Chapter 2 The Weight of Friendship

Layla's POV

I raised an eyebrow, nudging her shoulder. "Spill it."

"It's about... Ethan." Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "I think I really like him, Layla. Not just regular like—I mean really like him."

Something twisted in my stomach—a feeling I couldn't quite name. I pushed it down immediately. This was Maya, my best friend since we could walk. Her happiness mattered more than whatever this strange discomfort was.

"That's great," I said, forcing enthusiasm into my voice. "He's definitely one of the good ones."

"You think I have a chance?" Her hopeful expression made any hesitation impossible.

"Of course you do. Who wouldn't fall for our pack's little witch?" I bumped her shoulder affectionately, and just like that, the moment of unease passed.

Maya squealed and threw her arms around me, planting a quick kiss on my cheek. "I love you so much, Lala! You're the absolute best!" Her excitement was contagious, making my earlier discomfort seem trivial.

We gathered our things as the sun began to sink lower in the sky. Walking back toward the residential area, we fell into our familiar rhythm, arms loosely wrapped around each other's waists, our steps perfectly in sync after years of friendship.

"Do you think he likes the bold type or should I play it cool?" Maya mused, already planning her approach.

As we rounded the corner past the community center, a bright yellow notice on the telephone pole caught my eye. I slowed our pace to get a better look.

"Another search notice," I said, gesturing toward the paper emblazoned with the Center Pack emblem. The notice featured a sketched image of what a young boy might look like now, alongside the formal crest of the Head Alpha.

Maya sighed. "The Head Alpha's still looking for his son after all these years. It's sad, really."

"Seventeen years of searching," I nodded. "Mom says he's posted these notices in every pack all over the world."

"Can you imagine losing your child like that? Just vanished from the nursery." Maya shuddered. "No wonder they say he's never the same since—all that power and still couldn't protect his own pup."

We continued walking, leaving the notice behind. But the thought lingered—how even the mightiest alpha was vulnerable to the cruelties of fate.

The evening shadows grew longer as we parted ways at Maya's house, her final words about Ethan lingering in my mind as I continued home alone.

The next morning, dew still clung to the grass as we gathered at the training grounds. Combat training was a requirement for all young wolves regardless of rank or status. Our training area sat at the eastern edge of pack territory—a wide clearing surrounded by towering pines that shielded us from outside eyes.

I circled my opponent, a gangly boy named Derek who had recently hit a growth spurt that left him uncoordinated. When he lunged, I sidestepped easily, using his momentum to flip him onto his back.

"Good form, Layla," our instructor called out. "Derek, remember to center your weight."

From across the training ground, a bout of laughter drew my attention. Ethan was picking himself up from the dirt for what must have been the third time, his opponent—James, one of our stronger fighters—barely winded.

"Come on, Alpha boy," James taunted, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Your father's our pack's Alpha. Show some backbone!"

Instead of anger or embarrassment, Ethan just scratched the back of his head with a good-natured grin. "Yeah, well, seems I inherited my mother's brains instead of my father's brawn."

The others laughed, but there was no real malice in it. Ethan's easy acceptance of his limitations somehow made it impossible to truly mock him.

As I watched him reset his stance for another round, I found myself wondering what Maya saw in him. He wasn't particularly strong or dominant like most girls preferred. Yet there was something... genuine about him. A quiet confidence that had nothing to do with physical prowess.

"Earth to Layla," Derek called, waving a hand in front of my face. "Ready for round two or are you too busy staring at Ethan?"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I snapped my attention back. "Just observing different fighting styles," I muttered, dropping back into a defensive stance.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and pack duties. By nightfall, my muscles ached pleasantly from the morning's exertion as I settled at the dinner table with my parents.

"The moon will be full next weekend," My mom Isolde Whitethorn announced, passing my dad Rayden Blackwood another helping of venison stew. "Perfect timing for your ceremony, Layla."

I nodded, suddenly finding my food fascinating. The Moon Blessing ceremony had been looming over me for months—the ritual that would officially mark my transition to adulthood at eighteen and potentially reveal my mate bond.

"It's nothing to be nervous about, sweetheart," Dad said, reading my expression. "The bond only awakens when both mates are of age. And even then, it's just a feeling—a pull. Nothing overwhelming."

Mom nodded. "I was terrified before mine, but when it happened, it felt like coming home." She reached for Dad's hand with a smile I'd seen countless times but never fully understood.

"Will I be assigned to the scouting teams after?" I asked, changing the subject.

My parents exchanged glances. "The regular scout positions are always open to qualified wolves," Dad said carefully. "But if you're thinking about the Spearhead Initiative, that's different. They only recruit Alpha children identified with exceptional potential before they even turn one year old."

"The Spearhead Initiative," I muttered, recognizing their hesitation. The program was rarely discussed openly—a special unit answering directly to the Alpha Prime.

Dad cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "What's important right now is whether you're prepared for the Moonlight Blessing. Have you been practicing the ceremonial responses?"

I nodded, grateful for the change of subject despite knowing he was deliberately avoiding my question. "I've been reviewing them with Maya."

As my parents discussed the practical arrangements for the ceremony, my mind wandered to what it might feel like to discover my mate. Would there really be that instant recognition? That pull my mother described? The thought sent a mixture of excitement and apprehension through me.

Somewhere out there, someone was meant for me—a perfect complement to my soul. I couldn't help but smile at the romance of it all, momentarily forgetting my concerns about Maya and Ethan.