Mate Camp

Chapter Three.

I followed her gaze and saw the blonde girl make her way through the crowd. 

"Good luck tomorrow." She said with a sarcastic undertone. "You'll probably need all you can get." She laughed at her own joke. 

"You do know it's not a competition right? Everyone gets the same training!" Jill snapped back at her. 

"Whatever!" Cecilia said waving her hand dismissively. "I'll see you on the field tomorrow." Cecilia said as she walked away in her wedged heels. 

Mentally I cursed. "Why out of all the people in this pack do I share the same birthday with her?! My life has been a constant unwanted competition, thanks to Cecilia and her need to be better than me." 

"Don't even pay attention to her. Just focus on your own test tomorrow." Katie reassured me. 

"Enough with the sad faces, let's go dancing!" Jill exclaimed and pulled us onto the dance floor. 

We were singing and getting down to 'uptown funk' by Bruno Mars, as someone bumped into me from the back. I turned around to see a handsome man with dark brown hair and a perfect jaw line, smiling at me. 

"I'm sorry Beta Anthony, I didn't see you there." 

"No. No. It's my fault. I ran into you. And please call me Tony." He smiled again and I couldn't help but return it. His smile was contagious. 

"Okay, thanks Beta Tony." I said.

"I am looking forward to watching your test tomorrow." Beta Tony said to my surprise. I didn't realize he knew about it. 

"Thank you. I hope you can make it." Is the best answer I could muster. I tried my best to focus but his eyes were so intense. The darkest brown I've ever seen, they're almost black. He must have noticed me staring because he left quickly saying " Enjoy the party ladies." 

"Holy shit... what was that all about? Should I get you guys a room?" Katie said fanning herself for some air with her hands. 

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"You were staring at him like you undressed him with your eyes!' Jill remarked.

"Uhm... No I wasn't" I pouted crossing my arms dramatically in front of my chest. 

"Uhm... Yes you did. And he probably did the same." Katie said again, making me blush.

I turned around to avoid their looks but mostly to look for Beta Tony. I frowned when I saw him speaking to Cecilia. She was touching his arm and with the other hand flirtatiously playing with her hair. Cecilia caught me staring and with a grin on her face she proceeded to get closer to Beta Tony, attempting to give him a flirty signal. I was happy to see he backed off removing her hand from his arm. Why did this bother me so much? He is not my mate. I need to shift my focus and rest. I have a big day tomorrow. I told the girls that I was going home to try to get some sleep. They understood and offered to take me but I insisted they should stay at the party. I didn't see my parents so I sent my mom a quick text that I was going home. 'Okay honey, get some rest. Love you!' she replied. 

Once in my room I quickly got changed and slumped onto my bed. I laid there awake, thinking about what will happen tomorrow. After what must have been an eternity, my eyes felt heavy and the next thing I knew is hearing my alarm clock. 7am the clock read. I pushed the button and the blaring stopped. Alright, this is it. This is the day I've been waiting for all my life. I jumped out of bed and took a quick shower to relax my muscles. I put on the uniform that was given to me for today's event and I've decided to put my long hair up in a ponytail. It's just more practical that way. One last look in the mirror, I took a deep breath. "I got this!" I said to my reflection. I grabbed my phone and sneakers and went downstairs. 

My parents were already making breakfast in the kitchen. "Good morning" I said sitting down at the kitchen island. 

"Happy Birthday honey! Did you sleep well?" My mom asked as she embraced me in a tight hug. 

"Yeah. As good as can be." I told her.

"I was going to make you your usual birthday pancakes, but I thought something lighter and more nutritious would be better for today. So here is my specialty smoothie and some oatmeal." my dad said, handing me a cup and a bowl of oatmeal with nuts and fruit in the shape of a smiley face. My parents have done this ever since I was little. 

"Thanks Dad." I responded smiling up at him. 

We all finished eating and headed out the door towards the car. The ride to the field was short and nobody said a word. Seems like my parents are deep in thought about today's events as well.