Chapter 2

Katia pov

On my tenth birthday, my mom woke me saying, "Hurry, get dressed. We have a birthday surprise for you." She said there was a special birthday dress in my closet for me to wear.

I jumped from my bed, ran to my closet, and there hung the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. It was the prettiest thing I have ever owned. Most of my clothes were no better than rags. I had a few things I was only allowed to wear when attending a function at the pack house. Just as my room was for show. Sure, I slept there, but that was it.

The dress was so pretty. It was made of white silk with little pink and red ribbons interwoven up the back of the bodice. I stood staring at it, wondering why suddenly my mom bought me this dress and why she was so happy. I never make her happy. She never bought me something this expensive. Was it some kind of trick? Once I put the dress on, would she rip it off me, telling me I was too ugly to wear it?

I grabbed the dress and went into the bathroom. Since mom wanted to wear the dress, I guess she would allow me to bathe today. I turned on the shower and adjusted it, so it was barely warm if someone came to check and make sure I wasn't using hot water. If I heard them coming, I could knock the knob slightly, and the water would be freezing. If I didn't hear them, it would seem like I had not moved the knob quite far enough to keep the hot water completely off.

Although, I couldn't help hoping that somehow my parents had realized I was their child too and that I wasn't that ugly or stupid. Maybe 10 was a magic number for the girls in our family. Maybe they can't be loved until they turn 10. I have heard strange stories about other families and what they call traditions. Maybe this is a family tradition for girls. My brain had grasped on to this idea, and it was all I could think. My mom, dad, brothers, and the rest of the pack were going to love me now. I bet that is the rest of the birthday surprise. The dress is for some kind of ceremony to let me know they love me now.

No one interrupted my shower, and I lost track of time, so I was in there longer than allowed. I hurriedly dried myself off and tied the towel around my thin chest. I sped through brushing my teeth and detangling my freshly washed hair. I dropped the towel but grabbed it off the floor and hung it up. I don't want to do anything to mess this up.

I slipped into my little panties and stepped into the dress. It felt like what I imagine a cloud must feel like against my body.

Just then, my mom came in to help me zip it up. "Good, you showered and washed your hair," she said. "Today is an important day, and we need to make you look as pretty as we can." She said, smiling.

She was smiling. I know you are only 10, but goddess, you are tiny. I can't believe I gave birth to a runt, especially with the alpha blood running through my veins.

My mom then brushed and braided my hair, winding it around my head. She secured it with some pins and added little pink and red roses in each center of each link of the braid. Mom's eyes glazed over, which meant she was linking with someone. Most likely, my dad. Mind linking is another thing you can do with the pack once you get your wolf. Though I have heard talk around the pack house that couples get a special link once they are mated.

Her eyes cleared and she looked at me as she stated, "Well, this will have to do," and then muttering under her breath, "I told your father we should have fed you more." She looked at me with her smile back in place, "Come on, Katia! Your surprise is here."

We walked down the stairs, and there was a man standing in our living room, watching me come down them.

He was tall, and his legs, arms, and chest were covered in muscles. He had long brown hair that was hanging down to his shoulders. His goatee and mustache were the same color as his hair.

He was staring at me with the prettiest golden eyes. They reminded me of the gold necklace Luna always wore. Although he was pretty to look at, the way he stared at me made my skin crawl.

He continued staring while stating, "she'll do."

I looked at my father, who stood next to the man smiling. This was another first. I had never seen him smile.

Suddenly, my mother stepped off the last step and said, "Katia, meet Alpha Thomas Crane of the Blood Meadow pack. He has decided to take you as his chosen mate."