{Mary}

I groaned and put down the fifth novel that I had been working on editing the manuscript for so it could be submitted for a book deal. I’m an editor that’s a freelance worker who helps edit novels before authors submit their manuscript to a publishing company. Since I had a 99% success rate of a book getting published I got paid enough to make ends meet and then some.

At this point in time I was trying to meet a deadline for this particular book. They wanted the manuscript edited by the end of the month. I knew I could do it but for some reason it was proving difficult and I wondered if it had something to do with the new medicine I was taking to keep my voices in my head quiet so I could do my work in peace. I could cast a spell to keep the voices quiet but it would involve constantly feeding the spell with my magic. So for the moment, I'm just settling with taking medicine. Of course there is one stupid voice that kept hanging around my head. For whatever the reason if I hallucinated hearing this voice then the voice would appear to me as a visual hallucination as a wolf.

The wolf called themselves Danger. Like seriously? A wolf calling themselves Danger? What type of name is that for a wolf?

But I guess stuff like that isn't as far-fetched as some of the other things I had been forced to endure before I decided to go to college for a creative writing degree. I used to be a Police Officer. The reason why I quit was because I saw a double murder which was a murder suicide. The crime scene reminded me of something that almost happened to my younger sister in middle school. That was the crime that did it for me. So the very next day I put in my two week notice and went to college and now I’m an editor.

Anyway, as soon as I put the book down to take a break I heard Danger growling in the back of my mind. I rolled my eyes and thought, For fuck’s sake you stupid wolf! You know when I started taking medicine the other voices left me alone to live my life in peace! Why can’t you take a hint and get lost?

Ah, no that’s happening because it is my duty to stay put until you start acknowledging who you really are! Danger thought with contempt.

Really? I thought, I am not a hybrid! I'm a full blooded witch! And seriously the name Danger? What kind of dumbass name is that for a wolf?

You are testing my patience, woman! Danger snapped. I have half a mind to come out to play and make you realize what you really are!

I growled and went over to the nearest inn table, slammed my fist down on it and it broke in two.

Danger cackled, Do you feel better doing that now? Honestly your displays of anger don’t really faze me anymore. I wonder why that is? Maybe it’s because I’ve been around you the longest?

I didn’t think anything in response but I did pick up one of the halves of the broken table and threw it up against a nearby wall.

Wow, was that supposed to scare me? Danger taunted.

“SHUT UP!” I shouted. “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!”

You know how much you look like a crazy woman right now? Or would you rather look into a mirror and let me talk to you out loud? Danger thought.

I did as Danger suggested and I snarled when I saw her in the mirror. “Happy now?”

“Oh I’m very happy!” Danger said with sarcasm. “Considering we’re in your bedroom now and if anyone walks by or hears me then they can confirm you’re not crazy.”

I rolled my eyes and looked around my room. True, there was a window in my bedroom but it was closed and there’s no way that anyone would be able to hear me.

“Oh please woman!” Danger said, “There is one person or should I say werewolf or maybe you should call him stalker-“

“Yeah I know!” I snapped. “And no, I don’t believe in all of that stupid werewolf's have mates crap.”

Danger chuckled, “Don’t knock before you try it! However I wonder why he hasn’t at least said hello yet?”

That statement made me smirk. “Gee I don’t know, maybe it’s because he doesn’t have the balls to?”

“Eh, that’s possible. I think it’s because of your bad temper. I mean you pretty much destroyed a fucking table in the living room!” Danger said.

Danger paused and looked towards the bedroom window when I heard a small thud. Danger looked back at me and laughed, “Yeah he’s listening to our conversation right now, maybe you should go ask him if I'm real or not?”

I shook my head. “Yeah no thank you! I’m good, I don’t need a boyfriend and I sure as hell don’t need a mate or whatever you want to call it right now!”

“Seriously?” Danger said, “Okay I understand you saying that when you worked as a Police Officer but you’re an editor for books. You’re not jumping into danger anymore to save people!”

I rolled my eyes. “Your point?”

“What I’m saying is why don’t you start living a life that doesn’t involve you shoving your head in the sand for once?” Danger said.

I sighed thoroughly annoyed with Danger and I just wanted her to shut up for now. “You know what? We’re done here, I’m done talking.”

Danger scoffed, “Sure we’re done talking for now…”

After that she disappeared from the mirror and I took a shower, got dressed in my pajamas and went to bed.

***

{Alpha Tyler}

I just about fell over when I watched in horror at the fact that Mary could talk to her wolf outside of her head! I’ve never seen a werewolf do that and it’s a good thing I have video footage or my second in command my Beta Theo and my parents would’ve thought I was crazy. But Mary is no ordinary werewolf, that’s for sure. So this new development shouldn’t be a surprise right? Nope, I was not only surprised I was scared silly.

I changed into my wolf form and while carrying my clothes on my back I ran as fast as I could back home.

***

When I got home I changed back to human and I made sure to put my clothes on before I entered my house. For some reason I don’t like walking into my house nude when no one lives there but me. Although Theo might decide to pop in unannounced just raid my refrigerator because he’s too lazy to ask his mate to learn how to cook.

I rolled my eyes when I walked into the kitchen and saw Theo stuffing his face with a turkey sandwich that was supposed to be my dinner.

“You done stalking your mate for the day?” Theo asked through a mouthful of food.

“Could at least swallow your food before you talk to me? Show some respect! I might be your best friend but I’m still your Alpha!” I snapped.

Theo did as he was told and smiled. “You know you should at least go say hi to her.”

“Easier said than done,” I said. “Ah, there’s been a new and disturbing development regarding her.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

I told him exactly what I saw and of course he didn’t believe me until I showed him the video footage of what I saw.

“So what are you going to do? And I wonder if it has something to do with the fact she’s not only just a werewolf she’s also half witch?” Theo asked.

I shook my head. “I have no idea. But whatever you do, don’t tell anyone else in the pack, I mean it Theo! If I hear anyone else talking about this I will have your head! However, I am going to tell my parents about this, they’ll be arriving home tomorrow.”

Theo’s face brightened. “Awesome! I wonder what stories they’re going to tell after the long vacation they’ve been on?”

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“I have no idea but I can guarantee you I’m going to have nightmares about this tonight!” I said.

“No kidding, I don’t blame you and honestly after seeing how powerful our soon to be Luna is I bet you anything your parents wouldn’t mind her ruling over the pack on her own!” Theo said.

“Actually I think it’s going to take a lot longer to get her to believe that she’s the next Luna,” I said.

“Huh?” Theo asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean is,” I said, “she’s under some sort of magic her mother put her under.”

Theo gulped. “Yeah I know of her batshit crazy mother but I think if you can get closer to Mary then you can break the spell. I looked up something about the Self Denial spell, and after researching that spell I found out that only her mate can break the spell.”

“But how?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I don’t know you’ll figure it out when you cross that bridge. But for now, I suggest that you at least say hi and work on getting close to her. Because you know what could happen if you don’t…”

“Yeah I know,” I said, “I’ll figure something out.”

“Oh? When?” Theo asked.

That was when I made up my mind. Starting tomorrow I was going to take the first step getting closer to my mate. I was going to come with the courage to say hi to her.

***

“What the fucking hell?!” Mother exclaimed. Her eyes were wide in terror when she saw the video footage I showed her.

Dad on other hand couldn’t hide a smile and he seemed rather happy about this for some reason. “That’s our soon to be Luna for you! Honestly I think she can rule without an Alpha if you ask me!”

Mother got over her shock, she smiled and nodded her head in agreement. My jaw dropped and Theo gave me a look as if to say 'I told you so.'

“Seriously?” I said.

Theo covered his mouth to stifle a laugh and I glared at him in return. Then I heard Theo’s stomach growl and rolled my eyes.

Mother looked over at Theo and smiled. “Well I think that’s our cue to go eat.”

With that, we sat down at the dinner table to eat.

***

{Mary}

The next morning I woke up with another headache and then I remembered that I forgot to take medicine last night. Yeah this is what happens when I forget to take my medicine.

As soon as I remembered to take my medicine I grabbed breakfast which just consisted of a bowl of cereal, orange juice and toast. Once I went to grab the manuscript that I had been working on, my phone rang. I smiled when I saw it was my best friend Sharry who was calling me so I answered it. “Hey how’s it going?”

“It’s going good!” Sharry chirped. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” I replied, “What’s up?”

“Well I’m calling because my friends and I are having a get together tonight and I would love it if you could come this time.”

I groaned, “You know I don’t-“

“Nope I’m not taking no for an answer this time,” Sharry said. “Besides, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

“I’m not-“ I started to say.

“Nope, again not taking no for an answer even if I have to track you down and drag you there myself. It’s not going to be a huge party or anything like that, okay?” Sharry said.

I sighed, “Alright fine, I’ll go.”

“Good I’ll come pick you up at eight o’clock on the dot tonight,” Sharry said.

“Sure see you then,” I said.

I hung up the phone and I had no idea at the little get together that I would be meeting my stalker aka the one Danger called my mate.

***

So eight o’clock rolled around and Sharry came to pick me up right on time. As soon as I got into the car she smiled at me. I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“You know you’re meeting someone today. Would it kill you to wear a dress?” Sharry asked.

I nodded. “Actually yeah it would. I’m not going to get dressed up just to meet someone I don’t know. This is who I am; they need to take it to leave it. Just like I would have to accept who they are, they should accept who I am too!”

Sharry rolled her eyes. “Okay good point but you’re never going to get a boyfriend with that attitude.”

“Good because I don’t want one!” I declared.

She shrugged. “Well even so either you find a boyfriend or the High Priestesses aka your mother will match you with someone of her choosing at the age of thirty-five and you know how that goes.”

I gulped because when it comes down to my mother pairing people up she doesn’t have a good judge of character. I’ve heard horror stories from the couple's mom’s connected and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re all true. Ever since I worked as a Cop I learned not to take someone’s word at face value.

“And if this guy doesn’t work out then you might meet someone at the ceremony this weekend!” Sharry said.

My eyes went wide because I knew a child in the coven had just started puberty and it was time for him to have his chastity belt put on. Yeah I know for the longest time it was only females that had the chastity belt put on them but for whatever the reason the god that my coven serves said hey they’ll take virgin boys too. The chastity belt can only be taken off by someone’s spouse.

I hate the idea of having the idea of the chastity belt in general because I know the real reason behind it and it has nothing to do with morals and all that jazz. I wish the coven would just let people decide when they want to lose their virginity. But I know that’s never gonna happen anytime soon, especially with my mom leading the coven as the High Priestess.

I got snapped out of my thoughts when I saw what house we had pulled up to and my jaw dropped. That’s because the house was a mansion! The style of the building was like the type of building that you would find in Rome when Caesar ruled over it but twice as big. It had three pillars in front of the entrance and the rooftop of the building made it look like we might be entering Zeus’s temple.

“Wow, this place is huge!” I exclaimed.

Sharry chuckled, “Yeah I know. It’s my friend’s place so please be on your best behavior.”

I smiled. “Oh sure I will and you say that like I don’t have manners.”

“That’s not what I meant,” said Sharry. “What I mean is if you see something shady going on don’t interfere because it’s not your place to.”

“Oh you mean that behavior,” I said. “Got it, cop instincts switching off. Turning to normal mode.”

“What are you, a freakin robot? Just chill out and act natural,” Sharry said.

I chuckled, “You got it!”

I didn’t say anything else as we stepped inside and the guy standing at the door took our coats and we walked around.

Sharry’s face brightened when she saw a young guy old enough to be my age dressed in a black suit jacket, black pants and a white button up shirt and a red tie to compliment the outfit and black dress shoes.

“Tyler! How’s it going?” Sharry said after she hugged the guy.

“Uh, hi Sharry,” said Tyler, “You said you wanted me to meet someone?”

I’m not really great when it comes down to meeting people for the first time which is why I don’t go to parties very much so I was somewhat hiding behind Sharry and already coming up with a plan to escape from meeting someone new. Sharry rolled her eyes and pulled me out from behind her. “It’s this woman who’s obviously trying to escape the party. Here Mary, talk to this guy!”

Before I could say anything else or turn around and run for that matter Sharry pushed me towards Tyler and walked off laughing.

“What’s wrong? Do you not like parties?” Tyler asked, frowning.

I nodded. “Yeah I don’t like them.”

“Then why did you come?” Tyler said.

I sighed, “Sharry’s been my best friend since elementary school and this is more like doing her a favor of sorts. Of course after this she owes me big time.”

Tyler laughed, “You know it wouldn’t hurt to let loose and have some fun for a change.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah Sharry tells me that all the time. But she knows how I am-“

Tyler rolled his eyes too. “You know what? I think you need a drink so you can learn to chill out.”

He waved one of the waiters down who was carrying an assortment of drinks on a tray. He took two glasses off the tray and handed one to me. Before I could take a sip I heard Danger purring.

What is it? I thought.

You just met your mate! Danger exclaimed.

Huh? I questioned.

And one more thing, he’s an Alpha of his pack too. From what I’m sensing he can’t wait to make you his Luna! Danger thought.

I stood there trying to keep myself calm as I thought, What! You’re kidding right? Please tell me you’re joking!

Danger laughed, Do I sound like I’m joking? I told you that you had a mate dumbass! And here he is! Have fun with him, he’s handsome too and that’s a bonus!

Oh fuck no! I don’t want a boyfriend let alone be a leader to anything. I thought. Nope no way!

Yeah, yeah whatever, have fun with your mate and don’t you dare reject him or I’ll never forgive you! Danger thought.

If I do reject him will you take a hint and get lost? I thought.

Nope! But I will make your life a living hell! Danger thought.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Tyler tapped me on the shoulder.

“Are you okay?” He asked with concern.

I gave a nervous laugh, “Yup, I’m fine, really I am.”

“Uh-huh yeah sure,” said Tyler. He pointed at the drink in my hand. “I think you need that, you should probably drink it.”

I nodded. “Sure.”

I did as Tyler suggested and forgot that I had a small bladder when it comes down to alcohol. But then again I thought this opportunity would be perfect to make my escape.

“Where are the bathrooms?” I asked.

“Down the hall and to the left,” Tyler replied.

“Alright then,” I said, “I need to go to the bathroom.”

He nodded. “Sure.”

I went to the bathroom and as soon as I was done with that I caught a glimpse of Danger staring at me in the mirror as I washed my hands. I smiled. “Yes I’m getting ready to do exactly what you think I am!”

I charged up my magic and as soon as I had enough magic build up I said, “One, two, three, escape!”

All it took to cast the spell was for me to snap my fingers and in a flash of light I disappeared.