The Full Mo

er, and happy bir

es the picture of my parents on my desk, and I am reminded of my dream last night. In it, they were beside me as I blew out the

ay is M

irthday and that I'm n

and Zack trying to control me. Today will be a good day,

ans school. With a sigh, I sit up and fumble with the alarm clock. All I know is that when I graduate, the first

my head against the tiled wall as the warm water cascades down my body. It feels like a normal day today. No magical s

only half of my hair is tied up. The other half of my fiery red hair flows down my body in loose curls. I look at the outfit I set out last night and smile at the figure-skating high-low off-the-shoulder dress in navy blue with the white cropped jean jacket vest and black wedges. It's something a little girly and a little edgy that matches my p

school bag and making my way down the stairs. Many pack members stop to wish me happy bir

he kitchen, Marie handing me a plateful

k, wrapping me in a one-armed hug as he pu

rie asks with a smile as she puts a l

n and eggs into my mouth. I pause as a breeze floats through the window, and I catch a hint of something in the air. Something that I believe I could get addicted to. My a

iour as I open the envelope and taking the card out. Deciding to put the scent out of my mind, I focus on the here and now. It is unlike me to s

Sometimes I question what he is thinking with how he could spend money on everyone in

My eyes widen again as she places an ancient oak box in front of my now empty plate before leaning back. I see the connec

fingers. Inside is a beautiful diamond and white gold locket in the shape of a pawprint, the diamond the shape of a wolf. Next to it is a pair of stud earrings also in the shape of a wolf

ear Am

he would hand you this gift on your eighteenth birthday. It must be so hard withou

more, and we knew that when you first shifted that you w

re growing in hopes that neither you nor your siblings are left without a way to provide for your future. Whether you decide to

t's why we had the locket made especially for you, as it holds a picture of the thr

you no matter what and t

Mom an

hed Mustang. Goddess only knows how

t is clear that they took turns to write, making me love this little note even more. A hand wiping away tears from my cheeks makes me r

from Marie to clean my face as she carefully puts away the let

of your birthdays, just over two million." Blue answers,

ug as well. I am lucky that no other wolf comes into the kitchen this early in the morning. The two give me some space as I place the oak box and lunch box into my bag, making sure

isper, passing my sibling

time for my birthday and calling me a jinx. Blue yells at her, and I feel the love he has while protecting me from Mia, giving her extra chores and duties. I wait by

orce to be reckoned with. The drive is short, and I stop at the café to grab a vanilla Frappuccino after checking I had more than enough time to treat myself before school. The parking lot is full once I reach the building, the only spot available for me to park being next to Leo and his jock squad. I roll my eye

tare at Matt-future Alpha to Glacier Pack-as his eyes rove up and down my body.

th a wink and twirl around to show off. Kevin and Kent walk up to me as the jocks wish

ugs me. I can't help the chuckle that escapes my lips as I hug her back, feeling

she had already surpassed the other grades and would be graduating with us soon. She is the future Alpha of the Harvest Willow pack

tep down as your Beta and be your errand bo

s.] I link Kevin, a challenge i

lips. Without warning, he takes my Frappuccino out of

ad into class with Kevin and Kent as Ivory heads off to hers. The scent that's been enticing me all morning is back and lingered in the room as I scan the wolves, noticing the j

I shake my head no and sigh quietly as I try my best to focus on the lesso

room. The class starts to hum as wolves turn to talk to each other. It is clear that Mrs. Marrywind wo

ur mate. How long have you sensed them?" Kevin

If my mate is from my pack, then I will eventually run into him in no time. The bell rings, signalling the end of class. W

Would I be mated to an Alpha or a Beta? Could it maybe even be a Head Hunter or even a Head Warrior? At lunch, I head to the usual spot by the forest, my friends surprising me with a r

ce as she looks at the mess she made on Kevin. Those two were always fighting to see who was stronger or faster. It is entertaining, to say the least. With a promise to talk later tonig

to teach you." She praises with a sad smile on her face. I knew Mrs. Wright had been teaching for years.

ating me is no longer around. But hope ignites inside me as I remembered that there is a possibility of running into him at my party. As I drive back to the pack, I bypass the pack house and head straight for the shed that housed the traile

uld understand if I left the pack for a bit to figure myself out and make my life more fulfilling. My mind wanders as I start to think about my future. The fact I would most likely meet my mate today also plays into what I would do. Would he understand my need to leave for a few y

s. But the scent of charred wood still lingered in some places, even if it is minuscule. My legs carry me to the stone bench that stood in the front where a garden used to be. The roses and wildflowers my mother used to love were overgrown and taking over the yard. Nothing remained other than a hole in the ground wh

ly look around at my childhood home, a sad smile playing on my lips before I start walking in the direction of the music. A sense of excitement courses through my veins as the music grows loude

me a happy birthday, but those who were under Mia's command stand as far away from the crowd as possible. No one from my generat

le other pups beg me to join them in either tag or soccer. I have always loved their innocent views in life, only wanting to play with the older wolves as many of us have shifted. Being members of the packs, their parents grew up with my own parents and

hands me a smiling little girl. I cuddle Claira for a moment while I pass the elders, stopping to greet them with the one-year-old in my a

wolf?" Elder Sylvia asks, taking Cla

" I answer honestly, accepting a

?" Elder James asks, getting

f the cookie. Knowing that my mate is so close yet out of reach all day has started to irritate me. It's bad enough knowing that my generation hates me, but what if he were

lvia's gaze as her eyes hold sincerity and hope in them. I can

your path on one that will make you stronger." Her voice is soothing as she squeezes my hand in reassurance before turning her attenti

a intervenes, giving me a chance to escape and look for my friends. I say my farewells to the elders, receiving a bag fr

ats were swapped as a new tray takes the place of an empty tray. I am grateful for their diligence and

Beta wrapping me into a bear hug of his own as my no

ing?" I ask as I am set back on my

her duties as the Beta Female and acting Luna. She really needs a break and some T.L.C." He reassures with a smile. If there is one

ab a plate and allow Axel to place a few kabobs and sausages onto it. All the guys around the barbecue comment on ho

ands the tongs to one of the men before walking to a table and grabbing something hidd

efully, these will help." Excitement courses through me as I set my plate on a table and hand the bag from the elders

aress the blades of a throwing knife, the craftsmanship beautif

t bag from Axel and wave to the other wolves before grabbing my plate, filling up the remaining room with a salad, and heading back into the crowd. M

e spots me, rushing towards me and taking the bags

er, Kent passing me a bottle of water. A large sigh escapes my lips as I

on my face. The music is starting to get louder, and my eyes wander over the crowd of werewolves. I smile as pack members mingle wi

owd, who sets me on my feet onto the makeshift dance floor. He is right, though. Today is my birthday-my day. I shouldn't be worrying about some stupid guy who may or may not be here ri

d set hours ago as the full moon slowly rises high into the indigo sky. I always loved the night sky, especially her

ling behind him. It is close to midnight when the moon would be at its peak and a time to thank the Moon Goddess for the future that

in shock, my arms instantly wrapping around

his head. I hate being carried on someone's shoulders. I am not afraid of

ten tiers high with the typical happy birthday, and my name scrawled on it in red icing. Roses made of red, orange, and yellow flowers of different s

py birthday, even the jock crowd joins in, which surprises me. They even did the usual "how old are you now" song, and at eighteen I blow out my candle, and the wolves gathered in the clearing erupted into cheers. A knife is then handed to me by Serena,

s around me, causing small shivers of pleasure to r

t who I was destined to be with, whose scent had been causing me to

're

on his lips as his eyes glare down with disgust at me. I could feel my heart break-more like shatter-

illed!" The music comes to a screeching halt and the crowd falls silent as his hurtful words hang over us. I catch Ivor

se of me!" I scream out, shoving my slice of

running." I continue. The years of being suppressed by him and my siblings surface in my mind as hate and contempt for the man who is supposed to be my mate grows. I see the crowd slowly start to whisper as mocking eyes stare at the so-called f

s like a raging inferno. I know I was on the verge of breaking down, but I will not give Leo the pleasure of relishing in it. With strength I never knew I had, my hands clutch at his wrists, and an

.] Serena's voice enters the mind link meant for her, Axel, an

es at me. I smile at the two as I turn to look at Leo, his face contorted with pain as Blue tries to help him up.

d earlier to cut the cake, wiping away any remaining frosting from the bla

stopping the Alpha from continuing. Blue knows me well and knows that ther

rash for all these years leading to tonight." I hold my hand open and slowly cut a long slice into my palm. Blood begins flowing up into the air out of it and evaporates under the moonlight into the night. The knife drops from my hand onto the wooden dance floor wit

e fades away the further I walk. I know where I stand in Blue's eyes. I am the pup he took care of for his bes

e meadow, probably talking about what just happened or on patrol. The moon shines brightly down on me. Its brightness inten

at I have to do the moment I climb into the driver's seat and start the ignition. I shift the gear into drive and drive away from the only place I knew. I driv

es in once the rage simmers down. Tears slowly fill my eyes as the

this pack and crossing the border into neutral territory. I was a rogue now, with no obligations t