Chapter 2

I hopped out of the shower and walked into my bedroom.

Checking the time, I realized I only had about 30 minutes before the clock struck 12:00; indicating my birthday, the beginning of my party and finding out who my mate is.

I couldn't wait to find my mate and be rid of these feelings for Richard once and for all. It was becoming too much. Surprisingly I was able to ignore it- scratch that- avoid it for two years but now I can't. It's too much and eventually, I can see myself giving in and doing something I know I'll regret.

I slipped on my bra and panties, not really caring whether it matched or not, then went digging around my closet for an outfit.

Oh boy, this is going to be a while.

20 minutes later I double checked my outfit in the mirror and nodded in confirmation, it was alright.

I put on a black Midi dress that ended just above my knees, some gold bangles on each hand, my black studs and my 5in black heels.

Dresses aren't really my thing, although I owned a lot of them, I never wear them simply because I find them uncomfortable and irritating to walk in.

I sprayed some perfume on me and grabbed my phone, stuffing it into my purse then left my room and made my way downstairs.

The party was outside, because the inside of my house didn't have enough room to fit my pack plus two other ones. Can you imagine how messy that would be?

I stood in front of the front door, hesitant to open it.

I checked the time on the wall clock.

60 seconds before 12:00.

To say I was nervous was an understatement. Meeting my mate for the first time, if I even find him that is but I have a strong feeling he's here. My wolf side is feeling more powerful than my human side, indicating to me my mate is in fact, present tonight.

Will he like me? I sure hope so. I don't think I'd survive being rejected.

5

Deep breaths Danica, no need to be afraid.

4

You've been waiting forever for this.

3

Just remember...

2

That no matter what happens tonight. Mate or no mate, or rejected or not.

I won't run and I won't back down.

~•~

I pushed open the front door and was greeted by hundreds of smiling faces.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANICA!"

A grin found it's way onto my face and I ran into the large swarm of people and attempted a group hug but failed miserably because of my short arms.

"Happy birthday sweetie." I heard a voice say behind me and I turned around to see my mom has the tears in her eyes.

"Thank you mommy." I said and went over to her, engulfing her in a hug.

"This party looks awesome." I added as I pulled away.

"I'm glad you like it Dani. It took some work, but you know I'll do anything for you. I was just thinking...." Mom said with a sad smile as the tears she was obviously holding back came down on her cheeks.

"H-how proud your father would be to see you right now." She finished after a while then broke out in a sob.

"I know...I miss him too." I added sadly and rapidly blinked my tears away.

Every day I thought about Daddy and what things would be like if he was here.

Mom would be with her rightful mate, and we'd be a real family instead of Richard being here and me having these uncontrollable f- Wait, where is Richard?

"I'll be back in a bit sweetie. Don't worry about me, I'll go clean up and be down soon. Go have fun. Find your mate." Mom said with a wink at 'mate' and I blushed.

I couldn't sense my mate that strongly anymore, so that means he probably went to the other side of the yard. I'm sure he is still here; I feel it even if it is faint.

Despite my excitement to find my mate and enjoy the party, I couldn't help but wonder about Richard. I haven't seen him yet since I came out and I didn't see him in the house.

You know what? Fuck him, this is my night and I'm going to make the best of it.

~•~

It was about 3am now and most of the people here were either drunk beyond my own comprehension or passed out in my house.

I'm surprised my mom hasn't shut it down yet. Normally, any Party she plans she shuts it down before TOO messy and by the looks of my lawn right now.....you'd think a bunch of crack heads lived here. Werewolves party hard and I am not even kidding when I say that.

I am yet to pinpoint my mate, but he is close I feel my wolf squirming.

You see, to find out who your mate is, you have lock eyes or touch each other to know but both persons must be 18 or over to feel the connection of the pull.

Do you know how funny it would be to have your mate in your face on a daily and not even know until you're 18? Crazy right?

I was beginning to get frustrated. At some point, I even had the idea of walking around and bumping into every male I see until I found him, but that would probably take me hours.

"Having fun Missy?" A friend-or more like acquaintance, Veronica came up to me and asked but she is obviously drunk as hell if she is even talking to me. Hell, only type or conversation I've ever had with her is when she asks me for homework answers in class.

"Yup." I replied briefly and the n she walked- scratch that, stumbled away into the arms of her mate, another acquaintance of mine, Jules Wayne. Jules wasn't so bad, he actually is a good guy but I'm just not the making friends type so I stick to my 'Hi, hello' routine then it's pretty much ignoring your existence afterwards.

(I literally am like this in person, just omg I'm so antisocial)

Looking around the vast numbers of drunken wolves, I searched for my mate, but only to come up empty handed.

God, how fucking hard is it to find one person?

Eventually, my mind wandered to Richard again. The asshole may not be my most favorite

person but damn, he owes me a happy birthday.

I took a deep breath, trying to single out Richard's scent out of the dozens around me. It was a few moments till I got it and it led me to the house, but I figured he was maybe getting more drinks or something so I let him be.

"Okay y'all" The DJ boomed through the microphone, almost startling me.

"Guys grab a lady, ladies grab a man and lemme see you wolves out there....get down to this."

The song Body On Me by Rita Ora & Chris Brown came on and I felt a surge of energy came through me.

I had to dance to this.

Shaking my hips side to side, I made my way to the crowd of wolves who were dancing with their mates or just amongst each other.

"Can I have this dance birthday girl?" I heard a deep voice whisper in my ear.

At first I was hesitant but I figured since I can't find my mate yet, it wouldn't hurt to just dance for just a little while. Hell, it's my birthday; I deserve to have a little fun.

I grabbed the person's arm and brought their body closer to mine.

Grinding my lower body against him, I felt him push back against me, our bodies syncing together in our movements.

"You can dance." The guy whispered in my ear while he wrapped his arm around my waist and I chuckled.

"You'd be surprised." I replied back and continued my grind.

"Do you-" the guy was cut off as he was yanked away from me abruptly. I spun around fast enough just to see who pulled him off, and when I locked eyes with the stranger, my entire world came crashing down around me.

Richard looked away from our gaze and glared at the guy I was dancing with, who I identified as the Beta of one of the packs who came for my party.

I watched in shock as Richard speeded into the house, the door slamming behind him.

Rage flooded my system and I swear I could see red.

I can't believe this son of a bitch!

"I'm sorry, my step-dad is a little over protective. I'm gonna go talk to him, have fun, find your mate maybe." I said, adding a wink to the last part and he nodded while laughing.

I stomped to the house and opened the door then closed it.

"RICHARD!" I yelled. The music was loud outside and since about 99% of the wolves here are drunk, they're heightened senses are bound to be a little off.

With hearing no reply from him, I tracked his scent to the guest bedroom upstairs.

"Dammit!" I heard his voice yell from the room as I walked up the stairs, followed by the crashing sound of something breaking.

What the hell? Is he mad? This asshole has no reason to be freaking mad.

I took a few calming breaths, then pushed open the door to the room, ignoring the obvious mess on the floor.

"You knew didn't you?" I asked, awaiting his answer.

Richard paced the room, avoiding eye contact with me and muttering to himself.

"Richard." He wasn't answering me, so I repeated his name once again, but still no answer. I felt my anger flare and my claws started to grow longer from my rage.

"RICHARD!" I yelled and his head snapped up to face me, looking me directly in the eyes and the pull from our bond made itself very much known.

"WHY THE F*CK DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE MY MATE?"