The ringing alarm sound woke me up and I opened my eyes one by one only to meet the bright morning light beaming through the window. I rolled onto my side and switched off the alarm.
"Are you up, Esme?" I heard aunty Sarah's voice. She must have sensed the alarm turning off.
"Yes, aunty," I said loudly and immediately got off the bed. The morning air was fresh and pleasant and a perfect day for good functions or events to happen. Events, remind me of today's special event. Even though I am prepared for it, it still bothers me and my nervousness is beyond bars. It is the day of the mating ritual for the unmated werewolves.
I was bestowed with a wolf of my own when I reached 18. And my wolf named herself as Poppy. Apparently, that is her favorite flower. I have no idea how on earth did she get a favorite flower as soon as was created for me. Anyways, back to the mating ritual event. I am supposed to doll up myself and wear extravagant clothing. But that isn't my thing. Suppose I wear extravagant branded clothes now and I do find my mate, then what? I cannot deceive him for the rest of our lives. From what I heard and seen, werewolves are supposed to be accepted by their mates for what they truly are.
So I have decided to dress modestly and with minimal makeup. And I will be given a badge at the ritual venue according to my strength. That is of the more concerning topic to me at the moment. I am aware that I am not as strong as I should be. But I can't help it. Continuous heartbreaks from losing my parents to getting abused by our pack, The Delta Prowlers's alpha, Ronnie Grayson to living with my parents' friend's place, I am unable to pick myself and train to be a strong she-wolf.
I shower and get ready quickly despite the running thoughts inside my head.
As I made it to the last few stairs, I heard aunty Sarah and uncle Ben's voice.
"I just pray to the heavens for Charlie and Esme to find their mates."
"Me too. I can't wait for my lovely kids to find their mates and have pups,"
"Gosh, Sarah, they are too young to have pups. Finding their mates is the most important thing right now."
"I am aware of it, Ben. But it is a wish of all mothers, you would not understand it,"
"What's happening there, old people?" I heard Charlie's voice now. I made my way to the dining area which is attached to the open kitchen.
Charlie Dixon, aunt Sarah, and uncle Ben's only son. We practically grew up together but there are times when I wonder if he thinks of me as more than a friend. Because he has been showing some extra sweetness towards me since our teenage.
"Old? Who's old?" aunty Sarah shoved the spatula towards Charlie's face. He aced in dodging it. It was purely out of practice. It is not the first he has riled up aunty and got shoved by a spatula.
"Woah, mom. It is too early in the morning to show off your skills," Charlie said before taking a seat next to uncle Ben at the dining table.
Aunty Sarah was about to make a good cooomeback but I interrupted, "Leave it, Aunty. You know it is not worth it."
"Right, Esme. You are my sweet daughter. Only you understand me," Aunty Sarah said rubbing my hair softly. She is really like a mother to me. A second mother one could say.
"Sure," we heard Charlie say.
Aunty Sarah let things slide for this moment and we began to arrange the dining table with freshly made pancakes and juices. And began eating.
"So, are you both ready for the ritual?" Uncle Ben asked. I nodded my head, but Charlie had something to say, "Of course dad. It is no big deal."
"Don't be over conifident Charlie. There will be werewolves from all the packs around here. So be careful and don't get into any trouble," Aunty Sarah tried to put some real sense into Charlie's head. It is true, he does have the habit of getting into trouble. The last thing Aunty and Uncle would want is to hear their son's name on the television for getting into trouble in the mating ritual function. It is a big event and a lot of alphas are going to be present there, so media attention is a must there.
"Yes, mom. I know that. Don't worry. I will come home straight once I find my mate. Okay?" Aunty Sarah nodded her head.
"Don't forget to collect your strength badges at the entrance. And don't lose them. Your identity will also be lost if you lose it," Uncle Ben warned and we nodded our heads.
"Make good impressions on your mates,"
"You know that wouldn't really be helpful. Good impression or bad impression, you have to accept your mate," Charlie replied only to get a glare from Aunty Sarah.
"Okay," he said while fake pouting at her. I chuckled slightly. He is her baby boy no matter what. But she still tried to discipline him despite knowing he is not really the rules follower.
The breakfast went fairly well after that. It was just mostly me ignoring Charlie and aunt and uncle conversing about something else.
"We will wait for the good news," said uncle Ben while aunty Sarah packed me some snacks. I could only smile at them. I have no idea if I'll be able to find my mate any time soon.
Charlie brought out uncle Ben's car and I hopped onto it. We drove away.
"Are you excited?" Charlie asked me.
"Ah... I don't know," I didn't want to stutter and show my nervousness but I couldn't help it.
Charlie simply nodded his head and continued to concentrate on his driving.
"Are you?" I asked curiously.
"Of course, I am. I am definitely going to find a mate today," he said while grinning at me.
"Aren't you a little overconfident?" Charlie raised his brows in a questioning manner, so I gave an explanation, "I mean, you reached 18 before me but you have yet to find your mate. What makes you think that you will find today?"
"We are going to a place where mating ritual happens. And they do it for a reason, Esme. And that is specifically made for werewolves like us, who are unmated despite of reaching the age and getting wolves. And there will be tons of werewolves from all the packs around the country. So the chances of finding a mate are very high."
I decided to take a catnap before we reach the venue with the intention of calming my nerves. The rest of the car drive went in silence. Or so I thought. But Charlie kept stealing glances at me from time and time and I could sense it.
"Uff... That was the longest ride I have ever taken," Charlie commented when we reached the venue of mating rituals happening. It was a vast land with setups done for the mating ritual particularly and also some fun activities for entertainment.
I got off the car and stared at the entrance and closed my mind and said a silent prayer to the moon goddess, Selene.
"Please don't let me find my mate yet. I am not ready to face the reality. Even if I do find my mate, please let him be someone nice and kind and not some ruthless man."
"I hope he's sexy too " I heard my wolf, Poppy say inside my mind.
"Oh gosh..shut up Poppy," I grunted and opened my eyes.
"Ah..." I screamed and almost fell backward on my butts before Charlie holds my hand pulls me to him.
"What the hell were you doing in front of me staring like that?" I shouted at Charlie. When I opened my eyes, I found him staring right at my face. When I screamed everyone in our surroundings looked our way. I did not want to be embarrassed at the beginning only.
"Like how?" he smirked pulling me to walk with him and enter the place.
"Like a creep," I said softly, pouting.
Charlie left out a manly chuckle with his deep voice, "Come one, Esme. I have been seeing you since we were born. You did not find me creepy back then but why now?"
"It is different,"
"How different?"
"Back then we were only kids but now we are grown ups and.."
"And what?" he leaned towards my face again while I leaned backward.
I pulled my hand out of his hand began walking ahead of him.
"Esme, darling, wait for me," I heard Charlie's voice. I shook my head and walked faster. But to no avail, Charlie caught up with me pretty quickly. It sucks to be a weak werewolf. I feel bad for myself sometimes.
We reached the counter where they were giving out badges. There was a machine that would scan us. There was an old man at the counter and he is known as an expert. So, he was the one who could read werewolves and give out badges according to their strengths.
Charlie went first confidently while I waited for him outside patiently. It did not take him much time to come out. I noticed that he had a badge of orange color. I know the meaning of it because I had spent half of the previous night reading about the mating ritual. He might not be the strongest werewolf but he could definitely win a victory. That was what the orange color badge meant.
To say I was nervous would be an understatement. At this moment, my nervousness had no limit. It was almost driving me insane. Charlie signaled me to go inside soon. I swallowed the saliva in the throat and nodded at him.
