Memory of Fire

{Alora's Backstory} All I can remember is flames. I walked out of a vast sea of fire and into the crowd of warriors that stood before me. I was 4 when I found the pack of Moonhaven. They don't know who I am other than a name. I don't know who I am. Where am i? Did I have a family? How did I get through the flames untouched? The warriors that found me never found my family, dead or alive. Never found a building that I could've been in, and were not sure if I was a threat. All I know is they saw a tiny little girl with wild green eyes and red hair that seemed to have its own mind, sticking out at all angles. When they took me to their Alpha, I was scared they would kill me. In fact, all of my earliest memories were full of fear. The Alpha took one look at me and knew I was not a danger to them. I was only a scared child who needed a home and a bath. The Gamma took me in as he and his mate were unable to conceive any children of their own. Once they figured out my living situation, they took me to the pack doctor to make sure I was healthy. I remember sitting on the starchy bed, leaving ashes and dirty fingerprints where I touched, in a clean, stark white room that was far from warm. A nurse had come to see me and check me out. She told the others that I was so small and wouldn't talk, that I probably hadn't eaten in ages. That all seemed right to me as I had constant pains in my belly that I had gotten used to over the events of everyone talking. The Gamma and his mate were kind people who loved me. They gave me everything I needed and more, though they were not sure why I refused to talk until I was 11, I'm not even sure. Though nobody said it to my face, I always heard whispers of people talking about how I was so weak, it was like I wasn't even a wolf. That always saddened me because I loved the people in the pack, and they were my family. Now Here I am, one of the best trainee warriors, about to do my morning training session with my best friend Karmen. She always teases that she can beat my ass, though we all know she won't stand a chance against me. "Alora, you should be getting ready for your party. You know how important this year is, why are you here training with me instead?" Karmen asks as I easily dodge her strike to my ribs. I grin as I grab her arm and throw my knee into her gut with a grunt, "You know why Karmen. Training is the most important thing to me. I have to make Head Warrior, so I can make my parents proud." "Pshh, girl, they're already proud of you! Straight A's, lead trainee, and so beautiful. You can't at least find a guy? That's what will make them proud, finding your mate. We don't know when your birthday is, but that doesn't make today any less important. Ooof!" I cut her off with a back kick to her kneecap. At this point, we were both sweating, and she was a bit bruised. "Let's call it a day. Maybe we can take my mom with us for Mani pedis?" Karmen grins "Absolutely! Come on, let's go!!" Although we were hard core, we loved spending time at the spa with our moms. It's one of the best rewards after a hard training session. As Karmen drags me the 4 blocks to my house, I laugh the entire time. When we get there, my mom is at the table cutting flowers for centerpieces for the party tonight. She's the pack's florist when she isn't out fighting. Mom is a beautiful tall woman, with sunkissed skin and bright blue, knowing eyes and silky brown hair that flows past her waist when it's not up. She is my idol because she's so kind that you'd never know she was one of the best bloodthirsty warriors in her twenties that's gotten many acknowledgments from the Alpha. After an afternoon of self-pampering, Karmen and I go to my house to get ready for my 18th birthday party. This night is so important in my life as a wolf because it's the night I'm supposed to find my mate and wolf. Although I've worked my ass off to prove I belong in the pack, many think I am a disgrace. Orphaned wolves who randomly show up out of a fire without memory kinda freaks the other wolves out. "Which dress are you wearing?" Karmen asks, almost to herself, as she held up our two finalist dresses- a silky black dress that kisses the floor beautifully, with a mid-thigh slit and a gorgeous deep v neckline with floral lace or a lovely light blue dress with cap sleeves and brushes gently at the knees with its princess vibes. "So basically sexy or sweet are our options?" I ask as I wrinkle my nose at her through the mirror I'm using to finish my makeup. She nods seriously, still eyeing the dresses "Yep." "Well... I vote black if that helps." I say, pulling some of my self-minded curls into a half-up bun. I turn around to show her my work once finished and find her grinning as she tosses the black dress at me. "It helps. Now get dressed, we have to leave soon." she squealed as she grabbed her dress bag and started pulling her clothing off to change. Shaking my head, I turn around and strip my own clothes off. "You know...we could just skip tonight. It's not like it's my actual birthday, just the day they found me on the boarder." I say as I wiggle my hips into the slim dress and pull it up the length of my body. Turning to the full length mirror, I inspect my profile, bright green eyes darkened by dark eyeshadow and an almost even winged liner. My wild red curls somewhat tamed, I'll have to admit that I looked amazing tonight. Turning to Karmen, I'm faced with her usual disappointed face. "Alora, we are going! Stop trying to get out of it. And even if you were not born on this day, it's the day your parents found you, the day that you found your pack. Your family. Don't make me get all sentimental on your ass and grab your purse, we're going to be late." She spun on her heel, fluffed her dark brown curls once last time and headed out of my room. With a sigh, I follow her, knowing she's right. Even if it's not my real birthday, tonight is still special, for me and my parents, so it is worth celebrating.