I'm called into the greenhouse by my parents. In my mind I'm going over what I would be in trouble for this time. Was it the fight I had with my brother's whore-....I mean mate? She had it coming, saying I was a disgrace to my pack and that I would be a terrible Luna but the shiner on her eye proves otherwise. If she can't defend herself from an 18 year old, then how can she expect to defend the pack when she's Luna?

Pushing open the glass paned door, my parents are siting at a table waiting for me as they eat their lunch together. I sit down and in a single breath I vent.

"If this is about the black eye I gave Vanessa, the bitch deserved it. She said I won't make a good Luna but I proved her wrong. Now she's pulled the cowardly move and told you I attacked her for no reason didn't she?"

"We didn't call you here to talk about Vanessa, although we can certainly come back to that later, we wanted to talk to you about meeting someone. You're 18 now and it's time you found your mate. We will be taking you to the Alpha and Luna of the Blood Moon pack to meet their second oldest son, Bentley, tomorrow. Our hope is that you two will form a mate bond, he is a calm young man who should be able to rein in your 'out of control' temper." My father says in a remarkably calm tone and I am left floored.

"But-"

"No buts, now pack your bags." My father interjects.

"So you plan to marry me off to him instead of letting me find my own mate? Is this your attempt at forming a treaty between us and the Blood Moon pack?" I ask and my father chokes on his drink. I know the Blood Moon pack and the Crystal pack haven't been on good terms but using me as a peace treaty is lower than low.

"He will be the perfect mate for you."

"But you let my brother find his mate!" I shout. "This is so unfair!"

"If we let you try to find your own mate you will be stuck here forever." My father rolls his green eyes.

"It's not my fault all the males in the pack are afraid of me." I respond to his eye roll with my own.

"And that is precisely why we are pairing you up with Bentley, he will keep you level headed and turn you into a proper young lady. Now back to Vanessa-"

"Oh, would you look at the time. I should go pack my bags. Enjoy your day and the rest of your lunch." I plaster a big fake smile on and quickly back out of the greenhouse, pretending to not hear the last part.

I run into my room and slam the door, causing the walls in my room to shake and some pictures to fall. Don't they care about my happiness? True mates are meant to complete each other like the Sun and Moon. A wolf only has one mate for their whole lives and they are incomplete without each other. I toss my pillow at the wall on the other side of the room. Then I grab one of my books and throw it at the door just as it opens and my brother ducks as the book narrowly misses his head.

"What did Pride and Prejudice ever do to you?" My brother smiles.

"Oh I don't know, maybe made me believe in love and finding my own happy ending" I collapse onto my bed in a huff. "Our parents are forcing me to marry someone instead of letting me find my own mate. What if I don't love him?"

Alex sits next to me on the bed with a sigh. "It has been a while since I read Pride and Prejudice in school but if memory serves me right the girl and guy can't stand each other at first however, overtime they grow to love each other. Give it some time and things will turn out fine."

"But what if he isn't my mate, what if my true mate is out there? Then I will never truly be happy. You have Vanessa, you were able to find your true mate so why can't I?" My voice cracks with frustration.

"I'm sorry Roxie, but it is what our parents want." Alex shrugs and heads for the door. "Pack your bags and please don't throw any more stuff at other people's heads."

I let out a slight chuckle as I watch him leave. Pulling the suitcase out from under my bed an begin to pack. Deep down I think about packing my bags and leaving, no marriage, no parents forcing their decisions on me, freedom to live my life as I wish but I don't think I can ever cause my parents that kind of heartache. Pushing down my pride I pack the suitcase and pick out clothes for tomorrow. I have to resign myself to the fact that I will be a caged bird, doomed to live out my life grounded and unable to feel the wind beneath my wings.

The next day I put on my baby pink, fit and flare dress and style my hair. Walking into the living room, my parents are waiting for me.

"You look great, sweetheart." My mother coos. She hands me a necklace that says 'Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.' With an inward sigh I give her another fake smile but deep down I wish to cry.

At the door my brother gives me a hug. " Try not to punch anyone there."

"I can't guarantee that." I smile and Vanessa scowls at me from behind Alex.

After our goodbyes I climb into the backseat of the car and watch my home disappear. I'm going to miss my room, the house I grew up in, but most of all I'm going to miss my brother.