you officially turn eighteen, so then you can focus on finding the next Luna," one of the elders says.

"Can't we do thing in reverse? I mean, does the order of things matter that much?" I ask. They turn and whisper to each other before turning back to me and responding with a "Yes". Well shit. I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. Okay Gray think. You we're born at 10:35pm so that means we have an hour and thirty-two minutes to find out where the hell our parents are. I could probably search in the direction that they left in and try to spot their car. I should be able to search the area quickly in my wolf form.

What about her?

We'll be quick relax.

Okay fine! I'll take a few other wolves with me to help search, which will decrease the time spent searching. Is that better?

So grumpy.

"Okay, here's what we're going to do. First off, bro I need you to calm down before your distressed scent leaks out into the main room." He nods and starts reciting the number for pie. This is one of those weird things he does to calm down. "Okay, I'm going to take some of my guys and search in the direction they left in for their car. You guys make sure that a proper change of clothes and some healers are ready on stand by for my parents. We won't know what condition they're in until we get to them, so better safe than sorry," I say to the elders as I strip off my suit. No way am I getting this custom suit torn up.

I mind link with my squad and tell them what's up, and to leave discretely. We don't want to alarm everyone in the building. Luke says he'll stay behind and make sure no one finds out about this mess. Though, I'm pretty sure he just wants to stay and party. Once the rest of us meet up outside, we all shift and sprint into the woods as fast as possible. Come on dad, where are you?

*****

Vic and I swiftly run through the thick brush way outside of our borders on the south side, using are noses to guide us towards anything that smells like my parents. I'm praying to the moon goddess that nothing happened to them and they just had a flat tire, but we're too deep into rogue territory for things to be that simple. Shit, I should have gone with them. I mean even though they're still able to fight, they're still old. Plus, it wouldn't have been that weird to tag along since I'll be taking over soon. Right?

No. I can't think like this. I roughly shake my head and keep searching. What's done is done and right now I need to focus on being in the moment, and finding them. Suddenly I get a mind link from one of my alphas.

Gray I found something. But you're not gonna like it, man. Me and Vic stop to focus on what he's saying.

What is it?

Me and Scott just found a wrecked car that seems to be the one your parents were traveling in. The driver is dead, and your folks are no where to be found.

My blood goes cold as soon as he says this. They're no where to be found? Did they get kidnapped? No, snap out of this and focus.

Search the nearby area they could be hid-

Before I can finish my statement, I hear some rustling in a bush nearby and it sounds like something big. Vic and I instantly get ready to attack, giving a warning growl at the source of the sound. A giant dark gray and silver wolf my size walks out of the brush, followed by a slightly smaller brown wolf.

Stand down son, it's just us.

Father?! What happened?

Something ran into our car and cause us to swerve off road and crash. We're both alright, but sadly our driver did not make it.

Hm. Do you know what hit you? And how was I not able to smell you just now?

No, and I will explain that later. Right now, we need to get back to the pack; we are in dangerous territory.

Right. I mind link with the others, telling them that we found my parents and that they need to start heading back home. We're about to head back as well when I smell the foul scent of rogues close by. As if on que, five rogue wolves walk out from there hiding spots, teeth bared and ready to kill. Well, today wouldn't be a kick ass birthday if I didn't kick some ass, right?

I swiftly lunge at the closes one to us, tearing directly at his neck. Vic goes for the one who tries to lunge at me, throwing him around like a rag doll, while my parents take care of the two that go after them. The remaining small runt looking one tries to howl for reinforcements before I slam him into a tree, knocking him out (might as well leave someone alive to tell the tale). Now we really need to hurry. Motioning for everyone to follow, I sprint back home as fast as possible while making sure that we don't make to much noise. If there really is a rogue pack forming nearby, I really don't want to take them on tonight without a lot of back up. That will have to be trouble for another day.

****

"Oh thank goddess your safe!" Conner says running up to me and giving me a big hug.

"Sheesh bro, you doubted my survival skills that much?" I laugh.

"Shut up and get dressed you guys only have thirty minutes till its 10:35!" Conner gives mother and father a respectful bow, to which they nod in return before quickly chatting with the Elders and changing out of their ripped-up clothes. When we all look decent, we walk onto the stage and immediately get greeted with a roaring sound of applause. I can't help but smile at the sea of faces that is my pack. Sure, I may not know every single person here but I still want to be the best leader I can for them, starting tonight.

My father walks up to the mic and raises his hand to silence the crowd. "My people of the mighty Feral Howl pack I do apologies for the slight delay. I know you are all eager to see your new head alpha be crowned and I cannot agree more, so let us begin." My father and mother give their own personal speeches about how proud they are of me and who I've become. And I can't help but admire how calm and collected they appear after literally running miles through dangerous rogue territory and getting here only minutes ago. Looking at them now you probably would have thought they were just chillin' backstage.

I definitely plan on being as good as them or better during my reign. "And now, son if you would please step forward, it is time for you to take your rightful place," my father says as he and mother move to the side of the stage. I make my way to the front of the stage to where Elder Farkas is waiting and kneel before him. He dips his fingers into a small bowl containing some type of bronze colored liquid, and then draws the alpha symbol on my forehead.

"Grayson Farrell, first born of Alexander and Connie Farrell and heir to the Feral Howl pack. It has been a pleasure watching you grow into the mighty warrior I see before me now. One who has the strength and knowledge of a true leader; and so, I must ask you today: Do you, Grayson Farrell, swear to rule this pack with complete fairness, protect this pack to your last breath, and lead this pack to greater prosperity?" Elder Farkas says.

"I do," I respond.

"And you, head alpha Alexander, do you relinquish your current position and approve of Grayson taking on the title as head alpha?" Elder Farkas says, looking towards my father.

"I do," he responds.

"Then, Grayson Farrell, I now pronounce you as the new Head Alpha of the Feral Howl Pack!" I stand up and face the huge crowd as they howl and cheer. I can't help but smile at my people as the room is filled with the thunderous sounds of their applause. Head alpha Grayson, I like the sound of that! My parents give me brief hugs and their congrats before my boys start clambering onto the stage to tackle me. They're all howling and patting me on the back saying how cool it is that I'm head alpha now.

Victor shows me his phone which displays that it's 10:33, two minutes till I meet my mate. And that's when I start to worry. Who will she be? Is she even here? Is she even in this pack? Do I have a mate?! I can't help but cycle through these useless question in my head, until I feel a rough shake on my shoulder from Luke. "Hey man, what's up? Why do you look like your about to hurl?" he asks.

"I'm fine, just a bit worried about who my mate is."

"Come on man, any of these brods would be majorly lucky to have you for a mate. I highly doubt any of them would turn down the new head alpha. Plus, if you don't like them then just reject them," Luke says with a shrug. By now most of the available females of our pack have gathered near the front of the stage, eagerly waiting and making sure they look presentable.

I never said that I would!

"Yeah, thanks for the oh-so great advice but I don't want to scare someone into liking me, or reject them."

"Eh, suit yourself."

Suddenly I'm hit with the most AMAZING scent I've ever smelled ever; one of fresh sweet strawberries. Guess I'm officially eighteen now. Which means my wolf now has the ability to take over my body when I let him. Not wasting any time I let Onyx take control which turns my eye color completely to gold. He moves us away from the boys and hops down from the stage. Sniffing through the curious and excited crowd he makes his way past the females and all the way to... the exit door? Did my mate leave already? Or is she somewhere else on pack grounds?

Onyx bursts out the doors and into the brisk autumn night, taking quick strides left and down the sidewalk. I see someone up ahead and as we get closer; I make out the shape of a guy. Is our mate a guy?! Ugh, moon goddess why?! You know what, fine. I can work with this. Though I'm not happy, I can't help but be drawn to that person with the intoxicating scent. Which for some reason feels familiar, weird. It doesn't take long for us to catch up to the shorter male, to which Onyx immediately gives a bear hug to as they try to turn around.

Is the only thing he says out loud before he gives me back control so he can talk to their wolf. Great, thanks for leaving me in this awkward position buddy. "Sorry," I say giving them some space, "My wolf was in control. Hi my name is Gray-" That's all I get out before I freeze in shock, looking down at an equally shocked and blushing face in front of me.

No.

No. FUCKING. Way.

The moon goddess must really despise me and want me to rot in hell, because for some FUCKING reason my soulmate is none other than

SHIT!!

🎉😍🧐😆😅