Chapter one

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It's prom, the most anticipated day in the werewolf kingdom. Today, all the werewolves of mating age are mandated to assemble at the pack house at 10 pm, and when it is midnight we are going to shift to our wolves after which we will scent out our mates and together, head out to the school for prom.

To most people, meeting their wolves made it special for them, but to me, it is not just about meeting my other half, it is even more important because I finally get to meet my mate.

"Gwendolyn!"

I jerked up from the bed I was lying on reading and threw my book to the side as I rushed to wear my slippers. "Yes, mother!" I hurriedly left the room to the door.

"What are you doing? it's almost time," She bickered, looking edgy as she gestured with her hands from the foot of the stairs.

"I just finished bathing, mother. I was about to dress up," I lied through my teeth.

"Okay, hurry up so that your father can_"

"Uhm...that won't be necessary, mother. Julian will soon be here to pick me up."

"What!" My sister stuck her head out of her room to ask, a mischievous smile on her face."I will go with you guys, Gwen."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry, Tee, you have to go with Dad. This might be the last time I spend with him. I can't share." I crossed my hands on my chest defiantly.

She glared hard. "Very well, soothe yourself." she slammed her door in irritation.

"Hurry on, Gwen. I don't want any of you going late."

"Yes, mom," I said and went back into the room.

I hurried through my arrangements, not caring about makeup because after all, by the time we shift, everything would be a waste. What's the point?

I sprinted down the stairs at the same time a car honked outside. I knew it was Julian.

"Bye, mom, dad! See you at the pack house." I squealed, not waiting for any of them to catch up with me lest they give me one of their pitiful baby kisses and assurance.

"Hey." I jumped into the open car, turning to peck Julian on the nose. I hesitated for a good three minutes to wash my eyes over his too-handsome features as if to master them for the last time.

"What?" His sharp brown eyes crinkled in confusion.

I let him go. "Nothing," I sighed and relaxed back. "Ain't you nervous?"

"No," he said sharply. "Why should I?"

I looked at him, still trying to look cool. But the truth is I wasn't. I have always had a powerful crush on my incoming Alpha and best friend, Julian. I mean who wouldn't? This guy is more like a walking god. Every girl in this pack probably had wet dreams off looking at his dashingly hot pictures every night.

Unfortunately, I know he might not feel that way towards me. To him, I was just Gwendolyn Hills, the Beta's first daughter. His best friend, training partner and confidant. Nothing more.

Yet, that didn't stop me from hoping that tonight, we might end up as mates.

"Are you...are you anticipating the upcoming changes in our lives?" I dared to ask.

"Of course, Gwen. I've always been ready for this. You ask like you don't know this day has been drummed into my ears from the day I was born. So... I'm not freaked out."

Yeah, maybe I am being selfish here. Today is not just about shifting and mating, to people like Julian, the responsibility of the pack would automatically fall on his shoulders whether he wanted it or not.

I wish I would be the one to stand by his side when this change occurs. I obsessively hope so. Instinctively, I reached out and wrapped my hands on his forearm and leaned into his warmth. "It's going to be fine, Jules. You have me with you all the way."

"Yeah, thanks," He whispered.

We didn't speak again until we got to the pack house and together walked into the big mansion where he resided.

We greeted the Alpha and Luna and they asked about my father, the Beta, before Julian took me to his room to rest and wait till the other pups arrived.

Then it was midnight. By now other pups had arrived and we were all congregated outside. Even the parents had arrived and everywhere was humming with pack members.

I was standing close to my parents with my sister watching the podium where the Alpha, Luna and Julian were standing as we waited.

Julian was the first to shift to a giant grey wolf, turned and howled to the moon.

Then the others began transforming.

I was still watching in amazement when my sister fell on her knees beside me and began her transformation. That was when I became worried. I looked at my parents. "Dad, Mom, I'm not feeling anything."

"Calm down, Princess," My Dad said in his usual soothing tone. "Don't think much about it, let yourself go."

I did what he said. I even closed my eyes from being distracted by the numerous howls and cracking bones around me. Yet, nothing.

My marrows became chilled in panic, perspiration starting to break out. "Dad, mom, what's going on?" I looked up at the moon. Nothing was happening.

"Baby_"

"Dad!" I whisper-yelled, telling him with my eyes not to patronize me. I have Beta blood running inside me, I am supposed to be among the first to transform after Julian. Even my sister has transformed and right now my mother wasn't even paying me any attention because she was running her fingers through the furs of my sister's wolf.

I darted my eyes at the moon once more, willing it not to retreat because that will be the end. But the moon seemed to be going in, little by little.

I looked around, everyone has transformed. Even the parents have already transformed! Everyone, including Alpha Kai and Luna Bet. Only me and my parents were still standing.

Then the moon finally disappeared into the dark clouds, bringing an end to the shifting time and at once, everyone started howling with their muzzles to the sky, in obeisance to the moon goddess

But I couldn't. It fully dawned on me. I didn't transform. I am still human. I won't be considered one of them without a wolf.

As these thoughts were spinning through my head, I didn't notice my peers had started scenting out their mates and were padding to them.

I felt someone touch me before I heard my Dad say, “Baby, it's going to be alright, maybe you are a late bloomer_"

"Don't say that, father! I am not a late bloomer! Something is wrong with me!" I walked out without waiting for the answer. I have to see Julian. Only he can give me the assurance I desperately need right now.

Where is Julian?