Chapter 1: The Ceremony

Begrudgingly, I pushed myself into a sitting position, rubbing my eyes. A loose tangle of my red hair fell into my face and I pushed it back impatiently. My jaws stretched in a yawn as I lifted my arms and arched my back. I looked around my scattered room, clothes on the floor in piles, makeup strewn across the vanity, papers sprinkled around my desk and on the chair. I wrinkled my nose at the disaster and rolled my eyes. Sometimes, I could be such a slob!

I pushed myself off the bed, wincing as my feet hit the cold hard-wood floor. A leap of nervousness went through my chest when I realized why my room was such a mess. Tonight was the beginning of the mating ceremony.

I scrambled into my bathroom and closed the door softly behind me, sighing and walking to the mirror. I reeled back in surprise when I saw my own familiar reflection staring back at me. Yes, I had the same bright green eyes, fair and pale skin and golden red hair, but I looked revolting. My hair was in angry clumps around my head and I winced at the thought of pulling a brush through it. A small, thin trail of dried drool ran down from my lips to my jaw. Lines ran under my eyes, evidence of my exhaustion. My shoulders are hunched forward.

"Ruby! Get up and start getting ready! Dawn will be over soon!" It was my mother’s powerful voice echoing through the door. I knew that my best friend Dawn said she was going to come over to get me ready, but I didn't know she was coming so early. I scrambled out of the room, leaving the door open. Grabbing a few bottles of makeup, I raced back into the bathroom. I pulled open a drawer and grabbed a brush. Briskly running it through my tangled hair, I squeezed my eyes shut to help the pain subside.

Finally, when my hair looked decent, I laid the brush on the counter and looked at the bottles of makeup sprinkled over the counter top. Smudges of old makeup layered over the marble, foundation, lipstick, mascara. I sighed again, realizing I basically had no idea what I was doing.

I walked out of my bathroom in a fit of panic, wondering what I was going to do. I grunted in anger and plopped myself down on my bed. After a moment of self pity and anger, I decided I would get dressed for the first day of the ceremony. I stalked over to my desk where my perfectly planned out outfit was neatly folded. I pulled it back, revealing the outfit it had taken me days to find. Tonight was a casual night, but who says you don't have to be sexy sometimes?

It was a black top with long sleeves but the shoulders were cut out. This would reveal my slender, freckled shoulders. To match the top was matched with a pair of light blue skinny jeans that  would roll up at the ends. Over my shoulders so I didn't grow cold was a thin white cardigan that stopped right at my waist. I had black converse high tops to match.

Changing into my clothes, slipping into my scandalous lace underwear too, I straightened my back and stretched my back.

"Okay, hair styling now," I muttered to myself. I ran a hand, absentmindedly, through my hair, my fingers getting caught in tangles.

"What the hell are you doing?" I jumped, spinning around to see who was talking to me. I was slightly relieved when I saw it was only Dawn - but she didn't look happy. But even with her face twisted into an expression of fury, she still looked gorgeous. Her blonde hair was pinned back into a sloppy bun, some bangs spilling onto her forehead and loose strands falling around her perfect face. Her makeup, like always, was flawless; her sun-kissed skin complimented by her sparkling blue eyes. And when I looked at her outfit, she was the very epitome of, 'casual but sexy.' She wore a velvet orange crop top with a strip of cloth tied around her neck. She matched with high-waisted shorts, her tanned legs long and perfect. I was surprised that she wasn't tripping over the tall, polished heals she was wearing. 

"Wha-," she cut me off by waving her hand at me and shaking her head.

"The limo arrives at noon to take us to the Pack house. Then we settle in and by the time we get ready, we all have to go to the traditional clearing! Right now it's eleven! AND YOU STILL HAVE TO DO YOUR HAIR AND MAKE UP!" I stumbled back, stunned at Dawn. Her arms were angrily folded over her chest and her small lips were pursed.

"Can you help me?" I asked, slightly embarrassed. When I looked back up at Dawn, her features were softened. She smiled at me and walked toward me, placing her hands on my shoulders. I hated how she was so much taller than me that she could use my head as an armrest.

"Of course I will, you know I love you!" She grabbed my wrist, her long fingers easily wrapping around my small wrist. She dragged me into the bathroom and sat me down on the stool I had tucked away in the corner.

"What are you going to do with my hair?" I asked as she rummaged through my drawers, pulling out a brush, a few hair ties, a crap ton of bobby pins, and a bottle of hairspray.

She whipped around and grinned at me mischievously, "You'll see!"

"Oh God," I muttered as she walked back to me.

After what seemed like hours, she pulled away from  my aching scalp and examined her work. She smiled at me and nodded, indicating for me to look in the mirror. Cautiously, I turned around and gasped. My hair looked stunning. It was pulled back in two elegant loose braids that hung down to my shoulders. The gold strips that twined through the red stood out brilliantly. I watched as Dawn's reflection came to stand behind me and gently placed her hands on my shoulders to keep my hair still neat.

"You like it?" she asked, her voice oddly soft.

"Yeah!" I said, admiring my hair, "Onto makeup!" she laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Luckily, I brought my makeup bag. You have no idea what those things are," she replied, pulling a shiny pink bag from some unknown place behind her. She gave me a good natured smile to imply she was just joking with me and returned her focus to the contents of the mysterious sack.

After a while, she pulled out a few small vials, what seemed like a pair of scissors, and a big, soft looking brush. I looked at her in confusion, wondering why she needed the scary looking scissor things to do my makeup. She seemed to have not seen my expression and proceeded to lift up one of the small vials that was a polished black color.

"Is that mascara?" I asked her. She nodded and continued to lean forward and murmur things like, 'hold still,' and, 'Don't move.'

Finally, she pulled away after she applied almost everything in her bag and gave me an adoring smile, "You look gorgeous! Ugh! You're so cute!" she leaned forward and hugged me tightly.

"What time is it?" I asked her after she pulled away. She looked at the gold watch on her wrist and looked back up hurriedly.

"Hurry up and get your bags because it's eleven fifty-six!" We both raced out of the bathroom, leaving behind the terrible mess for my mother to discover later. I grabbed my luggage that was tucked under my desk and looked at her worriedly.

"What about your luggage?" she grinned at me and wiggled a slender finger.

"It's downstairs! Now let's go!" She grabbed my arm and dragged me out of my room, down the stairs and into the living room where my mother was pacing.

When we burst into the room, she glared at me and pointed to the clock which now read, Eleven fifty-eight. Her long red hair was tied back into a bun, some wispy strands falling forward, "Were you planning on missing the limo?"

"No mom, sorry," I said, racing up to her and kissing her cheek. Dawn was already at the door, her pink suitcase in hand.

"Look, will you visit me before you run off with your mate?" she asked me, grabbing me by the shoulders so that I looked her in the eyes.

"Yes mom," I said, tearing up at the thought of never seeing her again.

"Well, don't cry, you'll ruin your makeup," she leaned forward and kissed my cheek. I gave her a warm smile and ran after Dawn, pulling my suitcase behind me.

"Ready?" Dawn asked me, pushing open the door I had seen so many times before.

"I think so," I smiled as Dawn patted my back reassuringly. Sure enough, the long polished limo was sitting in my driveway waiting for us. The window was rolled down, revealing a man with a very strong jaw line.

"Ruby Rogers and Dawn Gold?" he asked us as we approached. We nodded in sync and he smiled, waving his hand at the door behind him.

Dawn pulled the door open and squealed as she slipped inside. I shortly followed her. Inside the seats were a few other girls. They all looked extremely gussied up, hair in fancy styles and make up caked on. They made me feel slightly underdressed, but I knew that the invitation said, 'casual,' so they were probably over dressed.

"Did you hear that Alpha Luis' son is gonna be there," one of the girls- the brunette- piped. She was wearing a tight and way too short, blue dress that made it hard for me to look at her without feeling uncomfortable.

"Alpha Ryder," one of the girls- a blonde- sighed adoringly. She was dressed a bit more appropriately, a small skirt wrapped tightly around her thighs and what seemed like a bra covering her lady parts.

"Oh my God! I heard he's new to this mating ceremony thing! Fresh meat, am I right ladies?" The last girl- a bleach blonde- squealed. I will not describe to you what she was wearing, but let's just say it was not appropriate for the occasion at all.

"What?!" The first girl chirped, "I heard he’s really hot!"

"I want him to take my virginity!" the bleach blonde growled lustfully.

"Let's keep it PG ladies," the limo driver called from the front seat causing a case of giggles to spread over the girls.

"Yes sir," the blonde said flirtatiously.

"Sarah!" the brunette slapped the blonde's arm playfully. They all fell into a bout of play fighting while Dawn and I exchanged exasperated glances.

Finally one girl looked up from the fight. It was the bleach blonde girl. She looked at Dawn and her eyebrows knitted together as if she was trying to figure something out, "Dawn? Dawn Gold?" she asked suddenly, stunned.

Dawn gave her a weak smile and replied, "Hey Lucia."

"By the Moon Goddess! I haven't seen you since primary school!" she yelped, lunging for Dawn. I intercepted her by sticking my foot out as she fell on the floor. I pulled my foot back and looked at Dawn, wondering if she had seen me. Dawn did and looked as though she was holding back a massive laugh.

"Sorry," I said sweetly, feigning innocence. She gritted her teeth at me and narrowed her eyes before sitting back on her heels and looking at Dawn.

"Back in your seats please," the limo driver spoke in his same gravely tone.

"Sorry Hun," she called back to him and I could have sworn I saw him roll his eyes in the mirror, "Anyway, how are you, Dawn?"

"Good, you?" Dawn said politely. I admired how she was able to be monstrous at times and then totally change her mood. 

"Okay, but you know I'm gonna get DOWN tonight," she said, grinding her hips on the seat. I muffled a snort in my throat as I looked out the window, desperately trying to distract myself.

"Oh that's, uh- nice?" Dawn said and I could hear the amusement in her stiff voice.

"What about you? Ready to meet all the hotties?" Lucia asked in the most serious tone. 

"Um, I don't really judge based on looks," Dawn muttered, staring at her hands that were clasped so tightly in her lap that her knuckles were turning white.

"What an angel, huh?" Lucia said, nudging the brunette in her unguarded side.

"Sure," she sneered, giving dawn a dirty look. Dawn just rolled her eyes.

"Don't be so grumpy, Iona," Lucia laughed and laid back in her seat, exposing a bit too much of her upper thighs.

"Whatever," Iona muttered and turned her head to the window where trees were racing past in large green masses.

"We are about to arrive so get your luggage ready," the driver said. Everyone shifted to pull their suitcases on their laps. The other girls' suitcases were massive and looked as though they were packed to the brim, though that wouldn't surprise me.

"I'm nervous," Dawn whispered in my ear. I nodded in reply, but stayed silent because of the building fear in my chest. I was so scared I could barely see straight. The girls were blurring together in a mass of bright and vibrant colors. Absently, I felt Dawn take hold of my hand, but I barely noticed, the feeling in my hands slowly dying away into tingles.

The limo jerked to a stop, causing my heart to lurch into my chest. I caught Dawn's eyes, sparkling with fear. The girls across from us looked giddy, bouncing in their seats, hair bobbing around them.

        

"Let's go!" Lucia screeched, grabbing her bags and throwing open the door. A blast of cool hair hissed through the empty door, provoking a shiver from me. The other girls followed her eagerly.

        

"Ready?" Dawn asked me, taking my hand in hers. I nodded and she gave me a reassuring nudge, "Seriously don't worry you're like the hottest person I know."

        

"Other than yourself?" I jeered good naturedly.

        

Dawn nodded, "Other than me, yes."

        

I laughed at her and looked back at the driver who was slumped back in his seat. His eyes were half lidded making him look really tired.

        

"Thank you sir," I nodded to him. His eyes snapped open and her straightened his back.

        

"Welcome missy," he said as I slipped out of the car. Dawn shortly followed me,

        

As I slipped out o f the car and looked up, a surprised expression took control of my face. The pack house was huge. The roof arched high overhead, painted a glimmering gold that sparkled under the pure sunlight. Brilliant big columns lined the building creating dynamic, Walls stretched out I affect, casting gigantic shadows over the marble courtyard. In the center of the courtyard was a fountain. A slender wolf stood on its hind legs, its paws stretched brilliantly out in front of it. Its long tail was curled out behind it. Its long snout was opened and from a small opening spewed crystal clear water. Around the amazing marble platform with gold patterns twined through it, was bright green grass that glimmered under the lovely shade of the overhanging willow trees. The whole area gave off the aura of beauty and loveliness.

As I gawked at the clearing, I felt a sharp shove in my side. Stunned, I stumbled backward, looking around wildly. When I looked up, I saw a gigantic figure standing over me. He was lean and muscular, his gigantic form casting a shadow that totally blocked out mine. When I gazed at his features, they seemed to be carved out of the same marble that was the floor, sharp jawline, harsh cheekbones, stunning curve of his eyebrows. His dark brown hair was pushed up stylishly over his head, a small bit of darker colored stubble lining his strong jaw. His dark blue eyes glistened with passiveness as he stared back at me, silver flecks glimmering in the irises. Above his eyes were big, arching, bushy eyebrows, a bit too bushy for my licking. He had fair skin that was pale against his pink cheeks, his lips forming a tight, straight line.

"Sorry," he said indifferently.

"No no, it was my fault," I said, shaking my head.

"Okay, well see you around then," he replied dully. 

"See you," I called after him as he sauntered away. I sighed, feeling utterly awkward.

"Who was that?" I whipped around and felt relief wash over me as Dawn's familiar face swam into view.

"I have no idea," I sighed, "Can we just go check in?"

"Sure," Dawn said, slinging her free arm around my shoulder. With her other hand, she handed my suitcase and pushed me toward the gigantic double doors that were thrown open as a crowd of people pushed their way inside.

The inside of the building was even more beautiful than the exterior. The door opened into a room with arches that soared way above me. The ceiling was painted with a scene of baby angled, their fat hands plucking bright golden harps. Surrounding their fat, naked bodies were puffy clouds. The background was painted a vibrant blue. The ceiling was lined with bright gold paint, curves in the molding giving it depth. The walls were pristine and bright white, the floor shining wood.

At the front of the room sat a mahogany desk. A frail woman sat behind it, her long grey hair pinned back into a bun. A line was forming in front of her desk of werewolves, waiting to get their room numbers.

"Looks like we have to wait in that line," Dawn said, rolling  her eyes. I snickered at her and pulled her into the line by her wrist. 

As the line slowly diminished and the pool of werewolves thinned, Dawn and I grew closer and closer to the front of the line. After what seemed like hours, we were at the front, the old woman staring at us.

From up close I could see the bones in her wrist were sticking out, causing me to be a bit uncomfortable when I looked at her bony hands. Her tired blue eyes passed over us passively, quickly retreating back to her paper, "Dawn gold and Ruby Rogers, Correct?"

"That is correct, Mrs. Lockstern,"Dawn said, leaning down to read the gold plated name tag on her desk. Just then, the light caught her ring finger and I noticed a small glimmer. I looked down at her hand, a ring glimmering on her slender finger. It was a thick golden wrap, ringing up to right under her knuckle. I saw that a Latin inscription was inscribed on it reading, Militat omnis amans. I quickly translated it to words by the poet Ovid, "Every lover is a soldier. Love is a warfare."

"Well," she said, clearing her throat and moving her hand under her desk, "Epsilons are down that hallway, here are your keys," from under her desk she pulled a pair of two golden keys, "Rooms one-twenty-three and one-twenty-five."

We both nodded, not bothering to ask whose room was whose. As Dawn padded away, dragging her suitcase behind her, I turned to the woman. She looked up from reorganizing her papers, "Yes?"

"I just wanted to say uh - thank you," I said, a bit awkwardly.  she nodded stiffly, but didn't verbally answer me. I coughed awkwardly and walked after Dawn. She was waiting under an amazing arching curve of the ceiling, glaring at me with her hand planted on her hip.

        

"What were you doing?" she asked me, starting to walk down the hallway with me falling in step beside her.

        

"Just saying thank you to the lady," I said, giving a quick glance back at the end of the long corridor.

        

"You're so polite," Dawn laughed, giving me a small nudge, "and a goody-two-shoes."

"Whatever," I laughed back, "it's better than being a blonde."

"Are you calling me a stereotypical dumb blonde," Dawn's pitch lifted in mock astonishment.

"Yeah, a little," I jeered.

        

"Well you know what they say about gingers, right?" she continued coolly.

        

"What do they say?" I asked, faking puzzlement.

        

"Gingers have no soul," she burst out, doubling over and laughing obnoxiously. I giggled at her and patted her back.

Finally when she straightened up and looked at me, I could see tears welling in her eyes - joyful tears.

        

"You're funny," I said, poking her cheek.

        

She rolled her eyes and grabbed my finger, "Yeah, well you're probably the most amazing person I have ever met."

I looked away blushing, "You know I love you a lot, right?"

"And I love you too, now c'mon, there are our rooms," I looked up and saw that Dawn was in fact correct. A door stood in front of us with a marble plate on it. In slender, wispy numbers it wrote, '123'

        

Dawn handed me the key with the same number inscribed at the top, "you take this room, I'm only two doors down if you need me! See you at five-thirty!" I wanted Dawn strut down two doors and wiggle her fingers in a sort of gesture to say, 'goodbye.' As she stepped inside and disappeared behind the gigantic oak-wood door, I sighed and started to fumble with the key. I quickly fit it into the lock and twisted, only a bit surprised when it opened suddenly.

        

As I stepped inside a sudden wave of amazement washed over me. The room I was staying in was gorgeous. When I stepped inside, I was on a wooden curve that had a few small steps leading down onto the main flooring. going off in the right was a small walkway that led into a very small, but neat, kitchen area accustomed with a microwave and a mini-fridge. On the left was a giant door that I could only guess led to the bathroom. Straight ahead of me was a huge king sized bed with soft and plush looking mattresses. The headboard had a carving of a wolf, snout pointed upward in a howl. At the foot of the bed was a chest that I decided I would put my clothes in. I looked up and the room had the same arching ceilings the main entrance had. The surface was painted with a scene of two wolves battling in a vicious but gallant battle that made each look amazingly graceful and dangerous at the same time. The walls were painted with a gold that shone like pure sunlight and warmed my freezing skin. 

I set my key on the counter that was right beside the door when I walked in. taking in the amazing beauty of the room I sighed, taking a three-sixty turn. The room smelled like roses and sweets. I looked over at the kitchen and sitting on the dark marble countertop was a woven basket piled with muffins.

        

"Amazing," I muttered to myself, plopping down on the bed. My previous assumptions had been correct, the mattresses were comfy, seemingly sucking me into the bed.

        

As I flopped back, my red hair flew around my face, fanning out around the bed. I stared at the ceiling and after a moment, let my eyes slip shut. 

        

I flicked my eyes open, suddenly worried about time. The clock on the bedside stand read, '3:00.' I sighed and closed my eyes again. I had two and a half hours before the first event started so I decided it would be best if I could get some rest beforehand.

Letting my body relax into the comfort of the bed and sheets wrapping round my body and warming me, the darkness and comfort of sleep sucked me into the depths of dream.