Fated or Mated

Adrianna: I stand in front of my floor-length mirror as I pin a few more fresh curls of my normally chest length chestnut hair loosely up. I really am not one for getting dolled up like this, but tonight is the New Moon Ball. Every wolf that has reached 18 must attend in hopes of finding their mate. Unfortunately, my birthday landed today. While I would rather celebrate it here with my family, I now had to go to this. I am not excited at all, to say the least. I hate the crowds of people, the loud music, the fake pleasantries. No, I love my simple life here on the farm with my parents. It is my sanctuary, my safe place, my home. To the Far East is the bustling packhouse surrounded by homes. To the west is the woodline. The pack owns the woods for another 50 miles or so. To the north and south are outstretched fields for as far as the eye could see. This home was built by my Great-great grandfather. He was one of the founding members who took making the pack their own farmland. This place has been past down from father to son ever since. That is what scared me. I was the only child of my parents, Gloria and Benjamin Underwood. Most female wolves moved in with their mates after finding each other. I could not bear the thought of being mated to a warrior or such. I did not want to move into the packhouse, condemned to an apartment for the rest of my life. My best hope was to be mated to a farmhand so I could stay, but most were a little older than I and already mated. I sighed to myself as I felt the pit of my stomach tense. Anxiety filled my veins. My mother soon came to help with my makeup because I had no experience. She left my sun kissed skin peppered with freckles bare. She added a little blush to extenuate my sharp cheek bones, brushed a dash of golden shimmer over my forest green eyes, and added a touch of mascara to my long, curled lashes. I felt beautiful in a simple, understated way. I never really was noticed much by the others. Being an omega, I wasn't as big and strong as the mid-ranking wolves. I stood at only 5'2, with a thin, petite build. I wasn't all muscular like the others because I didn't have to train like them. My job was here, not fighting. There was no need to compete with them. I breathed out a deep breathe after my mom said she was finished. "Are you sure I have to go, mom?" I ask feebly. "I just turned 18. Maybe I can wait until next time?" "Oh, Arianna," she replies, "it is a once in a lifetime event, honey. You know I met your father at my first New Moon Ball." she said, eyes twinkling at the memory. "It was the start to the rest of my life. I will always cherish that evening. It is an important day in a young wolf's life, a tradition that should be carried on. You have to go, my dear daughter, you never know what awaits you tonight." she said with a wink. With that, my mother quickly turned and scurried down the stairs. "Off to fetch my dress, I suppose," I thought to myself. We had spent all day yesterday trying on dresses, and I hated them all. Too much frill, too poofy, too glittery, no, that was not me. I finally found a simple gown I liked, plain white satin, A-line with a scoop neck. I tried it on, but it was too big, ofcourse. The cashier said it was too late for the seamstress to take in, but there was another in a neighboring pack she could have delivered today. That must be what my mother went to get. I stare blankly into the mirror until I hear my mother returning up the stairs, the creaks of the wood getting louder with each step. I glance at the doorway and see her entering with a large white box wrapped in a silk bow. "My dress came in time." I state with a weak smile. "Not quite. Open this. It is perfect for tonight!" she says, beaming with anticipation. I curiously take the box and place it on the bed. I gently pull at the ribbon until it unties and falls away. As I lifted the top, I couldn't believe my eyes... "Mother....." I breathe heavily. As I slowly raise the dress from the box, I know what dress this is. The shimmery satin was unlike any of the gowns I tried on in town. It was my mother's.... well, not exactly. The once bellowing gown was now cut down to a mermaid style dress. All the tulle underskirt has been stripped away. The once bare sweetheart top now had an illusion top of dainty lace covering the chest and continues down to full-length sleeves. It was beyond perfect. "Go ahead, Arianna, try it on!" my mother exclaims, beaming with pride. I step into the bathroom and slip into the dress. I don't know how that woman manages to do such an amazing job, but it was a perfect fit. "Mom, can you help?" I manage to squeak as I walk back, holding the dress up on my chest. She has left the satin buttons running the whole length of the back. I felt the sting of a tear forming as she finishes fastening the last one. "I can not believe you did this for me!" I exclaim. "This gown means the world to you!..." "No, Arianna, you mean the world to me!... Yes, this is the dress I met your father in 19 years ago at my New Moon Ball. The next day, I also wore it to the small mating ceremony we had to our families right over there," she said, pointing out the window to the creek bank along the woods. "I do love this dress, but I love you more, and I want to share it with my only daughter on her big night..." She looks up at me with the sweetest grin and glassy eyes. I could feel the warm tear that had formed fall down cheek. "Oh, no, we can not have that!" she exclaims. She quickly pats it away. She then turned me towards the mirror once more, and we both glaze in the mirror for a moment. "You look perfect," she whispers. I could barely believe this is me in the mirror. My mother added a simple pair of diamond earrings to finish the look. She then steps back and swirls her finger in the air. I oblige and twirl. I feel the sweep of the dress flutter gently along the floor. It makes me giggle. I beam a bright smile to my mother. "Thank you for everything..." I say, as I walk over to her, and she wraps me in a hug. "Alright now, Arianna, stop all that before we both end up crying!" she laughs. "Let's go down and show your father!"