chapter 1
SIX YEARS EARLIER
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As I savored the last bite of my dinner, my mother asked me, "Are you excited to get your wolf for your thirteenth birthday?" Her excitement was palpable, and her eyes glittered, reflecting her adoration towards me. I nodded, my mouth full of food, relishing the delicious meal she had prepared.
"Only two more days!" she exclaimed, joy emanating from every pore. "How old do you have to be to know if someone's your mate?" I wondered aloud, curious to know the answer.
"Nineteen, sometimes you don't know at first, but you'll meet them eventually," she answered with a warm smile. "My baby's growing up," my father chimed in, patting me on the shoulder.
I rolled my eyes and mumbled, "I'm not even thirteen yet."
"I remember when you were a baby and all you could do was crawl," he reminisced, his tone wistful. I raised my hand, cutting him off before he could continue his sentence. "Dad, please stop. It's embarrassing," I whispered, feeling my cheeks flush.
He sighed and relented, "Okay, Ivy. I'll stop."
I rose from my seat and followed him into the kitchen, where my mother was busy cleaning up after our meal. The air hung heavy with the knowledge that soon, I would become a Wolf: a powerful shapeshifter that could transform into a wolf at will. The thought ignited a fire inside of me, and I felt a sense of excitement that had been lacking in my life for far too long. The thought of discovering who my mate would be, who would forever be linked to my soul, filled me with both trepidation and anticipation.
Despite the dark and ominous threat that loomed over our family, I found myself lost in dreams of adventure and glory. I wanted to see the world and explore the endless possibilities that lay before me. I know that life would not always be easy, and there would surely be obstacles and challenges to overcome, but the thought of becoming a Wolf filled me with a sense of purpose that I had never known before.
The three of us continued our conversation as we cleared the table. My father shared stories of his exploits as a young man, while my mother chimed in with tales of her own adventures. I listened, feeling the warmth of their affection and the excitement of what was to come.
"You know, Ivy, I was just like you when I was your age," my father said with a chuckle.
"Dad, you were a soldier," I replied with a roll of my eyes.
"Yeah, but before that, I was a trouble-maker," he admitted.
"What kind of trouble?" I asked, intrigued.
"Let's just say I got into a few fights in my time," he said with a grin.
"Dad, that's not funny," my mother chided, but her eyes were dancing with amusement.
"I know, honey," he said, reaching for her hand. "But I was young and reckless, and I lived to tell the tale."
I couldn't help but smile as I watched them, feeling grateful for the love and support they provided me. I knew that being a Wolf would bring new challenges and dangers, but with my parents by my side, I felt confident that I could face anything that came my way.
We finished clearing the table and headed for the living room, where I planned to read for a while before bed. But as I settled into my favorite armchair, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was an uncanny sense of foreboding that gnawed at me. I shook it off, reminding myself that with my thirteenth birthday just around the corner, it was normal to feel nervous about the changes that were to come.
I settled into my book, immersing myself in the world of fantasy and adventure, and soon the feeling of unease faded away. But as I drifted off to sleep that night, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store for me, both as a Wolf and as a young woman ready to face the world.
I hope I’ll makemyself proud.
