Looking in the mirror, I brush down my black hair before I exit the car. Being in a rush to meet Sienna, my cousin and best friend, is no reason that I shouldn't look presentable for my first day of class. I paired a blue crop top with faded jeans to match the blue in my eyes. They have flecks of green around the iris, which people say sometimes matches the ocean water near our home on the Emerald Coast. Northwest Florida has some beautiful beaches, that's for sure. You'd think I'd tire of them after living here for my entire 18 years of existence -but I haven't - not yet at least.

Sienna and I decided to enroll in a university close to home after high school. I am taking pre-medicine courses to help me improve my powers of energy healing. Listening to my mom talk about her first experiences using this power, convinced me that I need to learn as much about the human body as I could, so I could be effective. My oldest brother, Asher, is also considered a 'healer' and has completed these exact same courses. Who's to argue with success?

Running to my first class of the day, I catch the most amazing scent, creamed coffee with a hint of chocolate. Ignoring that I am going in the opposite direction of my class, I follow the scent to the nearby sitting area for students.

Noticing that there was only one guy sitting there, I approached the guy with a mess of sandy blonde curls and tap him on the shoulder. I am met with the familiar deep blue eyes of my childhood crush, Isaiah Newport.

"Zay?" I question, although my wolf is hollering Mate.

"Eva?" He replies with amazement in his eyes, shocked that I am standing in front of him - I suppose.

We start to hug, and the sparks that I hear so much about flew between us. All we could do is stand there and stare at each other, and I certainly couldn't help but stare at his body. Even with a t-shirt on, it clung to him so I could see well defined muscles underneath those clothes. The sight of this only made my wolf purr in delight. Not daring to move from our spot, unsure if this is really happening. How lucky am I to have my childhood crush actually be my mate.

We end up holding hands and catching up on what has been going on for the last six years. It feels like he is holding something back, but I don't know what. The only thing my intuition tells me is whatever it is - it's not good.

After hours of talking, I figure it is time to head home — no reason to worry my parents. I have plenty of time to catch up with Isaiah. Once I got home, I go to my room and think dreamily about Isaiah and I being mates. I still can't believe how the fates work. It seems like ages ago Isaiah and I were playing together.

<Flashback>

I was playing on the playground with my siblings on the playground. My childhood friends were there including Isaiah Newport, the boy I was always drawn to. He always seemed concerned about my safety. I was maybe 7 at the time.

"Higher Zay!" I scream.

"Any higher Eva and you might fall out of the swing." He cautions.

"But you'll be there to catch me!" I squeal, as he pushes me higher.

"Always." He replies confidently.

Then I remembered the time when I was 12. The Gray's were going to hang at the beach, and of course, Isaiah tagged along - as always. We all played in the ocean, splashing and enjoying the steady rhythm of the waves. We all got out and dried off, and Isaiah and I went for a walk. It was the first guy I held hands with and we walked to the nearby pier. Standing under the pier, we talked about everything as we watched the sun set. We turned to head back when Isaiah stopped abruptly and pulled me around to face him. He leaned in and kissed me after staring at me for a little while. We broke away and Isaiah had this cute blush on his cheeks. My first kiss.

<End flashback>

That was the last day that I saw him, I think he knew something and didn't want to tell me.. Without being informed, his family left for the Crimson Edge Pack. His uncle had died and left no heir, therefore his father was going to be the Alpha of the pack. My heart shattered when I found out Isaiah was gone and probably never coming back. But here I am and Isaiah is now my mate, life has a way of working itself out.

Later that day closer to time for dinner, Mom came strolling in with Elliott, or Little E, the youngest of the seven of us. The oldest is Asher, then me and my twin, Ethan, then the triplets, Levi, Logan, and Liam and then Elliott. A houseful, but one filled with love and jokes. And I forgot to mention my uncle's triplets, Sienna, Sophia, and Samuel. Sam is going to be Ethan's Beta. Ethan's Beta, yeah forgot to mention that Asher declined the Alpha position, so Ethan is going to be the Alpha when dad retired.

"Hey mom, guess what?" I ask my mom excitedly.

"You found your mate today." she replies.

"How did you ... wait, never mind, I know how you know." I huff remembering mom has powers, one of which is having visions about certain future events. I just wish she would have visions about everything.

"You know that dad got word that Isaiah's mate has been getting death threats for the last six months." Mom informs me. Mom and dad are the Alpha and Luna of the Silver Tide Pack, so we hear plenty of information about other packs including, unfortunately, death threats.

"Wow, ok, that's bad. There was nothing that Isaiah and I couldn't make it through. Right mom?" I ask.

"Sure." Mom says solemnly.

"You know I won't hesitate to reject him if he does something stupid trying to protect me, don't you?" I state firmly. I hate bringing it up since my mom is a rejected mate, but I want her to know ahead of time my plan of action.

"It's ok sweetheart. You have to do what's best for you." She responds, then gives me a kiss on my cheek and left to check on Little E.

Hmm. That seemed a little too easy. I think to myself.

Needing a distraction, Sienna and I decide to spend the evening doing something entertaining. Sienna loves to shop, but I don't care for it. Yes, I know it isn't typical for most females, but I would rather go to a store, get what I came for and leave. So we decide to do a movie night instead.

Tonight was supposed to be a relaxing night for me and Sienna...just watching a movie and eating junk food - girl time you know?

So of course, just like every other time we try to relax, the boys come in and cause chaos.

"Oooo popcorn!!" Jack exclaims as he dives over the couch to snatch the bowl from us. Gray rolls his eyes at his brother as he plops down on the couch between me and Sienna. Jack and Gray were Hunter Matthew's sons, Dad's Gamma. They were identical twins with dirty blonde hair and chestnut brown eyes.

"Can't you guys cause trouble somewhere else and leave us be?" I growl out irritably.

"Where's the fun in that?" Ethan chuckles, and Sienna huffs in response.

"Aww, don't tell us you girls don't enjoy our company." Sam fake pouts as he flips upside down on the couch, his head hanging just over the floor as his feet dangle behind the couch.

"Your company always ends up with a giant mess!" I argue. "One that we usually have to clean up!"

"You mean... like this ?!?!?" Jack laughs as he throws a handful of popcorn at his brother, hitting him square in the face.

"Ohh, it's on now!!" Gray shouts, giving a devious smile before grabbing a pillow. The second he misses Jack and hits Ethan instead, all hell breaks loose as the boys start making pillows and popcorn fly.

"Come on Eva, let's bail outta here before they get busted! I do not want to get stuck cleaning up that mess!" Sienna says as she quickly darts for the exit, and I follow behind her, being careful to avoid flying debris.

Sienna shifts into a beautiful dark gray wolf, although my wolf isn't ugly. I am a golden wolf with black markings. One of the largest markings is on my right front hindquarter — a heart-shaped marking with a silver outline, just like the one my mom has.

We take off running towards the nearby river jumping over low-lying vegetation. We always like to chase each other where I don't usually use my powers to win, but sometimes I just can't help it.

Eva, where'd you go? Sienna yells through our link.

Over here. I reply.

Where? You aren't on the path.

Over here. I reply again, jumping around to get her attention.

Dammit Eva you aren't supposed to use your powers! She shrieks.

What fun would it be if I never used them? I counter.

Let's just get back before everyone starts worrying and our dads send out search parties. Sienna starts, but I could hear the irritation in her voice.

Sorry Si. Trying to apologize.

It's fine Eva. She responds, but doesn't sound convincing.

After returning to her side, we run back to the pack house. I allow her to lead, still feeling a little bad about my stunt earlier. Heck, I never get to use powers, so most of the time I feel like they are useless. Powers are good - I guess - mine ended up being the same powers my mom had when she is my age — telekinesis, the ability to teleport, the ability to put up force fields, the ability to heal myself even faster than most and to heal others. Not too bad if you're in a fight, but the last few years since I gained my powers have been peaceful.

The next school day comes and I would usually drag my feet, but I am planning on meeting Isaiah before my anatomy and physiology class. Isaiah is taking economics, so we had to plan ahead where to meet up.

As soon as I got to the science building, Isaiah pulls me into an empty classroom, only filled with desks ready to receive their next guest.

"I'm sorry I have to do this for your safety Eva."

[1807]