I’m still riding high on the thrill of acing the test, but I won’t lie—I’m bored out of my skull.
For the first five days, I strutted my patrol route with a sense of pride, using every sense I had and taking my job incredibly seriously.
Turns out, I got stuck with the most mind-numbingly dull stretch of the border.
Not even a stray bird dares to venture here.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad my pack is safe.
But this isn’t exactly the thrilling adventure I had in mind.
To top it all off, I’ve been stuffed into dress after dress for the past three days.
My mom is on a mission to find the perfect gown for this blasted mate ceremony.
Let me tell you, I’ve never been a fan of dresses, and I’ve certainly never felt the need to cake my face in so much makeup that it could withstand a hurricane.
Thankfully, my mom finally found a dress she deems perfect.
I have to admit, it’s stunning.
The dress is a shade darker than my blue eyes, making them stand out.
It showcases one of my strong legs with a slit, while giving my hips a more feminine look.
There’s a hint of cleavage from the V neckline, but not too much.
Thin straps keep the dress in place.
As I pace back and forth for what feels like the millionth time, I find myself thinking about my mate.
If I find him. I hope if I do, he’s a warrior too.
That would make things a lot simpler.
But knowing my luck, that’s probably not going to happen.
I rarely get what I want, and to top it all off, I have alpha blood.
It’s not common for a she-wolf to be more dominant than her mate. Lucky me, right?
I hear a twig snap behind me and Marcel’s scent fills my nostrils.
“He’s doing this on purpose,” I mutter once I’ve shifted back. Marcel just chuckles.
We had a chat about what happened at the test, and he flat out admitted that he let me win so I’d get what I wanted. I appreciate the gesture, but it’s a bit frustrating. I thought I won fair and square.
“Your mother’s looking for you.” This earns him a growl. It’s not his fault, but I can’t stand the thought of trying on my dress one more time or having people yank at my hair.
“She loves you. She wants you to have a good life, Rebel.” I roll my eyes at him and don’t bother responding.
I pull on my clothes and head back, bracing myself for what I’m sure will be more hours of torture.
Maybe I can hide out in Lucy’s room.
Before I can even concoct a plan to sneak into the house, I see my mom standing in the doorway.
“Young lady, your shift ended thirty minutes ago.” Her hands are on her hips and she’s giving me a disapproving look. I quickly flash her a puppy-dog smile, making her face soften. Phew, crisis averted.
“Come on, Sweetie. I want us to have some alone time. Who knows, you might find your mate tomorrow. We won’t be able to see each other for a while if you do.”
Yep, she just said 'we' as if my mate is her new deity.
Honestly, I’m not ready to have a mate yet.
I know what the pull can do. Before I know it, I’ll be pregnant and waddling around like a sea lion.
I link my arm with my mother’s and we walk inside together.
She leads me to the library where Lucy and dad are already seated.
In front of them is a game of Monopoly.
I LOVE MONOPOLY.
After several hours of playing, complete with the usual accusations of cheating and a mountain of unhealthy snacks, Lucy and I head upstairs together.
“Kat? Can I sleep in your bed tonight?” Lucy’s voice is soft, tinged with anxiety.
I know she’s desperate to find her mate.
She’s visited several nearby packs already to see if he was there, but no luck.
I nod at her, understanding in my eyes.
I hope she finds her mate. If anyone deserves it, it’s her.
After we’ve both showered and changed into our PJs, we climb into my bed.
“Kat, what if our mates live so far apart that we never get to see each other anymore?” The sudden wave of sadness hits me so hard I feel dizzy.
“If that happens, we’ll video call every day! I’ll tell you all about my mate and you’ll tell me all about yours.
“We’ll gossip about the pack members, the latest human celebrity scandals, and watch Grey’s Anatomy together.” Lucy lets out a soft chuckle.
“I’ll complain about all the annoying things my mate does because you know I find something annoying in everyone. Then we’ll rant about pointless things like why all the doors are green.
“And when our mates start to complain, we’ll scare them off with our crazy woman look and just continue our conversation.” Lucy chuckles again.
“I love you. You’ve been like a sister to me. There was a time when I thought I’d never be happy, but you were always there.
“You were always there to annoy me, so I wouldn’t get mad at life. You were always there to make me laugh, so I couldn’t be sad.
“You were there to challenge me, so I could never be weak. You’re the best sister anyone could have, Katelynn. Thank you.”
We’re both crying and clinging to each other at this point.
We fall asleep in each other’s arms.
I dream about Lucy and I finding mates in the same pack.
Never having to be separated from each other.
When I wake up, there’s something wet dripping on my shoulder.
After a quick inspection, I realize it’s Lucy drooling all over me.
I silently pray to the Goddess to never separate us again, but to please help Lucy with her drooling problem.
I quietly slip out from under her and sneak into my bathroom.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror for a while.
I look surprisingly good for someone who just woke up after falling asleep crying.
I take a quick shower, brush my teeth, and step out in my robe.
Knowing my mom, she’ll be here soon to dress me in her chosen outfit.
When I get back to my bedroom, I see that Lucy is sitting up.
“Do you hear that?” she whispers.
I activate my wolf hearing.
I hear a voice in the distance that I don’t recognize.
Geez, how early are they here?
Lucy jumps up on the bed, lets out a high-pitched squeal of joy, and starts bouncing up and down.
Laughing at her wild antics, I can't help but join in. I leap onto the bed and start bouncing right along with her.
That's when my mom walks in.
Her stern look stops us in our tracks.
We can't help but keep laughing, even as my mom lectures us about how proper ladies don't jump on beds.
