Chapter 1
The rain hung heavy in the air. The wind howled through the pine trees, shaking needles loose from the branches and hurling them to the ground. The earthy musk aroma of the storm was permeating the humid air.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, soaking in all the earth notes. I dug my toes into the damp dirt and turned my face to the sky letting the few remaining rays of light warm my face.
Today was the Lunar Union Ball. Everyone who had gone through their first shift and hadn’t found their mate yet would attend. It was a chance to meet other wolves from neighboring packs who were looking for their true mate.
It was a grand affair. Everyone would be dressed to impress, and enjoy a royal feast and entertainment at the City Center, near the home of the Alpha King. It was my first year attending and I was nervous.
Celeste, I’m here, where are you?
My best friend was mind linking with me. We planned to meet at my house to leave for the hotel together. Charlotte had been my best friend since the day we were born. Our mothers were best friends and had us four days apart, and growing up we were inseparable.
We often talked about finding our mates and being able to let our children grow up together just like we did. We were both surprised to find that our mates were not from our pack, but hopeful that they might still be from the same pack!
Lottie was gorgeous. She was tall, blonde, and slim, but had curves that had the single guys in our pack drooling when she passed by. Her ass was an ass to be worshiped. Standing next to her, I was a plain Jane. My parents always told me I was ‘pretty in my own way’, but parents have to tell you you’re pretty. It’s an unwritten rule.
My brown hair came down past my shoulders in big waves, and was my favorite feature. I have brown eyes that more resembled melted chocolate, than anything. I only stood 5’ 2” and was the smallest in our pack, including even the youngest of the teenagers in our pack.
I’m heading there now! Let yourself in.
I felt the first few raindrops land on my arm, and I started to shift. I ran through the trees and the fog, feeling the patter of raindrops on my fur. Digging my claws into the dirt I sped up, dodging between rocks, and fallen branches, and listening to the sounds of the mountain. I could hear deer and squirrels, and birds settling in before the storm came through.
Everything was perfect when I was running through the mountains. I felt peaceful, and at home here. I was one with these woods. And my wolf was her strongest here. Faster, Celeste.
Hearing Celina’s plea sent me racing forward. My paws pounded the dirt, and my breath formed puffs of steam billowing past my ears. My lungs burned with each inhale, pulling in mist, and the deep smell of pine and earth that filled the Smokey Mountains.
When I neared the treeline, I stopped at the edge of the woods behind a large red oak tree to shift from my wolf form. I stepped into the thin yellow dress that I had left draped over a branch and slipped into my flip flops before darting to my back door.
“I’m back!”
“Goddess, there you are! Where were you? I wanted to leave before this rain started but that’s not happening now.” She motioned toward the window where rain pummeled the glass. It had turned into a torrential downpour.
“Don’t worry, Lottie. My car is in the garage so we won’t get wet packing it up. Plus, you know you’re a passenger princess anyways, so we both know I’m going to drive while you pick the music.”
She smiled at me and threw up her palm in a ‘whatever’ gesture and rolled her eyes.
“I was running the mountains this morning to calm my nerves. I’m so nervous. What if I don’t meet my mate?”
“Celeste! Stop. Let’s go enjoy the food and the dancing and the music, and the boys will be an added bonus! You’re going to meet your mate, just like I am. Now, let’s hit the road so we have plenty of time to get ready! You know I need extra time to get ready for big events!” She laughed and threw her hair over her shoulder before bending down to grab her bags. Her 5 bags.
“Heaven sak, Lottie, did you pack enough?” I teased her and threw my duffel bag over my shoulder. She stuck her tongue out at me and headed through the garage door to load her bags in the car.
I grabbed my phone and texted my parents.
Celeste: About to head out with Lottie
I hit send and threw my phone and charger in my purse. I looked around feeling like I was forgetting something.
“Let’s go loser!” Lottie called from the garage.
I brushed off the feeling and told myself I was just nervous. Taking a deep breath I stepped through the door and pulled it closed behind me, locking it. I threw my bags in the backseat and hopped in the drivers seat.
“You got your playlist ready?”
“You know I do!” She said hitting play on the first song. Taylor Swifts “Our Song” started pouring the through the speakers, as we started down the driveway. I grabbed out my phone and put our hotel into the GPS before setting off down the road, hopeful, towards our new futures.
