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.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP the alarm is going off signaling it is 9am. We don’t have to be at the pack house till 3pm. The party is at 3pm till 5pm then go to the dinner before prom and the dance following. It will take us 3 hours to get ready go we have a few hours to kill. We ended up looking at our grades and they were posted

Gasp “OMG I passed everything” Holly said I looked over and she had tears in her eyes. School was always harder for her but she kept pushing herself. She wasn’t a straight A student but never had a C.

“I passed too!” I said proudly

“Let me guess, with all A’s too probably” she said slightly annoyed but happy

“Yes but Susan got valedictorian and I am okay with that. No speech for me!” I laughed slightly hurt but mainly relieved. Public speaking is not my thing.

“Let’s watch a movie till we need to get ready!” Holly said

“Okay, I’ll go get snacks and you and pick the movie out.”

Coming back with sausage, cheese and crackers in one hand and chocolate, popcorn and pop in another. We managed to snack and laugh all morning. Feeling so relieved from knowing we passed our classes! I didn’t even have my bad feelings!

Soon Holly was pulling at my hair and assaulting my face with makeup. She tired half of my hair back with an elegant braid and left pieces framing my face which she curled and curled the back. She applied a smoky eye with a slight blush since I seem to bush enough to bring out the color on my cheeks. Slipping onto my gown I looked into the mirror. I didn’t even recognize myself. I was stunning. My wolf necklace just brought everything together. Holly came out with her hair in a low side bun with pieces framing her face and a dark blue smoky eye to match her dress. She was a vision to see.

“Damn girl! I will be jealous of whoever is your mate!” I said making a show of my heart hurting.

“OMG Nina, you look better than I imagined you would! I’ll take partial credit of course!”

“Of course you….

“Girls, its time to go!” my moms voice sang out cutting me off. “I can’t wait to see your pretty dresses”

“Oh great, she already sounds like she is crying” I grimaced

“I heard that now get out here!” Mom said sternly

Giving Holly a smirk we made our way to the living room.

Looking at my mom, she was wiping the tears from her face and my dad looks pained.

“What is wrong dad?” I asked slightly concerned

“Well I would prefer a turtleneck dresses but you girls look beautiful” he whispered

“I love you too dad!

“Alright enough of this lovey stuff, let get you girls to your birthday party!” Dad said He had work to do regardless so he was taking us to the packhouse in his truck.

Suddenly I felt it. The feeling of dread came over me. I tried to act normal and keep my heart rate the same but it spiked a little. I caught dads eye from the rearview mirror and he looked at me questionly.

“You okay hun?” dad asked via mind-link. Thankfully Holly was too excited to notice

“Yeah, just a bad feeling about night. I am sure it will be nothing. You know how they can be” I tried to sound reassuring

“Hmm well just mind-link me if you need me and I’ll be there any time you need sweety”

“I know, thank you dad. I love you”

“I love you too”

Pulling up into the pack house it was already busy with kids. They changed the game room into a party. Removed all the games and added tables and snacks and drinks. There was alcohol because if you are of age, you can drink at 18 because it takes so much to get a wolf drunk. However 17 and under it was not allowed but not enforced hard since we are staying on pack grounds. We make our way to the drinks and we both pour ourself a drink. Holly like the sweet drinks and goes for a Sex on the Beach and I like my whiskey so I pour a crown and coke.

“I have to go to the bathroom!” Holly said loudly so I can hear her over the music.

“Okay I am right behind you”

We get about half way and Holly suddenly stops. She starts smelling the air and moving away from the bathroom. What is going on with her? I tried to follow her but she was moving too quickly with how many people were here. I finally catch up to her and she has a deer in the head lights look to her and she is staring straight head. Turning my head I look to see what she is looking at and it is Damian. I get a sinking feeling in the pit on my stomach as I hear Holly whisper “Mate”

No no no no, that can’t be right, he is suppose to be my mate, not Holly’s. I am in a trans looking at him. I can feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. I haven’t taken a breath and Damian is looking between Holly and I unsure of what to do. Trevor and Zach are on either side of him with shocked expressions on their faces. No one can believe it. I was supposed to be his mate, ME!

“Nina, I….” Holly stammered unsure of what to say or do. Everyone is waiting to see how I react. Snaping out of my trans, Raven is howling loudly in my ear. She can feel my heartbreak as if it was her own. My whole life is lie, all of the make out sessions, all the midnight talks and I know are gone. Damian takes one step towards me and suddenly we all hear a growl that makes him stop. I look over and Holly has her mouth covered and a shocked expression on her face. I have told her all my feelings towards Damian and she knows how much I love him. Our friendship will not survive this. Of that I am sure. She is already being possessive of him. She is probably afraid he will reject her. My heart is breaking for her too. She knows her mate is in love with another girl, and that other girl is her best friend.

I did the only think I could think of that that was to turn around and run away. And I ran fast. I could hear everyone yell at me from behind and I could hear the paws hit the ground so I shifted mid stride and took off. I managed to out run everyone. I let Raven take over and I just cried. Cried for my long lost friend and lover. Raven found a cave and crawled into it. I build a wall up around my mind. I cried myself to sleep while blocking out all the mind-links I was getting.