But he can’t be my mate!

Chapter 3

“And deep breath out for me.” The seamstress said.

As I breathed out the last of my breath she zipped up the last 2cm of my dress.

“There we go, fits like a glove” she said satisfied.

I took a step forward and looked at myself in the mirror. This dress was beautiful, there was no doubt. Long loose fit emerald green silk skated over my body. The sweetheart neckline and empire waist hugged my chest into place without looking vulgar, and the chunky straps gave me all the support I needed. I turned a little and the mostly open back looked sophisticated and classy. I tuned back to the front and spun my hips side to side, the silk shifted swaying effortlessly with the motion.

“I love it” I said breathlessly.

I looked at my Mother’s expression in the mirror and she was silent sobbing, tissue pressed tight to her nose.

“My baby, you look so beautiful!” She said through sobs.

“Gosh Mum, if you cry like this at every point, you’re just gonna be a mess on the floor by the time of the party”. I giggled.

“I know, I know, I’ll pull myself together soon I promise. I’m just so proud of you Penelope. I hope you know how loved you are” she sniffs.

“I do Mum, you and Dad did a great job of letting us know!” I smiled.

“Although I think you let Ben know a little too much and now he’s got a big head!” I joked.

This made Mum giggle. “I’ll never apologise for loving my children too much! Right do you feel comfy, any other adjustments needed?” She asked.

“No, I’m really happy with it. We chose well” I said turning back to my reflection. “But maybe a smaller breakfast tomorrow or I might not fit into it” I grimaced.

This got a full laugh out of Mum. She turned to the seamstress and they started discussing how to store the dress overnight and what to do in case of a stain or a crease.

I let them talk and looked back at my reflection. I did feel beautiful in the dress, maybe my mate would be okay being stuck with me after all!

The rest of the afternoon went quickly, jewellery pick up, getting my nails done, dropping into the florist to double check the plans and picking up Dad and Ben’s suits from the dry cleaners. By the time we made it home, my feet had their own heartbeat.

I threw myself down face first on the sofa and groaned loudly.

“Gosh you young ones have no stamina these days” Dad quipped as he kissed Mum on the cheek. She looked like she could have gone for another 3 hours before even feeling close to tired.

Ben sitting on the chair next to me, leaned over until he was close to my head and whispered.

“You better work on that stamina issue before tomorrow, your mate is gonna wanna go all night if you get my drift” he teased.

I feel a deep blush run up my neck and settle in my cheeks. Keeping my face buried deep in the sofa cushion I lifted a single finger of warning up to him.

“Nope, I will not be discussing that with you, thank you very much!” I said.

He replied with a chuckle and a pat on my head that didn’t make me feel any better!

“Shall we have have takeaway tonight so we can all preserve our energy” Dad suggested.

“A final family dinner” Mum said, and then immediately started sobbing again.

“Urgh don’t set her off again” I said lifting my head up and looking at Dad who was now hugging mum and stroking her back whilst laughing at her.

“She’s cried at literally everything today! ‘Our last cappuccino together, our final walk down the strand, the last pair of shoes I’ll get you!’ Honestly, you’d think I was dying tomorrow not potentially getting mated?” I questioned.

“I know, I know. But what if it’s to an Alpha who lives far away! What if I hardly ever see you?” Mum sniffed again.

“Your Mum lives 2 hours away and you saw her twice last week” Dad replies. “Stop getting yourself all worked up over the unknown. Let’s have a nice night and no tears hey” he smiled down at her.

She nodded and kissed him. He didn’t pull back and instead leaned into the kiss and wrapped himself around her tighter.

“Urgh, can you go somewhere else to do that, preferably where I don’t have a front row view” Ben groaned.

Mum and Dad parted on a giggle.

“Just you wait until you’re mated son, you’ll understand when you can’t keep your hands off her” he laughed.

As Mum passed by him he smacked her on the bum and she squealed.

“Gross” grunted Ben.

I didn’t mind Mum and Dads affection. I mean don’t get me wrong I’d heard them going at it more times than any child ever should ever hear their parents, But I loved that they were still so in love. That they still wanted each other. I wanted what they had.

My mind went off dreaming. Of walking into the party tomorrow afternoon and finding him. Of feeling like everything in the world suddenly made sense. I could imagine it now. How we’d look into each other’s eyes and just … know. And we’d dance and kiss and … other stuff!

I shifted on the sofa.

That side of things made me feel most nervous. I wasn’t experienced at all. I’d had one clumsy kiss when I was 14 with a boy from camp. It was wet and fast and awkward as hell to be honest. Although I knew a lot more in theory now, in practice, I had no idea. The idea of loosing my virginity scared me and excited me in equal measure. I just hope I’m enough for him. That my inexperience doesn’t put him off.

“So birthday girl, what takeaway will it be for your last night of childhood?” Dad asked.

From the kitchen we all heard Mum sob again and Ben and I groaned as Dad giggled.

…

I didn’t open my eyes straight away, but my brain slowly came out of the sleep state and into the present. It had taken me hours to fall asleep last night. I was just tossing and turning and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t turn my brain off. I think I fell asleep about 2am in the end and had a night full of the weirdest dreams.

I was trying to remember what they were, but the harder I tried the more the memory seemed to slip away from me.

“Good morning Nell” came an unfamiliar voice from nowhere.

I sat up suddenly in my bed trying to see where the strange voice was coming from.

“You won’t find me with your eyes Nell, I am you. I’m your wolf”

My eyes widened. My wolf, she’s really here!

“You’re really here” I said out loud.

“You don’t need to speak out loud, I hear you just fine in your thoughts”.

“Okay, can you hear me now” I thought.

“Loud and clear” she replied.

Oh my goodness this is so cool! I knew I would be able to speak to my wolf once it reached full maturity but I didn’t know it would feel like this!

“Do you have a name?” I asked.

“Yes, I am Étain, but you can call me Etti’.

“That’s beautiful, it’s an honour to know you Etti”.

“You too Nell, I have a feeling you and I will become quite a formidable force one day!

“I sure hope so, I have lots of plans for us”

“I know!”

We both laugh together.

I suppose I should get up and start getting ready for today. There’s so much still to do and the last thing I need is to get stressed out and sweat all over my dress later.

I make my way to the bathroom to shower, and as I enter the hallway, I can smell the most incredible scent. I can’t place any of it just yet but Mum must be making something special as it smells amazing.

I shower quickly all the time chatting to Etti. I discover that she’s got a wicked sense of humour and a sharp wit I wish I had more of. With her in my head, life was about to get a lot more interesting.

I decided to just put on my comfy loose joggers and a tshirt, I was gonna have to dress up later, I might as well be comfy now! Heading into the kitchen Mum and Dad both descended pulling me into a group hug that had me squished tight in between them both. The tall gene had missed me completely so my face was fully armpit level with them both!

“Okay okay, enough you two, a girl still has to breathe at 18” I let out as I free myself from their clutches.

“Happy Birthday sweetheart” Dad said kissing my head whilst Mum touched my cheek gently.

“What is it you’re making Mum? It’s smells absolutely insane. My mouth was watering from the shower” I ask.

She looks a little confused. “You said you just wanted a small breakfast so I’ve just done fruits and yogurt and granola. Good for energy but not too heavy on the stomach. I didn’t think it smelt that strong through” she said unsure.

I lent over to the tray she’d laid out and sniffed. No that wasn’t it. What is it I can smell?

“Your presents are all just over on the table, but we’ll wait for Ben to come down before you open them, sit sit” she fussed.

“So, Nell!” Dad starts “tell us about your wolf” he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“Oh my gosh” I say whilst throwing a strawberry in my mouth.

“Her name is Étain, but she likes to be called Etti. She’s wicked funny and has a really fast wit. I love her already!” I say excitedly.

“Étain” Dad says thoughtfully. “That is an old Regal name, you have been blessed with a special wolf Penelope.”

I looked at my Dad a little confused.

“You can tell a lot about a wolf by their name. For instance my wolf Cúán, his name means protector and responsibility. His name shows he is a wolf that is a perfect fit for an Alpha” he finishes proudly.

“Wow! What does Étain mean?” I ask.

“It’s not my place to give you all the answers my darling. Some things you will need to find out for yourself” he replies.

“Etti? What does your name mean?” I ask her.

She goes to begin but she’s suddenly up and alert, standing to full attention at the back of my mind, my question forgotten.

I’m confused at first but then I get hit by that smell again. It’s like a mixture of Cinnamon and rain and something toasted. I look to my left where the smell seems to be strongest.

Just as Ben walks into the room.

His eyes lock into mine and my whole world shifts.

“Mate” we both said together