Chapter 1

It’s my 18th birthday. I’ve been looking forward to this day for years. I finally get to meet my mate, hopefully.

Tonight all of the pack’s will get together and have a celebration for my turning of age and to hopefully help me find my mate.

As I lay out all my dress options to wear tonight my phones buzzes on my night stand.

*Raven: Have you picked an outfit yet?!*

I rolled my eyes and started typing back, *I have my options out on my bed as we speak.*

*Raven: Let me know ASAP! I don’t want to wear the same color as you! It’s YOUR big day!*

I laughed and put my phone back down on my nightstand. I turned towards the 3 dresses I laid out on my bed to pick from. As I walked around my bed to get a better look at them, I heard a knock on my bedroom door.

“Azura honey, can I come in?” My mom asked through the door.

“Yeah come in, I need you help anyways.”

My mom came in and shut the door behind her. She walked over to me and gave me. A big hug and kissed me on the forehead.

“Happy 18th Birthday baby girl.”

“Thank you mom. Can you help me decide which dress to wear tonight? I want to look my best in case my mate is there.”

With tears filling her eyes she nodded and turned towards my bed to look at what I laid out to pick from.

“I like the silver one. I think it would go nicely with this.” She handed me an open box that contained a diamond necklace and matching earrings.

“Mom! They’re beautiful! You didn’t have to get me this!”

I was in complete shock. My family has money being the Alpha pack of the Moon Valley Pack but we never have been ones to buy extravagant things.

I hugged my mom and started crying.

“Thank you, I love them!”

“Tonight is a big night for you honey. On my 18th birthday my mother gave me a diamond necklace and matching earrings. We have been doing it in my family for centuries.” She smiled at me.

I smiled up at her and gave her another hug.

Another knock at my door came and my dads voice shortly after.

“Sorry to interrupt but pops needs to see his birthday girl.”

My mom and I laughed and gave him permission to come in. My dad slowly opened the door and in he carried a small cake with lite candles atop of it.

“Happy 18th Azura!” My dad said as he approached me.

I praised the Moon Goddess before I blew my candles out and gave my dad a hug.

“Thank you daddy.”

He kissed my forehead and turned to go.

“I’ll put the cake in the kitchen come down and have a slice before your brothers eat it all on you.” He laughed.

I rolled my eyes and knew he was right. My two younger brothers were animals. Yes we are wolves and it’s in our nature but these boys were the worse!

Lucas and Marcus are my twin 16 year old brothers who acted like they were 5. It could just be a boy thing with how immature they are but honestly, I just think they’re animals. More wolf than human.

After I put my other two dresses away leaving the silver one my mom picked out on my bed I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs for some cake.

On my way down I texted Raven letting her know which dress I picked.

*Silver. And wait until you see my birthday present from my mom!*

*Good choice! Your eyes will POP with that color! And I can’t wait! See you in a few hours. Xoxo*

I put my phone in my pocket and sat at the kitchen table. My dad was cutting the cake and putting slices onto plates. My mom brought me over the first slice so I could start eating.

After we all had cake I ran up to my room to get ready.

2 hours later, we are all in the car heading to the venue where we will meet with all the other packs.

When we arrived at the venue there was only a few other cars there.

I spotted Raven and Wyatt waiting by the entrance. Raven and Wyatt have been my best friends since we all were pups. Raven’s younger brother Remus and older brother Triston were heading up the stairs towards them.

Remus just turned 13 and has always had the biggest crush on me. Triston is 20 years old and still hasn’t found his mate yet, he’s always been so shy and usually kept to himself.

My dad pulled up to the front to let us all out before he parked.

“Oh my gooooosh!” Raven squealed when I stepped out of our car.

I smiled up at her and made my way up the stairs towards the group.

“Azura Dunstan! You look aaaaamazing!” Raven said as she hugged me hello.

“Thanks Rave, you look amazing too!” I smiled back at her.

She had a gorgeous black silky floor length dress that had a sexy slit that went all the way up to her right thigh. She had her Amber colored curly hair half pulled up into a braided bun and left the rest of her curls down over her shoulders.

“I’m so glad you picked your silver dress to wear and oh my gosh look at those DIAMONDS around your neck!”

I had my silver sequin mermaid shaped floor length dress on. It has a plunging v neckline and an open back with lace up. It held onto all of my curves just right, making it sexy yet elegant.

Wyatt walked over to Raven and myself holding a small box.

“I got you a little something for your birthday Z.” He smiled down at me.

I opened the box and inside was a small tiara.

“Wyatt! It’s so pretty, thank you so much!”

I handed him the tiara so he could place it on my head.

“A tiara for our princess, how nice of you Wyatt.” My mother said as she was walking up to all of us. “Let’s all head inside and make sure everything is ready for when the rest of the packs start to arrive.” My father said as he walked over to us all.

Once inside the venue we went to the main ballroom. Dozens of tables were set up nicely and spaced out so no one would be on top of another. In the middle they made a dance floor and at the other end of it was a stage.

I wouldn’t be making an appearance to my own party for a little bit until my father made my introduction speech. It’s a custom for the girl coming of age to not be seen right away until everyone was there and seated. That way there was no chance of another male wolf to mark his scent on her before she had the chance to allow her wolf to sense her true mate.

I headed into the back room behind the stage to wait until I heard my father make his speech. Raven and Wyatt came back with me to keep me company for a bit before going back out to the ballroom where they would sit with the rest of their families.

“I’m so nervous you guys!” I said as I paved the small room.

“Z you look amazing and your soulmate would be lucky to finally find a catch like you!” Wyatt smiled at me.

I rolled my eyes at him, “That’s if I even find him here!”

“Azura! Don’t talk like that. Every girl who has come of age has been able to find their soulmate here when all packs have come together.” Raven scolded me.

I stopped pacing and plopped myself down on a chair. “Yeah you’re right. But I’m scared my soulmate isn’t someone I…you know, LIKE.”

“You won’t have a choice BUT to like them dork.” Raven laughed at me. “Your wolf won’t allow you to NOT like them.”

I let out a long slow sigh and rolled my eyes, “I guess you’re right, again.”

30 minutes later Wyatt and Raven said their goodbyes and went out to the main ballroom to find their families and wait for my grand entrance.

What felt like forever, it was only 5 minutes if that since my friends left, I heard my dad take the stage.

“Good evening everyone! If you all please take your seats and we will get this party started.” My father said into the microphone.

I could heard everyone making their ways to their assigned seats. My heart started to beat faster. I had to calm myself down and fast, I didn’t need the others hearing or sensing my fear. I took a few sips of my water and closed my eyes and worked on slowing my breathing down.

While I was calming down I heard my father finish his speech, “Thank you all for coming tonight. Today, we are all blessed by the Moon Goddess to have another young lady come of age. My family and I are also blessed because this young lady is also our only daughter. We pray to the Moon Goddess that she blesses her with a strong and faithful mate. Without further to do, please welcome Azura Dunstan.”