First Full Moon

Chapter 5

The closer my birthday was getting, the more nervous I was getting about the possibility of meeting my mate. What if they didn't want me as their mate? What if I didn't even have one? What if my mate was from a different pack and I had to move away from my family and friends? There were so many questions. Sarah found James as her 18th birthday celebration. It was oh so very romantic. She walked into the room full of people and suddenly they were running to each other declaring "mate." Since then they have been inseparable. It was like they started their relationship a few months ago, already in love and absolutely comfortable with each other. It was easy to see why people were envious of the mate bond and why so many people searched across territories to find it.

Maybe Asher was my mate? We do have a lot in common and I enjoy spending time with him, but his actions the other night do not seem like those of a mate. He does seem so sure of it though. I will have to wait and see. Not long now.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Alice, Happy birthday to you!" My Mum and Dad sang as they entered my room on Wednesday morning. Dad was clearly not overly keen on singing this early in the morning but following along for Mum. I received my gifts from my family - some money towards my car fund and a laptop, good timing as my old one was on its last legs - and headed to the kitchen for breakfast.

"Smoothie bowls!" Mum declared as we walked into the dining room. My favourite! Mum had even organised to collect them from the store in the city that makes the best ones. This day started off amazingly.

My school day continued as any normal day would: going to class, having lunch in our spot, guitar lesson after school and getting picked up by Dylan on my way home. The occasional person at school wished me 'happy birthday' as they passed me in the hall and I could feel everyone's eyes on me, wondering if I would suddenly meet my mate in the middle art class, but they were let down when it didn't happen. I was rather surprised Asher hadn't come to school today considering the events after the Alpha's BBQ. I thought he would have wanted to see if he was right or not. I didn't know if I should be worried or relieved that he hadn't showed up yet.

Dylan dropped me at home and went to go help Mum set up my birthday dinner (I suspected that it was going to be a bit bigger than just a family dinner but I decided to pick my battles - this one was not worth it). As I walked up to the front door, I heard a car pull up in the driveway behind me. I expected Ellie and Sarah to be early as they were coming to get me ready for dinner. I turned but didn't recognise the car. After a few minutes, Asher stepped out of the car and started walking towards me with a determined look in his eye. He stood in front of me waiting. He just stood there expecting something. I wasn't sure what until it dawned on me. He was waiting for me to feel the mate bond. He was waiting for me to throw my arms around him and declare him as my mate but I felt nothing. I could see him getting more agitated as we stood there, so I decided to greet him as normal. Play it cool.

"Hey Asher, you weren't at school today?" I awaited his response.

"I thought we should do this in private. You know the mate bond can be pretty strong." He replied matter of factly. I didn't know what to say. His eyes were still waiting.

"Do you feel anything, Asher?" I asked him, not wanting to admit to him that I didn't.

"Of course I can!" He almost yelled back. I take a step back. I don't want this to escalate. "I have felt it for months!" Asher continues, "and you do too, you are just denying it."

I was at a loss.

"Maybe I can't feel anything yet." I added emphasis on the 'yet'. "I wasn't born until 7:00pm so maybe I have to wait until then?" I had never heard of that being an issue for others but hoped that Asher would run with it.

He appeared to be mulling it over in his head. I was getting nervous. My palms were sweating and I could feel my knees begin to tremble. Different emotions flashed across his face: anger, hurt, embarrassment, hope, anger again. I could see him internally debating with himself. His eyes snapped at me.

"Ok we'll play it like that. I'll wait until after 7:00pm. See you then." He called out to me as he was walking back to his car. I wasn't sure if it was intended as a threat, but it definitely felt like one. I took the opportunity to scurry inside and lock the door behind me.

Once Ellie and Sarah were finished with me, I felt like a princess. My long hair was twisted and curled into a low bun with loose strands framing around my face. I had a light smokey eye and a clear lip-gloss to not overdo the look. The girls had picked out a floor-length deep blue boho-patterned dress with a low back, stooping neckline and twisted straps along with some strappy tan wedges. They out-did themselves.

I walked to the lounge to meet my parents and get ready to go.

"Oh Luna Jen, she has just walked in. I'll see you soon?" Mum speaks into the phone. Why was she talking to Luna Jen? "Alice, you look beautiful!" she continued, tears in her eyes as she looked upon her daughter.

"Right then. Let's hit the road!" Dad interrupted, trying to hide the watery eyes he was covering with his sunnies. He really was a softy at heart.

I could hear everyone inside talking and laughing as Mum told me it was nearly time for me to enter. I was right, there were definitely more than a few people in there. When you turn 18 they wait for everyone in attendance to be present before you enter. They do this so if your mate is there, you meet straight away and everyone gets to witness it. I wasn't a real fan of the spotlight but it was important to Mum, so here we are.

"All right Honey, come on in!" Mum says as she peeks through the door.

As soon as the door opened, I could smell it. Cinnamon and orange. It was breath-taking.

I could feel my heart pumping in my chest. The suspense was killing me. I bet my mate wasn't even there and this would have all been for nothing. I continued walking into the room taking in the number of people and the decorations Dylan and Dad had put up earlier in the day. I will need to thank them later - it looks wonderful.

I looked around the room as I walked in. Ellie and Sarah were standing with my family at the front. I could see Asher in the corner, waiting for me to suddenly declare him as my mate, but I still felt nothing. All I could smell was cinnamon and orange. It was a heady mix. Intoxicating. I walked through the crowd thanking people for coming and their birthday wishes when I heard a growl from behind me. I turned around to see the commotion and it hit me.

"Mate." I whispered, the surprise evident in my voice.

"Mate." He declared, walking towards me.