Chapter 30

"Ah, these are going to be perfect! Julianne will love these!" I squeaked quietly to myself as I picked up a pair of red, glitter killer heels.

I was doing some birthday shopping for my best friend at Marnie's. It was a favourite shop of Julianne's and these heels were just perfect! Julianne was the sort of girl who wouldn't just blend in with everybody else. She had to stand out! And with her long, bright, red hair, standing out is what she did! I could imagine her wearing these heels with her black fluffy jacket and skin-tight leather leggings. It wasn't my sort of thing to wear but it suited Julianne and she looked hot in it!

My mind flipped back to my best friend and I smiled gently. She was finally going to be sixteen today. And that meant she was going to be finally Mated with Paul. I couldn't be happier for them. They really were the perfect couple! I'd just turned sixteen a mere few weeks ago and I was yet to find my Mate. I wasn't in any rush. I wanted to be focused on passing my exams and getting into college before I devoted myself to my Pack. I watched, happily, as the store assistant carefully wrapped the shoes in fancy, pink paper before adding a large red bow.

"There you go! Thank you for shopping at Marnie" she smiled as she handed me the card reader, ready for me to tap with my bank card.

Smiling contentedly, I grabbed my gift and hurried out of the store, eager to give my friend her gift. I couldn't wait to see her face when she opened it! The sun was beating down its rays, while there was blue sky as far as the eye could see. Today honestly couldn't be any better. What better way than spending it with the people you adored?

My mind flipped back to that very first day when I was standing all alone in the reception of my new school. I'd just been handed my new timetable and rough instructions of where I needed to be. But being new, I didn't have the foggiest of how to get there. That's when the front doors slid open and a flash of red caught my eye. Marching towards me with a friendly smile plastered on her face was this strange girl, dragging her poor boyfriend behind her by his hand. Politely, I held out my hand and smiled earnestly.

"Ahh. You must be the welcoming committee!" I joked, flashing a nervous grin.
"Ah, yeah. Something like that," the redhead chuckled as she shook my hand. "I'm Julianne and this is Paul. We will look after you. Come on. Let's get this tour on the road!"

Smiling thankfully, I nodded at Julianne and then glanced over at Paul. I gasped quietly as I felt a warm glow run through me that quickly ebbed away, while Paul was staring at me hungrily. As soon as the strange feeling started, it was all gone and I felt normal again. What was that? Pushing the feeling to the back of my mind, I looped arms with Julianne and let her drag me down the halls.

The rest of the day was spent with me following Paul and Julianne around the school, learning where the different areas were and who I should and shouldn't associate with. It was all a bit of a blur but it was really fun and by the time I knew it, the bell was ringing for the end of school. Ever since that day, I and Julianne had become inseparable. She was like the sister I had never had.

As I crossed the final street and walked into the entrance of Julianne's road, my nerves began to tingle. Was it in anticipation or nerves at my best friend's upcoming bond? Something was bound to happen and I couldn't wait to witness it and celebrate with them both. As I went around the corner, Julianne's house appeared and I spied Paul waltzing up the garden path. I could see a large, expensive-looking bunch of flowers in one hand while he held a gift in the other. He really did know how to spoil Julianne. She was so lucky and I couldn't wait until I found my Mate one day. Paul was everything you wanted in a mate. He was kind, caring, thoughtful and protective.

As I got closer to the house, what I didn't notice was Julianne's glum-looking expression, or her also trying to fight back the tears. I didn't notice Paul looking down at the floor, rather downcast as he shook his head sadly. I also didn't notice Julianne's mum standing behind her, just inside the door, covering her face with her hands. I was just in a moment as every step I took closer to my friend's house, the more tingling and anticipation I felt. Pushing the gate open with a loud squeak, I sashayed up the path towards Julianne and Paul, eager to give the birthday girl her gift.

As Paul and Julianne and even her mum, all focused their gazes on me, it felt like I had been hit by a bus. I barely even registered that my gift was now on the grass as my hands flung to my throat as I struggled to breathe. Gasping for air, I dropped to my knees and felt a burning fire rage through me like an inferno. But it didn't hurt. Instead of pain, there was just an intense surge of tinglyness, while a strange melody rang out in my brain. Every nerve in my body was on fire while somewhere, a wolf began howling needingly. A wolf? That meant my wolf was waking up properly and that meant I was mating to someone.

But who? No! It couldn't be. Could it?

As I looked up, I also saw Paul, who was now also on his hands and knees, gasping for breath, while looking at me hungrily. Oh no! This couldn't be happening! Not Paul! With all my strength, I tried to stop myself from walking towards Paul, but it was as if there was an invisible force, forcing us together. A gentle, soft voice, in my head spoke out, encouraging me to go to my mate. Who did that voice belong to? It was a voice I didn't recognise.

'Go to him. Don't fight it. You will only prolong your suffering. You must either accept him or reject him! He is your Mate. This is the way it is and always has been."

Suddenly, I felt Paul's arms wrap around me, and pull me against him tightly. His scent made my senses flare as I hungrily buried my nose into his neck. I could feel my fangs protrude as they scraped along the sensitive part of his neck, making Paul shudder. His hands snaked hungrily across my back and down my arms, as he explored what parts of my body he could, before gazing into my eyes. His eyes had turned jet black, and I could see the tips of his fangs under his lips.

"It's you. You're the one! You're meant to be my Mate!"