Page 1 of Mated to the Wolves

CHAPTER ONE

“That’s the last one.” Awe, gratitude, and pride flood my body with serotonin as I sign my watercolor with a flourish and wrap it for the gray-haired woman in the black maxi dress.

I never dreamed I could have this back home in my isolated mountain town.

In a patriarchal society where hierarchy and usefulness depend on pedigree and the Alpha’s opinion, there’s no time for dreams.

Good wolves do as they’re told. But not me. I’ve had a spot at the farmer’s market every weekend faithfully for the past six months, and my audience has grown exponentially.

Declining party invitations, dragging myself out of bed with the sun after a week of grueling classes, and making time to continue creating art has brought me to this moment.

I slip the protected canvas into a paper bag with handles. “Thank you.”

“We love your work, dear. This is going to make my daughter’s birthday extra special. You’ve grown so much over the years.”

“You follow my socials?” She’s not my usual demographic. I study her carefully. What is she doing, singing my praises. You can take the girl out of the dysfunctional pack, but you can’t take the emotional trauma out of the girl.

“Ever since we discovered you at the farmer’s market a few years back. You’ll be graduating soon, won’t you?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Please tell me we won’t be losing your talent.”

I can’t hold back the wide grin. “No. I’ll be renting a small both out in a boutique downtown and working for the local art gallery.”

“Good! I look forward to seeing what you do next.”

It’s the best graduation present anyone could give me. Art has been my constant companion. The one thing I can count on to pour my emotions into. It’s been the lifeline keeping me anchored in my body and on the earth when the loneliness and lies threatened to overwhelm me.

“Yl!”

I look up and grin at the purple-haired menace stomping toward me in a pair of dock martins paired with a pastel green skirt and a cropped Nirvana top she’s customized.

“Looks like I arrived just in time to help you pack up early.” She beams, her dark green eyes sparkle with mischief.

She’s tamed her coarse lavender curls into a giant buff on the top of her head, baring her graceful neck and the record shaped earrings she made from clay.

“Imagine that, you showing up to whisk me away from work.”

“You’re too serious. Life is about fun. Isn’t that why you attended college so far away from home?”

For the millionth time, I long to tell her the truth. Best friend, roommate, and confidant, she’s held every secret I have except for the ones that truly matter. Guilt sweeps over me, stealing away a chunk of my joy at the lies I’m holding on to.

“And that’s why I’m staying here with you.”

Her smile fades briefly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just worried about life as an official adult.”

“You worry?”

“Shut it,” she jostles me playfully, and I laugh.

Letting my worries blow away with the cooling breeze coming through the open area under the awning I give in. “Let’s get your things packed.” Kez bends down and moves my totes from under the table.

“Seriously. You’re going to rock life after graduation. You know that, right?” She peers up at me and the sadness in her oak leaf green eyes steals my breath. “Keziah?”

---