The awakening

“It's today," I said excitedly as I threw the windows of my bedroom open.

Outside, the clouds in the east were lightening a little with the faint tinge of dawn. It was more than an hour before I had to wake up, but I was too excited to stay in bed much longer. I threw on some clothes, tied up my sneakers, and headed out for my morning run. I felt a wave of sadness when I looked at the woods surrounding my home and remembered that I couldn't run wild and free the way my kind did.

"Focus, Kiara. Focus," I muttered to myself again.

I shook off the sad mood and focused on the significance of today as I ran down the deserted street.

Today, I turned eighteen.

Today, I would get to find out if Jason was my mate.

Of course, he would be. We had been dating for over a year now and we loved each other to distraction.

I couldn't think about Jason without thinking about all the good times we had together. My steps slowed to a walk, excitement, and anticipation making butterflies take wing in my belly. I kept imagining how happy Jason and I would be after we'd accepted each other as mates. We would get married, and then have kids eventually, maybe a few years from now. I would always be there to welcome him when he got home and...

"...crazy freak."

The words brought me back to the present. With a visible start of surprise, I realized from the position of the sun in the sky that it had to be about two hours since I had left the house. Two girls around my age were looking in my direction. The one that had spoken saw me looking and whispered to the other. I supposed I did look a little crazy with a goofy grin on my face and the fact that I wasn't paying attention to where my feet were taking me. I had just been about to step into a large puddle of muddy water. I turned to head back the way I came, realizing for the first time that I had gathered quite an audience. All along the street, people were staring, and whispering. A man was even pointing at me while talking to someone even though he knew I could see him.

I shrugged and kept on walking. I was used to the insults and stares by now, so they didn't affect me much. Irina, the freak; that was one of my kindest nicknames. Still, I schooled my expression as I headed home, not wanting to give anyone more reasons to think that I was off my rocker. My father and stepmother, Lora were in the dining room having breakfast when I got in.

"Hi, dad. Hi Lora," I greeted, doing my best to infuse warmth into my tone.

My dad glanced at me, grunted, and resumed sipping his coffee. Lora didn't even bother looking at me. She just gave a jerk of her head in response. I got my food from the kitchen and took a place at the table. A slight squaring of his shoulders was all the indication my father gave of my presence. When my dad was reading the newspapers, he began to talk to Lora about some new business prospects.

"Dad, you know what day it is?" I asked during a break in their conversation.

"It's not a public holiday, surely," he said, giving me an impatient sidelong look.

"No. It's not. Seriously, Dad. You can't remember?"

"What is she talking about?" Lora demanded, not deigning to look at me. She never asked me directly if she could help it.

"How should I know?" he growled and promptly resumed his conversation with her.

I grabbed my plates and stomped off to the kitchen, angry and hurt at their indifference. I didn't expect much from Lora. She was so engrossed in Erin's, that she didn't have room for much else, but how could my father forget? Turning eighteen was a big deal among my kind. I took several deep, calming breaths as I did the dishes. Things would be better soon. When I got married to Jason, I wouldn't have to live here with them.

A knock sounded on the door of my room that afternoon, while I was lounging on my bed.

"You have a letter," my father said from the other side of the door.

Something hit the floor as he walked away. I opened the door and picked up the formal-looking envelope. It was an invitation from Jason stating that he was throwing a mating ceremony party at the pack house.

"Oh, Jason," I sighed, love and longing in my voice.

He knew as I did, that we were destined to be mates. He was obviously throwing this party to claim me as his in front of everyone. I immediately threw myself into preparations for the party. It took me quite a while to decide on what to wear, and a longer time to decide on a hairdo, but I was in time for the party that evening.

The pack house was lavishly decorated. Everyone in my pack turning eighteen was there including those who had already found mates and those who would find mates next year. They stood in groups talking, laughing, and dancing, but glancing from time to time at the large clock placed strategically on the most visible part of the wall. I wandered around the large room, looking for Jason. Finally, I found him giving instructions to a waiter.

"Jason," I called.

My words were drowned out by the music. I pushed my way to him and hugged him around the middle.

"Oh, Jason. I'm so excited," I said, smiling up at him.

He didn't return my smile. He merely gave me an awkward pat on the back and stepped out of my embrace.

"Yeah. Me too," he said tonelessly. "Listen, I er- have to go check on something."

He was walking away before he even finished talking to me and I was left staring at him in confusion. That was weird, really weird.

I shrugged it off and went in search of something to drink. There was a lot of finger food to munch on, so I took a lot of that as I swayed to the music in my corner while watching the dancing couples. As midnight approached, the sense of anticipation and excitement crackled like electricity in the air. Someone had thrown one of the windows wide open so a beam of moonlight filtered into the room.

At ten minutes to midnight, the dancing and merrymaking mostly stopped. Most couples stood in tense groups of two. Again, I sought Jason out and went to stand by him. I touched his arm and gave him a smile. He glanced at me, then away. His gaze was fixed on the open window. The moonlight made him even more beautiful, outlining his dark, wavy hair, high cheekbones, and green, deep-set eyes.

Five minutes to midnight. A minute to midnight.

There was a hush in the room as the full moon rose to its peak. I counted the seconds in my head. And then it was midnight. There were whispers of 'mate' from all around me as people found the ones they were destined to be with, but I had eyes only for the man at my side. I felt an irresistible pull towards Jason. It was stronger than anything I had ever felt before. By the trembling in his arms and shoulders, I knew he felt it too.

"Mate," I cried.

I jumped about a foot in the air and ran to launch myself into his arms, to feel his lips on mine. The next moment, I found myself stumbling backward. It took me a second to realize that he had pushed me away.

"Jason, we're-" I began.

"No," he snarled. "Don't you dare say the word!"

I gaped at him. What was happening? Why did Jason look so angry? What had I done?

"But..."

"I don't care if we're... mates-" He spat it out like it was a swear word. "I won't be burdened with you, Kiara." He drew himself to his full height, his green eyes glinting angrily. "I, Jason, hereby reject you as my Luna."

"NO," I screamed. "You can't! Why-"

"Why?" Jason's face hardened. "You ask me why? How the hell do you expect me to have a Luna who can't shift properly? No hard feelings, Kiara, but I can't have the blood of my future kids tainted with yours, not when I have someone better, someone more suited to me."

From among the crowd that had gathered to watch came the sound of a familiar giggle. Jason stepped into the crowd which easily parted for him. He emerged holding the hand of a tall, willowy blonde- Erina!

He looked around the room before raising their entwined hands and saying, "Erina will be my mate."

My shouts of denial were drowned in the cheers and applause that erupted from everyone.

"Way to go, J," said a man who had his arms around his mate as the crowd around us began to disperse. "Some of us actually thought you'd actually end up with the freak."

Erina hid a grin. Jason shrugged and everyone else close enough to hear, laughed.