My Enemy, My Mate

Chapter 3

"So what colors are you thinking for your birthday party theme?" Mum asked from across the kitchen counter. I groan at her mention of a party. I cant think of anything worse - a whole room of people watching my every move and just waiting to see if they could witness the next stupid thing I do.

"I don't care Mum." I reply trying to sound excited while dreading it inside.

"I really like this teal blue and gold..." Mum states, "But silver and black is timeless." She continues while showing me her pintrest board of images she has collected leading up to my 17th birthday party. Turning seventeen is a monumental birthday as a wolf. It is when you can potentially meet your mate. Some wolves find them on their actual birthday, some take years to find each other. Having a mate, I'm told, is like finding your other half. Your missing piece. Your perfect fit. I have been told their scent is irresistible and can be smelt from miles away. Their touch is like tiny bolts of electricity that light you up as well as have the ability to relax and heal you. You become inseparable. Wolves have died of literal heartbreak from being rejected by their mate or being apart. It is a strong force holding the two beings together. Something to be cherished and protected. This is why lavish, large seventeenth birthday parties are common for our kind. Everyone is invited from nearby packs in the hope that one will be your mate. Obviously, an Alpha's daughter cannot reject the seventeenth birthday celebration. A wolf and its pack are stronger when its members have found their mates. Particularly the Alpha.

Paul has not found his mate yet and that has put a lot more pressure on me to find mine. The thought of finding a mate daunts me with the fact that the person I am given at the age of seventeen is my one and only, but at the same time it is exhilarating. Someone I can share everything with, feel safe, be together for eternity - that is if he feels the same about me.

"So?" Mum pushes, asking for my confirmation on colours.

"Teal and gold sounds fine." I reply. Mum's face splits into a huge grin,

"I will start locking things in. Next week my little girl will finally be seventeen! I cant believe it!" She blubbers, speaking a hundred miles a minute. I smile at her excitement. At least I know Aria will be more than willing to help me find a dress.

"I've already sent out invitations to our neighboring pack families." Mum adds. I sigh into my orange juice.

"Birthday planning?" Dad asks as he starts the coffee machine. "Teal and gold? Good choice Honey!" Dad compliments, directing it at Mum because we all know I didn't have that much input into the decision.

"You know, your Dad and I met on my seventeenth birthday." Mum reminisses. Dad leans down to kiss her on the cheek.

"Best day ever." He coos at her.

"I walked through the doors and there he was. The visiting Alpha's son. He wasn't even supposed to be there but his Dad had an urgent call back from Red Wood Pack, so he came to attend our yearly treaty meeting. My birth pack, the Half Moon Pack, is one of our closest allies. He just decided to attend my party while he was here." Mum explained even though i had heard the story several thousand times before.

"The rest is history." Dad chimed in, still absolutely smitten after 20 years.

I down another orange juice and a piece of toast before I head out the door to meet the school bus. I was dreading the day.

"So, I have a little challenge for you." I tell Aria as I sit beside her on the bus. Her eyes light up.

"I do love a challenge!" Aria grins as she claps her hands excitedly.

"I need your help to find a dress for my birthday." I tell her.

"Shopping!!!" She squeals. "That is not a challenge but a reward!" she laughs.

"I didn't think you'd need convincing." I chuckle.

We pull up at the next stop and a few Goliath Pack members jump on. They sit in front of us, glaring as they take their seats. One of

"I heard she invited our Alpha and his family to her seventeenth birthday. Can you believe it?! The nerve!" One of the girls growls. I drop my head in embarrassment. I knew my Mum would go overboard with the invites but this is going a bit too far.

"If she wasn't the Alpha's daughter, Alpha Cain wouldn't even consider it. But in the name of peace he agreed to attend." The other girl replies. Great, more people...

"Did you see the video of her with Juliet yesterday? It was hilarious!" The first girl laughed.

"She was like a deer on ice. I have never seen a wolf so clumsy in my life!" Another added. I see Aria look at me with pity in her eyes. I smile back, trying to pretend it wasn't bothering me, but it was.

The girls continued to gossip and b***h the whole ride to school while I pretended I was fine. Being naturally quiet has it's perks - I am very good at pretending things aren't happening. The Goliath Pack girls were completely aware that the topic of their conversation was sitting right behind them, but they couldn't have cared less.

I had never been so relieved to arrive at school. It was short-lived once I saw Juliet getting off of the other bus at the same time. I desperately tried to hide behind my stack of books I held across my chest.

"So shopping tonight?" Aria asked as she stepped off after me.

"Sure. Better to get it over and done with, I guess!" I groan.

"You're going to love it!" Aria laughs, "Well, at least I will!"

"Meet here after school and well walk to the main street?" I ask. Aria nods her head in agreement before we part ways to get to our first classes.