His Highlander Luna

CHAPTER 1

AGREEMENT OR NOT

Bridgette's POV:

I stared out of my window, silently watching the misting rain drizzle lightly against my window. The sun hidden under a blanket of grey clouds making the rich green of the forests and grasslands emerald and vibrant. I leaned against the cold stone window frame and stared into the wilderness, lost in thought. My father was planning another party for me tonight, something I was dreading. I kept trying to assure him that in time I would find my mate, that it was destined and that the Moon Goddess wouldn’t have it any other way. I was only 22 years old for crying out loud, but I could hear his voice echo in my head.

“Britty, every wolf needs a mate, fated or chosen, and you are not getting any younger. Even your little sister has found her mate.” I sighed and crossed my arms across my chest. You would think I was an old maid by the way he spoke. It wasn’t that I cared much anyway, I was quite content in being alone. I didn't need a mate, and I refused to be controlled by one. I was my own person, educated and with a career. Additionally, my father was a Lycan king, not just some simple werewolf. That's right, I am a Lycan, of ancient blood. I had always been proud of my heritage.

And that was indeed the problem. My father was insistent that I find a mate and settle down just as my two brothers and one sister had done. I was the oldest, my father’s heir, and the only one of the siblings yet to find their mate, which was making my father extremely anxious.

So, he began hosting parties and throwing extravagant balls on my behalf, at first locally, then within our country, then the entire island of Wales. This particular party, he had invited Alpha’s from all over the world, and I had been firmly instructed that I would be choosing an acceptable male this time, fated or not.

I felt my shoulders shutter, a chosen mate, how abhorrent is that? How barbaric, they might as well sell me to the highest bidder. I knew my father was interviewing men on my behalf and the concept infuriated me. He had a fated mate, why would he believe that I should be different from any other wolf? I deserved time to find my soulmate, my other half and I simply refused to settle for the first Alpha with a large checkbook and a title.

A sound suddenly startled me from behind, catching my attention and my little sister Oliva came bounding into my room. She was only 16 years old, but she was a rare beauty, nonetheless. She had raven black hair and the same electric blue eyes that my father and I had. She smiled sweetly and plopped down onto my settee.

“So, you are pouting then.” There was a hint of humor in her voice, and I couldn't help but glare at her.

“You would be less than pleased if father was telling you who to be mated to.” I snapped quietly, returning my attention out of the window.

“Aye, I'd be that. Finding Jack was a stroke of good fortune for me. Son of father’s Beta, who would've thought. It was an easy transition for us to go from friends to mates, we talked near daily anyhow.” I couldn't help but shake my head at my little sister's dumb luck. Only Olivia would end up with her best guy friend as her mate. She discovered him less than a week ago, but the mating ceremony was already being planned, and why not, he was a good wolf, from good family, and his father was a Lycan, just as we were.

I turned to face her, crossing my arms with annoyance. I looked at her smiling face before I resorted to go and sit across from her. My fireplace was crackling, flames gently rolling behind the black screen, directly across from the horsehair styled chair I had chosen to settle in. For being early Fall, mid-September to be exact, it had a formative chill in the air.

“Not everyone ends up having their best friend as their mate. I have looked, so has father, and what bothers me most now is that he is demanding I choose a bloke. I mean, finding a soul mate is not the same as finding a pebble on the beach.” I watched my sister frown, wearing a long grey wool skirt and a black tunic top that clung to her curves, curves nearly as good as mine even for as young as she was. Not one of the Ryan ladies were lacking in curve appeal as my mother often joked. She clasped her hands in front of her and smiled to me warmly, I could tell she felt for me.

“Maybe he will be among the Alpha's father has invited?" her statement was more of a question, and I simply leaned back into my large antique chair and huffed.

“Unlikely.” I growled. “I wish I could just travel this world for a wee bit ya know… explore, find myself before I settle down.” Oliva frowned and leaned forward uneasily.

“I heard father tell mum that he was leaning towards you accepting Ludwig, the Alpha from Germany. I believe he is a Lycan also and very wealthy.” My sister informed me quietly. My brows furrowed and I pursed my lips.

“He is an arrogant ass.” I muttered. Oliva nodded in agreement. It was a well-known fact that Ludwig believed he was superior to all beasts and men. The only souls he felt were an equal to him was the handful of Lycan Kings that still reigned around the world. I sat up slowly, my eyes widened and a smiled graced my face as an idea floated defiantly within my head.

“I could tell father that I have to travel somewhere for business. That I am needed to a consult for a historical building somewhere?” My brain was beginning to wander as a plan filtered within my head. I just needed some time to myself, a place where I can unwind, and think.