3

Selene talked everyone’s ear off about Tristan for the following weeks. She kept bragging to other omegas about being promised to the heir of the Nightshade pack and everyone was envious but not surprised.

The whole pack soon knew what destiny was waiting for their leader’s daughter and that the packs would merge. They were worried they’d have to leave their homes on the outskirts of the city where the pack lived but during the monthly meeting that the pack leader held with all head alphas of all families, he reassured them that it didn’t mean the pack was going to move, the changes concerned mostly just the pack’s companies that would merge with the Nightshade pack’s and Tristan would become the owner but the companies here in the city would still be managed by their pack members.

Selene started looking for information about the Nightshade pack on the internet, wanting to learn everything there was like the good omega she was.

She was blown away when she found out there were almost 100 plus families in the pack, making it the biggest one in the country. Her pack had only 50 families, which was about the average size. Another thing that blew her mind was that the Nightshade pack lived in their town outside of the capital. It was the only exclusively wolf town in the country, it wasn’t just a couple of houses somewhere on the periphery like it was in her pack’s case, it was a whole freaking town, it even had a supermarket, some restaurants, and cafés, and other shops, all owned and ran by the pack members.

Right now, Tristan still lived with his parents but he’d get his own house once Selene would leave her pack and they got married.

The more Selene learned, the more excited she got. She was thrilled and proud that she was going to become not only the most important omega in the pack but in the whole country.

Months after the first meeting of the future mates, just a few days after Tristan’s 18th birthday, the pack leaders finally set up another meeting. This time her clan would go to his, to look at the pack’s town and the young omegas and alphas would go for a run to the woods together in their wolf forms.

Selene was restless the whole ride there, heart pounding in her chest in the excitement of seeing Tristan again. She wondered if the alpha had changed in those months. She became even prettier, at least that’s what everyone has been telling her, and her body changed too after the two heats she had in the past months.

“We are here, look Selene, this is going to be your home one day,” her father’s voice brought her back from her wandering thoughts and she looked out just when they passed a sign, announcing that they made it to the wolves’ town. There were dozens of houses, most of them pretty big, with their own backyards. They passed a small town square with something like a city hall where pack meetings were probably held. Selene saw a restaurant, a bakery, and a fashion store. The town was pretty, with lots of trees and bushes and flowers since wolves loved nature. Selene could see big crowns of trees on her left behind some houses, knowing this was where the forest was.

They stopped in front of a big, modern house. Selene gasped when she saw it, the houses their pack had were all pretty traditional looking, they were modern on the inside but pretty simple on the outside. This house looked like it was built not that long ago, there were lots of big windows, letting in lots of sunlight.

The Blackwood family was already waiting outside for them along with Luke and Evan’s parents.

Selene got out of the car, looking over his shoulder to see that Amelia and Sandra just arrived with their parents as well.

Her eyes immediately landed on Tristan. It was immediately clear that he got taller in those months, they could be the same height now so Selene knew Tristan was definitely going to be taller than her in a couple of years. Other than that, he looked pretty much the same just like she remembered him, a young face with round eyes but his alpha features were visible now that he was a mature alpha. She just knew Tristan was going to be one of those tall, handsome alphas that would make every omega jealous of her.

“Welcome, how was the journey?” Mr. Blackwood asked.

“It was good, you have a nice town, it's a pleasure to be here,” her father bowed.

“This is our house but Tristan is going to get his own in a couple of years, over there is a free parcel where we’ll build it,” the pack leader informed them, pointing at an empty space in the distance. That would explain why the houses were so new if they built a new house for everyone who grew up.

“Shall we go to the woods?” Mrs. Blackwood suggested. The transformation and first run were important rituals and it was the reason why they came here in the first place.

The forest was just behind the house.

Selene got suddenly nervous, realizing she’ll have to undress if she didn’t want to rip her clothes. Normally it wasn’t an issue, nudity was normal in the community, they were transforming in front of each other all the time and it wasn’t a big deal but Selene was slightly embarrassed to do it in front of Tristan and other people she didn’t know.

She had to endure it though, she couldn’t just disappear behind the trees and come back in her wolf form, the Blackwoods needed to see her transform to see if everything was in order, it was important for the future, to show them she was a healthy wolf so his and Tristan’s children would be healthy as well.

“Go on,” her mother gave her an encouraging smile. She looked at her two best friends with pleading eyes, if they did it all together, she’d feel less embarrassed.

The three of them stepped aside, leaving space between them and the others.

Selene slowly unbuttoned her shirt so it slid on the grass. She took off her shoes and then pulled down her pants, leaving her only in her underwear. She took a deep breath, pulling it down as well so she was there in her naked glory. She forced herself not to think about embarrassment right now, she had to focus on the transformation.

The first bone cracked and she hissed slightly, she got used to the feeling over the years but it was still painful. She heard Amelia’s and Sandra’s bones breaking as well and the transformation began.

A minute later, instead of human Selene there was a wolf. Her fur was brown, almost golden, resembling her skin tone, shining beautifully in the sun. She was rather small but most omegas were. Her irises were amber, showing her rank and he waited for the verdict.

“She looks strong, her legs are nice and long, her ears are symmetrical and her fur looks healthy,” Mr. Blackwood nodded appreciatively: “What about her teeth.”

Selene growled, baring her teeth to show them off, knowing they were nice and healthy.

Amelia and Sandra were appreciated too, it was clear that all three omegas were healthy and of good bloodline. Sandra had brown fur and Amelia light brown, almost sandy but Cathrine’s honey-like fur was the most beautiful one.

Selene looked at her future mate, tail shooting up when he noticed Tristan was staring at her, almost mesmerized.

“Okay, boys, now you,” Mr. Blackwood turned to Tristan and the other two young alphas.

Selene tail wagged, excited to see Tristan in his wolf form. The younger shed his clothes but before Selene could even properly look at his naked human body, he had started transforming. It was impressively fast, not even half a minute later, instead of Tristan there was a big, black wolf with shiny red irises.

Selene whined, staring at her future mate in awe. He was really big in his wolf form, he would have never guessed he was young. His fur was dark but shiny and smooth looking.

Selene Stepped forward, hesitant towards the alpha, keeping her head low, not knowing if she was allowed to approach, waiting for the younger to give her permission.

Tristan looked at her and stepped towards her, showing clearly that they could get closer. Selene slowly approached the black wolf, sniffing to smell clearly the scent that was stronger in the wolf form.

Tristan got closer to her, bringing his snout to the omega’s neck, sniffing. Then he nuzzled his snout in the fur, making Selene whine and her tail lazily wag in the air. They circled each other, sniffing each other from all sides.

Selene nuzzled Tristan’s side with her snout, flicking her head towards the forest.

“You can go for a run,” Mr. Blackwood nodded, noticing the omega’s action: “Tristan knows it there like the back of his hand, he is going to show you the way.”

Tristan got out soft bark, red eyes staring at Selene For a second before he ran away but stopped after a few meters to wait for her. Selene happily followed him and the two of them disappeared between the trees.

Tristan was running in front of Selene , clearly showing off his speed but that was part of the process, alphas wanted to always show their strengths and appeal to the omegas, especially those they were interested in.

They were running and running, Selene heard the other two pairs of wolves behind them but she couldn’t care less about anything but Tristan right now.

The black wolf suddenly stopped on a rock, looking back at Selene Warily so the omega knew she should slow down. There was a small precipice with a river under it.

They were standing next to each other, just enjoying the nature that they loved so much.

Tristan suddenly moved a bit closer to the omega, nuzzling his snout under Cathrine’s ear. The older felt his heart beat faster, it looked like he wasn’t the only one getting excited that they were becoming mates, she was happy that Tristan accepted her. She couldn’t wait for when she formed the bond with Tristan and other pack members so they could communicate together through the mind link. It was possible only within the pack but Selene knew that once she’d move here, it would happen.

They were running around the woods for a while before they returned.

Selene was confused when she didn’t find anyone when they got out but the clothes were still there.

Tristan transformed into his human form, quickly dressing up before he looked at confused looking Selene still in her wolf form: “They are probably in the house for a coffee or something, don’t worry.”

That was the first time Selene Heard Tristan’s voice properly, apart from when they introduced each other. It wasn’t very deep , it was pretty much normal but it sounded smooth.

She obeyed, transforming back and dressing up as well, following Tristan to the house.

“Oh, finally back,” Mrs. Blackwood smiled. Selene Noticed her friends and the two alphas were there already, meaning that she and Tristan took the longest with their little getaway.

“Did you have fun, honey?” Her mother smiled asking her, stretching her hand towards her. Selene Took it and let her mum pull her to the chair next to her.

“It was fun,” Selene said, feeling Tristan’s eyes on her. This was the first time she spoke properly as well, everyone was usually surprised by how small her voice was, it didn’t really match her face but it was honey-like and people usually liked it.

They had afternoon refreshments while their parents were discussing details of the future packs’ merge. Selene and Tristan kept stealing glances here and there and Selene felt her cheeks heating up every single time.

She was really happy that Tristan was going to become her mate, she couldn’t wait to see what

their life together was going to look like, he knew it was going to be wonderful