Her Perfect Mate

The Move

    Arabella was just finishing up packing her stuff in her bedroom. She made sure to remember her scrapbook with pictures of all of her friends in it. This wasn't a completely new beginning since she used to spend summers with the pack as a little girl, but she was only two years old the last time she lived with her dad and the pack full time. That was before her parents split up.

    She was getting ready to turn 16, which is when a child can unlock their inner wolf, as well as find their mate. To make things safer and easier on her, she had to move in with her dad and the pack. She had a lot of friends there so it wouldn't be terrible, just a really big change.

"Ara, are you about done? Your father will be here any minute now!" her mother called up the stairs.

"Yeah, I just finished up! I'll be down in a sec!" she replied quickly.

    She grabbed her backpack, her phone, and her earbuds and bounded down the stairs just as her father pulled into the driveway. She sat her bag by the door and hugged her mother tightly trying not to let the tears escape that were beginning to well up and sting her eyes. 

"Promise you will Skype call me at least once a week?" her mother said as she wiped the tears from her own eyes. 

Arabella nodded, "I will call you as often as I can, I promise."

    With that, her mother nodded and helped her take her things out and load them into her father's large black SUV. Arabella hugged her mother one last time before she said goodbye and climbed into the back seat of the vehicle. She said hello to her father as she put her seatbelt on and put her earbuds in to pass the long drive with some music, and maybe a little extra sleep.

    After a very long, 7 hour drive, they finally pulled up in front of the packhouse of the Northern Emerald Moon pack. It was a large pack so the packhouse was equally as large. Arabella smiled seeing her two best friends waiting for her on the front steps. A small chubby girl, named Eliza, with rosy cheeks and shoulder-length sandy blond hair, and a tall lean, yet well build boy named Brice, with short fiery red messy hair. She squealed as she jumped out of the car, running to them as they engulfed her into a tight hug.

"I've missed you guys so freaking much!" Arabella exclaimed as she hugged them both.

"Girl, you have no clue how much we have missed you!" Eliza smiled softly.

"Glad you're here to stay this time, little one," Brice said as he lifted her into a tight hug. Arabella smiled at her nickname. Brice had always called her that for as long as she could remember. She was much smaller than he was and they had always been really close since her father was his father's beta. 

    As they finally let go of each other, Brice walked to the car and grabbed her stuff, which received a thank you from her father, and led her up to her childhood bedroom, which had received a makeover courtesy of Eliza. She flopped onto her bed with a soft content sigh "Guys, I turn 16 tomorrow!" she said mildly in disbelief. They both chuckled softly as they sat on either side of her. 

"I can't believe it! I can't wait to see what your wolf looks like!" Eliza smiled. "I'll bet she looks like a badass!"

Just then Arabella's father stepped into the doorway with a small smile. "Alright you two, supper is being served downstairs, and I need to speak with Ara for a moment." They both nodded before saying bye and leaving the room.

Arabella smiled softly as her father sat beside her on the bed and pulled her into a warm side hug. "I too, am glad to have you home my sweet princess." he kissed the top of her head. "Now, as for tomorrow, Luna Anita has a very special day planned just for you, starting with your favorite breakfast." 

Ara's face lit up, "Woo! Chocolate chip peanut butter pancakes!"

Her father chuckled lightly "After that, the festivities will begin with a large cookout with presents, and of course cake. Once the moon has risen we will all gather in the grove for the welcoming ceremony and ritual to awaken your wolf."

Arabella nodded and stretched with a yawn. Her father stood and took her hand, "Come let's get you something to eat so you can get to bed."

She nodded and followed him down to the dining room where everyone sat enjoying their meal. She sat with Eliza and Brice and they all talked and ate happily. Once finished Arabella dismissed herself and headed back to her room to get to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long, exciting day. She drifted off to sleep thinking about all that awaited her tomorrow.