“Nina! Get up, you’re going to be late for school!” my mom shouted from down the stairs. Shit, its Monday, this weekend went by quick. My senior year is almost over. I have senior prom this Saturday and graduation next Saturday. Rolling over and sliding out of bed is the hardest part. I have a very loving relationship with my bed. I quickly take a shower, and get dressed. I always wear comfy clothes but since I have to go to training today, I let my hair air dry with leggings and a sports bra with a crop top.

“NINA!!! Your friends are waiting outside!” mom shouted right as I hear an impatient horn honking. As long as I can remember, Holly and Trevor always pick me up and drive us to school. It is only a 10-minute walk but it’s nice to not have to walk when its cold out. With a granola bar in hand my mom is standing at the door and gives me a big smile and hug goodbye.

Jogging down the steps from my wrap around porch I hear them already arguing.

“Trevor, I told you, I am old enough to make my own choices!” Shouted Holly angerly As long as I can remember Trevor has always been overly protective of Holly. He does not like her training, flirting, dating and anything he said that it would give a guy the wrong impression. He wants to her to a princess and not lift a finger. Unfortunatly for him, she has a passion for fighting and an attitude to match it. We are twins in that aspect.

“Already arguing? Why now?

“Trevor thinks I should stay home and learn to cook or work at the daycare instead of going to the field after school to train. Apparently it gives guys a chance to look at what isn’t theirs and isn’t lady like. It doesn’t matter if I know how to defend myself or that I am one of the top female warriors” Holly lashed out

“Trevor, you know you wont and have yet to win this argument. She is going to do what she wants and you need to love her for who she is not try to make her into being a submissive trophy wife” standing up for my friend. Mainly before I love her but also, I don’t want to be put into that category either.

“Whatever” Trevor commented under his breath as he floors his Dodge Charger.

Finally school is over and I can let out some of my frustration on someone’s face. Running to the field, I see my dad walking out to the field to start training, giving me a head bob he yells at everyone to start with ten laps for a warm up and then pair off and work on offense and defense. On my second lap I suddenly feel a presence behind me.

“Hey there good looking” Coconut and rain rushing into my senses. I didn’t need to turn around to feel Damian’s eyes on my ass as I run. Rolling my eyes I suddenly swerve to the right and kick my foot out and send him flying forward. However since Damian is over 18 and has gotten his wolf, he is able to nail the landing and glance back at me with a wink. Slowing his pace he looks at me and this time I almost fall. The look he is giving me is filled with so much love, desire, and longing. My mouth goes dry and I can’t seem to find the words to snap back at him.

“Something got your tongue?”

“Oh, just this cocking future alpha that thinks he is hot stuff”

Faking hurt and a hand over his heart and a pained look on his face he asked “Well then I guess you might want to be my partner and show me how cocky I am?”

“Sure, I would like to knock you down a peg or two mister”

Finishing our laps we all break off into groups of two and start to spar, Damian knows I need to let out some frustration so he takes defense first. I get in a few good punches but I seem to be in more pain. Although I am the top female warrior, I am no match for a future alpha. I do feel better though and I was able to get my pent up energy out. All these feeling for this Saturday seem to be getting stronger each day.

“Feeling any better kitten?”

“No, It only seems to be getting worse. The feelings are getting stronger each day”

Damian looks at me worried, he glances behind me and dips his head.

“Nina! We need to go over your birthday party Friday as well as Holly’s” Since We share the same birthday we always have a party together. We are both looking forward to it since we get our wolves and get to possibly meet our mates!

“Yes Luna! I was thinking since prom is the next day, why don’t we just do a little party before prom and then we can all head over to the dance after?”

“That sounds perfect dear, I will organize it for you!”

“Thanks mom!” Damian said to him mom, The Luna is the sweetest person you will ever meet. Just standing over 5’ 4” with a petite frame, long blonde hair she was a beauty. She is where Damian got his blue eyes from. I don’t think she knows how to raise her voice at all. I watched Stephanie walk away, the Alpha is the scarest person I know. He is like barely taller than Damian of solid muscle and is bald, he has this look at makes you squirm without even using his aura on you. How they every got paired together is beyond me.

“So will you go to prom with me Nina?” Damian asked pulling me out of my train of thought.

“Took you long enough to ask, what if I already found a date?”

“Please, everyone knows you belong to me, no one would dare ask you without running it by me first”

“Oh really, and what makes you think I belong to you?” I challenged

“Don’t make me laugh kitten, I claimed you when you were 5”

“Yeah well we will see Friday wont we?”

“About that” Damian suddenly takes a step back and rubs his neck

“What?”

“Dad has me going to a few meeting with alphas who have teens coming to the prom so I will be busy Friday. I wont get to see you till Saturday at your party.”

“What the fuck? Seriously? That’s perfect, how long have you known about this and didn’t tell me?” I feel my eyes burning with tears. I am beyond mad. That is the biggest thing I hate about myself. I cry when I am mad.

“I just found out I swear! I am so sorry Nina, I really wished we would have been able to figure how if we were mates before the party so we could decide on what was going to happen. I didn’t plan for this” Damian looked at me pleading, begging for me to understand. The only thing I could think as I turned and walking away was this is the beginning of a very bad week.

I haven’t seen Damian all week with my own studying, finalizing all projects so I don’t have to go to school next week. I am in all advanced classes and I have a feeling I will not want to go to school next week so I busted my butt with Holly to get it all done.

“Are you excited for our birthdays tomorrow?” Holly squealed

Rolling over in bed I said “Hell yes! I am so excited to meet my wolf! I wonder how big she will be, what color, what her name is”

“Me too! I am so glad your parents let me stay over tonight, I am glad we get to share this together”

“Well we have been busting our asses all week so we didn’t have to go to school today and next week!”

Holly suddenly gets a serious look on her face, “what will you do if Damian is not your mate?” Holly knows of my thoughts and fears. I tell her everything.

Sighing I respond, “I honestly don’t know, lets go to sleep, I have a feeling tomorrow will be a long day”

“Wake up sleepy head!!!!!” I suddenly hear yelling in my head. Maybe I am still dreaming, “I am not a dream girl! WAKE UP!” I snap my eyes open and realize I got my wolf!

“OMG, what is your name, what color are you, I love you already!” I yell, I am trying to lay still so I don’t wake Holly up but I am so excited!

I hear her giggling, “My name is Raven, and you will see what color I am when we shift!”

“Damn, can I shift now?”

“So impatient but yes you can, it will hurt really bad but I will help you through it.” Raven said

Very quietly I got out of bed and tip toed down the hair and went outside. “Okay now what?”

“Go into the woods, you might want to get naked and get comfortable, this will take awhile.”

30 minutes late there is a fire burning through my body. I am biting my tongue to keep from yelling out and making my presence aware. Suddenly I hear my bone start to snap. “RAVEN what happening?”

“Imagine your hands are paws and you are a wolf” Raven instructed. “I know this is going to hurt but it will only last a short time, you can do this!” I am laying on the fetal position hearing my bones breaking and next thing I know I am looking at the earth. I am smelling the wet earth and more scents I didn’t know what they were. Looking down I see a dark brown and reddish paws. Looking around everything is clearer, brighter, louder and more scents than before.

“Wow” that is all I can say right now.

Laughing Raven said, “Lets run!” and we did. We can up to a stream and I looked down. Raven is beautiful. She has my emerald green eyes and dark brown fur with almost a red tint to it. We ended up running for a few hours before we found ourselves back at my parents house.

“You should probably shift and get some sleep, you will need it for today!”

“Um exactly how Raven”

“Imagine yourself as a human again” roller her eyes at me.

I did as she requested and suddenly I felt cold, looking down I saw I was naked and put my clothes back on. Slipping back into bed and I felt drained.

“You will be tired for the rest of the day but also, Happy Birthday!”

“Thank you Raven! Goodnight!”

“OH GOD OH GOD!” I heard screaming and I sat straight up in my bed. Wiping the hair from my face I looked around to see Holly jumping up and down screaming. Clutching my heart and try to get my barings but just as I am about to ask Holly what the hell, my parents bust through the door! Almost taking it off its hinges!

“What happened, What is wrong?” My mom ask us.

“I got my wolf! Omg she is so sarcastic and funny! She is just like me and can’t wait to find our mate!” Holly sings while twirling around and around like a kid after they get ice cream.

“What is her name?” I asked. I can’t wait to tell my parents about Raven. “Is she always this loud” Raven asked, her tone was of annoyance and amusement. “Yeah, that is just Holly. A very large personality in a little body”

“Indy! I can’t wait see shift and see what she looks like!”

“After breakfast Holly! You need your energy for it!” Mom scolded lightly but there was a smile on her face so we knew she wasn’t upset anymore. “This calls for chocolate chip pancakes!”

I hear dad grumbling about how he never gets waffles anymore and my mother’s laugh as she scolds him for trying to be difficult. As rough and stern he is, there will always be a soft spot for myself and my mom.

“My wolf’s name is Raven! She is just like me also and has brown hair with a red tint to it!”

“You already shifted” Holly asked with a fallen sad look to her face. “I thought we would shift together” sighing she sat down on the bed. I wiggled my way over to her and gave her a hug.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Raven woke up me last night and I just couldn’t wait. I don’t have much energy but I would love to shift again with you and go for a short run! “Oh, yes please! Maybe mate is out there. I could use some sexy time with mate” Raven sang as she twirled in my head “Girl please, control your thoughts.” I rolled my eyes, if her thoughts are as bad as my own….

“Ok yeah that would be okay. I am not mad really, just bummed. I totally get it though. I probably would have done the same” Holly said as she came to terms with the situation. She figured we would do everything as the same time as one another. Find our mates, get pregnant and everything at the same time. I never felt like that was going to happen but I never really put down her dreams. Honestly, I didn’t want to. I would like for us do experience it all together but it never felt right.

“Girls! Breakfast!!!” Mom yelled from the kitchen. Holly shoved me on the bed and darted for the door, Unfortunatly, I have always been quicker and was able to trip her foot and send her flying into the wall. She landed with a thud. I didn’t stop because we have done this so many times and now she has her wolf she will head faster. I made it to the kitchen just seconds before she did.

“Honestly girls, aren’t you a little old for that childish stuff?” Dad scolded us. I have him a peck on the cheek while mom told him to leave us along, it was our birthdays and just eat. We hide our smirks and shoved our mouths full. Mom and cook. I got my skills from her too.

“What are your plans today girls?” Mom asked

“After breakfast we are going to shift and go for a run but then probably just lay around all day, eat junk food and watch movies. I hear shifting for the first time takes it out of you so we are doing that today so we have energy to dance tomorrow!!!” Holly said.

“I know the boys are busy with pack stuff today so it would just be you two today.” Dad said. They are trying to get everything ready so dad and the Alpha can retire and Damian and Trevor take over. Zach has boarder patrol today since he switched so he had tomorrow off so it’s a girls day!

“That’s fine, they wont want to watch our movies anyway!” I said slightly disappointed. I knew Damian said he wouldn’t see me today but I was holding out hope.

“Hurry up Nina! I am ready to go!” Holly said impatiently I was already feeling sluggish so I wasn’t in a hurry

“Girl you better move, my tail needs to stretch!” Raven said. Rolling my eyes I shove three bites off my plate and hand it to mom to clean.

“Thanks mom!”

We ran out the door before she could even respond.

“Where should we shift at? It needs to be deep enough that no one sees us naked but close enough to home.” Holly asking deep in though. I see her rolling her eyes and I know she is talking to her wolf.

“Ill show you where I went last night”

We find the clearing and remove our clothes and sit facing each-other.

“Will it hurt?” Holly whispered

“Yes but only for awhile. Once you shift, it will all go away and it will be the best feeling in the world!”

2 hours later and a screaming Holly, I finally see a small grey wolf standing in front of me. I also shift but this time it only took my a few seconds. It was still painful but not near as bad. Once Raven and Indy get to know eachother, they take off. Jumping over logs and even catching a rabbit to eat. After about three hours we find our way back to our clothes and slip them on.

“That was the best feeling I ever had. It is so freeing. You see and smell everything differently now!” Holly said in awe

“I know, I feel like nothing can touch us when we are in our wolf forms. Lets go take a nap, I am so tired though” I said struggling to make it to my house.

“Yeah, defiantly not doing anything today!”

As soon as we get inside I take the couch and curl up with a thick fuzzy red blanket with tribe patterns on it and Holly takes the recliner with a grey blanket with a wolf on it. Grabbing the remote I flipped the channels till I found a horror movie.

“Look at the blankets we chose? Interesting colors isn’t it?” I laughed but it fell on deaf ears as Holly was already asleep. Girl could sleep through a bombing. Sighing I wiggle my way into my pillow and close my eyes.

“Girls! Are you going to wake up” Something well yelling at me and I couldn’t figure out why. Just let a girl sleep, I need 5 for minutes!

“GIRLS!” Shit, I opened one eye and look at my dad standing before me with a smile on his face. Groaning I just rolled over and was about to settle back in but I suddenly felt cold air!

“AAAARRRR Why did you do that?” Holly screamed. Dad had pulled off both of our blankets and successfully dumped Holly on the floor.

“Well girls it is almost supper time and you have slept the day away! We have cake and presents plus Holly’s family is coming to dinner so get upstairs and shower and be ready in 2 hours!” Dad said taking his place on the recliner and turning the T.V. on.

Holly was rubbing her hip as she sprinted to the bedroom to get in the shower before me! I let her win because I wanted another 5 minutes of sleep before our little family party!

Soon we were shower and Holly was fussing over my hair and making up. I honestly hate doing my makeup and wearing dresses was not my thing.

“I have to wear a dress tomorrow, don’t put me in one tonight as well! Plus it is my birthday too so I can chose to be comfortable!” I stated firmly

“Fine but no sweats! Holly stated back with a determine look on her face. Rolling my eyes I picked out a pair of black holey skinny jeans and a cream sweater. Holly had on a long sleeve dress that had a high neck line and stopped just above her knees. It was white with yellow flowers on it.

Walking into the kitchen we smelled the wonderful smells of pot roast, potatos and carrots. One of my favorite meals. I ended up eating three bowls as getting my wolf made me hungry! Dinner went nicely and small talk was made. I suddenly didn’t feel good. I knew it was about tomorrow. I have managed to forget about the feeling all day since shifting and sleeping the day away. Holly and I both got matching necklaces that had a wolf emblem on it. Mine was white gold and Holly’s was gold. Finally Holly’s parents said goodnight and we headed up to bed. This had been a great birthday but I KNEW everything was changing tomorrow.

“Happy birthday beautiful” Damian whispered in my head.

“OMG he sounds yummy” Raven said “Raven!” I said laughing but agreeing

“Thank you! When will I get to see you tomorrow?”

“Not till the party, unfortunately, I have a few things to finish up.”

“Okay, well I will be the one in red”

“Ugh, I am going to have to kill someone if they look at you or even touch you” Damian said growling

“Hmm well we will see lover boy” I teased, I needed to stop this before Holly smelled my arousal. She was already looking at me smiling. She knew I was mind-linking someone and by the smile on my face I knew she knew who it was.

“Goodnight my princess”

“Goodnight my prince”

“Sooo how is Damian?” Holly asked as I turned to her.

“He his so perfect. If I am not his mate I will be so heart broken. I have been in love with him since we were kids. What if I am not his mate and he finds someone else?

“Oh girl, that wont happen, you guys are made for each-other. Everyone can tell he loves you too. Even if he had another mate, I bet he would reject her for you. I would put only on it.” Holly stated firmly

“Idk, I just have this bad feeling. I hope your right but I will not let him reject his mate if it isn’t me. That isn’t right. The mate bond is made from the mood Goddess herself. I can’t come between that.” We are tough our whole lives that nothing is above the mate bond. You are suppose to cherish and love them. It is something every girl dreams of finding. We are no exception there.

“Well I think tomorrow will be perfect and we will each find our mates and live happily every after!” Holly state but she even had a worried tone to her.

“You are probably right” I say rolling over and ending the conversation.

“Raven, what do I do? What if he isn’t our mate and my fairy tale end here? What if he is my mate and my bad feeling in something much worse?”

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but I know regardless, we are strong and we will make it through whatever happens. Nothing can break us.” Raven stated flatly “Good night birthday girl, we have a long day tomorrow too” Raven said softer.