SKYLAR

*LAST SUMMER*

Finally, high school is behind me.

After cramming for the final exams, pulling all-nighters with borrowed notes, only because I don't like to write during class, and spending long hours with tutors due to my struggle to understand arithmetic, I have finally graduated high school.

Now all that's left for me is to go to that boring, stuck-up Ravenwood Academy to find a partner for me like my parents found each other a long time ago.

Honestly, I fail to see the point.

We are the largest werewolf pack in America. There is a plethora of eligible bachelorettes right here in our pack. It seems a waste of time and money to spend so much just to find a Luna for me.

I understand sending Seth there because he needs an Alpha and obviously he will never find that here. But I am good.

I had a great ride. I was the King of my class, not only the most popular student but a rich athlete with a girl in my arms whenever I wanted. Everybody wanted a piece of me and I was mostly okay with that.

I don't mean to sound cocky, but I probably sampled at least half of the student body - the better half, of course - so, I could definitely make an informed choice when it comes to selecting my future Luna.

But my dad was adamant about it. In fact, he told me so even before I started high school.

'Son, date whoever you want, but make no promises to any of them. You are absolutely NOT choosing your partner in high school. You're going to Ravenwood just like I went. That's non-negotiable.'

https://youtu.be/HLphrgQFHUQ

Yeah... There are a lot of things you can negotiate with Alpha Frederick, but when he puts his foot down, not even the Goddess can change his mind. It's a non-starter.

Some fights are unwinnable, so it's not even worth going to battle for. Instead, I made sure to let everyone know that I was not available to partner up. I just wanted to have fun while I could.

It worked for the most part, though some girls made it their mission to try to lock me down, I resisted most of the time. I just never saw the point of having a girlfriend in high school.

I knew that we would eventually graduate, then as most of the students would move on to college, I'd be stuck in Ravenwood for a year. I don't believe in long-distance relationships, so I did not want to have anyone I would miss while I was away.

Plus, I knew from the start that no matter who I got entangled with during my high school years, I would still have to pursue a partner in Ravenwood. In conclusion, long-term relationships were off my radar. And it remained that way for a long time. I promise you, I never deceived anyone. Everybody knew the deal.

Once upon a time, there was a boy.

This boy, who shall remain nameless for reasons that will become apparent soon, was the son of one of my dad's employees. We met when we were kids in the daycare that the company provided for their employees' children. He became friends with my brother and me instantly, as we grew up together, we attended the same classes in school.

Time goes by, puberty kicks in, and one day I find out that he had a crush on me but up until that point, nobody knew about my sexuality so everyone assumed I was straight like my father. Fair assumption, just an incorrect one.

It took quite some time for the boy to disclose his crush on me, but when he did eventually I already suspected as much just by the way he looked at me in school. At the time, I didn't give much thought to it but when he revealed his feelings to me, I had to address them.

Here is the thing, I don't date Omegas.

At 15 years old, all you ever want or think about is one thing. To lose my virginity as soon as possible. At my school, some kids lost theirs at 14. Too young? Probably, but I am only telling it like it is. And Omegas are the most fertile people in werewolf society.

Female Omegas have the option to take birth control pills, just like any other girl, but males do not have that prerogative because science has not caught up to them. They can take heat suppressants, but that could mess with their fertility. Even so, I was not thinking about heat at that moment.

As politely as I possibly could, I told him that as a rule, I do not date Omegas. It's not because it's too weird for me, I just could not risk a pup. And I didn't have full confidence in my ability to use a condom effectively.

I know it might sound callous, but it's the truth. I wanted one thing and I was not about to risk jeopardizing my entire life to be with him. Plus, I did not want a boyfriend or girlfriend. I wanted to party and go out with as many people as possible before I was forced to settle down after high school

With tears in his eyes - and mine - he understood it was too risky for us at the time and we remained friends all through our high school years. He lived his life and I lived mine, but I always made sure he was taken care of when I was around him. To me, Omegas are the most vulnerable of the werewolf species and my role as an Alpha is to care for them.

It's also why I was so protective of Seth during high school. I didn't want him to be trapped in a situation where his fertility would kick in and he would be stuck with a bad choice of partner made during high school. I might have been too protective, but I can only blame my love for him.

As the years went by, he struggled with his gender identity and after much counseling and therapy, he decided to start living his life the way he intended to live and change the perception of how people view him. Amanda was born.

It was a battle to get people to start calling her the correct name and not use the dead name - hence why I didn't as well - but with the support of her friends, including Seth and me, it was a battle she won eventually.

I made sure to throw my weight around her to normalize her status as a transgender girl and treat her just like one the girls in school, though unfortunately she was not able to start hormone therapy until after her first heat episode at 17, Mandy persevered and insisted on being perceived as a female. It was how she saw herself.

When we were in the final semester of high school in February, I threw one of my epic parties when my parents were away celebrating Valentine's Day in the south of France. At that point, I had pretty much hooked up with everyone I ever wanted, so I just enjoyed the time off from school and partied with my friends.

I might have kissed one person or another, but had no expectation of hooking up with anybody. If I never wanted a relationship until then, I am not going to start one now with just a few months left of school.

At the end of the night, most of the people I had invited were either gone or would sleep here because they could not show up at their houses drunk or high. It's a big house, so as long as they stay clear of my parents' room - my dad has a pet peeve against people entering his room aside from his wife and one of the maids to clean it up. On rare occasions, we are allowed inside - it's fine by me.

As luck would have it - or not - Mandy asked to bunk with me because the other rooms were occupied. I saw no danger and agreed to it. Like I said, I like her, always have. We got to talking and she eventually confessed that she never ceased to like me. If it was possible, she wanted to be my partner.

Of course, I told her the truth that my dad has his mind set on me not prospecting anyone in our pack. He wanted to send me someplace where I could find a strategic match. I am an Alpha, it's how these things go. I cannot question my father's authority.

She understood that as she must, but insisted that I was the one that got away.

I was slightly drunk, a bit vulnerable and horny as ever, but I still told her that I could never take advantage of her. I could never risk sleeping with an Omega. If I did, my father would kill me. He would find a way to disown me even if I am his only Alpha heir.

It was not worth the risk. But then she said there were other things that we could do, so we did just that. I came alive that night and we slept together in my bed.

From that moment on, we became closer each day and I was no longer interested in other girls. I just wanted to be close to Mandy, even though I still had to go to Ravenwood next Fall. Now here we are. It's June and we're still together even after high school is over.

I never meant to get so close to anybody, but to be fair she was always on my radar from the beginning. I was just not in a head space where I could appreciate her company. My dad was not opposed to seeing us together because her mother is an employee dear to him and her stepfather is even more liked, also an employee of our company.

When our ancestors discovered oil in one of our lands, it boomed the local economy. Hundreds of jobs were created - directly and indirectly - and it attracted even more werewolves into town.

Nowadays, so many people live off Stronghold Enterprises and her parents are just one fine example of that reality. Still, no one could dissuade my father from the idea of sending me to Ravenwood. In fact, my acceptance letter had already arrived at this point. Mine and Seth's, naturally.

Amanda never lost hope of seeing us together, but I never lied to her. I told her the reality of the situation and my father would not change his mind. I will have a Ravenwood contract partner as my Luna, there is no question of that.

I enjoyed my time with her, I really did. She is near and dear to my heart. But I never made any promises that I could not keep. I will not be accused of what Shawn did to Jake's mother. I deceived no one. It is what it is.

https://youtu.be/9Eal8z2GBQU

It's the second week of June.

I have under three months to enjoy my Summer before I get shipped off to Colorado for a boarding school I shouldn't have to attend. Mandy and I are enjoying the sun poolside while Seth and his friends are doing some nerd activities inside the house. Both my parents are out working. I mean, my mom doesn't have a 9 to 5, but she collaborates with several charities and visits pack members who need her assistance.

She is a Luna, first and foremost, though our pack of 40.000 is too much for anyone to handle, she does her best. Even if she can't make house calls, she can be there for our pack members through her charities.

Mrs. Oliver brings us another pitcher of juice and puts it on the table next to me. She collected some plates with leftover food that we had eaten earlier and asked me if I needed anything else. Mandy asked her for a glass of water, but she told her she only takes orders from Strongholds.

Yeah, the maids are not my fans after all the parties I hosted over the years, but I don't have it in my heart to complain about her. She has been with us since Seth and I were babies. I cannot have her fired.

"Please, bring me a glass of water with a twist and ice cubes, Mrs. O. You are an angel. I'll be sure to put in a good word for you when it's bonus time." I charmed her, though Christmas is six months away. That is when my father pays the house staff their bonus. Not counting the warriors, who are paid by the pack, not him.

"Sure, Alpha. It'll just be a minute." She smiled at me, sideways glaring at Mandy. Because she has just started her hormone therapy, she is very self-conscious about showing skin. So instead of a bathing suit, she is wearing a simple shirt and shorts. To me, she looks beautiful no matter what she wears, but I want her to be comfortable.

"I'm starting to think she's not my fan." Mandy snickered, taken aback by the maid's reaction.

"She doesn't like any girl I bring over. I think she wants me to save myself for her daughter, but she's only 14 years old." I told her, humorously. Who has that kind of time? I am already 18. Sorry, I'm sure she's lovely.

Mandy laughed at my argument and took a sip of the orange juice. Luckily for us, there is nobody else here today. I can't exactly throw parties like when I was in high school, but I have friends over whenever I can.

My parents don't like when I throw parties, so I usually only do it when they are away. They don't mind a small gathering of friends while they are at work. As long as we don't disorganize the house. The maids cannot be cleaning after us all day. They have set activities.

"I could get used to this. Are you sure I can't be your Luna?" She turned to my side and asked me flirtatiously.

"Yes, I am sure. I would love for you to be the first trans Luna the State of Texas has ever had, but I am going to Colorado next August come hell or high water. I would say my flight ticket was already bought, but I don't fly commercial therefore I do not require a ticket." I declared, a tad boastful.

She frowned at my answer but kissed me nonetheless.

"We should make a baby so your father would have to let me be your Luna." She joked. At least, I think she did.

"Don't even joke about it! My dad only accepted you because of who your parents are. Please don't push it. If he hears you say that, you will never get within a hundred yards from me ever again." I cautioned her, wearily.

I am not joking, I did not survive four years of high school and three of being sexually active without some clear-cut rules. Mandy knows this better than anybody.

"Relax! Do you think I was born yesterday? I know I cannot force anything on Alpha Frederick. He'd rather compel me to get an abortion than accept me as his son's Luna." She spoke with a humorous tone, though the subject was rather dark.

When an Alpha of your pack gives you a command, you cannot refuse it. Literally. But my father never had to resort to that kind of power to get what he wanted in life. Let's hope it stays that way because nobody should be compelled to do anything. Especially that.

"He would gladly accept you as his Luna if the Goddess had chosen you for me." I said, flirtatiously.

"You're right, he would have to." She widened her eyes as I proposed this with a mischievous grin.

"I, Skylar Stronghold, claim you, Amanda Robinson, as my partner."

"I, Amanda Robinson, accept the claim to be your partner." She smiled at me widely.

Unfortunately, nothing happened. Our eyes didn't shine, nothing. We didn't break the curse.

"If only it was that easy..." I sulked, mildly disappointed.

"It was a long shot, anyway." She consoled me, then leaned in to kiss me.

"Maybe if you try saying her boy name." One of Seth's friends suggested, coming into the pool area with my brother and his other friends.

"If the Goddess needs me to say her dead name, then she doesn't deserve to be our deity." I glared at him. It's highly disrespectful to call a trans person by their dead name. I am sure if there is a deity out there pairing people just for kicks, she would be satisfied by declaring my intent. She wouldn't need the name on her birth certificate for it to be valid.

"It was a nice try though, thanks." She smiled at me tenderly.

"Of course, Mandy. Anything for you." I pecked her lips.

"Except for forgoing Ravenwood." Seth teased me with his feet in the water, sitting by the pool.

"Keep it up and I'll throw you into the deep end." I rolled my eyes at his insolence.

https://youtu.be/jn40gqhxoSY

A|N: Wow.

I promise that if you want to know the harrowing truth, my Patreon account is ready for you to satiate your curiosity.

The tea is pipping hot and Jake will be hit with the deadliest blow yet. A betrayal he could never have expected. It's coming like a hurricane to wreck him like nothing before!

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The salacious truth is coming to cause havoc.

Next is "What about us?"

Love,

Léo.