A Second Light

She Wolf

One last look in the mirror and I'm heading to the door.

We look good....but lose the thong. I want him to smell us.

Wait what?

You heard me.

My wolf! I was expecting her to make an appearance but what an entrance.

"Anna, can you give me a minute. My wolf just arrived and we need to talk before I head downstairs." I say. Anna nods and heads out the door.

Well that was one way to get my attention. What's your name?

I'm Amber. Just so you know I was not joking about the thong. Lose it now. I can sense him. Our mate.

Really? I can't! What if someone else realises?

They won't, who cares if they do? You want him to accept us. Let's make him hard at the sight and scent of us.

I could tell there was no point arguing with my wolf. I had a feeling she was right. I hooked my thumb through the waistband of my thong and shimmied out of it, kicking it to the corner of the room.

I opened my bedroom door to be met by my father. "Amaya, you look beautiful!" he beamed at me. I blushed, knowing full well I was wearing nothing but the dress. "We have members of 10 of our nearest allies here tonight. You need to make sure you speak to every Alpha and thank them for joining us." He rumbled on as we went down the stairs. "Yes dad, of course." I responded, knowing well what was expected of me. Duty first and find my mate after I thought to myself.

Wrong way around Amaya.

Amber chimes in and I smirk at her eagerness to find Him.

As we descend the stairs and head out to the garden I can hear a throng of voices. My father steps out arm in arm with me to a loud cheer. All those eyes on me. My cheeks redden a little. I spot my Mum and brother, Jack, on the front row. Jack is in line to take over Alpha from my father in a few years time. My dad is 40 and Jack is only 20, plenty more training as my dad always says. He's six foot 4 with dark blond hair and bright eyes. He hasn't found his mate yet. More than two years of parties and visits to neighbouring packs and she's nowhere to be found. A pang of sorrow hits my heart. I hope he finds her soon. Tonight is about me.

"Thank you, thank you!" My dad hushes the crowd. "We're here tonight to celebrate my beautiful daughter coming of age. My darling girl Amaya. It feels like last week you were cradled in my arms a squishy little pup."

"Dad!" I interrupted, mortified he might make people see me as just a baby.

"Sorry baby girl, perhaps it's time I let you speak for yourself." he sighed and stepped forward to be with my mother. I saw her squeeze his hand for reassurance. If I was fated to a wolf from another pack I'd be leaving home soon. It dawned on me they'd miss me as much as I missed them.

I shook those thoughts away and began "Thank you all for coming here. I truly appreciate your friendship and the distance you have travelled to be here with us. The alliances we have made make us all stronger. I look forward to speaking with you all before the night is through. Please enjoy the hospitality of the Silent Moon pack!"

A cheer of happy birthday erupted and I made my way into the crowd. Anna was on my in an instant with a glass of champagne. "Don't turn around, your dad just noticed the back of your dress!" she whispered. I panic, he doesn't mind link me to send me back upstairs. Not going to lie I was slightly terrified he'd send me to change. "Thanks Anna, I'd better do the rounds before we catch up. My wolf has arrived!" I burst almost forgetting to tell her.

"Go on then! Get through everyone quickly! We definitely need to talk" she replies and turns her back before heading to the bar.

I peer through the crowd trying to spot Alpha Anders of the Bright Moon pack. Our closest ally should be greeted first or it'll been seen as a slight. I spot his grey hair towering above the crowd. I head in his direction. When I approach he's deep in conversation with his Luna Arya. She's a good foot and a half shorter than him, but she commands his full attention when she speaks. "Anders we might have to accept he won't find a mate and will need to arrange a marriage to carry on our line. We could do a lot worse than approach Alpha Aiden about Amaya's hand. She's clearly strong and very bright." I overhear her saying.

Nope on a rope lady. We want our mate not an alliance! Amaya tell her where to shove that idea.

Calm down Amber. We'll find our mate. I don't want an arranged marriage either. I'm not a pawn.

"Good evening Alpha Anders and Luna Arya. Thank you for joining us to celebrate my coming of age. I trust your journey was pleasant?" I say calmly and with confidence. Alpha Anders quickly responds by pulling me into a bear hug and lets go when his Luna clears her throat. "Amaya! Thank you for inviting us. My Luna and I are pleased to be here. Have you met our son Connor? He's around here somewhere." Alpha Anders then looks to his Luna with a shrug. She adds "Connor was looking forward to seeing you again, it's been years since he visited your pack with us. I'm sure he'll turn up soon.". I wonder why they're so keen for me to find him, I chuckle to myself. "I'll keep an eye out for him" I say. I haven't seen Conner since I was 12 and he was 16. He always had white blond hair and blue eyes. He ignore me the entire time he was here. I was just some preteen, he hung out with my brother though. "Please excuse me, I need to thank a few more guests this evening. Enjoy the rest of your night." I turn an move through the crowd to get a top up at the bar. I notice for the first time the scent of cinnamon in the air. Mum knew that was one of my favourite spices, she must have put it in the candles or something. It smelt like heaven out here.