Destined

Chapter One: The Beginning

My name is Lily Kane and I am a werewolf. When I was one years old my parents abandoned me and went rogue. I was found by a lovely woman named Emily. She took me home and raised me as her own with her mate, Michael. I loved my parents very much and couldn't imagine my life without them. I grew up in the pack house but have always felt different than my pack members. I was treated just like any of them, but yet still felt like an outsider. I am 5'2" slender with blonde hair and baby blue eyes. I may look innocent and cute but my thoughts are far from it not that anyone would know.

I laid on my bed staring off at the ceiling, my thoughts straying as they always did to my secret desires. A knock on my door rattled me from my thoughts.

"Lily sweetie it's time for dinner please come down." My Mom Emily called from the other side of the door.

Looking over at my clock I notice it's 5pm.

"Coming Mom." I yell back to her getting up off my bed to get dressed for dinner.

We lived in the Dark Rose pack house and we as a pack always ate meals together. I slipped on some dark jeans and my favorite baby blue hoodie and my combat boots and walked down the stairs towards dinner. I could smell the heavenly smell of a roast and veggies wafting from the kitchen. My mouth watered and my stomach growled. I was starving.

Quickly I walked in and took my seat next to my parents and was handed a small plate of food the pack knew I didn't eat much. I quickly dug in and ate my food making very little conversation with those around me. I always felt a little uneasy around the pack. I have always felt like I didn't fit in and was an outsider to them. It wasn't anything they have done. My pack has accepted me with open arms since the day Emily brought me home and have always treated me the same as they would treat anyone else in the pack.

Every pack member knew what happened with my birth parents but they never brought it up. Finishing my dinner I excused myself and ran back up to my room and flopped on the bed. I turned on the tv as background noise and allowed myself to return to my wayward thoughts earlier. Unfortunately since I haven't found my mate yet none of my thoughts could happen and slowly I became frustrated.

Growling at my thoughts I shook my head and wandered into my adjoining bathroom to have a shower to calm my thoughts. After my shower I blow dried my hair and got into pajamas and crawled into bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long special day. My last thoughts before I fell asleep was in hope that by tomorrow night I would have my mate and all my dreams would come true. I slept deeply without dreaming.

I awoke with a start at a loud banging on my door. I growled and flipped over covering my face with my pillow trying to drown out the noise.

"Lily, time to wake up sweetheart." My mother's voice called through the door. "Come on Lily we haven't all day. Come on get up baby. It's your special day!" Emily called again. " Don't make me break down this door young lady, you know I will." I growled again and climbed out of bed.

"Alright mom, I'm up. Geez don't pull out your fur." I opened the door letting her come in.

"HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY!!" Emily shouted, hanging up a dress on the closet door.

"Aww thanks Mom." I replied. "Ok I'm going to shower now." I say walking towards my bathroom to get ready for my party.

I turn on the hot water climbing in and shave everywhere. I quickly wash my hair in my favorite ocean scented shampoo and conditioner. Then I quickly wash my body in my favorite rose scented body wash. Rinsing off I shut off the water and climbed out. I wrap a big fluffy towel around me and a smaller one to wrap up my hair. I quickly brush my teeth and walk out into the bedroom knowing my mom wants to help with the rest. I see my mom sitting on the edge of my bed holding a package.

"Here sweetie, open up your gift from me." Emily says, handing it to me.

"Aww Mom you shouldn't have. You have already done so much for me." I say with tears welling up in my eyes.

"Well it's not just your present but hopefully your soon to be mate's as well."

Confused, I quickly opened the package, pulling out a black lace corset with blood red roses on it with the matching thong, garter belt and stockings. Stunned, I looked at my mom. "MOM!"

Emily laughed at my face and said," Oh honey your mate is gonna go crazy seeing you in this trust me."

She took it from my hand and set it down on the bed and pushed me into a nearby chair. She quickly captured my feet and painted my toes a blood red color. Then she took my hair out of the towel and quickly brushed it and dried it. Then she curled it to perfection with little ringlets spiraling down. Next she captured my hands and painted them to match my toes. Once those were dry she applied the perfect smokey eye makeup and blood red lipstick.

Once she was satisfied by how I looked she helped me into the corset and matching garments. Emily ran into my closet and came out with a pair of sky high black heels and quickly slid them onto my feet. Mom helped me stand before going to get my dress out of its bag. I was nervous I hadn't seen my dress yet. Mom had picked it out. she slowly unzipped the dress bag revealing the dress and I gasped.

"Mom, it is absolutely stunning." I stared at it open mouthed at the floor length sleeveless ball gown blood red with black lace over it and beautiful blood red roses.

"You will look mouthwatering, my dear sweet girl. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

Emily walked over with the dress carefully unzipped the back and held it down and open for me to step into without stepping on it. Once inside she slowly lifted it around me and zipped it up.

"Now for the finishing touch." Mom pulled out a ruby and black diamond rose necklace and matching earrings and placed them on me. "Now you are perfect and ready for your party. Go look."

I walked over to my full length mirror and was shocked at what I saw. I didn't look like me. I was drop dead gorgeous. Suddenly my stomach filled with butterflies. I was nervous as to whether or not I would find my mate tonight. 18 is a very special day for werewolves. It is our coming of age to find a mate and contribute pups to the pack. So special that we throw the most grand parties and invite not only all of our pack to join but all of the neighboring packs as well. This way we have the best chance to find our mate. While I was looking at myself in the mirror Mom had disappeared into the bathroom to get herself ready. She came out a few mins later looking beautiful.

"Ok sweetie it's time. Let's go to your party." She said, taking my hand and leading me to the door.

I stood at the top of the stairs, my mother had already gone down to join my father. This was my grand entrance, once everyone had arrived. I could hear laughter and music down below and many conversations. Sounded like almost everyone was there and having a great time. Suddenly the music cut off and my pack's Alpha David got up on the stage.

In a loud booming voice that commanded everyone's attention he called out, "As you are all aware the 18th birthday of a wolf is the most special birthday of all. It marks one that has come of age and can now accept a Mate. We are nothing without our Mates. Today we celebrate the 18th birthday of one special member of the Dark Rose pack, Lily Louise Kane."

A round of applause started when he finished announcing my name and I started to walk down the stairs as a bright spotlight followed me, demanding all eyes to turn to me. I was nervous with all eyes on me and I tried to focus on breathing and not tripping down the stairs. When I reached the stage I turned and looked out amongst all of our pack and visitors.

"Thank you all for joining me today to celebrate my birthday." I said loud and clear.

At that a round of applause and cheers rang out and the music started up again. I walked down off the stage and into the crowd of dancing wolves all around me. Some in pairs of obvious Mates others in groups of friends and family. The room was beautifully decorated with red and black streamers and balloons. A Happy Birthday banner was hung over the cake table, where a huge black cake with red lace icing was sitting. It looked almost too good to eat. Around the cake on the table sat cupcakes, pies and other delicious treats. On an adjoining table sat a feast of chicken, steak, pork, veggies, mashed potatoes and any other food you could think of. Enough food to feed the entire room. It looked delicious and my mouth watered. I grabbed a plate and took a little of everything. I walked around as I ate, looking at everything and everyone, waiting to find my mate.

I was asked to dance by many, many different men all ranging in age and looks. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. I felt so happy to have so many people around. It was the first time I have ever felt like I belonged somewhere. I didn't know if it was because the party was all about me or if it was the addition of the neighboring packs that gave me such a sense of ease. It was almost like I was meant to be with one of these packs. I never knew what pack my parents were from before they turned rouge and neither did any of the packs. It seems my parents had left their pack before having me and went officially rouge after abandoning me.

Around 9pm we cut and served the cake. It was a delicious red velvet with a chocolate mousse filling. Everyone seemed happy with the cake and soon there was none left. Some of our guests that were families with young children left to get the pups to bed much against the pups protests. Soon the hall was filled with unmated wolves all dancing and having fun. I danced in the middle of the dance floor with a group of girls from another pack. It was so much fun I didn't even feel the normal uneasy feeling I had all my life. I started to get hot from dancing so I excused myself outside for some fresh air. Once outside I breathed a sigh of relief finally having a moment to myself to gather my thoughts. Today has been a whirlwind and blur of dancing bodies and introductions to many people. I took a drink of the wine cooler in my hand, and I know what you're going to say I'm drinking underage. But drinking is different for wolves. Our metabolism is different from humans so we don't get drunk like humans and we can drink far more.

It was a nice Spring night with a light breeze blowing. Not too cold but not too hot either, just perfect. I could see the blooms on the trees and smell their sweet scent. How I loved spring, it was my favorite season, bringing promises of new beginnings. Taking in a deep breath of the cool air I felt a sense of calm come over me, that's when I noticed the most wonderful smell of all. The smell of freshly mowed grass and fresh summer strawberries. I looked and couldn't see anyone around me. I wandered around searching for the source of the smell. I had to find it, I just had to. My wolf stirred in my head feeling restless. She could smell it too and she knew this meant our mate was close.

Mate. Find Mate. She said in my head, almost shouting.

"I'm trying." I said back to her.