I thought I had more control than that, but seeing Carnet laying on his back, exposing his vulnerable front and baring his neck, that throaty whine of submission stirred my wolf up like nothing ever had. I'd almost mated him right on the doctor's table, my lust and desire in control, my wolf surging within me, adamant on dominating sweet little Carnet, branding his honey-sweet scent with my own. His body never once showed any sort of refusal or dominant challenge, he submitted completely, giving his body entirely, his heady scent getting even stronger, clouding my mind.

It was his adorableness that brought me back, made it possible for me to be able to gain back my control, the way he leaned into my palm, eyes fluttering closed, almost a purr coming from his throat. My wolf forgot about wanting to mate, seeing such an endearing creature before us, the overwhelming urge to protect it, to care for and nurture it shocked me. I'd never felt that before, with my pack I wanted to dominate them, rule over them, but this, this was different, I didn't want him to fear me, I wanted him to be putty in my hands like he was in that moment, I wanted his trust... his love.

If my decision on who my Luna would be wasn't concrete, it sure was now. The fact he was a red wolf meant he was so special, but to my surprise, it didn't matter that much to me, it was the way he reacted to my dominance, my presence, and how he stirred up completely new feelings inside of me. I didn't just want to destroy his innocence anymore, I wanted to somehow coddle it, before meeting him I'd assumed I'd choose a Luna for their looks and ability to impress, how capable they would be in creating envy, that they were from a powerful pack. Now though, now I wanted to capture his heart, to gain his love, to have such a dear and gorgeous creature by my side. I didn't want to fuck him and use him to breed my pups, I wanted to make love to him and have children with him, to start a family with him.

The odd feelings swirled within my chest, making my heart ache, feeling a lot fuller than it ever had, but somehow empty at the same time. I yearned for him, I felt that I needed him like I needed air to breathe, I hungered after him like a starved animal, parched, in dire need of a sip.

It hurt like I'd been kicked in the chest, I almost felt the urge to cry, it hurt not having him in my arms, not belonging to me.

He would be mine soon enough, it couldn't come too soon.

...

"A red wolf?" my mother repeated, brows drawn together in a mixture of confusion and surprise.

I had been as surprised as she'd been, a black or white wolf, well they were black and white, either side of the spectrum, white was pure and good, black wasn't inherently bad but it wasn't good either. A white wolf foretold of new beginnings, of celebration and coming together, a black wolf on the other hand signalled hard times, a lack of freedom, sadness and anger.

But a red wolf?

I'd heard the stories, although they were few and far between, plus really vague. The colour of the wolf and its connotations reflected the near future, so it wasn't completely a mystery what Carnet heralded.

The first thing I pictured when I thought of red was blood, sure it represented war, danger, power, courage, fire, anger and hate but it also was the colour of love, and lust, it signalled life, passion, health, and vigour. It symbolises energy, action, confidence and change, neither good nor bad. It brings passion and strength, stability, security, and physical and emotional survival. Red was life, the strongest emotions; anger and love, whatever Carnet's fur colour signalled it sure wasn't going to be anything boring.

"If so why didn't his parents notify us? You'd think they'd jump to announce their son's special coat to improve his chances of becoming your Luna." my father wondered aloud. I myself had first wondered why they had kept it a secret, even from Carnet apparently, he'd been as shocked as everyone else.

"Well, he didn't need it did he? We chose him before we knew what he was." I commented and they both turned to look at me. "What?"

"That's exactly it! They wanted their son to be chosen just for who he is, not because of the unfair advantage his wolf gives. I bet many would be unhappy he was chosen if everyone knew he was a red wolf, I guess they wanted the validating feeling of being chosen fairly." she sounded right, many would put up a fuss, they couldn't deny the importance of a red wolf but they'd still see it as unfair if their children didn't get chosen because of it. It would come out sooner or later though, and that would bring up questions, I wanted a Luna that got people's attention, I'd got more than I'd bargained for it seemed.

I went outside for my delayed run, toeing off my boots and tugging down my jeans whilst I unbuttoned my shirt. I bent over and by the time my hands touched the floor they'd turned into paws, I stretched my aching bones out, feeling a few moments of discomfort as they solidified in my animal form, my skin tightening back up under my fur and I shook it out to get rid of the itch it caused.

A groaned puff of air sounded from beside me, Jan's wolf butting my shoulder, I grunted back, pushing my head against his.

Although I'd enjoy a run by myself Jan had to always be by my side, I was the alpha so no one could make me but if I wanted to stay that way being alone whilst we had so many guests wasn't a good idea.

Jan's wolf was a creamy white up to his shoulders, mostly grey and some brown went along his back and covered his face and lower neck, patches of white breaking through either side of his muzzle, on the thicker fur on the side of his neck and under his chin.

My own wolf was brown, most of my coat the colour of dark chocolate, lighter patches on my chest, my underbelly and a little around my eyes. For generations all the alpha's in my family had been brown wolves, some say that a brown wolf is a true, natural alpha, they are born leaders.

I started in a slow walk, trotting around the outskirts of the clearing my home was in, the smells of all the guests overwhelmed the rich and comforting smell of the forest. Jan followed a little behind and kept up when I sped up into a slow run, disappearing into the treeline.

Once the trees got a little closer together I glanced back and grinned wolfishly at Jan before bursting into a sprint, leaving my worries and responsibilities behind for the moment, allowing me to enjoy the wind in my fur, the cool ground beneath my paws, the smell of the forest, the sound of the trees rustling and the creatures that lived here.

I loved to run but I never did it as often as I liked, being too busy, but after the day and a half I'd had, I needed to decompress and just relax, burn some energy and do something I enjoyed for once, putting myself first rather than my pack.

The sky was orange by the time we got back to the castle, dinner would be served soon, where my decision would be announced, the chair to my left vacant and waiting for my Luna to join me.

I shifted and started pulling on my clothes, smirking when Jan stood there with his hands on his knees wheezing. "Jeez, S, way to wear yourself out before tonight."

"Who says I'm worn out?" I grinned as I pulled up my jeans.

He looked up at me and puffed out some air to blow a red curl out of his eyes, his freckled skin damp with perspiration, his face and neck a little flushed. He scowled when he noticed I wasn't out of breath, groaning as he forced himself upright. "Fuck man, you're a beast, I feel sorry for the kid."

I frowned, shoving my feet in my boots and bending down to tie the laces. "He's not a kid Jan, he's eighteen."

"Yeah whatever, the boy is still a kid, he might be legal and all but he's naive and inexperienced you know?"

"Do you have a problem with that Jan?" I challenged and he held his hands up at the growl in my voice.

"No Satish, not at all, I'm just saying, he's young you know? I mean I understand how it goes with you being an alpha, but try and take it easy on him alright?" his voice was meant to calm me, his green eyes not filled with any challenge.

I found myself frowning again, before today, hell even this morning I would have brushed off his concern for my luna to be. The fact it was to be Carnet gave me pause, I understood where Jan was coming from, half of me did want to take it easy on him, be slow and gentle, and the other half wanted to pin him down and rail him until I was empty.

I was torn, my nature as an alpha demanded I mated him in a way he'd never forget, it wouldn't be gentle, it would probably hurt and there was a high chance I'd need a new bed. I was meant to destroy his innocence, forever taint his sweet smell with my scent.

He stirred up feelings and emotions I'd never felt before, he was just so endearing and sweet, he stirred more instincts in me than just breeding ones. I didn't want to hurt or scare him, I wanted to earn his trust, I wanted him to like me and eventually even... love me.

I wanted to protect him, not just from danger, but from everything that could harm him, keep him from pain, be it mental or physical. I didn't want to just mate him to continue on my bloodline, I wanted a family with him, I yearned to see him swell with our children, watch him care for our pups and nurture them. I wanted to see him smile and laugh, so much he was in tears, I wanted to see happiness and love shine in his eyes whenever he saw or thought about me, I wanted him completely, body and soul.

"I'll try," I answered honestly, smiling at the shock on Jan's face, his hands slack on the hem of his jeans that he'd only pulled up to his knees.

I slapped his shoulder and strode inside, laughing heartedly when I heard him swear and a dull thump as he hit the ground.