CHAPTER 1

"Come on, we're going to be late!" I screamed excitedly as I struggled to put on my shoes.

I was excited about the party we had planned for so long!

"I'm going to leave you, Riley!" I said scowling dramatically.

I bite my lip as I look at my reflection in the mirror.

I look so good…tonight is going to be so fun and memorable.

As Riley made her way down the staircase, a string of expletives flowed out from her lips, leaving me intrigued about her current state of mind.

"Ugh, oh my gosh" Riley exclaimed as she continued down the stairs toward me

The tone of her voice and the words she used conveyed a sense of frustration, anger, or perhaps disappointment. It was clear that something was bothering her, and I couldn't help but wonder what it was. 

"What's wrong?" I asked a little skeptical about the interaction.

What is going on with her now?

As she walked away, a sense of helplessness washed over me. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was bothering her deeply, but I didn't know how to help. 

"I'm just worried that I won't find my mate and tonight will be a total disaster," said Riley worriedly.

"You don't have to think about it too much. Just have fun and everything will be fine" I said to her assuringly.

As I walked down the street with her, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

 It was like a nagging sensation that kept tugging at the back of my mind. I tried to brush it off and distract myself by talking to her, but I could tell she was feeling the same way. 

We both had a sense of unease but neither of us dared to say anything. It was as if we were afraid to give a voice to our fears as if acknowledging them would make them real.

"Okay, can you tell me who you find attractive today?" she asked, looking at me curiously, scanning me from head to toe.

"I honestly don't know, but I'm open to being pleasantly surprised," I replied, giving her a sideways glance of my own.

My mind was trying to tell me something but soon we were at the party.

We were having our annual claiming ceremony where young wolves who had just come of age and other pack members gathered to celebrate. 

The atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation as we waited for the new members of our pack to be officially recognized. 

The scent of fresh pine and crackling firewood wafted through the air, as we sat around the bonfire. As the sun slowly set over the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the sky, the elders of our pack began to speak. 

They regaled us with stories of past claiming ceremonies, sharing the wisdom and knowledge that had been passed down through generations. 

I had undoubtedly been looking forward to meeting my mate for so long.

Most of the pack members had already been there so finding a place to enjoy the festivities wasn't really a problem but my mind was everywhere at the moment. 

Riley had already set her eyes on an unfortunate target to spend her evening with. 

I chuckled softly as she began walking towards the drinks section where her eyes were following.

“Come find me when the main part of the ceremony begins,” she said as she winked at me and sashayed away.

I scoffed wide-eyed at her. “We just got here!” I said to her back, gesturing wildly.

I shake my head and proceed to look around.

As I stood at that corner, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. The faces of people I grew up with flashed before my eyes, some of them I still talk to, while others have faded into the background of my life.

 I was always something of a loner, content with my own company and the company of my thoughts. But my only friend back then was Riley, she was always outgoing and knew everyone. 

I remember wandering around the neighborhood with her, exploring every nook and cranny, and meeting new people along the way. 

It was a different time back then when the world felt smaller and more intimate. Now, as I stood at that corner, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness for the times that have passed.

But as I watched the people go about their day, I felt a sense of contentment settle over me. It was comforting to see that life goes on, and that people continue to live and thrive, even if we've lost touch with each other. 

For a moment, I felt like I was a part of something larger than myself, a small but integral part of a community that continues to grow and change.

Suddenly, I felt a strange sensation from my head to my chest and then I started looking around frantically. 

Despite scanning the room meticulously, I failed to identify any apparent reason for the sudden discomfort that had settled in my chest. My frustration began to mount as I continued to search for a clue but to no avail. 

I started to huff in exasperation, feeling increasingly helpless and clueless. Just as I was about to give up my search, my eyes fell on a person in the gathering who I never thought I would ever look into.

The intensity of my gaze surprised even myself, as I felt strangely drawn to this person, almost as if I had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Then he mouthed the one thing that confused and startled me even further.

“Mate”.