Memory of Fire

Fate is a Fickle Bish

{Alora}

We arrived at the packhouse just in time. Limos stretched as far as you could see, music already playing in the backyard, and the pack news crews on the front step, ready to catch a first glimpse at the birthday girl and her family.

As our limo pulls up to the base of the steps, I steady myself for the pictures and crowds. Even if I do not enjoy the night, it's important to be my best for my parents' sake. My palms start to sweat as an omega opens up my parents' door, and they slide out, then Karmen, leaving only me in the limo. I feel a bit dizzy, which is odd because I'm usually not affected by such serious matters like this. I can hear the loud chaos caused by the crowd and news crew.

Bracing myself with a deep breath, i put on my most dazzling smile and scooted out of the limo, smoothing my dress and facing the cameras and crowded people. For big events like this, many packs attend just in case mates are found from another pack. 18th birthdays are important all over the world, so the entire werewolf community sends their eligible members to as many of these parties as possible.

Suddenly, the world tipped, and my gut felt like it was being torn from my body, sweat forming on my forehead. Cameras flashed as pictures were taken of my big entrance. People, news reporters I think, were speaking to me, asking questions like "How does it feel to be 18?" "Do you think you will meet your mate tonight" and other random things that I couldn't quite hear or understand. Confused, I try to push the feeling down and continue my parade past the many news stations and murmuring crowd into the elegantly decorated packhouse and through it to the backyard where the actual party was being held, when my wrist is suddenly wrenched to the left and into a small room just off the hall.

"Mate." a deep and angry voice growls from behind me. Confused, I turned to see the man matching the voice, taller than me by at least 3 feet. He's built like a brick wall. Dark brown hair and glowing amber eyes that show the presence of his wolf. While silently looking at him, i could feel it. I could feel the bond, and with it my wolf! I have a wolf! And she was screaming in my head "MATE!!"

"Y-you're my mate." I whisper, still dizzy from the knowledge, my arm tingling from his hand still gripping my wrist. I look down at the little union of our skin.

"Who are you?" I ask as I look up into his eyes. My wolf (I have a wolf!!!) was going nuts, excited for me and herself that we've got a mate. And I could feel her love for me, like she's known me all my life. I could feel my eyes glossing with tears. I didn't think after all the treating that I would even have a wolf, let alone a mate - who, I might add, is just staring at me with an expression I can't figure out.

"Meet me in the forest just outside your pack tonight." He says in a deep voice, and in a motion so quick I barely realized what had happened, he pulled me flush against him and kissed me. He kissed me so deeply that i forgot to breathe, the world around us melted away as his tongue flicked against my lips and moving into my mouth, ravishing mine. As quickly as he brought me to him and kissed me, he was gone.

Looking around the room, trying to catch my breath, I realized that we had been in someone's office and i turned back to the door, hand on handle, trying to slow my breath. With one last deep breath, I swung the door open and walked the short distance to the back door, to the party and away from the stranger that called me mate. I need to find Karmen. I can't know what I know alone.

Karmen was Dancing with a fellow trainee in our class, John I think his name is, giggling at something he had said. I rush up to her and grasp her wrist.

"We need to talk. Now." I eyed the warrior she was with.

Karmen looked at him, then at me and nodded. "I will be right back James, the birthday girl needs a moment alone. Don't go dancing with any she wolves while I'm gone", she winked flirtatiously at him before pulling me behind the decorative hedges.

"I found my mate." I blurt as soon as we're alone. Her mouth dropped open with a popping sound. The party had started in full swing, music blasting, people cheering and the sounds of heavy dancing can be heard from where we are standing.

"What! Who is he?!!" Karmen asked loudly over the noise, gripping both my hands in her with excitement.

"I-I don't know, he wouldn't tell me." I said sadly with a shrug.

"Tell me everything! But first we need drinks, come on." she pulled me out of our hiding spot and towards the bar. Werewolves' metabolism are too high for human alcohol to affect us, so most teens drink for the taste, the stuff you drink to get f****d up has a special compound of wolfsbane in it. She ordered a few shots of our favorite vodka, the kind with the wolfsbane in it, knowing i would need the extra courage to tell her what had happened in that little office.

Sitting at one of the little tables scattered around the yard, I stare into my hands as Karmen stares at me.

"Spill."

"Okay, okay. After I got out of the limo I felt sick and dizzy. I even started to sweat Karmen. I made it past all the people staged out front and as I was about to reach the back door to come out here, someone ripped me into a spare office. He only said two things the whole time. Before I could turn around, I heard him say that I was his mate and when I turned around... Goddess Karmen he was hot. Like I couldn't form words type of hot. Then he ignored me when i asked him who he was, and he kissed me before disappearing." I basically word vomited at her as the shots arrived, and I downed one with a wince.

She sat there gaping at me like I had a third eye. Without saying anything, she threw back two shots and swallowed deeply.

"You said he said two things. What was the other thing?"

"He wants me to meet him in the forest after the party." I said as I took another shot.

"WHAT!!" her eyes looked like they might pop they were so wide.

"Mmmhmm" I sighed and looked around. "Whatever, let's go dance, or are you already spoken for?" I said with a knowing grin. Karmen could be quite the tease sometimes and the warriors never complained, so I never stop her escapades.

She sighed dutifully "Ahhh, James awaits" she dramatically placed her hand on her forehead faintly. "Go meet him. I mean Al. I'll see you later, and I expect more details." She looked at me sternly, before she smiled brightly and waved at someone behind me, moving to leave me alone with one last shot sitting in front of me.

I sighed as I drank the last shot and headed off to find my parents. Walking around saying thanks to bypassers saying happy birthday, I finally found my family on the other side of the makeshift dance floor, sitting with the Alpha and Luna at a dining table. I smiled and walked over to them.