Chapter Two: Impending Doom

A knock came at the door dragging me from a sweet warm slumber. I opened my eyes with annoyance. Chloe poked her head around my door. "Staz, you awake?" she asked. I groaned covering my head with the blankets. Chloe chuckled and came over to sit on my bed.

"Staz, I know your less than thrilled about wearing a dress but it's not that bad, I promise." Chloe cooed lovingly. I uncovered my head causing my hair flying around wildly. "It's not that, it just what if I don't like my mate, what if he's mean and rejects me." I said back. I felt impending doom and uneasy for some reason. Chloe let out a sigh "Lil Sister, everything will be fine, you have no need to stress about it right now, I've attended three balls and have yet to meet my mate. A lot of wolves attend the mating ball three or four times before finding their Goddess given mate" Chloe said softly. My heart felt for her, she had been sad every year she failed to find her mate. I would hear her crying in her room next to mine after the ball night was over.

But each year she would get her hopes up again and have them crushed. I never want to have that kind of feeling. My sister was a hopeless romantic, a sweet loving romantic. I let out a sigh and agreed with my sister.

"Great let's get ready to go dress shopping. I'm excited to see what kind of dress you will look beautiful in!" Chloe said with excitement and walked to the door. I groaned again and got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I quickly showered and threw on some jeans, a t shirt and riding boots. I ran down the stairs to the kitchen grabbing a bagel and some cream cheese before heading out the door to meet my mom and sister in the car.

I jumped in the back seat, shoving the bagel into my mouth. My sister made a face since she didn't eat bread often. My mom pulled out of the drive way and headed to the nearest town. Quarantine by Brianna Harness played through the radio as I took in the lush trees around me with light fog looming in and around them. Before long those trees turned to buildings and store. Kryier was a historical town, where wolves and humans intermingled. Many had no idea who or what we were but those humans who did know were mated to other wolves in the pack. Those humans who were mated to a wolf were always in shock for the longest amount of time. But eventually they would come to terms with it, since the mate pull was strong and made both individuals crave each other. My mother pulling into a parking space in front of De Lioux Boutique.

We exited the car and I followed my sister and mom into the shop.

"Bienvenue mesdames." the lady at the desk greeted us.

"What can I do for you lovely ladies today?" the same lady asked.

My sister smiled "We need dresses." Chloe replied. The lady at the desk nodded and waved for us to follow her to the formal attire section. Chloe started enthusiastically picking out dresses to try on. While I gingerly touched the dresses making faces. I sighed picking out a black one, and one that was a beautiful white and blue ombre. I hung the black dress I picked first, because the one I had just picked was to beautiful to pass up. It had subtle snowflakes on it, and I absolutely loved snowflakes and the snow. Anything to do with the winter honestly. It reminded me of the warmth and love people had.  

I called to the lady who worked there to have her package it up for me. She smiled a very crimson smile and agreed.

"Don't you want to try it on dear?" my mother asked.

"No, it's perfect I feel it in my gut." I replied back to her.

She furrowed her brow in momentary concern until my sister swept into the room in a beautiful sparkling pink and blue gown. She looked amazingly beautiful in it since it complimented her skin tone nicely. I flopped in the chair as my mother gushed over Chloe and her dress. Doing my best to tune them out until we could leave. Before long I decided to go get a drink. I told my mom I'd be back shortly and headed out to the near buy coffee shop called Malice Brew. This place was amazing, they had the best apple cider in the county and I enjoyed coming here as much as possible. I enter the door and was hit with the amazing smell of ciders and coffees. I took it in while waiting my turn to order. I ordered a large Apple pie cider which had whip cream and was the best thing on the menu.

Once I got my order I headed off,  taking the long way with less people around. I was drinking my cider and taking in the cool air of the autumn day. When a familiar laughter pulled me from my thoughts. My eyes met his and my blood ran cold. Why is he always around me no matter what I do. I scowled as he beam his copenhagen smile and begin to walk closer. I took a slight step back from him as he got closer.

"Ah, isn't my own personal tease." Emilio sleazed. I wanted to internally gag at his actions.

"Emilio, I'm busy please move out of the way." I replied as I tried to step around him. His goons snickered and giggles. These sleazy assholes were way worse than they should be. Emilio waved to them to leave before turning back to me. I watched as they retreated away. He ran his lips along my jaw line making my knees become weak. This asshole, how does he have this effect on me when he's not even my mate.

"I know you want me, Staz." He whispered in my ear while nipping at my ear. What was bad is I did want him. I felt a burn that no matter how much I tried to fight it would never go away.

"Please, Emilio, I c-can't" I replied. No matter how much I wanted him I could never give in. Since you're supposed to save yourself for your mate. The legend goes that if you have sex with someone who isn't your mate it will cause your mate immeasurable pain. Before they even know they are mated to you, some wolves didn't care about that and did it anyway. It always lead to immeasurable pain and lack of trust when they would meet their mate. Majority didn't last long until one died from a broken heart or one killed the other. That's how the legend goes anyway but we aren't exactly sure if it's completely true. Heresay isn't exactly credible information.

Emilio sighed and pulled away from me, I could have sworn that I seen a slight glint of saddened irritation.

"Whatever," He said and turned to walk away from me. I watched him leave with mixed feelings. I made my way back to my mom and sister who was just finishing up at the boutique. My sister had choosen a rhinestone dress that was green. The top was darker and went lighter towards the bottom. Her and mom gushed over it as my mom paid for the dresses.  Soon we were in the cars and on the way home. I didn't say much but I caught my mom's worried expression in the rearview mirror. I waved it off and looked out the window. This would be a long week and I was less than thrilled about it.