Chapter 2

“Please welcome, Azura Dunstan.” My father enthusiastically said into the microphone.

That was my cue. But I couldn’t move. My heart started racing again. I took another long deep breath and forced myself to move.

*your mate is out there go find him!* I thought to myself.

After what felt like forever, I finally stepped through the curtain onto the stage and walked toward my father. Everyone stood and started clapping. Raven and Wyatt started whistling and cheering me on. I rolled my eyes at them.

My father smiled at me and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

“Please be respectful tonight and let the mating process take its own course. And as a tradition my daughter and I will have the first dance of the night together.” My father smiled at me and took my hand and lead me to the dance floor.

As we slow danced I couldn’t help but wonder how I would know when I meet my mate.

“Daddy?” I whispered to him.

“Yes my baby girl?” He looked at me curiously.

“How will I know I met him?”

“Oh my sweet girl. Trust me you will know.” He smiled at me. “When I first laid eyes on your mother it felt like it was only the two of us in the room, nothing and no one else mattered. My wolf went nuts and all I wanted to do was be by her.”

I smiled up at my father, “I hope my mate is here tonight.”

The music ended and my father spun me out to show me off to everyone.

“I’m sure he is honey. Don’t worry too much.” He bowed to me and then went back to the stage.

“Everyone please enjoy all the food and let the mingling begin!”

Wyatt and Raven rushed over to me.

“Let’s get in line for food before all the horny wolves attack.” Raven said as she was pulling me towards the buffet table.

The three of us got our food and sat together to eat. Shortly after we started eating we heard heels clanking loudly against the floor heading towards us. I turned to see who was coming and saw Ayala Kenway making her way towards us.

Ayala was from the Oceans Howl Pack, she used to be friends with us but when we turned 13 she started acting like she never knew us and became so mean and cruel towards us, especially me.

“Ayala Kenway don’t you DARE start anything today. It is NOT your party, go be a mean girl to someone else!” Raven stated.

Ayala didn’t even slow down and just smiled at us.

“Azura Dunstan!” Ayala shouted making a few people turn in our direction.

I stood up and turned in her direction and smiled at her.

“Ayala thank you so much for coming to my coming of age party. It REALLY means a lot to me that you’re supporting me in finding my mate.”

Ayala stopped dead in her tracks when I said that. She was so shocked she didn’t know what to say or do.

“Ayala please go back to our table and finish eating! Don’t you dare embarrass me and make a scene towards Azura!” Ayala’s mother, Srya, scolded her.

Ayala gave me the death stare and stormed back towards her table.

“Azura honey I want to apologize for my daughters stupidity. I have no idea what has gotten into her. Happy birthday sweetheart and please if she does anything else let me know right away.” Srya gave me a hug and walked back to her table as well.

“If the spot light isn’t on her she has to make a scene, doesn’t she.” Wyatt laughed.

I sat back down at our table and finished my food. Once Raven and Wyatt were done we got up and made our way to the dance floor.

Every so often an unmated wolf would come over asking for a dance and hoping to be blessed to find out I am their mate. I danced with dozens of boys and not once did I ever get the feeling that my father described when he met my mother.

I was starting to become discouraged that I hadn’t met my mate yet.

I went and sat back down at the table to catch my breath from all the dancing and talking I was doing with everyone.

About half way through the party my father had asked me to come with him up on the stage.

“The night is still young but I wanted to come up here with my daughter and thank everyone who has come here tonight. Unfortunately a couple families aren’t here and we miss them dearly and we hope we can get a chance to meet with them to see if my daughter is their son’s mate.”

All of a sudden my knees buckled and I had to grab onto my father for support. My wolf started to go nuts and I didn’t understand why because she hasn’t made a sound since the party started. Then all of a sudden the doors to the ballroom opened up and in walked the Greyback family.

Alpha Arthur and his wife Talia walked in first. Followed by their youngest son Embry and middle child Lydia. Their oldest son Lyall hasn’t been seen or heard from in years. He was a few years older than me and hasn’t been mated yet. He’s known as the Dark Wolf, he’s always been a trouble maker but has gotten worse since he hasn’t found his mate yet.

When a wolf doesn’t find their mate over time they become angry and lash out. Their wolf takes more control and it’s hard to keep them calm.

“Azura honey, are you okay? What’s wrong?” My father helped me take a seat.

“Dad my wolf is going nuts but I don’t know why.” I barely was able to say in response.

“Reginald Dunstan! I apologize for mine and my families tardiness but we were waiting for our eldest son Lyall to arrive back into town before coming here. He’s been gone for so long we just couldn’t leave without him.” Arthur stated.

As soon as he finished in walked Lyall Greyback, the Dark Wolf. Everyone was silent, even the DJ stopped playing the music.

I hadn’t noticed what was going on, I was trying my hardest to catch my breath and not pass out. My wolf was going crazy and I didn’t know why. I had met everyone that was at the party so I didn’t understand. That’s as until I heard his voice. The most mesmerizing voice I have ever heard in my life.

“I’m so sorry Azura we are late to your party. I hope you can forgive me.” Lyall said as he bowed to me.

My head whipped up to see who had said that and that’s when I saw him. It had been years since I’ve seen Lyall Greyback in person.

Lyall slowly lifted his head to look at me and I stood up from my seat. That’s when it hit me, my wolf started shouting Mate Mate Mate as soon as we locked eyes.

My stomach dropped and I felt like I was going to be sick. No not him. Why the Dark Wolf, was all I could think.

Lyall stumbled and put his hand on his chest trying to catch his breath.

My father looked at Lyall and then at me and knew what was happening.

“It looks like your son has finally met his mate after all of these years Arthur.” My father nervously said.

Arthur turned to look at Lyall and then back at me.

He smiled up at me, “Azura honey welcome to the family. And congratulations!”

I started to cry and ran into the back room away from everyone, especially the Dark Wolf.

Seconds later Raven and Wyatt came into the room.

“Azura what’s wrong?!” Both of them said at the same time.

In between cries I managed to say, “The Dark Wolf is my mate!”

Both Raven and Wyatt gasped.

“Are you sure it’s him?” Raven cam over to hold me.

“My wolf kept jumping and saying mate mate mate as soon as I locked eyes with him! Yes I am sure it’s him!” I yelled. “Why him?!”

I cried some more in Raven’s arms and that’s when I felt the rush again, I knew he was close.

My head shot up and there standing at the door was the Dark Wolf, Lyall. I stopped breathing when we locked eyes.

“Azura you need to breathe. You’re going to pass out otherwise.” Wyatt said to me.

I tried to breath but I couldn’t. My body stopped working, it was in shock. The last thing I remember was Lyall running towards me screaming.

Then everything went black.