Page 1 of Fated Despite the Moon

Chapter One

As dawn broke over the horizon of the Sunset strip, Makayla tiptoed to the front door of her mother's Beverly Hills mansion, a pair of designer black stilettoes in her hand. Her designated driver duties over, she was happy to be home for a day of crashing with her besties before they restarted the partying.

"Ouch!" A giggle sounded behind her.

Makayla turned. "Shhhh…"

Rachael slammed her hand over Mindy's mouth, and both of them stifled their laughter.

Makayla couldn't help but laugh too despite the fact there'd be hell to pay if she woke up her mom.

She pushed her sweat soaked blonde hair out of her face and unlocked the front door. Pushing it open she listened for a moment then padded across the enormous entrance to the security alarm on the wall. Punching in the code she disarmed it, then waved her friends in.

They closed the heavy door with a bang making Makayla's heart jump. Mindy and Rachael hung onto each other like conjoined twins, trying to hold back more drunken laughter.

"Come on," she whispered. "Get up to my room before you two fall down, and my mother thinks you’re burglars and shoots you."

The trio headed toward the large winding staircase.

"Makayla." The soft yet firm sound of her name coming from the living room raised goosebumps on her arms.

She closed her eyes and blew out a harsh breath.Damn. Mindy and Rachel stared at her from the bottom step. "Go on. I'll be there in a minute."

The two nodded and stumbled up the winding staircase. She prayed they didn’t vomit on her mother’s pristine carpet. If that happened, she’d never hear the end of it.

Makayla straightened her spine and tried to pull down her too short skirt as much as possible to appease her mother before heading for the living room. As she trudged across the cold granite floor she ran through various excuses as to where she had been, and why she was returning home at five thirty in the morning. Unfortunately, in the last month she'd used them all already.

She reached the step leading down into the plush cream salon and stopped. Her mother sat in the high wingback chair her father had used only for business or family meetings. A chair that hadn’t been occupied in over six months. Despite the graying hair hanging casually over her shoulders- and being swathed in a peach silk bathrobe- Makayla’s mother’s straight spine and tense posture told Makayla her mother was anything but pleased.

Makayla swallowed hard at the sight of her older brother Colt standing like a living statue behind their mother. If Colt was home, she was in for a serious tongue-lashing. She donned her best smile and descended into the room where her toes sunk into the thick pile carpeting.

"Colt. Great to see you. I'm glad you could take–"

Her mother waved her hand. "Have a seat Makayla."

Makayla folded her arms over her chest as the rebellious streak that had taken root in her over the past months reared its ugly head. "I'm good here, thanks."

She needed to keep on her feet in case things got too annoying, and she had to make a quick getaway.

Her mother and brother stared at her, and she fought the urge to squirm. Even in human form her mother wore the countenance of an Alpha female.

"Where were you this time?" her mother asked.

Makayla opened her mouth then shut it again. Why lie? They'd know anyway. They most likely already smelled the tobacco and sweat wrapping every inch of her.

"I just went dancing with some friends."

"And drinking?"

She wished her mom would give hersomecredit. She wasn't that stupid- or heartless.

"No, mother. I was the designated driver."

"How can you do this to us, Makayla? Flaunt yourself in public for everyone to see? As if our reputation hasn't been tarnished enough by your actions. Now you stay out all night clubbing with your friends? What would your father say?"

"Stay safe?"

Her mother's expression hardened, and her eyes flashed.

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