Five Babies Three Daddies

ALLISON.

I took a deep breath while I stood in the middle of the crowd, feeling the gust of wind and listening to the loud cheers of the people around me. Their voices thundered across the field as my opponent advanced towards me, her razor-sharp claws ready to tear me apart.

"Not today, Vanessa," I muttered calmly as I open my eyes and easily dodged her attack.

"Damn it!" she exclaimed in apparent frustration when I swiftly slid behind her and landed a powerful kick on her back, enough to send her rolling to the ground while howling in pain.

"That's my girl, Allison!" Emily proudly cheered, along with our other pack mates who had been watching the match.

Vanessa coughed blood, her claws retracting as she reverted to her human form. Tears well in her eyes while lying on the ground and unable to move a muscle from the excruciating pain.

My bad, I think may have overdone it. Looks like I almost snapped her spine or something.

"Vanessa can't get up. That means, Allison is the winner! Better luck next time, Vanessa," Quinn grabbed my hand and raised it in the air, officially ending the match and proclaiming me as the winner.

"That was quick," I chuckled.

"Tsk. I'll get ya next time, Allison. You're not gonna keep winning forever," Vanessa hissed when she finally managed to stand up after her humiliating defeat.

"Yeah, right. That was a quick 3-minute win. Maybe, you would stand a better chance if you could last for at least 5 minutes next time," I chided, smirking.

Vanessa's face flushed in crimson, her teeth gritting in sheer annoyance. Oops, looks like I've hit a nerve.

This isn't the first time that Vanessa asked me for a duel. Heck, she's not even the first person to do this. For some reason, ever since Quinn has given me a place in the council as her Gamma, things turned shittier for me. Some people thought I didn't deserve the honor of holding this position, so they always found ways to take it from me. Quinn is the Alpha of Flower Moon Pack and her words are absolute, so they couldn't just bitch around and complain in front of her to have me removed. The only way to strip me of my title is through an official duel. If they beat me, then they could have my rank and title.

But here I am, undefeated even after my 25th duel. They're not gonna take me down easily. I am my father's daughter, after all.

"Don't be full of yourself, Allison. You think you're cool because you won again?" Vanessa spat.

"Uh... yeah?"

"Tsk. The only thing you're good at is being barbaric and sadistic. That's probably the reason why you haven't found a mate at 24!" she mocked. "Honestly, I'm not shocked. I guess even the moon goddess thought you weren't decent enough to get paired with anyone. You're going to be alone forever, Allison."

"You bitch-"

"Enough!" Quinn marched in between and stopped another brewing fight. Vanessa threw me one final condescending look before turning around and backing away.

I would've gone after Vanessa and probably snap her spine for good but Quinn firmly held my shoulder, as if she was ready to break my bones if I didn't contain my rage.

"Show's over, folks. Now, scram off," Quinn barked at the other spectators to which they immediately followed. Now, there's only me, Quinn, and Emily at the field. Quinn heaved a sigh and finally released my shoulder from her ironclad grasp.

"Don't take Vanessa too seriously, Allison. She's just bitter that she lost to you for the third time. Girl can't even last for three minutes without getting flung in the air," Emily said while stroking my back for comfort.

"Vanessa is a bitch, but I have to admit, she might have a point..." I sighed and shook my head. "Her words stung because, well, she's not entirely wrong. I've won every duel, but I'm still here, mateless and feeling like a permanent loser."

Quinn gave me a reassuring look. "Hey, you're not going to be mateless forever, Alli."

"I don't know, Quinn. Almost every she-wolf in our pack has found their mate, and I'm just here, still waiting. Do you think I did something to seriously annoy the moon goddess? Like, did I accidentally step on her sacred garden gnome or something?"

"To be honest, you do have a talent for getting under my skin," Quinn chuckled. "But I don't think it's enough to get you cursed with eternal singlehood."

"Great, I guess my mate is just fond of playing hide and seek from me." I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Alli, you may have yet to find a mate but that doesn't mean you're a total loser. You're still an asset to this pack. You're my Gamma and you'll always be one of the strongest here."

Emily nodded her head and threw her arm around my shoulders and smiled. "You can't let Vanessa's little meltdown ruin your day, Alli. You've got to shake off the bad vibes."

"Exactly! It's the last night of the Super Flower Blood Moon Festival. Time to enjoy yourself. Who knows? Maybe your mate is out there, waiting for you to trip over him on the dance floor." Quinn smirked and wiggled her eyebrows.

I blew a frustrated breath and crossed my arms. "Isn't there a more exciting way to spend the night, like, I dunno, napping?"

"Come on, Allison. You can't spend the night napping. The festival's got music, dancing, and probably a lot of questionable fashion choices. It's a spectacle you can't miss!" Quinn urged. "And you know that this festival is the biggest Lycan party-it only happens once every ten years! Tonight's the Howling Moon when the true beauty of the moon finally shines through," she added enthusiastically.

"Yeah, this is the last night of the festival. You can't miss the Howling Moon. It's like the grand finale of a fireworks show, but more beautiful and lots of howling," Emily chimed in, sounding even more excited.

If they weren't the Alpha and Beta of this pack, you'd think that they were just ordinary party girls. By the looks of it, these two won't stop pestering me until I go with them. Worse, they'd probably just drag my ass out there.

"Fine," I surrendered.

They exchanged a triumphant high-five before grabbing me in both arms and dragging me to Quinn's house to get me all dolled up. Well, looks like we're off to the Lunar Valley tonight.

--

The Lunar Valley is brimming with werewolves from every part of the country-and all from different packs. Now, that's not something you see every day. Werewolf packs don't usually mix with each other unless there's a war or a party. Luckily, it's the latter this time.

The usual serene expanse of grassy plains has been transformed into a rave paradise for lycans. Lanterns hung from every tree, casting a warm glow over makeshift bars and dance floors. Cottages dotted the valley like little inns and A DJ werewolf was spinning energetic beats that had the crowd in a frenzy.

These people know how to party, alright.

The cool night air was refreshing against my skin as I took in the spectacle of frantic werewolves who seemed to be having the best night of their lives.

"Who wants to get started with some drinks?" Emily offered while holding a tray of liquors.

"Gimme that." I eagerly grabbed the strongest one she offered. I was determined to drown my worries in alcohol.

"Easy, girl. We the night is still young," Quinn preached.

"Come on, this is the only way I could enjoy this party!" I complained and emptied another glass.

As I downed myself glass after glass, the bustling energy of the festival seemed to fade into the background. Emily joined her mate on the dance floor, probably to dance and make out. Who knows? Quinn, on the other hand, was off chatting with acquaintances, leaving me alone at the table. This is better. I wanted some time to enjoy being alone and get used to it. Because it seems to me that I'm bound to be alone forever, anyway.

A sigh escapes my lips as I stare at my reflection through the glass I just emptied. Being mateless feels like punishment for any werewolf. It's an endless feeling of loneliness as if there's a void inside your chest that you cannot fill.

It feels like you're missing a part of yourself and you have to spend all your life trying to find that piece, only to fail time and time again. Because the only way you could ever fill that hole is once you find your other half, your mate.

Without a mate, a werewolf is just... incomplete.

I was in the middle of chugging yet another drink when a low, sultry voice tickled my ear. "You look like you could use a little distraction there, miss..." his hot breath strokes my nape, making me turn my head. Standing there was a drop-dead gorgeous guy with tanned skin, silver eyes, and jet-black hair. His smile was as smooth as his approach.

He's hot, alright.

"Uh, who are you?"

"Just a man trying to party. I couldn't help but notice you're alone. Mind if I join?"