Shadow Moon: Secrets

Birthday Girl

Scarlett POV

                I woke up from a dead sleep with my head pounding heavily. Grabbed my head I groaned. How could I feel hung over, when all I did was go straight to bed?  For a moment I focused on my breathing, the pain lessened. I realized it was morning. The sun came in streams through my window.

“Well, it’s about time you let me in!”

I jumped up so fast I almost fell out of the bed. What the hell was that? That wasn’t my voice in my head! It took me a moment and then it clicked.

“You’re my wolf!”

“Yes, I’m your wolf. But I have a name, smarty-pants”. She responded with a bit of a snotty tone.

Great my wolf has an attitude. This was going to be great. Not.

“I’m sorry, you just startled me is all. What is your name?” I apologized. I hadn’t meant to offend her. This was off to a great start.

“My name is Deva.” I couldn’t help myself I started to laugh. Deva, Diva, it wasn’t far off. I pushed myself out of bed and headed towards the shower. She made a noise like she was annoyed with me.

“So, Diva…. I mean Deva, do you think we’ll meet our mate today?” I had to ask. Every wolf wanted to know if they too would find their destined mate shortly after finding their wolf. It was a huge moment for us. Wolves didn’t like to wait around forever to begin their lives with the love made just for them.

“Seriously. My name is DEVA. Don’t call me Diva, you pain in the tail!” She snarled back at me. Before settling a bit. “Hopefully we’ll find our mate so maybe your attitude disappears. “She huffed definitely annoyed with me.

I pushed her off to the back of my mind for the time being. She was annoyed. I found it funny but if she was anything like me, I knew better than to push. I stood in the shower for a while. The hot water cascading over my body felt addictive. I wasn’t looking forward to heading to school today.

                “Are you really gonna wear that?” Deva snarked.

                I pulled the white t-shirt over my head tugging the bottom down to meet the dark denim top of my skinny jeans. Glancing in the mirror I didn’t see anything wrong with my outfit. It was simple but still flattered my figure. “Yes. It’s comfortable.” She snorted in what I was sure an attempt to stifle her own laugh. I shook my head. “I’ll dress up for the party this weekend. This is school.” I clarified to Deva as I gathered the rest of my things.

                After finishing getting ready for the day I made my way downstairs. My stomach grumbling as I entered the pack house kitchen. “Good morning, Amelia!” I called out snatching a piece of bacon from a plate near one of the many stove tops.

                “Scarlett Ann!” She called out swatter nonsensically at my hand. “That’s breakfast, and your birthday or not you can wait until it’s been served.” She sounded fierce but the twinkle in her eye and smile on her face brought one to my own.

                “Sorry, Amelia, but you know my biggest weakness is your cooking.” I offered her a grin and she simply clicked her tongue while shaking her head at me. I could do next to no wrong with Amelia. She had quickly become the grandmother I never had when Shadow Moon took me in. I busied myself helping the omegas plating things only to get another disapproving look from Amelia. “It’s your birthday. Go sit!”  

                “Fine!” I drug the word out with a whine. I drug my feet for extra dramatic effect as I walked to the dining area and took my place at the table. Lucille was already there waiting and pounced on me with a giant hug. “My baby’s finally 18!” She shrieked hugging me so tightly it felt like she was trying to crush me. “Mom! Come on!” I whined.

                Lucille sat in her seat next to me taking my hand and patting it gently. “Oh, come on yourself. You’re still my baby. What’s your wolf like? What’s her name?” She asked excitedly. I swear my parents were more excited for me to get my wolf than I was on my own.

                “Her name is Deva… and she’s got quite the attitude.” I laughed thinking of how I’d referred to her as Diva. I probably shouldn’t mention that at this point, the last thing I needed was to be lectured by Deva all day. That would make school more difficult than it already was. “I’m sure she’ll be a great compliment to me.” I admitted. I was level-headed and calm more than anything.

                The others began to join the dining room while we ate a large breakfast full of eggs, bacon, toast and pancakes for those that wanted them. I always skipped the pancakes. I loaded my plate with toast, eggs and bacon and dug into my plate as though this were my last meal. It was simple but my favorite breakfast.

                After we finished eating and talking idly, I excused myself with the other kids to head to our cars for school. As I was walking Carter jogged up to me knocking me in the shoulder slightly. “Hey, who’s the big bad wolf now?” He chuckled. I shook my head with a half smirk. “Deva, definitely has the fierceness of one.”

                We arrived and parked in our usual spots near the back of the parking lot. It was a longer walk in but made it easier to get out at the end of the day. I walked into the schools and straight to my locker to drop my messenger bag off. Digging out my binder and a textbook for my first class before slamming my locker shut. “f**k!” I muttered catching my finger in the door. I pulled my hand back to notice a small cut that almost immediately healed. I knew wolves healed faster but that seemed insane. If I hadn’t looked right at it, I would have never known it was cut.

                We’ll be good at that. Deva mused in my head. She seemed excited today, maybe she thought we’d meet our mate too.  I looked around the busy halls, it was easier now to recognize who had their wolves and who didn’t. Their scents were different.

                School was uneventful. Afterwards Lily and I had plans to head into the nearby city to go shopping. She was already 18 so she had already been through the introduction ceremony herself. She had insisted I go find a proper gown and accessories. The introduction ceremony would take place on Saturday, which happened to be Carter’s birthday so we would both be introduced to the pack with our wolves that night. The pack tradition was to have a large party, and the small ceremony where we shifted into our wolves and officially align ourselves with the pack we were raised or born into. It seemed redundant to me, but it was a huge deal to our parents. Traditionally each wolf would have their introduction the weekend following their birthday.

                 I waited near my car for Lily. She had ridden to school with Riley. I saw the guys first all laughing and joking with each other as they headed to their own cars. “Hey guys, any sign of Lily?” I called out to them. Almost as soon as I’d said it, I spotted the coppery haired girl racing as quickly as she could in stiletto heels over to me. “I’m here! I’m here” She muttered out of breath tossing her bag in the back seat and brushing unruly hair out of her eyes. “Are you so excited?! Dress shopping. Dinner. Manicures?!” She rattled off her plans ignoring the pained look on my face.

                “Absolutely.” I tried to fake enthusiasm. I got into the driver’s seat of my jeep wrangler, waiting for her to get in the passenger side. “So, south center mall?” I asked. It was Lily’s favorite. She nodded with a giant grin on her face. I pulled the car out of the parking lot and cranked the radio up. This could be torture, but it was a necessary evil.