“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.

“Nina wake up, something is happening, something doesn’t feel right!” Raven whispered urgently.

Sitting up in my wolf form still since I didn’t have any clothes, I felt it. A very bad feeling. I assumed the bad feeling was Holly being Damian’s mate but now I wonder if it was more. Slowly we creeped out of our cave and strained my ears. I heard growing and smelled blood.

“Dad, what’s going on? I mind-linked my dad

“OMG NINA! Are you okay? Where are you? We are under attack! Get to the safe house NOW!”

Panic sank into me. I ran to our house and under the kitchen island is a bunker. I can clearly hear the growls and cries of wolves. I sink into the mattress we have there and wait it out. It happens, I feel a snap. I scream as loud as I can. I can’t believe it my MOM is dead! I felt her life being cut from mind. I hear my dad’s wails in the distance and I know he will not survive tonight either or will be dead in months. No one survives a mate dying. Your wolf will eventually go bad and you will turn Rouge. I didn’t think I have anything left to cry but I did. I cried for my mom and when I finally felt my dad’s connect snap I cried for him too. I am now an orphan, and my best friend is mated to my childhood lover. I cried till I passed out again. Raven kept watch in case she needed to protect me while I mourned.

It is finally morning and I wake up. This isn’t my bed I think and last night comes rushing back to me. I know I shouldn’t stay down here but I need to find my parents body and say goodbye. I walk upstairs looking at all the pictures my mom has hung on the wall and I lose it. I smash everything in sight. I am going to town when I feel strong arms around me holding me still. Tears are pouring out and I don’t have energy to fight with anyone.

“I got you Nina” Trevor said I was thankful it wasn’t Holly or Damian. I am not ready to face them yet. I quickly realized I am still naked and so does Trevor as he lets me go and turns around. I sprint to my room and put on black joggers and a sports bra and crop top. I pull on my Nike sneakers as Trevor walks in and sits down on my bed. He has been here before but it just feels different now. His sister will be Luna.

“I don’t know what to say Nina. I am so sorry about your parents. I am sure you already know. Holly had no idea what was going to happen. She feels like the worst person in the world. Damian in worse. He didn’t reject Holly but didn’t accept her either. Everyone assumed it would have been you…” his voice trailed off. We sat in uncomfortable silence for awhile.

“Take me to my parents” I said finally Trevor just looked at my and nodded. He was always like a brother to me and I let him put his arms around me and comfort me. We walked in silence and I kept my head down. I could feel everyone stares and I couldn’t look into the eyes that I am sure are fully of pitty. The girl whose boyfriend was mated to her best friend and lost her parents. I was going to be the packs member that everyone felt sorry for. I hit me right then that I wasn’t going to be able to take the Beta position. How could I? Work under Damian and Holly and watch their love story grow? I am not that strong. I guess Trevor was going to get a promotion. Finally we made it to where they were preparing for the funerals. Pack life is different. Here at the Red Moon pack we don’t have funerals in these situations. If someone dies of natural causes then yes but with warriors that die on the battle field get the honor funeral. Everyone gathers around. The Alpha will say a few words and then they will be set on fire. Their ashes fertilizing the ground in believe that we are giving back to the Moon Goddess by keeping her creations alive. Circle of life. Trevor was sent to come get me for the ceremony I realized in that moment as we approach the whole pack. He guilds me over to where my parents are.

“Nina” I hear softly, I turn and see Holly and a tear soaked face and Damian looking at me from behind her. Next to him is his parents the Alpha and Luna with sorrowful expression on their face. I can’t do this now so I just turn around and walk away to my parents. We lost 27 warriors altogether. I grabbed my parent’s wedding rings and my mom’s necklace she had on. I had giving to her for their 25th wedding anniversary. It was a simple single princess cute emerald on a white gold chain. Putting their rings on the necklace and I get Trevor put the necklace on me.

I hear the Alpha speak but honestly I am done being here. Zoning out I can’t help but think what will I do now? Do I stay in the same house? Where do I work? I know mom and dad had a saving saved up so I am not hurting for money but I can’t rely on it. I was planning on going to college anyway so maybe I will go to one outside of this state. I can’t stay here is all I know. Finally they start to get fire to the bodies and I watch my parents become ash. Well I know one thing for sure now. My mate is not in this pack. I would have smelled him today. I don’t know if I should be happy about that or not. Happy I am not going to be stuck here looking at Damian and Holly for the rest of my life but sad I will have to leave into the unknown to find him.

Trevor starts guiding me back home since I don’t want to go to the meal after. I can’t eat. Walking into the front door I find the couch and lay down. I hear a door shut and glass moving and I realized Trevor is cleaning up my mess. Working on auto piolet I stand up to help him.

“Nina, don’t. I can handle it. You need to eat and relax.”

Looking down I whispered, “I can’t sit still, I need to keep moving.”

“Okay, well, why don’t you make us some lunch since we missed the meal. He suggested

I nodded and went to work. I wasn’t really thinking and I just made everything. I started with boiling the noodles and cutting the chicken and adding it to the pan. While that was cooking I made the dough for chocolate chip cookies and had them in the oven by the time the noodles were done. My chicken was cooked and I added the Alfredo sauce and added the noodles. It is my stable mean and apparently everyone will say how amazing it is. It is another comfort food for me.

“Nina, we need to talk” I hear a high sqeeky voice from the door

I straighten my bad and prepared myself. I was not ready for this but here we go. Time to be the daughter my parents raised. And Since Raven as been absent from my mind all morning, I am on my own. She stayed up all night to make sure we were protected that she needed to sleep today.

Turning to look at Holly I can tell she has been crying. Her cheeks are red and nose from blowing her nose, her eyes are swollen and red. She is earing leggings and a tshirt and her hair is in a pony tail. Standing behind her is Damian. His eyes reflect the pain and turmoil he is in. Hearing black gym shorts and white wife beater looking sexy as ever. Trevor has his head showing from the door way with a nervous look to him. Like is she going to go all crazy? I had to smile internally cause that is exactly what I would do. I am born fighter, trained and at the top of my class. I wouldn’t be able to kill Damian or Holly but I could get a few hits in before I was pulled off. And they knew it. They were standing tense and waiting to see what I would do. Glancing nervously between them both.

Sighing I said, “Nothing to talk about. You guys are mates. You will not reject each other. Damian our fairy tale of love has come to an end, Holly our friendship is done, and I will be leaving here soon once I get everything in order. I can’t stay here and watch you two in a mate bond being in love and running the pack as Alpha and Luna even if I am not made Beta. Being Beta would be worse, having to work closely by your guys and seeing it every day. Trevor can be Beta. Zach can be Gamma. I wont be the pathetic ex-girlfriend you can’t get away from. I have more pride than that. I might eventually feel different about things but right now I need to not see you guys ever again.”

I finished my speech and Holly has a shocked and hurt expression on her face. She burst into tears and runs outside through the front door. Damian looks back at her and turns to look at me opening his mouth to say something but I stop him before he does.

“Just leave”

I feel a mind-link from Damian, I allow it through. “I am so sorry, I will forever love you, Please forgive me”

I shut if off and don’t reply. Looking out the window I see him bring her into a hug. He tilts his head and sees me watching through the window and gets a pained look in his eyes. All I can do is turn away before I head to bed and cry myself to sleep letting Trevor to clean the kitchen.