PTE

me a moment to remember why I was feeling so excited and anxio

preparing breakfast for the

eanse myself of the memories from the past few years. As I was doing my thing in the water, I couldn't stop daydreaming about what

ed to the lightning sky. "Let tod

others. Today, I would make something special for myself. It was a small rebellion, u

drizzled with honey, Luna Sarah just barged in. I froze, w

remembered your birthday," she said coldly. "Don't forget your duties before the

Luna Sarah. I'll get r

d away. I breathed out deeply feeling a sense of wash

ciate the moment.. Then, I got to work on my chores. I moved

me. Laid out on my bed was a dress – simple, but pretty. It was a blue dress with white he

ofter, way nicer than any outfit I'd had on in forever. I pu

ugging my body tight, unlike the old baggy stuff I usually wear. A

, to feel hopeful. Maybe tonight, someone would

ing ready for the ceremony. The vibe was electric like everyone was buzzing with excitement. I

ested wearing a tutu to a wolf pack gathering. "Don't even think about messing

omped away, I felt my earlier joy deflating. What was I thinking? Dress

ce of mind, I quietly made my

. "Mom, Dad" I whispered, "I wish you were here, with me. I'm feeling anxious." I'm freak

eminded me of my parents, as if they were sending me

ouse, Alpha Dominic's imposing voic

all dark wood and trophies from hunts. Alpha Dominic himself was even m

nce of tonight's ceremony?"

uickly. "Y

erstand? You find your mate, and you accept them graciously, regardless of who it is.

a," I repl

send me away, and

er, excited mass. I stood outside, a little coldly, but even I

ce of finding one's true mate, about the strength it brought not just to the couple but to the entire

cle in the center of the clearing. Older unmated pack members created

intoned, "we ask for your blessing this night. Guide these young wol

hin me was stirring. It began in my chest, creating a

immediately, the mate bond snapping into place with almost audi

ipping through me. What if I didn't feel a

painful. I turned, my body moving of its accord, and

ony faded away, Asher's eyes, a warm honey

rongest, most respected young wolf in

around, and I saw Beta Marcus and Gamma Tyler giving each other w

isted was Asher and me, and the incred

ngers touched, it was like a jolt of electricity.

the Alpha continued, his voice a mix of surprise and resignation, "that we have witnessed the form of a particularly si

was no longer just the om