Coming of Age

Aria

At eighteen, I'll get to find my mate. But not only that, I'll finally get to join the Mooncrest Academy for the elites and get to see the famous hockey team where my brother, Ryder, is the captain.

Standing before the large mirror in my golden trumpet gown, I could hardly decide on which necklace to use, the shimmering gold, long or the short?

"Have you made a choice? You've been holding the jewelry for a while," my brother, Ryder, asked.

He came back home yesterday due to my coming-of-age ceremony today, and not to forget that after a week of registering into the academy, we'll be leaving today together to go back.

"I can't decide, though Mom and Dad would love me in the long one. I can't dispute the fact that the short will look better." I bit my lips, knowing that my parents, who are more reserved, can't understand the way things are much different now in the modern era.

"Let's go for the short, Ria. It's your coming-of-age ceremony, after all. I'm sure our parents wouldn't mind," Ryder said.

"You're sure?" I took my eyes off the jewelry to finally look at him. Unlike my silver-blue eyes, which are a replica of my mother's, he has almond eyes of my father's. His face looks so serious just by helping me choose.

The future Alpha-in-training of the Mooncrest Pack, having to help me choose my accessories, brought a warm smile to my face.

His phone rang, and he took it out to see the caller. "I've never been wrong. Give me a second."

My eyes moved back to the mirror in thought. He's right about never being wrong. I mean, he's the hockey captain of the famous team in Mooncrest Academy, the future Alpha, and already found his mate when he clocked eighteen. He's a year older than me but has made steadfast choices in life, if I must say.

When we talk of strength, perseverance, responsibility, handsomeness, and love, he encompasses that. His voice trailed through my thoughts as I tried on the short necklace while moving my chestnut-brown hair forward.

My hands struggled to wear it until his hands came through to finish it for me, and he arranged my hair back to fall freely.

"Is there anything you can't do?" I turned around in time to watch his lips stretch into a grin.

"That's why I'm the eldest," he said.

"With just a year!" I countered.

"But still… I'm older," he persisted.

His hands pushed his phone back into his pocket, and I didn't hesitate to ask him how he's been since he creates time to come home whenever he could. "How is the team and training?"

"Fine. We are expecting new members today, and I haven't gotten a breathing space because training also has to happen later as well. Kael called me to fill me in that new members are already arriving," he said.

The name didn't go unrecognized because my hands squeezed tight, and somehow, I felt a rush of heat to my cheeks, but I tried to keep it in check. He's not just Ryder's best friend but also the Beta's son and the star player of the hockey team.

"I'm sure everything will be sorted. He will be there to help you as usual. He's still not coming around here?" I couldn't help but ask.

Unlike my brother, who took time to come visit the pack, Kael didn't come back, not even once since stepping into the Academy. After all, he's considered cursed by our pack members. His mother died giving birth to him, and his father hates him for that. And not to mention, when everyone is finding their mate at eighteen, he didn't. Instead, he is in a relationship with Serena, our Gamma's daughter. They're rumored to be so in love that they have decided to be chosen mates.

"He made his choice. Can't force Kael to change his mind, you know. But he's doing well," Ryder shrugged.

My eyes blurred a bit, and I decided to take a seat by the dressing table. I was beginning to feel dizzy again from standing. It's a lot for someone like me who's been told to lie on my bed and get rest because I wasn't as strong as the rest of the other werewolves.

"The ceremony should start now. Have you been feeling any burst of energy since midnight? Ready for your first shift?" My brother asked, standing by my room window, looking at how bustling everywhere is.

I tried to take a slow breath so he wouldn't notice my discomfort. A cough threatened to slip off me, but I didn't let it while trying to make my voice devoid of my predicament. "I haven't felt like that, Ryder, but I sure know what I've been feeling isn't what you expect."

Fatigue… Body weakness, extreme dizziness, and a low headache, but I didn't say it out.

"The good thing is you are feeling something," he said, then turned around, but his brows furrowed. "You look pale. Are you feeling well?"

"Of course, just a bit nervous. The pack members expect me to shift, then the ceremony will kick off," I shared.

"You scared me! Don't bother about them. You can even decide to not have your ceremony now until you're ready." He walked closer, patting my hair.

When I couldn't hold it anymore, I said, "Get Mom and Dad. I don't want the ceremony anymore. I'm not ready."

He didn't hesitate before making his way out of the door, and immediately he stepped out. I tried to rush into the bathroom but ended up falling back to the chair. My eyes turned, and finally, gathering strength to stand, I sauntered to the bathroom, spitting out a considerable amount of blood. When the symptoms persist, I begin to spill blood. I poured enough water into my hands to rinse my face until my eyes, which I couldn't see through anymore, got a lot clearer.

I heard the footsteps, and the room door opened. I had to hold the basin to stand, which was becoming extremely difficult.

Then I heard my brother asking to be excused when his phone rang. My mother, Elena, the Luna, responded, "Take your time."

Hearing the door close behind, I gave into exhaustion, falling to the ground and knowing they heard because footsteps approached the bathroom. The door flung open, and all I could feel was the shaking hands of my father's sturdy hand carrying me, and my mother's voice ushering him to place me carefully on my bed.

They began to check if they could get a response from me, but every attempt failed. Then I felt something in my mouth, and I was carefully given water until my body began to feel less pain. I opened my bleary eyes to see my father's worried gaze, and my mother sighed in relief.

"You're getting worse," my mother said. "Dr. Vance mentioned something we haven't told you."

The least I could do was simply stare, waiting to hear her disclose it.

"You're not advised to do your coming-of-age ceremony. Also, he said you have to find your mate to be able to live another year," she said.

My eyes went shut on their own. I shut down into sleep and woke up an hour later. My mother was saying something while extending me water, but I couldn't hear until I finally pushed myself to sit up, drinking the water, and I felt much better now.

My eyes looked around to see my brother just walking in, looking so lost, while my father simply held my hands by the side of the bed where he sat.

"Ria, Mother and Father agreed to clear everyone for the coming-of-age ceremony till when you're ready," he said.

I nodded while watching my mother arrange a box with my clothes inside.

"Princess, you'll be going with your brother to the Academy, but let's eat before you leave. Ryder, go check if the food is ready and come tell us," my mother ordered and watched him till the door closed behind.

"How are you feeling?" My father, Alpha Rowan, unlike his strict demeanor, sounded gentle.

"I'm fine now, unlike earlier. I passed out, and it's helped," I assured them.

"Good, because you have to get to Mooncrest Academy and not only find your mate but also survive," my mother said.

I nodded. "I'll make sure to do that. Though I'm excited to meet my mate, even with the whole circumstances surrounding it now."

"Of course, he's going to love you. You are going to complete each other in various ways," she supported.

"Do you need help changing, or would you join us?" My mother asked just as my brother walked in, confirming the food.

"I can manage. Go, and I'll join you," I replied, and I watched them walk out till the door closed.

My lips pressed together as I broke down in tears. My breath picked up, and I tried so hard, placing a hand in front of my mouth as my body shook, and I clutched the duvet as my cry became muffled.