CHAPTER 6

MIA'S POV

At age 17

I can not stop staring at my school lunch. It's supposed to be mashed potatoes and gravy but it looks like someone just threw up old potatoes and don't get my started on the gravy. The gravy does not even smell good. I push the lunch tray and turn my head in disgust.

"I'm pretty sure the lunch lady is trying to kill us all". I announce glancing around at my friends.

"I told you to always pack your lunch on Potato Thursday". My best friend Rhea smiles at me.

Rhea has been my best friend since I moved here to Portland. She has short wavy blonde hair and bright green eyes. She is so beautiful and energetic and everyone loves her. We met when I moved here around seven years ago and I hardly remember my life before this place.

My father is the pack lawyer and I know you are thinking what kind of werewolves needs a lawyer? Well many do as my dad helps with the contracts between other packs and also helps with the business side of the pack. Our Alpha Floyd own many businesses and my father also helps other wolves with their businesses on pack lands and off.

My mother's job is pretty much spending money. I swear all the woman does is to shop and constantly redecorate our house. She shops more than me and I am a teenager, almost an adult. My eighteenth birthday is in four days.

My other best friend Layla shoves her sandwich in my face getting my attention. She has short black hair cut into a pixie cut. She is as tough as can be and tries to be the momma bear of our trio,always taking care of me and Rhea.

"Here you can have my other sandwich,I packed extra and by extra,I mean six". Layla laughs and Rhea and I join in.

I grab the sandwich and take a big bite moaning in delight savouring the goodness of the ham and cheese unlike this potato macha placed in front of me. "This is great,thanks". I mumble.

"No problem,let's just hope camp has better food this weekend". Layla says and looks at Rhea and I and we both agree.

"I'm so excited and I hope we find our mates and they are perfect". Rhea holds her hand over heart like a fan girl with a huge grin like she is daydreaming.

Layla scoffs and start eating her sandwich. Rhea and I exchange glances unsure of what to say. Layla has always been hesitant about finding her mate but won't tell us why.

Both my friends are already eighteen so if their mate is around, they will sense him. I decided to speak up and break the awkward silence. " I just hope my parents believe me. I feel so bad for lying to them but there are so hesitant of me finding a mate. They keep assuring me I don't need one".

"Yeah, your parents are so weird. Most parents are happy for their kids to find a mate and if the wolf is of higher rank,it's even better". Rhea cups her cheeks and I can tell she is daydreaming again about finding her mate. Her head is always in the gutters.

" Is that why they banned you from going to the mating camp?". Layla asks concerned. She hates how overprotective my parents can be.

Every year, there is a camp to help werewolves find their mate. You either have to be eighteen already or turn eighteen while at the camp. They make us train and the Alphas there use their free time to create new allies. It is supposed to be really fun but my dad has banned me from going. He does not want be to have a mate.

"Yes,but I really want to go. But you know I hate to break the rules". I pout at Layla and she reaches across and squeezes my hand.

My parents are very strict, I even have a curfew at eleven. Also I have to get perfect grades and attendance. My dad has already helped me to apply to colleges close by and he wants me to be a lawyer like him. He wants me to take over his role here in the pack house one day so he can retire and spend more time with Mom.

My parents are even more strict when it comes to dating. It was either no boyfriend or they picked on for me. I refused to let them decide who I fate so I have just stayed single. My mum refuses to talk about mates and my dad just keeps trying to convince me that I am too independent to need a mate and that it will just ruin me.