His Luna's Awakening

Marissa's POV

I stare at my image in the full length mirror and pull my dress lower nervously. Mum had chosen the dress, it's a short, fitted black ensemble, with ruffles adorning the off-shoulder neckline all the way round. I've never worn anything this short before. But then again, I've never turned 20 before either.

I'm 20 today, and that officially makes it the day of my "awakening". Not only do I finally get to meet my wolf today, but I also find my mate. Both thoughts send nervous shivers down my spine. I wonder what my wolf will be like, and my mate too. Perhaps would he be tall…. blonde….cocky….

"Daydreaming about Jordan again?".

I jump at the sudden sight of my mum standing behind me in the mirror, a wide knowing smile on her lips. "Mum!!! I wasn't!!!".

Even as I deny it, I know the telltale patches of pink have spread on my cheeks and neck. Jordan is my best friend and has been for over 14 years. I will never understand when or how I started seeing him as anything more than a brother. Perhaps the day he had playfully planted a kiss on my lips….a year ago.

"I wanted to see how that would feel". He had said while smiling down at me with amusement in his eyes. "To trigger the mating bond in case it's dormant. But nah that just felt….". He had laughed and I had laughed along awkwardly, not sure what to say. "....that felt bland….and weird". He had chuckled some more and I had chuckled along. "You are really not my mate. I can't wait to meet her though".. He had said longingly and stared at the far horizon. By the flutter I had felt in my heart in that moment, I knew something had changed in the way I felt about him. Too bad my mum had noticed too.

"You'll meet your mate today, Marissa. And trust me, it'll be magical. You will forget all about Jordan".

I give her a side glance and pout. "I never said I wanted to forget him".

She gives me a kind smile. "Well you will. At least, in that way". She raises a hand to my hair and tucks a styled curl behind my ear. "Now smile, sweetheart".

I grimace at my reflection instead. "You sure about putting the hair up? Shouldn't I let it down?".

"You know nothing about fashion, do you?". My mum chuckles. "The updo shows off your elegant neck and shoulders and the curls soften those cheekbones".

I snort and eye myself warily. "At least the makeup looks good". I grumble.

My mum gives my upper arm a squeeze and turns to go. "Wait…..". I call out frantically. She turns back to me, a brow raised in quiet inquiry. I don't know what to say. How to say it. Instead I plunge myself into her arms and feel a calm descend on me as her arms wrap around my shoulders in a warm embrace. "I'm scared". I whisper. "What if my wolf doesn't come? What if I don't meet my mate?".

My mum's arms wrap around me tighter and I close my eyes and breathe in her musky scent. "I was just as nervous as you are right now, my love. But at the end of the day….when everything turned out perfect, it was well worth it". She pulls back and looks me in the eye. "Everything will be fine, honey. You need to trust me on this one".

I stare back into her beautiful green eyes and feel my eyes water at the love I see in them. I nod back and give her a small smile. "I trust you. With my life".

Her smile widens and she pulls me into her embrace one more time. "Then everything will be fine". I hold onto her for so long that I lose track of time but finally, she pulls away and wipes a small tear off my cheek. "They'll call the celebrant out soon. Are you ready?".

I take in a deep breath and chuckle nervously. "I think I am".

"Good. Now that's…..".

"Riss?" We both turn to the voice at the door. It's Jordan. My heart instantly does a leap. He's wearing a blue tuxedo and his unruly dirty blonde hair has been sleeked back, obviously with much effort. "Mrs. Randall….. didn't know you were in here". He flashes my mum a bright smile.

"I was just on my way out". My mum smiles back before turning away and giving my hand a last squeeze as she goes. "Drag her down in a minute will you, Jord?".

Jordan laughs and steps into the room, making way for my mum. "I will ma'am".

I see the last of my mum's back as she goes down the stairs and Jordan closes the door behind her before turning to me and flashing one of those smiles again. "And how's the birthday girl feeling?".

I pointedly keep my gaze from straying to the exposed skin on his chest where he has left his top buttons undone. Instead, I walk forward and twirl when I get to where he's standing.

"How do I look? Be honest". I quickly added.

He chuckles and drives his hands into his pockets. "I wouldn't even think of lying. You look gorgeous, Riss".

I feel like my heart stops for a moment but I quickly ignore it and nod at him instead. "Yeah I thought so too".

He chuckles and I close my eyes and take a deep breath. When I open them, Jordan's hand is on the door knob and he raises a questioning brow. "Shall we?".

I give a quick nod. "Let's do this".