Author
Author's Books(4)
An Undesirable Mate(John Baiori)
Werewolf My name is Pomona Burke. I'm the twenty four-year-old daughter of the Rainier Pack's Gamma Stephen, and his wife, Elaina; or, more precisely to say, the middle child of their five daughters … and; the 'runt of the litter', in the Burke household.
I've just been abruptly awoken from, what as far as I could tell, a restless night's sleep; as I rapidly shoot up into a sitting position in bed, while being drenched in sweat. I'm breathing heavily; as my racing heart pounds within my chest. My body's trembling. … At least this time, I didn't jump up screaming. I'm sure the twins are grateful for that; being how we share a bedroom.
This isn't the first time that this has occurred … and, I'm pretty sure that it won't be the last.
But; why exactly is this happening to me? …
It's that time of the day when twilight and dusk converge, and transfigure into a mystically, bewitching sight to behold; when off on the horizon, the darkening, imminent nighttime sky rests upon a layer of brilliantly reddish-orange, diminishing daytime sky … as the setting sun gently kisses the rising moon, in passing. And, there's a noticeable hazy mist permeating the air; which makes the atmosphere almost surreal-like.
I'm feverishly charging across an immensely expansive field, in my wolf-form … at least; I believe that it's me … with a menacing pack of wolves, frothing at their mouths, not too far behind me, engaged in an arduous pursuit. And, although I'm not exactly sure if they're chasing after me, or trying to chase me away; I do know, for certain, that I'm desperately fleeing from them … running for my life. I know this because of the intense fear and anxiety that I feel coursing through my my body as I run away.
This frequent nightmare has been hauntingly plaguing my dreams since childhood. And, whenever I think about it, this is an apropos symbolization for the real-life, belittling ridiculing and ostracizing that I face on nearly a daily basis from most of our pack; including even my own father, at times … who's always viewed me as a failure and embarrassment; especially in comparison with my other four sisters.
All of this ill-will and aversion towards me, along with my insignificantly meager existence in our pack, is chiefly brought about and due to an indirect result of my rare, genetic condition … or, perhaps affliction would be a more appropriate way of putting it … which was discovered that I had after having what should have been a fatally, life-threatening accident when I was three-years-old.
I have the ability to heal and recuperate at a more increasingly rapid rate than the typical werewolf can. And, my blood also contains both complexly evolved, mutated strains of DNA and RNA elements that have highly regenerative and rejuvenation compounds which, if injected into another wounded werewolf, could also temporarily enhance and speed up their recovery process, as well … at least, throughout the duration of time it takes for their wounds to fully heal.
And, while the few people who are fully aware of my entire condition often tell me that this is a special, blessed gift that has been bestowed upon me; if you ask me, it's more like a curse that's taken away any chance of me having a happy, nor even just content, life. Because, fact of the matter is, this condition of mine comes with a drastic price.
First of all, I've been diagnosed as being infertile; and, will be more than likely unable to give birth throughout my entire life. And, second … and, equally devastating; if not more so … I'm also incapable of shape-shifting into my wolf-form; meaning that Daphne, my inner-wolf, can never metamorphose into her physical wolf-being … subjugating her to a lifetime sentence of imprisonment.
This is a double-whammy; where one the consequences costs me a significant part of my womanhood, while the other one cruelly suppresses half of my werewolf-being.
The latter, I'm figuring, is the main cause behind most of the negative, judgmental opinions that a majority of our pack members have of me; and, the primary driving force behind all of the ridiculing and bullying I've suffered from all these years. Of course; it probably would have been a heck of a lot worse had it not been for the constant protection of my sister, Bellona … who's always been ranked among the top three elites of our pack's Defensive Security Detail.
As for my infertility … which, over the years has been one of the reasons making me such an undesirable mate to all the males in our pack … from what I've heard, was the only influencing factor in me recently being chosen to be placed into an upcoming arranged marriage with Casper Whitmore … an individual whom I've never met before, who's not only a little more than ten years older than me; but also, already has two children.
My father keeps reminding me that I should be extremely grateful, and thank the gods that such a lowly and useless excuse of a she-wolf like myself would be picked as the bride-to-be for such a prestigious suitor. I've been told that he's the Alpha of the Stratus Pack … one of the largest, most powerful packs in California ... and, CEO of the Whitmore Corporation … a multi-billion dollar conglomerate; with its primary cash-cow being an extensive, multi-franchise of international luxury hotels and resorts.
And … just like the few that know about my condition … most everyone in the pack is saying that this is like some sort of special, blessed gift; and, jealously griping that I'm unbelievably fortunate in having been chosen to marry him. I myself, of course, am feeling a bit wary of this special, blessed gift; and, expect that there will also be an eventual price to pay for it somewhere down the line. 
