Dark Knight

            My head feels like it’s a thousand pounds as I try to pull myself up from the ground. There’s blood running into my left eye as I slowly bring myself upright.             “Is that it?” I taunt as I stand up. I know Lacy just served a decent blow to my head, but I wasn’t going to let her know how my head was still spinning and let her get cocky.              “Shut up Addison and get ready. You’ve yet to knock me on my ass today so you should calm your insults.”             I grimaced. She was right, I hadn’t been performing well today at all. My mind was focused on the ceremony tomorrow. I would be turning 18 tomorrow and I would finally get my wolf. I was craving it, constantly wondering if what my parents said were true. I was born on a new moon and my birthday fell on a full moon. My parents told me about how it symbolized that my connection with the moon goddess completes on my 18thbirthday and that my alpha wolf would be revealed. We had a strong bloodline anyways but because of the moon patterns that happened to fall on my birthday, we thought I might be blessed like some of the other alphas are.             “Okay, I’m ready,” I say and Lacy immediately begins her assault to test my hand-to-hand combat skills. I dodge her first few throws and jab her left side. As her body bends from the blow, I re-adjust my own body and quickly kick out her feet. She lands on the ground heavily. “About time you started to focus.” She got up.  “Again.” After another 20 minutes of sparring, she finally called it a day. “Well, Addy, this was our last lesson. I’ll see you tomorrow at your ceremony.” I smiled at her. “Did you hear that the other packs are coming as well? All of them!” I was practically giggling. There were going to be so many males in attendance and I couldn’t wait to have my father off my back so I could finally indulge myself. Lacy just shook her head. “Yes, I heard. It will be quite the feast.” I was giddy just thinking about it. Seven packs were coming in just to see me gain my wolf. Lacy waved goodbye to me as I walked out the meadow we trained in.  I thought about all the things I’d be able to finally do now that I would technically be an adult. I thought about how I could potentially find my mate. I wondered what was in store for me. I hadn’t been allowed to date because of being the daughter to the current alpha. My father basically scared away any boy who had the balls enough to try anything. I let my thoughts wander until I arrived at the pack house.  Things were chaotic inside. My mother was micromanaging every detail as the omegas were trying to set up everything for tomorrow. “Addy! You’re home!” Then her face fell. “What did Lacy do to your face?” she asked as she came over and touched the cut on my eyebrow.  “Uh, well, I was distracted and she thought I should experience what as ass kicking was like,” I said nonchalantly. My mother just shook her head. “At least it will heal by morning. Go get cleaned up,” and she shooed me upstairs. I kissed her cheek and bounded up the stairs. The hot water felt nice as I scrubbed the blood and dirt off of me. I was glad my mother never got too fussy about my rough tendencies. She never pressured me to be anything other than myself and I loved her for it. When I got out of the shower, I walked into my room to my mother pacing in my room. I looked over to the bed and noticed a big box. “Hi mom…what’s going on? You seem anxious.” She turned around and stood still once she heard my voice. She looked nervous for some reason. “Oh Addy, I just can’t believe you’ll be 18 tomorrow. My little moon lily.” She came over to meet and cupped my head in her hands. “I got you a dress for your ceremony.” I raised an eyebrow. “I know, we picked it out together a few months ago.” I remember the cute sundress she and I found while shopping. We didn’t really plan on it being my ceremony dress but I didn’t want to have to go shopping again so on our way home, I had proclaimed that that’s the dress I would be wearing. My mother looked guilty. “Well, I thought something more elegant was necessary.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Alright, let’s see what we’re working with.” I grabbed the box off the bed and headed into my walk-in closet. When I opened the lid, my eyes lit up. Yes. I hurriedly put on the dress and zipped up the side. In my typical fashion, I strutted out of the closet as if I was a model and struck a pose for my mother. My very amateur cat walk made her giggle but her eyes were watering with pride as she clapped her hands in glee. “You look stunning, Addy,” she spoke with so much affection as she came over to me and pulled my wet hair to the side. “The moon goddess will have no choice but to bless you when you look as beautiful as you do.” I finally turned around and looked into the mirror to see the dress myself. Oh, wow. The dress was silver and sparkled like the stars as the fabric shifted with each body movement. It was floor length with small straps to keep the A line dress in place. The dress complemented my gentle curves in the perfect way. I couldn’t stop staring at myself. Even with wet hair and no makeup, I looked beautiful. My mom placed her hand on my shoulder and kissed my head as she bid goodnight. I slipped the dress off and hung it up in my closet. Tomorrow was the day everything was going to change. Everything.