My eyes shoot open and a smile was upon my lips.

One more day and I would be seventeen years old. My mate would find me. Humming I rise  and tie my hair in a bun. After dressing, absolutely didn't care what I looked like, my feet slam down the stairs. Beta's, as in my father, usually have a very good currency under their belt.

Exhibit A... Out house was massive.
Now if your expecting me to say we had a huge overly strong pack, you'd be wrong.

Our pack is relatively small with only around one hundred members. Which is small compared to other packs. We may not have been the strongest pack, but we were tough. All of us went through mandatory training sessions as well.

Tomorrow, for the first time in my life, I'll shift. I couldn't help pondering on what my wolf would look like.

My guard accompanied me on my way to school.

His name is Hank, and he's kind of super intimidating. Also very bald.

I jumped in his too-tall hummer and sigh, placing my feet on the dash. Almost immediately thereafter his hand slapped at my feet. I scoff and pull my back pack around grabbing my favorite kind of pringle, Salt and vinegar. When I'm about to pop the lid off Hank snatches them and threw them out his window.

I gape. Someone was in a very bad mood today.

He dropped me off at school and I waved goodbye with a sarcastic smile plastered on.

I rushed to my locker and am greeted with the sight of Cole leaned against it.

Cole was my best friend. He looked rather good that day, a plaid shirt over a black tee. His green eyes penetrating and his hair combed to the side.

Lily is hanging from his waist, as always, when he hands me a paper bag. She was giving me the stink eye, nothing unusual.

"Yum. A kolache and donuts with a side of Lily's requited hatred for me." I said, rolling my eyes.

"Look, get over each other. Your both super important to me and I refuse to pick one over the other. So get along. Please, for me?" He sighs with a pout.

We both rolled our eyes at him.

"Fine. My words shouldn't be wasted on the likes of her childish grudges anyways. " I said and smile at Cole. I would do anything for him. He was like my savior. I loved him to the moon and back.

She at least didn't respond to that, showing her consent. Cole and me walked to AP history while Lily parted her way. Cole wraps his muscular arm around me and we walk the halls together.

We had all but one class together. Courtesy of him being friends with Sol, future Alpha of the Lunar Pack.

Sitting in our usual seats, we both started discussing our plans for this weekend.

"So my parties tomorrow and Sunday we have training at ten. Would you like to come over so we could discuss our project in biology?" I ask him.

He nodded and smiled at me just as the lesson began. FYI, it was incredibly boring. Me and Cole were in the middle of an intense game of rock paper scissors when a ball of paper landed on my desk.

Cara, hey. It's Sol. I was wondering if you had a date to your birthday party? Because I would love to escort a pretty madam like you if you'd be so kind as to let me?

I smiled and look back, shaking my head to show my consent

He mouthed a thank you to me and asked if I wanted to partner up for the day. I pretended to think about it.

I didn't see the harm. I smiled and shaked my head yes. Turning in my seat I catch Cole giving me a disapproving look. I didn't mind Sol in the slightest, especially not his looks. He was always so sweet to me. But as I stared into Cole's eyes, I decipher an unknown emotion. Something akin to jealousy. I frowned at him and turned in my seat, trying to actually pay attention this time.

Cole and I are walking down the hallways after school when a freshman stumbles and landed on top of me in what must have looked like a compromising position. He blushed and was frozen solid.

He was about to apologize when a menacing growl emanated from Cole's chest. He snarled and pulled the boy of me and into a row of lockers.

"You better watch it you filthy little mutt. Keep your hands off what isn't yours." He spits. I could literally feel how furious he was. I gently pulled his arm back while trying to reassure him it was just an accident. He started at the freshman again but luckily he'd already gotten away.

"Easy there Wolfie. What's up with you today. You're acting all possessive. I know you were just trying to defend my honor but sheesh." I said laughing, which clearly didn't help the case.

He takes a few deep breathes before grabbing my arm and leading me away. He said we needed to talk but I was more focused on how hard he was grabbing my arm. I cryed out and his grip loosened. Walking slowly behind him I didn't notice the blonde until they walked straight into me. Lily.

We both stumble to the pavement, me falling to the ground for a second time, and Cole rushed to my side ignoring her outstretched hands. This didn't go unnoticed.

"Are you hurt?" He asked me frowning. I nodded and he gently helped me up before he saw Lily and her pouting face. He keept an arm on my shoulders and lifted her up. Letting go he checked me over again before I saw my dad's truck waiting outside the school.

"Catch you later Cole I gotta go. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

He protests but I'm already out of his reach. Me and dad sped off. I kissed dad's cheek before putting on my seat belt. Me and my dad have always been more close than me and mom. I'm a daddy's girl even if I loved my mama. She understands our close bond though and for that I'm grateful. The outsider of the family is my brother, Liam. Although my brother cared very deeply about me, he's still very busy in college now.

But he wrote me all the time. About college, his friends, grades, studies, and my favorite topic, Sydney his mate. Sid and I are like sisters. We texted a lot and she was like my twin. And we both shared our love for Pringles, the show Friends, and Disney characters. She was like my perfect role model.

When I got  home I go through my normal routine. But if I had known what would have happened the next day, I probably wouldn't have ever left my bedroom the next day at all.

***

It was Saturday! I jumped up and ran with the speed of a cheetah, well actually a wolf, into the kitchen.

My mom and dad were standing with proud smiles on their face. My puppy Isaac had his paws up on the counter giving me a wolf's grin.

And in the doorway, leaning on the archway was none other than Liam. With Sydney on his arm. I rushed at them both and threw one arm around each of them.

Happy tears were running down my face as my family laughed and embraced me with the carefree smiles of happy, and promising times.

And when I thought that my birthday couldn't get any better with my brother home, my mom handed me a plate filled with strawberry crepes and a mug of hot coco.

I ate till I was full and laughed like I was a four year old at tiny, insignificant things. My mom decided it'd be best to have a family party before the open to the public one.

She handded me the first one. A small box.

I opened it and gasped aloud at it's beauty.

A two piece necklace lay inside. A card was on top that read "for Cara and her mate." Each side was a wolf's head that curved into a small heart.

"Thank you all so much!" I said with a watery smile.

I received a IPhone 7 plus with a purple goat case from Sydney and Liam. And from mom I was awarded an ice blue polaroid camera. My last present was from my dad.

I grabbed it and opened it carefully.

Inside was a sterling silver ring coated with Neotine, so that the silver wouldn't hurt me. The ring band was a wolf body curling around into a wolves sleeping head. It was stunning. I teared up and turned to my dad who's own eyes were filled with tears.

"Oh daddy! It's wonderful, I love you so much! " I said while tackling him into the best father and daughter hug we had ever shared.

"Hey.. Wait a minute where's Cole?" I suddenly asked them all noticing his lack of appearance.
I hadn't noticed him missing until now. Where had he run off to?

"He said something about a emergency situation with Lily. But he will be at your party later." Liam explained to me.

I nodded and happily skipped up to my room to dress. I am throwing everything out my closet in pure frustration when a yelp is heard from behind me. I turn around to catch Sydney holding her eye and a red stiletto hitting the floor.

"Oops. Sorry about that. " I apologized with a wince.

She glares before coming to my rescue and helping me pick out an outfit perfect for the occasion.

It was a one sleeved sparkly black dress paired with a pair of black stilettos.

I have long earnings and a black clutch. An addition is a clinging silver, sparkly bracelet.

Sydney helped with my makeup. She applied bright red lipstick, concealer, and dark eye shadow. She also manicured and painted my nails a blood red flashy color.

She stepped back and smiles in pure appreciation and excitement. She turns me around in my desk chair and I stand up.

I was... Shocked.

I don't know how she did it but I looked amazing.

I turned around and threw my arms up around her neck.

"Thanks so much Syd. I look fabulous because of you. "

When we made our way downstairs the party is in full swing. As I stepped down the stairs the entire pack stops and shouts Happy Birthday.

Many smiles are thrown my way. I find myself pushed towards the front of the room where a massive blue tier birthday cake is mounted.

"Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Cara, Happy birthday to you."  They sing.

I blew out my candles and made my wish.

So not telling you what it is.

You thought huh? Tell you another time.

That's when it happens. I smelled it.

I smelled him. He smelled like Stetson cologne and lavender, and pretty much a mixture of everything I loved.
I pushed through the throngs of dancing partners and made my way outside. I followed the scent to the woods.

Ten
Nine
Eight
Seven
Six
Five
Four
Three
Two
One meter away.

I was so scared to look up. I felt him hesitantly approach me.

Wait... I knew this presence.

My gaze shot up and I take in his appearance.

Cole had never looked so hot in his life.

His dark brown hair is jelled back and his green eyes are the most glistening I had ever seen them. He looked at me perplexed.

His white button up hugged his muscles and his slacks matched it nicely.

I smile and awkwardly step closed to him.

"I can't believe it! All this time you were right there! Wow! Wait that means that you've known since your birthday on Thursday. Why didn't you tell me? Never mind that, we can be happ-"

"Cara stop. " He cuts me off, sounding terse.

I stopped and frowned. I take another step and he backs away again. He kept this up before I finally stopped trying to get closer to him.

"It hurts me so much to say this Cara, but... I love Lilly and you know it. She's my one and only.

I Cole Jefferson, Reject Cara Thompson as my mate."

"B-but you- your my mate. You can't do this to me." I croaked immediately, tears spilling from my eyes.

His eyes filled up as he kissed my forehead for a few long seconds.

"No, I'm just your best friend."

And with that he stepped away.

Each step he took my heart cracked.
Each breath I breathed, my heart broke.
Each moment he was gone, my heart stopped.

When ten minutes had passed it started. An aching pain that spread from my feet to my head. I manage to stagger back to the party moaning in pain and agony.

The party goers step outside and I fell to the ground. The first bone broke and my vision becomes dotted and fades away.

Gasps are heard from all around me.

"Oh my gosh. Why is she acting like that? Where's her Mate?"

"That poor thing. This could only mean one thing.. Her mate has rejected her."

I fely my family surround me and hear my mothers cries.

This pain was terrible, not as bad as the rejection that was still fresh, but definitely a close second.

Then I felt his presence.

He growled and pushed everyone away. He crouched over me protectively.

"Who hurt my Cara?" He growled. I groan and my neck snapped in and out.

That's when I start screaming in agony.

I see upsides down that Liam had peeled Cole off of me. He threw him to the ground, eyes black in rage.

"So your the A whole who rejected my baby sister huh? I will kill you!" He shouted, each word paired with two punches to Cole's face. They pulled him off Cole just as I go limp. The last thing I see as I fade into darkness is Cole's bloody face. But his eyes showed a reflection of broken me.

"What had he done to me?"

So, this was originally two chapters but they have been place into one. Enjoy the edited version.