One

Eve breathed in the fresh air, she was exhausted after their run.

She watched a black wolf keep running circles around her, it came to her and playfully nipped at her shoulder. She laughed as she pushed it away.

The black wolf disappeared behind a tree and some minutes later, her best friend Jude appeared.

He sat beside her, "What are you thinking about?" he asked her.

"about tonight"

"The red moon ceremony" he said softly.

The red moon ceremony was to celebrate the red moon which came out once a year. And most importantly, the finding of mates.

A werewolf above twenty one would find their mates on this special day. Every pack in the region took turns hosting the ceremony. And this year, it was their pack's turn.

"I am so nervous about tonight, I keep wondering who my mate is going to be"

Jude nudged her with his shoulder. "It's going to be someone befitting of a wonderful person like you, I just hope he is from this pack. I don't want to lose my best friend"

Eve smiled, "either way, you are not going to lose me, but I also hope he is from this pack, I don't want father to be lonely"

"I am not nervous about the ceremony though"

Eve rolled her eyes, "that's because you were lucky to find your mate before clocking twenty one"

On rare occasions, some werewolves would get their mate before attending their first red moon ceremony. They would share such a unique bond with the person that the red moon ceremony was just a official confirming.

Jude had found his already, Tina.

Tina and Jude had fallen for each other from the first time they saw met each other when they were sixteen. Tina, her twin brother and her mother had just moved into the pack.

Even though dating before twenty one was frowned upon, Tina and Jude were a special exception. Everyone could see how in love they were.

"Yeah...yeah, I know that. But what I mean is that I am more nervous about the swear in ceremony, I don't think I am ready to be Alpha"

"Jude, you are more than ready to be Alpha, and I know you will do a marvelous job" she told him.

"I just feel that I am going to make a lot of mistakes"

Eve held his hand. "Jude, mistakes are normal, you are going to learn from them and do better. You know you will"

"I just hope you don't leave the pack, I know if you are here, things will be easier"

Eve smiled, "Don't worry about it, I will always be here for you"

Jude looked up and she stared at his eyes. Jude was her best friend, they had been friends since childhood. She didn't even want to think about a future where they wouldn't be in each other's lives.

"I think we should head back home" Jude said, dropping her hand suddenly.

"Okay" although she was surprised by his abrupt behavior, she didn't show it.

They walked back to the pack house.

"Baby...where have you been?" Tina jumped into Jude's arms immediately she saw him.

"I went for a run" he replied as he caught her.

"and why didn't you call me to join you?"

"Because you would sulk after a few minutes and say you were tired" he replied, teasing her.

"Hmmm! I missed you a lot" she said and then kissed him.

Eve moved away from the kissing couple and sat down on the couch with Tate, Tina's twin brother.

"Yuck!" he made a disgusted face as he looked at the couple.

She grinned and nudged him playfully.

"and are you excited about tonight?" she asked.

"Yes, because then Jude and Tina can finally become official mates and he will stop disturbing my sleep to sneak in through my window"

"Tate, I meant about your mate"

He shrugged, "I haven't really given it much thought, my mate will be there, I suppose"

"You should be giving it much thought, this is someone you are going be spending the rest of your life with" Ryan said, inputting himself in their conversation.

"And nobody invited you to this conversation" Tate told him, his lips in a sneer.

"Hey Ryan" Eve smiled at the newcomer. Ryan was going to be Jude's beta after he became Alpha.

"Hey Eve, what about you? Are you excited for tonight?" Ryan asked.

"excited and nervous" she replied.

Ryan looked at Jude and Tina who were whispering to each other. A wistful look on his face.

"They are lucky to have already found each other"

Tate sneered again, "yes, and they are" he replied.

After Tina arrived, Ryan had been interested in Tina. Unfortunately all Tina could see was Jude.

Jude and Ryan had even fought about it. It had been surprising to all of them when Jude had picked him to be beta last year.

Jude however had said he and Ryan had put the past behind them.

Ryan ignored Tate and moved closer to the couple. He leaned in and whispered to Jude.

Jude nodded and gently disengaged from Tina.

"I will see you all later, I and Ryan have some errands to run" he told everyone.

They all said their goodbyes and Tina kissed him again before he and Ryan left.

"I hate that guy" Tate remarked.

"Come on, be nice" Eve told him.

"Yes Tate, be nice" Tina echoed as she joined them on the couch.

"I am being nice, I just find him suspicious. He was trying to get with you and even fought with Jude for you. And now he is playing nice and being his beta, tell me you guys don't find it suspicious"

"It's called growing up Tate." Tina told him.

"I guess so, but I still don't like him"

"I am sure the feeling is mutual for Ryan too" Eve said with a laugh.

"I am going out, see you girls later" Tate said and stood up.

"bye Tate" they said and then burst into laughter.