- Azure Lee -

"Mama?"

"Oh, hi darling."

"Are you okay?" I whisper to her, but mama looks at me and smiles with tears.

"Yes, I'm okay."

No, you aren't okay mama.

"Did dad hit you again?" I start, my voice squeaking a little from that awful feeling.

"It's okay, he needs time."

I shook my head in denial.

"Mama."

"It's okay..." She says as she kisses my forehead one last time.

After that night,

Mama was found dead because she committed suicide. And she was human, and dad decided to sleep with another woman.

I was a werewolf because of my dad, but it's a curse.

Because I rejected my mate after I turned 17.

***

"Hi, Uncle Raphael," I say, waving at him as I arrive home after being dropped off by my school bus.

He was sitting outside on the front house porch, in his rocking chair.

He must be back from work.

"Hey, you. Have you seen your Aunt around?" Uncle Raphael asks as I walk up the short stairs toward the front door.

"Yeah, she texted me earlier about grocery shopping," I answered, showing him my phone.

"Ah, okay, got it, thank you," Uncle replied, smiling at me before I enter inside to rest from school.

"See ya." I bid goodbye, leaving him to wait for Aunt April's return.

So yeah, it's been a couple of years since then.

My father was sent to prison by the police, who believed he killed my mother.

Which was true.

And my Uncle Raphael is from my mother's side of the family.

Problem is, I'm not human. But lucky for them, they know werewolves exist and live with a werewolf pack.

"Hey, bud," I say as I see my little brother playing video games in the living room.

"Hi, sis." He replies, looking behind him to see me.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, dropping my backpack on the couch.

"I'm not sure, to be honest." He answers, feeling wary of the thought of today's meaning.

"Yeah, I don't blame you. It's mother's birthday." I start, looking with a painful expression.

He nodded silently.

"Well, hey. At least you have me forever." I said, but he shook his head.

"Ha, nice try. You'll find your mate soon though. After all, you barely turn 17 last month." Emerson replies and shrugs afterward.

I nodded.

So, I haven't found my mate yet. But hopefully, he won't be like my father at least.

Because mates are supposed to love and accept you.

That's the true meaning of life.

***

"Hey, Blue."

"Oh, hi Ozark," I reply, as I continue laying in bed.

"What's up?"

"Eh, nothing much. Just feeling a little woozy, that's all." I started, explaining why I'm still in bed after school.

"It's like you have a fever, Blue." He said, touching my forehead with worried.

"I'm fine, really. Just can't stand the thought of my mom being murdered in front of my eyes. And today, it's her birthday..." I answer honestly but feeling empty.

"I'm sorry to hear that Blue..."

Unsure of what to say next, my little brother, Emerson, enter our conversation.

"Azure! We're under attack!!" He cries, jumping into my bed.

"By who?! Isn't this our alpha's territory?" I ask, looking at my brother with concern.

Emerson shook his head.

"I don't know, but there's this big man with a pack of wolves behind him." He said.

"They shouldn't be here at all if they don't want to cause panic across the world." I start.

Ozark just stared at us with worried.

"The alpha just mind link me about the new alpha, who was coming in today," Ozark answered, looking at us.

"Why?"

"Apparently, the alpha is just gonna talk about a treaty with this new alpha of the Western Creek."

"Who is this new alpha?" Emerson ask as Ozark's worried look scared us.

"Not sure, some say that he killed his older brother for the alpha title."

I shiver slightly from this awful feeling.

"Whoever he is, I just hope I'll never meet him in person."