The Fated

Chapter Seven

NOVA

Maverick and I return to pack lands. Once in the truck, he pulls out onto the highway and drops his right hand, using his dominant one to steer. Maverick’s arm leans on the middle console, fingers tapping to the music on the radio. I sit quietly, admiring the way the muscles flex in his forearm when he taps his fingers to the beat. I feel excitement pounding in my chest. Slowly, I reach my left hand out and slide my fingers in between his. Maverick’s eyes never leave the road but in my peripherals I see his shoulders relax and a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Neither of us speak. We sit in comfortable silence during the ride, our fingers intertwined.

The pull between us can no longer be ignored… I just hope it means what I think it does, and that this isn’t some test of fate. A few minutes away from pack land, our most recent favourite song starts to play. Both our heads snap over to look at one another, huge grins on our faces. As soon as the lyrics start, so do we: “Hey, don’t make a sound!” Both of us belting out the words. I’m not sure when it happened, but we’ve dropped hands and are both dancing like freaks in our seats, singing loudly, windows down and music blaring. As the sun starts to lower in the sky, the whole interior of the truck is basked in orange light. I look over at Maverick, breathless and smiling from ear to ear. He is staring back at me with his honey coloured eyes and I nearly melt. I never want this moment to end… but it does.

Maverick pulls the truck into the massive Beach Moon parking garage. It is seven stories high, nearly every person who lives in the mansion that is our pack house has a car or two and they’re all mostly parked in this garage. Our pack is not that large, but we are still a couple thousand wolves living in the residential blocks or the packhouse. That means, there are a lot of cars here in this seven story building but Alphas, Betas and Gammas are given priority parking in cases of emergencies. The entire main and second floors are designated to us, our family members and our emergency vehicles. Maverick pulls his family’s truck into their parking spot next to an unfamiliar Durango. It’s all black, with dark tint and expensive tires and rims. We hop out of the truck and admire it.

“Who’s parked in your Mom’s spot?” I inquire.

Maverick shrugs. “Not sure, maybe someone from an outside pack?” He doesn’t seem very fazed and we both start walking the couple of kilometers back to the packhouse. We both have been asked to stop in to our parents’ offices two hours before the ceremony starts.

Once we arrive in the Western wing of the packhouse where the Alpha, Beta and Gamma's have their suites and offices we branch off to different ends of the massive hallway. To the left: Betas' Suite, Mavis and Mason's office. To the right: my parents' suite and their office.

Something unique about our packhouse… Maverick and I have bedrooms at the complete opposite end of the enormous building. At Beach Moon, every wolf gets to "move out" of their parents' homes into the "dorms" of the packhouse at the age of sixteen. This is to teach us independence, responsibility and maturity. It is a privilege while simultaneously acting as a test. Those who succumb to temptations such as unmated s*x, partying excessively and other such things are quickly found out and their privileges are often revoked. This is rare, as most of us enjoy our newfound, albeit--limited, freedom too much to jeopardize it. So, for two years now, Maverick and I have moved in even closer to each other than we already were when we lived in out parents' suites. We spent more time together, sure, but nothing intimate ever occurred. Until today, romance between us was the giant elephant in the room no one wanted to talk about.

And here we are.

Maverick and I branch off in the hallway after exchanging an encouraging glance at one another.

Tonight is a sacred pack tradition, our parents play a huge role in it, which means we do too. Someday, we'll be filling in for our parents, we need to be ready. As soon as I enter my parents' office, there is a flurry of activity happening before my eyes. Omegas are everywhere, my mom and Mavis are organizing racks upon racks of Ceremonial robes, the Elders are preparing offerings for the Moon Goddess while reciting Ceremonial chants…

I stand in the doorway, a bit overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Mother's eyes find mine.

"My beautiful birthday girl. Come help us organize the robes. The Naugh twins seem to have grown an extra inch each over night and we have to let down the hems of their robes quickly. Then I need you to help stem press racks A through M for the robes we've already organized. I'm sure the Aaron family will appreciate your hard work when they take their places later tonight during the Ceremony."

"Yes, Luna." I start working quickly. My mother is level headed, organized and perfectly on time. As far as preparations go, everything is running smoothly. An hour goes by, and it's time for me to go back to my room to get ready. I make sure to grab my freshly steamed Ceremonial robe. I am the fourth generation of Solara to wear it. On the breast, my family crest is stitched into the fabric in a bright golden thread. A sun split in half, the other portion reflecting as the moon, both shining over the waves of a beach will be displayed on my chest when I slide on my robe. It will be thick and heavy, but I am so honoured and excited to wear it.

Before leaving my parents' office, my mother stops me. "Hey, you aren't leaving until you get your birthday gift!"

My eyebrows crease as my face forms a slight frown.

"Dad isn't here, shouldn't he get to see me open my gift?" I inquire.

"Oh, he will. This is an extra special birthday, you're getting a gift from each of us. I thought you'd like to see mine before your shift." Mom walks me into the back corner of her office, towards her safe. She punches in a passcode and the enormous door hisses as the pressurized system releases the air-shut seal. She slides the door open and we both walk into the closet sized safe. Before me hangs the most beautiful emerald green gown I have ever seen. It matches my dark green eyes perfectly.

"Oh, mom…" I can't help but moan as my eyes take it every curve of the fabric.

"You will look radiant for the party later. It's not just the Ceremony you're dressing for, but your eighteenth birthday party as well," Mom looks so proud, tears well up in her eyes. I throw my arms around her in a tight hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" My excited voice is muffled with my face pressed tightly against her shoulder.

Mom laughs. "You're so very welcome. You deserve it. Now grab your robe and head back to your room to get ready. Your gown as well as everyone else's change of clothes will be labeled and waiting for you in the gymnasium change rooms when you all come back from your pack run." Mother has a specific tone of voice she uses when she is in Luna mode and I know to obey any orders received in that tone.

"Yes, Luna." I plant a quick kiss on her cheek before darting out of her office. At the other end of the hall, I spot Maverick, Mason and my dad. Alpha Oren waves me over.

"Perfect timing, you have another gift you need to see before you and Mav are free to get ready." Dad is smiling from ear to ear.

Oh Goddess, what has he planned? Why does it include Maverick?