Chapter 2

Tara

After my soak, I changed into my comfy clothes and headed downstairs for breakfast. The smell of fresh pancakes and sizzling bacon filled the air. My family greeted me with hugs and birthday wishes.

“Happy Birthday, baby girl,” my mother hugged me, a little longer than usual. “You’re all grown up. Did your wolf speak to you yet?”

“Yes, her name is Trinity, and she’s awesome,” I replied. “She’s really funny. I think I got lucky in the wolf department.”

“Well, thank you,” Trinity said. “I’m pretty happy with my human, the Moon Goddess picked a good one.” I smiled at the compliment.

“Lets’s eat!” My dad said, pointing to my plate. My mouth watered at the sight, the most gorgeous pancake I’d ever seen. Whipped cream and strawberry glazed heaven. My favorite!

My parents had a surprise for me—they’d put a new stereo system in my car, which I couldn’t wait to try out! "So that routine maintenance was just a cover?" I asked them.

"No, your oil was changed, and your engine needed a tune-up. We didn’t think that would put the smile on your face we're seeing now," my father laughed. I hugged him, and then my mother.

Talia, taunting me like only a sister could, gave me a homemade birthday card. It was covered with glitter and photoshopped images of me and King Maddoc. Across the top, like a headline:

"TARA: FUTURE QUEEN."

I rolled my eyes. "Very funny."

But secretly? The idea sent a thrill through me. As we ate, my thoughts wandered back to the stories I’d heard about him. Feats of bravery. Fierce battles. A relentless fight for peace among the packs. He was a legend, not just among werewolves and Lycans. Humans were equally enthralled with him.

"Tara!" My mom waved her hand in front of my face. "Come back to earth, Tara!"

"Are you excited for tonight?" Talia asked, breaking my reverie.

"Excited… and a little nervous," I admitted. "My wolf seems amazing, though. I can’t wait to show her off."

"She’s going to be super fluffy," Talia said, and we both giggled. For some reason, neither of us could say "fluffy" without laughing. "Too bad everyone will be too busy drooling over the King to notice your fluffy wolf."

I would be one of them, probably drowning the pack with my drool. "Thanks. I just hope I don’t fall over my own paws."

"You won’t," Trinity added. "We are a team, remember? You’ll be graceful, just like you are at the piano."

I finished my breakfast and spent the rest of the morning in the music room. My fingers flew over the keys, always finding the right notes, even when I closed my eyes.

Later, I went for a walk around the Pack House grounds to calm my nerves. The air was cool and clean, the spring breeze soft against my skin. Pups played near the edge of the woods, and I paused to watch them. Their adorable camaraderie reminded me of Talia, the times we raced across these same fields, pretending we were patrol wolves on secret missions.

Footsteps and laughter caught my attention, and I turned to see two packmates heading my way.

"Tara! Happy Birthday!" Jason greeted me, hand in hand with his mate, Elara.

"Are you ready for your big night?" asked Elara, her happy-go-lucky energy always infectious.

"As ready as I’ll ever be," I replied.

"Don’t worry! It hurts, but after—when you run on four paws for the first time—it’s worth it." Elara grinned. "I, for one, am excited to see that hottie King Maddoc."

Jason rolled his eyes, pulling Elara towards him for a hug. "How am I supposed to compete with him?" He complained, pretending to be jealous. "The mysterious, sexy billionaire. I wonder if he has an alter ego? Like Batman?"

"Of course, I bet he does. Don’t we all?" I mused, "Humans, upgraded to the PLUS version, with all those extra features."

"Subscribe now and get your free 3-day trial of Trinity Pro," my wolf snorted. For some reason, that made me laugh until my sides ached.

"My wolf is offering a free trial; I guess I have to subscribe to access all her features," I explained.

"At least your wolf has a sense of humor," Jason told me. "My wolf is so serious. He’d be the reminder to cancel your trial before the subscription period ends." Elara and Jason joined me, laughing like only friends can.

I glanced back at the group of pups, who were now staring at us. One of them put his hands on his hips, asking us, "Now what is so darn funny?"

"You," Jason told him. "You’re too cute. We can’t handle it." He clutched his chest, then fell to the ground. The pups looked at each other, alarmed, and rushed over to us.

"Are you okay?" one of them asked, his eyes full of concern.

"Good Goddess, these cute pups are everywhere! Somebody help!" Jason shouted.

The pups caught on, and all three of them pounced on Jason, as Elara and I howled with laughter. Blue Moon werewolves were the best. I knew not all packs were like us, and my pack pride swelled.

Eventually, Elara and Jason wandered to the Pack House, and the playful pups headed home.

I lingered, letting the moment settle into my bones. As the laughter faded, I felt a wave of nostalgia, and I took a deep breath, filling my senses with the familiar scent of my homeland.

The trees seemed to whisper secrets to the wind, their branches nodding at me. Acknowledging me. Something inside me stirred. I felt a beautiful connection to nature. To the earth. The breeze swirled around me, like fate and destiny twirling gracefully in an eternal dance.

As the guests began to arrive in droves a few hours later, I took one last look in the mirror, and it felt like I was saying goodbye. Like an ending, followed by a beginning.