Will Their Bond Hold

"Emily!" "Coming Mom!" Emily called out of her bedroom. It was her eighteenth birthday today and she was trying to look her best, hoping to increase her self-confidence. Turning 18 meant she might find her mate! Her tummy tingled with that possibility. She was not popular at school, not a girl who got noticed, especially not by any of the boys. Emily was always told she had a pretty face, but her weight kept her from holding the attention of any teenage guy. She tried not to let this bother her, deciding to focus on other things in her life, like volunteering to help orphan children from neighboring packs and teaching computer basics to elderly pack members. Emily patted her auburn curls one last time before rushing out of her bedroom. "Good morning Mom!" she called brightly as she stepped into the warm kitchen. Her mom turned to greet her with a fancy cake with purple icing and a burning number 18 in the middle. "Happy birthday!" she began singing as Emily's father and twin brothers chimed in from the table. Emily beamed, "Thanks guys!" as she blew out the candles. She wished to find her one true mate. Sticking her finger into the icing, she licked the sweet purple confection and kissed her mom on the cheek. Her dad set down the morning pack paper and gave her a hug as Emily set the cake on the table. "Hurry up and cut the cake!" Gavin demanded hungrily. Emily laughed and cut the cake tauntingly slow as her brothers groaned. After serving everyone a large slice, Emily cut herself a small sliver and ate it slowly, savoring the delicious flavors. Her mother was an excellent baker. "Time for school kids." her father announced. "Boys, I better not hear about any more bathroom shenanigans from Principal Wright." He stated, eyeing the twins sternly, but with a glint of humor in his eyes. "Yes Father," the boys intoned. Emily grabbed her keys, kissed her parents goodbye and hopped into her little SUV as the boys piled into the back seat. They would pick up their cousin, Allura on the way to school.