Vivian’s POV
“I can’t believe you turn 18 tomorrow. What if you mate with Chris, and I never see you again?”
I spun away from my vanity, seeing that Zeke had a severe look on his face, and he wasn’t joking. “There’s no way the Moon Goddess would be that cruel as to mate me with that tool. And if she did, I’d reject him.”
I walked over to him, kneeling before him, gripping his hands. I stared into the icy blue eyes I’d come to call home the 14 years I’ve known them. “Best friends forever, Zeke. I won’t mate with someone you hate so much and be swept away from you. Plus, you’ll be alpha soon, and you can banish him.”
Zeke rolled his eyes. “It’s not that easy, and you know it. Chris and his family are too integral to the pack. I’m stuck with him.”
I sighed, standing up. “I know. I wish he weren’t such a dick.”
“He’s only a dick to you because he knows how much you mean to me. And if he claims you, he’ll keep you away from me to hurt me more.”
I brushed a stray lock of dark blonde hair behind his ear, the only person who dared to touch him. “It’ll be okay, Z. I won’t let him keep me from you. No one could.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
*****
Every female werewolf found their mate at age 18, like clockwork. And tomorrow, I’d find mine. I should be excited to see my forever home since my parents were crappy at best. Someone to love and to hold sounded good on paper, but something about being happy ever after also didn’t sound realistic.
They said you fell in love when your mate bond snapped into place. It was more than lust, and you instantly felt a connection with them that was impossible to explain. But that didn’t mean you were compatible. It didn’t mean you were friends. I wouldn’t get my hopes up to find true love with the mate bond.
Not when I found true love in my best friend, Zeke.
Zeke had been like a brother to me since we were pups. He’d found me crying on the playground when my bully, Chris, had ripped my favorite teddy bear to shreds. But over time, those feelings had changed. For me, at least. Zeke still ruffled my hair and wrestled with me when we started shifting at age 14, all like brother and sister. We were best friends.
Everyone made comments that we were indeed meant to be mates. Part of me secretly hoped that to be true. As each new she-wolf turned 18 and they didn’t mate with Zeke, I was hopeful. I watched their birthdays on the pack’s calendar, as each she-wolf had a moonlit celebration at midnight every birthday.
I counted down the days to my birthday. I picked out my prettiest dress. It took a month to save up for by mowing lawns and cleaning gutters. It wasn’t the most feminine work, but paid better than serving drinks. It also worked better for me and the school.
And now it was time to wear. I looked at the midnight blue dress that would bring out the bright blue of my eyes and the golden hues of my dirty blonde hair. I slipped into it, feeling nothing short of a princess.
I had already done my makeup in shades of gold and black and placed a golden foliage tiara atop my head, letting my natural wavy hair cascade down my back. I slipped into strappy sandals and looked at myself in the mirror. I wasn’t confident, but tonight, I felt beautiful. Tonight, I was confident I’d find my true home in Zeke.
*****
The celebration was well underway by the time I got there. When I arrived, a cheer went out of the crowd. I blushed, not used to the positive attention. I was usually ignored or shoved aside.
I quickly looked around for Zeke. He stood at the top of the stage I’d stand at as the clock struck midnight. He was in conversation with his parents, the current Alpha and Luna. His eyes caught mine. I smiled and waved. I expected a smile and a wave back but received nothing.
A small knot in my stomach formed. That was strange. But he must be preoccupied with his parents. Then I noticed the petite redhead beside him, her arm looping in his. She leaned in to whisper something in his ear. He smiled and whispered something back. The knot tightened. Who was she? She wasn’t part of the pack. I’d never seen her before. And why was she touching Zeke?
“Jealous?”
I spun around to see Chris, a smirk across his face. “Who is that?”
“Samantha. She’s a rogue looking to join the pack. She got in last night. Zeke’s taken a liking to her immediately.”
“How old is she?”
“Eighteen.”
If she joins the pack, she could have a chance to mate with Zeke…rogues can’t mate until they enter a pack. Why is this happening? Why is Zeke acting so strange? What is happening?
“Earth to Viv.”
Chris was waving his hand in front of my eyes. “What?”
“I was trying to mock you, but you’re making it less fun by staring off into space.”
“Just go away, Chris. Not today.”
Chris shrugged. “Whatever. You’re no fun.”
I turned back to the stage, staring at Zeke and Samantha, still giggling and whispering to each other. Alpha Zade came on the speaker and asked, “Will Vivian Locke make her way to the stage now? It’s 3 minutes until midnight.”
I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. This was not the night I’d imagined so far. I went through the crowd, my face burning with confusion and embarrassment that my friend wasn’t here next to me as we’d planned. I was supposed to be escorted up the stage.
I stumbled up the steps to the stage, almost face-planting in front of Zeke. Zeke stepped back, not offering a hand to help me. He just looked at me, nearly disgusted.
Alpha Zade reached a handout, a small smile on his lips, “Are you okay, Vivian?”
I nodded, standing straight, turning my back to Zeke, and looking at the crowd. Just then, the clock struck midnight. The crowd went silent. Inside, I felt my wolf begin to howl in joy.
Another howl joined the howling—my mate’s wolf. Our wolves were howling together. No one else could hear but us. I felt a tug at my heart, pulling me backward. And the smell of honey and cinnamon overpowered me. I turned, and Zeke stared at me. Mate.
My best friend. My first love. My true love. My mate. I grinned and stretched out my arms.
A look of horror crossed his face, and he stumbled backward, gripping Samantha’s arm. “I, Zeke Worthword of the Greywood Wolf Pack, reject you, Vivian Locke, as my mate.”
