Curse, Dark and Emerald

Gabriela POV: I had just been woken up to loud banging and distant chatter. “Ugh” I turn to look at my clock and it says 6:42 am, I throw the pillow over my face. IT’S SATURDAY. Not only is it mine and Jackson’s birthday. It is also his Alpha ceremony. So people are running around getting everything together for tonight. I mind link him. “Jackson?” He replies almost instantly. “Yes” I hear him say. You can hear the irritation in my voice. “You do know time it is, don’t you? ” I mentally roll my eyes. “Hey, not my fault. It’s all about me baby.” I let out a very unattractive chuckle. “You get more and more annoying, every year” “You love me” I can almost see the smirk he has on his face. “By the way, Happy Birthday Gabby” He adds. “I’ll be down in ten, I’d like to train before all of the festivities, happy birthday to you Butthead” I laugh before cutting off the link. Ahhh, what a day indeed. 18 years of age. I feel strangely different, more powerful even. I have not shifted before today, everyone thinks it’s a little strange and unheard of but i’m hoping I gain my wolf sometime soon. Jackson was greeted by Titus when he turned 16. I just want a bond that strong. Hey, moon goddess. I’m still freaking waiting here. I curse up to where ever she is. I finally decide to get up, grab my spandex shorts and a hot pink sports bra. Throw it on and look in the mirror. I’m 5’10”. Blonde hair, yes it’s natural. and tall for a normal werewolf, but I’m slim and curvy in all of the right places. One last look and I’m out the door. I start running down the long hall way pushing past people setting up decor and lights, yelling at the omegas to move this or change that. Ugh, how exhausting. When finally, i’ve approached the dinning hall. At our normal table is Jackson, of course. His best friend Elijah, who is to be his Beta. Our friend Dawson, I believe is going to be jackson’s third and last but not least my best friend Amelia. Looking perfect as ever. I remember it like it was yesterday, 2nd grade. Everyone was making fun of me because I was an orphan and Amelia came right up to the kids and threw sand at them and told them to “shut it”. That was the last time anyone’s said anything hurtful to me and we have been inseparable ever since. “Hey” I said walking up to them. Everyone was deep in the conversation, they didn’t even realize I was there. “Hello, earth to you guys” I spoke a little louder. They all turn to me. “Happy birthday Gabby” Amelia says first and gets up to hug me. They all begin to say their happy birthdays. Wow, I feel the love. I’m mentally telling myself. Jackson gets up and wraps an arm around me. “Ready to share this special day with me” he chuckles. I nudge him. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world” He looks down at me. “Want to go train?” “Hell yeah, let’s get going” We say our goodbyes and head for the training area outside. It’s nice out, the breeze makes the trees shake a little bit and the leaves are blowing around on the ground. I look up at the sky and close my eyes. Something feels oddly familiar. I shake my head and concentrate on what’s ahead. Today’s the day I finally beat Jackson. I just feel it. Ever since I could start training, he’s been putting me on my ass. I cant outsmart him, but today seems different. I feel more powerful. A shiver shoots down my back. Hmm. “Ready?” I’m brought back to reality by Jackson’s question. “Ready as Ill ever be, you’re going down” I smirk. He grabs his stomach and throw his head back and starts laughing. “You wish” He replies through chuckles Now’s my chance, I get in my stance and lunge at him. Full force. He falls to the ground. Jackson looks at me wide eyes, I’m in shock just as much as he is. “What the hell was that, gabby?” I shrug in disbelief. “I have no idea, go again?” He nods and stands up, more prepared this time. Takes his stance, as do I. We start again, this time he’s making the first move but I dodge it. Well, super speed? Thats new. He collects himself and lunges again. Missing me by a mile, as he turns I kick the feet from under him and he lands hard on the floor. I see him wince. Feeling terrible, I try and help him up. He refused and stood up. “Again” He says between gritted teeth. After hours of training and a lot of sweat. Mostly from Jackson. We’ve decided to call it and get ready for his Alpha Ceremony. “Where did you get all of that strength, Gabby?” he asked while we were walking to the stairs to our rooms. I shrugged. “Not sure, I felt different today though” He just looks at me and turns to his room. “See you later Gabby” I wave and head down the hall to my room. After my shower, I lay out the dress Amelia picked out for me. Of course she would pick the ones that show the most skin. Ugh ill get her back for this. I chose a red, deep V, that shows way too much cleavage but I look hot. It has a slit that comes up my right leg and I throw on a pair of matching heels. I’m ready and looking good. It’s about 6:45 pm, his party starts at 7 pm. I grab my clutch and head out of my room. As i’m walking down the hall, I run into Dawson, Jackson’s soon to be third. He makes me so uncomfortable. “Hello gabby, aren’t you looking sexy tonight” he looks me up and down. I’m mentally cringing at his response. “Hi Dawson, thanks” I say, you can hear the disgust in my voice. But it didn’t phase him. He starts moving closer to me, trying to grab my waist but i pull away. “Don’t touch me” I spat. “How dare you speak to me like that” He goes to grab me again but Jackson steps in. I didn’t even hear him coming up. “What the hell, Dawson?” He yells. Dawson throws his hands up. “We we’re just talking Jackson” He says innocently. “Got downstairs” He says as he turns to me. “You okay, gabby?” Jackson looks at me with concern. “Yeah, i’m okay” I can hear Dawson stomping down the stairs. “Why is he going to be your third. That guy gives me the creeps” I shudder. “You know why, his father was my fathers third. It’s tradition” Whatever. We head towards the ballroom. Grayson and Lilly. Jackson’s parents. Invited all of the neighboring packs. Including the further packs from the North region. What a party, if you ask me. We are at the door to the room, I grab a hold of Jackson’s arm and we enter. Everyone stops talking and looks our way. There’s a lot of possible suiters, a lot of good looking werewolves and lycans. But I still can’t feel the mate bond. As we’re walking Jackson stops dead in his tracks and jerks me to a stop. “What the hell” I look over to him. He’s looking at a beautiful dark haired girl and she’s looking back at him. “MATE” was all he said before running towards her. I was quite envious that he found his mate and I have not. My time will come though. I watched as they introduce themselves and talk. As i wondered around I’m eyed by a bunch of different guys but I’m not feeling a spark from any of them. As the night continued on and Alpha Grayson passed his title on to Jackson. He is now the Alpha of the Dark Howl Pack and everyone went back to their conversations. When suddenly I smelled the sweetest thing, like chocolate covered strawberries and that’s when i saw him..