Her Determination

    I woke up at 5 am feeling refreshed and ready for the day.  Today is a big day for me.  It is my 16th birthday.  This means that today I will be able to shift into my wolf form first time and I will be able to find my mate.  I have been dreaming of this day my entire life. I get up out of bed and change into my work out clothes. Deciding that it would be good to start the day off right with a run around pack territory.  Two hours later I am running up the stairs as fast I can to my room.  After a quick shower.  I go into my closest and throw on a  spaghetti strap navy knee length dress and some sandals. As I am walking into the bathroom to finish getting ready I suddenly stop when I hear a voice I know all to well shout in my head.  Happy Birthday Em!  my twin brother, Kyle, shouts through mindlink.      He must have finally decided he waited enough time to tell her. Knowing he is just going to shout it again if I don't respond soon. I quickly mind link him happy birthday back.  Today is a big day for us because we are going to have our fist shift tonight into our wolf forms and we will finally be able to meet our mates.  I am really nervous to meet my mate but I know my brother is even more than me.  Unlike me if he finds his mate than our parents will start planning for when Kyle and his mate will be taking over the positions of Alpha and Luna of our pack.  Being born a girl.  I never had to think about being Alpha of the pack because normally a female only takes over the pack if the current Alpha and Luna do not have a son.  I believe it is a weird tradition but am still happy that my brother will be taking on the position.  He will make a great Alpha some day.  I am just hoping that I find my mate soon and that he will love me unconditionally.  I am scared he won't like me.   Our mate will love us.  He is our other half.  The moon goddess made him to complete us.  Do not worry Emmerlie.  says my inner wolf Shayla.  You are right.  I should not worry so much.      I quickly finish brushing out my long wavy red hair and apply a little make up before leaving the bathroom.  I grab my backpack and head downstairs. I can already hear my family talking downstairs.  As soon as I enter the kitchen Kyle runs to me and engulfs me in a big hug.       "Umm Kyle can't breathe" he laughs and puts me down.      "I am sorry. I am just so excited. Are you ready to go?"  he asks me.      "Yes, I am lets get going." I say running out the door to where his car is parked outside.  I hear him running after me.  I can hear our parents calling behind us to not be in such a rush.  We drive in silence to school probably because we are both very nervous with the possibility of meeting our mates. When we get to school we both go our separate ways. Before I know it school is over and we are already heading home.  I feel slightly down since I did not meet my mate. I suddenly realize that I don't know if Kyle met his yet or not.      "Did you find your mate?" I ask after I turned to look at Kyle who is currently driving.       "No" is all he says.   I can hear the hurt in his voice.  I think he was hoping she would be Sarah our close friend.  Since she is the beta's daughter she has been hanging out with us since childhood.       "Don't worry. Kyle you will find her. She may even be at the party tonight."     "Yeah but Em what if she isn't"          "Then you two will cross paths in the future."      "Yeah you are right. Thanks Em. You always know how to cheer me up." he then looks at me and smiles.     "Love you bro" I say and smile back at him.   Once we are home our dad, David, comes up to us and tells us to come with him.  We all head out to the woods behind the house.  Dad tells us to each go behind the trees on either side of him and try to shift for the first time.  Kyle goes to the left of him.  Once he is behind the trees I hear him taking off his clothes.  Of course he acts like he isn't nervous at all.   Don't worry. We will be alright.  Just go and I will be here with you the whole time to help you.    Hearing Shayla say that gave me the courage I needed.  She is always there to support me whenever I need it.  I go behind the trees to the right of Dad and begin to strip.  Once I am ready.  I call out to dad.  He explains to us that it will be painful at first but to relax and let it happen.  Kyle and I begin to count to 3 through mindlink. Immediately on three I hear bones shattering and I can't make out if those are from me or him.  After about a minute though we are both shifted.  I take a deep breathe as I feel my everything become more focused. I decide after another minute to walk out.  Once I am clear of the trees I see a huge brown wolf standing in front of dad. He looks amazing.  Hey sis Kyle says through mindlink I look back at him for a moment and then respond  Hey bro, you look great   Thanks you too. I am bit sad your fur is a different color than mine though What do you mean? My fur is not brown like yours?  No, Em your fur is the exact same shade as your hair.  Red.  Before I can ask him anything else. Our mom, Tamara, is yelling for us to hurry up. Dad yells back and then looks at us.      "I am so proud of both of you.  You two did great for your first time shifting.  Now lets hurry up and get back home before your mom gets upset.  You know she is excited for the party tonight.  I think she might be more excited that you both can find your mates today then anyone else." Dad says to both of us.  We quickly go back behind the trees to shift back and get dressed.  When I am done. I head back out from behind the trees to see my dad and brother already walking back inside of the house. I jog back to the house and then go upstairs. Once in my room I see a beautiful long purple dress my mom bought me for the party tonight already laid out on my bed. I lift the dress off the bed and just stare at it lost in thought.  I jump at the sound of a knock on my door.  Come in I call out.  I turn around to see Sarah standing in my doorway.      "Hey, Sarah come in! I was hoping to see you before the party." I say to her.      "Yeah, I tried to find you at school but had a hard time. Figured I would come see you before the party. Happy 16th birthday by the way! I can't believe it is already hear.  I remember of us dreaming about finding our mates."      "Me too.  Did you see Kyle already?"      "Yeah I did."     "Are you sad he isn't your mate? I know you both kind of had a thing going on."     "Honestly, no I am not.  I think we are better off as best friends then mates."     "That is good to hear" I sigh in relief     "Yeah, I know that we will meet our mates when we are ready. Now girl lets get ready for this party!" Sarah helps me get ready and we head to the party. Six hours later the party is over and I am laying down in bed. I am having a hard time sleeping.  Maybe I should go for a run in my wolf form.  I head down stairs and let Kyle know.  An hour later I am tired from running I change back and start walking back home.  Suddenly someone comes up from behind me.  I try to break free but I am tired from my first run. The person quickly covers my face with a rag.  I try not to breathe in to much.  My attempts were not enough though.  I begin to black out.