Marked by the Monster [COMPLETED]

one

"Absolutely not Mom!" I yelled and stood my ground. 

I put the coffee mug that I was holding on the kitchen counter and I looked straight into my Mom's eyes. She was a little shorter than I was, which is very short because I am short myself. Pah! Never judge a girl by her height. 

Currently my Mom and I were having a heated discussion about me attending the Royal Ball of Sienna. The Royal Ball happens every year around the winter solstice, on a full moon night. Werewolves and the Moon, we have a deep association. Mythologies say that every full Moon day, the senses of a werewolf are heightened and that the wolves may find their mate. That is exactly why the Royal Ball was scheduled on such a day. 

It's really fascinating, the concept of mates. Fascinating and beautiful. It is said that the Moon Goddess, our deity, decides who should belong to whom before they are even born. Around the age of eighteen, mostly everyone finds his/ her mate, in other words, soulmate. They develop this scent which only the mate can smell. A smell unique to a person. Apparently, when my Mom first found out the my Dad, the Alpha was her mate, she smelt a woodsy, cinnamon sort of smell. The first time i heard this story believe it or not, i actually sniffed my Dad and all i could smell was soap and sweat. Get what i mean? The uniqueness. 

"But Nandini, it's really just for one night. You have to attend the Ball someday, so why not tonight?" My Mom said, squaring her shoulders. She maybe short, but she is the Luna and hence, she was every bit authoritative.

"Mom please. You know the reason." I said, looking down. 

"Nandini hon, you can't live your whole life hiding away. Maybe the Moon Goddess has something special for you." My Mom said, her tone kind and caring.

Yes, I am different. Or abnormal. Most werewolves would shift into their wolf form at the age of sixteen. I had seen my brother, Abhimanyu shift. Sure it was a painful process, but not shifting around that age is very abnormal. I turned twenty- one last month and I haven't shifted yet. It killed my parents to know that I was somehow different than the rest. The daughter of the Alpha and Luna of Blue Moon pack hadn't shifted... haven't ever seen what her wolf looked like. 

"Why me Mom? Why am I not like the rest of them?" I asked, a lump of emotions clogging at the back of my throat. 

"Because, my baby sister is special." Abhimanyu, my brother and the 'soon to be Alpha' as he likes to call himself said. He ruffled my hair and sat across the table. 

He looked at me with his easy grin and said, "Listen Nandini, you have to get out of the pack house. You've skipped almost every gathering and traditional festivals. Its about time you move your butt out of the house kiddo"

I took an apple from the table and threw it at him. Needless to say, he caught my lethal weapon of choice. 

Just then my Dad entered the kitchen and directly goes to kiss my Mom. Urgh! Disgusting. But they were mates and they were allowed to do that. 

"Honestly Dad, I am sending you both on a long vacation right after I become the Alpha, where you can snog each others face all day long" Abhimanyu said very seriously. 

Dad and Mom looked at him and we all started laughing. 

"So Nandini, are you going to the Ball?" My Dad asked. I smacked my head and grunted.

"Why is everyone so interested in kicking me out?" I asked and all their faces went grim.

"Nandini, no one is kicking you out. It's just that you have to go out and stop self loathing." My Dad said.

I looked at the three most important people in my life... all patiently waiting for my answer. 

"Fine, I'll go. But just this once and Abhi, you are coming with me" I said as I slipped off the chair shuffled out of the kitchen.