C2 The Bloodmane

A few things I learned the past month... My mate is apparently in the most dangerous pack in America and if I want to have a chance at getting my powers under full control I'll have to go and find him. Bloodmane were killers to put it bluntly. They can start a war out of thin air. They are outstanding fighters and, in short, someone you don't want to mess with. I found at my situation hilarious, because my pack, The Silentclaw, was the complete opposite. We were the epitome of piece. We didn't like to fight, but we also had one of the best fighters, because our pieceful nature attracted Rogue wolves, searching for easy prey. We only defended our lands when we had to, but tried to be on the good side of the packs that surrounded us.

I didn't know what to do. I was scared, but I also needed my mate, so I can get full control over my powers. I wanted to finally have a normal life and make friends that aren't scared of me. I considered the option where I go there, finish the mating process and get the hell out. I didn't want to be one of them, I could never kill someone just for the sake of killing. And Maeve said my mate was really powerful... What if he was a Gamma or even a Beta? They basically did the Alpha's dirty work...

Bloodmane's "open doors" day was today and I didn't sleep the whole night. Even if that day everyone were welcomed in their lands, there's always a possibility that they'd do something. My Father and one of my brothers decided to come with me.

"If you decide at any point you want to go back, we will watch your back." My dad said, as he drove the car down the road.

I nodded and started playing with my fingers. My brother, Damien, was in the back fiddling with a gun, trying to put it back together for 7th time since we left.

"Why did you bring that?" I asked, looking at him at the rear view mirror.

"Well... Just in case of emergency..." He said without looking up, as he put the last piece of the gun in. He pointed it through the window holding it with both his hands. "Boom" he said as he pretended to shoot.

I shook my head smiling. Pieceful my ass... Damien was turning 18 in a few months. Next year it would be his turn to find his mate if she is of appropriate age. His mate would be so lucky. He was tall, good at fighting and drop dead gorgeous. We both had my mother's blue eyes, but his had specks of brown in them, while mine were clear. He got my dad's strong features like the chiseled cheekbones, strong jaw and straight nose. He was extremely kind to everyone he met but was also incredibly skilled fighter just like my father. Me on the other hand... I had extremely blonde, almost white hair, maybe because of my wolf, which was white, because no one in my family was blonde. I had my mom's nose, that had a little bump on the bridge but I found it cute, I had pale skin and freckles on my cheeks. Wasn't particularly good at fighting, but my personality only caused trouble. I was blunt and always said what's on my mind, which often got me into trouble.

I felt when we entered Bloodmane's territory. You could almost smell the dread in the air.We drove for a while through the woods until we got to a parking lot whit a few cars on it. My dad and brother hooped out of the car first and I followed them, hiding behind them. My palms were sweating as we got to the small crowd on the edge of the parking lot. There were a lot of guys and only 7 girls including me.

"Hello!" One of them greeted as she saw us. "I'm Ashra! Nice to meet you!" she was so cheerful, this place didn't suit her whatsoever. The rest of the girls looked my way as well and some waved at me.

"Hi. I'm Kenna, this is my brother and my dad." Ashra shook their hands and got to me, as she was smiling. "Erm... I can't touch people, I might erase your memories..." I said as I looked down. this was my go to line whenever I met someone new. I preferred them to be scared from the start if they were going to be.

Ashra turned her head to the side with puzzled expression. "But you are wearing gloves?" She pointed to my hands. "I'll be careful not to touch your skin, don't worry." She smiled and took my hand. I looked at the rest of the group, they all had encouraging smiles on their faces.

I never had anyone be this kind to me on our first meeting. Back at my pack, everyone knew I was a potential danger and avoided me altogether. I felt my eyes fill up with tears. Ashra saw that and went in for a hug but stopped, instead she put her hand on my back.

"You've had it rough, huh." She whispered. "I'm not afraid of you, don't worry."

"Thank you." I said, holding back my tears.

"Honey, we will be with the rest of the family members, you should go to the ceremony." My dad said, as he lightly squeezed my shoulder. "I love you. See you later."

They left me with the small group and went to the parents that were in front of the nearby building. My brother glanced at me every now and then to check on me. Sometimes I forget I'm the older sister.

"So... What was your vision?" Ashra asked.

Everyone were talking between each other, and we stood in the back of the group.

"It was terrifying..." I told her in short what happened.

"Hmm interesting... Mine was the complete opposite..."

"Welcome everyone!" A deep, strong voice cut her off. "I'm Adrian. Follow me, you are expected by your mates." He turned around and started walking as the group tried to keep up with him.

He was towering over everyone. Broad shoulders, long hair tied in a low ponytail, big muscles, scary expression. He was intimidating to say the least but also weirdly attractive. We followed him in silence until we got to a small building where a lot of people were gathered. Every pack has its a own way of meeting the mates with each other and apparently the Blood mane had some kind of ritual going on. The wolves from the pack that were meant to meet their mate were dressed in different animal skins, with different red marks over their faces and their eyelids were covered in black. As we got to them they were fighting with each other. Doesn't matter if you were a boy or a girl... you could get punched in the face.

"What's going on." I whispered to Ashra

"I heard that they assert dominance like that. Like they are trying to impress their future mates. The lower ranked wolves are trying particularly hard." She whispered back.

"I don't get it..." I mumbled to myself as the ruckus started to die down.

While they were fighting we were escorted in the building and asked to change into long white robes. We were told that we will be turning into our wolves tonight. When we returned the fight was at it's end.

The guy that "won" held his fist victoriously in the air and growled loudly. The rest of the pack and some of my small group cheered him on. He was another uncomfortably attractive guy, but I was getting used to it. I felt like my place was decently not here.

"Okay!" Adrian raised his voice and jumped on the stump of a fallen tree nearby. "Everyone, please line in and start coming to the podium! Once you get there, let your wolf come out and let your mate find you!"

I was shocked. We were doing this now? Back at my pack we would let the guests get comfortable first, then have a ceremony with dancing, music and just having fun overall. Not just... hop in each other's bed from the get-go. Everyone around me were already lined up as I was still frozen in my spot. I wasn't ready to meet my mate!

One by one my group stepped out on the podium and turned into their wolves, then waited until their mate came out. Some interactions were wild. Mostly where the other mate was male. Most of them would immediately mark them and take them away to do who knows what. I was getting more and more nervous.

Ashra's wolf was so pretty when she transformed. Her fur was shiny, with reddish color and her paws were as if dipped in white paint. She sat and smiled as she waited for her mate. The crowd in the front slowly separated as the winner of the fight made his way to the podium. He gently hoped on and also turned in his wolf form, leaving his clothes tear apart. He was one of the few that did that. He sniffed Ashra a few times, then nudged his nose in her neck. They started gently rubbing their heads against each other. The guy howled loudly and escorted Ashra off the stage. I expected him to be one of the rough ones to be honest.

After a few more people it was finally my turn. I turned into my wolf and immediately looked at the floor. I was so scared... A few painfully long minutes passed and no one stepped up. Then I looked up confused and looked at Adrian for help.

"Um... is everyone here?" He asked loud enough so everyone could hear him. "Everyone were commanded to be here!" he was getting inpatient.

Usually it was very rare for someone to not find their mate on these gatherings. They literally had to have died in the past 12 hours for you to not meet them and I started panicking thinking that was the case,

"Everyone is here, sir!" Another guy shouted back.

"No deaths? No sudden missions?" Adrian asked when the other guy got to him.

"No sir... Everyone is here. I'm sure of it."

Adrian bit down his lip nervously and looked at me. He made a little gesture with his hand for me to get off the podium and go to him.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what's going on... I think it's best to take you to our Alpha. He should know what to do. But be prepared... you might not like the news." I nodded and followed him still in my wolf form as I didn't want my naked ass to be seen by everyone we passed.

Similar to my pack we got to the biggest building in their town. It was mostly made out of concrete and wood. I liked it. The big windows made it look even bigger when we stepped inside.

"Alpha Cassian. We had a little problem on today's mating ceremony." Adrian said as we entered a long throne looking room.

"What is it." I heard his voice before seeing his face and it sent shivers down my spine.

It was deep and hoarse. I imagined that the deepest ocean would sound like that. When I got close enough I popped my head behind Adrian's back and laid my eyes upon the most stunning and yet terrifying man I have ever seen. His eyes were so light, that if he didn't have the black rim around them I would think he didn't have a pupil. His beard looked like it was a few days old and sat over a perfectly chiseled strong jaw. His hair was longer on the top and shorter on the sides. His lips... oh his lips... don't even get me started. They were created to be kissed. A light scar was visible towards the end of his left brow as well as another one on the end of his bottom lip. He was build like a monster truck, I'm convinced he can crush my head with between his tights that were dressed in black leather pants.

While I was drooling over him Adrian had already started explaining what had happened. "... And now I don't know what we should do. Should we send her back to her pack?"

"Could you excuse us?" Cassian said. I just realized there were other people in the room. Two similarly huge men bowed and got out, closing the doors behind them. "There won't be a need to do so... Her mate is here."

"But sir! No one came up, and I confirmed that everyone were here!" Adrian objected. "This could cause a lot of trouble! Sir I-"

"I said, her mate is here!" He said again with harsher tone. He gestured to Adrian to come to him. He whispered something in his ear. Adrian's posture stiffened and his eyes went from me, to Cassian and back to me. A quick smile appeared on his lips, but then quickly vanished. "Are we clear?" Cassian asked.

"Yes, Sir!" Adrian answered quickly. He bowed to him and started walking towards the door as his eyes never left mine.

When we were alone, Cassian came closer to me. He sniffed the air, then shook his head in disbelief. "So, my mate finally decided to show up... huh?"