"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Georgiana. Happy birthday to you." I watched as Mama carried in a small birthday cake and sat it on the table before me. Five candles had been lit. "Make a wish sweetheart and then blow the candles out." Nodding, I close my eyes for several minutes before quickly blowing the candles out.

Toby and Daddy were laughing about something as they walked in through the back door, quickly taking a seat at the table. "What did you wish for Princess?" Daddy asked and I just laughed. "I can't tell Daddy. Toby said it won't come true." Daddy opened his mouth to say something but stopped. I noticed that his eyes had that familiar hazy look in them and knew that any minute now, he'd leave us. Mama and Toby were talking, so they didn't notice me as I silently slipped from the chair and made my way to my room.

Shaking the fresh dream from my mind, I made my eyes focus on Gabriel. For the past four weeks, he had stayed as far away from me as he could. I couldn't understand it, but for some reason, his absence made me feel sad. He turned his head a little suddenly and I noticed the faint bags underneath his eyes. Go to him, Moran told me softly. I could feel her longing to go to him, but I held myself back. There were more questions than answers whirling around in my mind.

Gabriel ordered us to pair up and the group quickly obeyed. The training that Dean told me I would have to participate in was tough and brutal, but it was soon discovered that I was a very quick learner. Most of the time, my partner would only have to show me a move once and I would have it down. I glued my eyes on the man in front of me, blocking everyone else out.

It didn't take me long to mirror his style, making sure that each of his throws were deflected. We sparred for a while and I was growing bored. Before he could blink, I knocked his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard. I let him get to his knees before putting him in a head lock that I had just learned yesterday.

Counting to three, I release him and take several steps back. By the time he stood up completely, I noticed that the entire group was looking at us. Unconsciously, I took another step back from them. Looking to my right, my eyes become locked with Gabriel's and we just stare at each other. "Cleo, Cleo!" At the sound of my name, I blink and look away. Immediately, a feeling I couldn't describe washed over me but I buried it.

Judy rushed towards me, smiling. She let out a happy squeal when she reached me. "The first pack well arrive soon. Come on, we need to get you cleaned up before we meet them." She grabbed my hand and started pulling me back towards the pack house. I had learned not to long after we arrived here that Judy tended to get her way.

So, I let her drag me into the house and up the stairs. She took us to her room and jumped into her closet. Not knowing what else to do, I sit on the edge of the bed, watching her. Clothes flew out as she turned them down. Judy finally emerged holding several dresses on her arm. "Alright," she spoke as she smiled at me, "go take a bath and I'll lay these out on your bed. You can choose what one you like after you're clean."

Nodding quickly, I hurry to my room. By the time I exit the shower with the towel tightly wrapped around my body, Judy had the clothes laid out on my bed. "Which one do you want to wear Cleo?" Judy asked me softly and I quickly point to the dark blue sundress. This wasn't the first time Judy had tried to get me to wear a dress, so I knew that the blue one came with a light sweater that would cover what the dress left exposed; the scars that vividly stood out on my skin.

Once my outfit was chosen, Judy gathered the rest of the clothes and hurried back to her room so she could get ready as well. After I slipped into the dress, I sat before my vanity and gently picked up my hair brush. Half an hour later, my thick, black hair had been tamed and put up. My eyes studied my reflection hard before I gave myself a quick nod. After years of having those dreams, I knew how to fix my hair like hers.

Standing up, I walk to my bed and slip on the white sweater. Hearing doors shut outside, I quickly dab a little of the rose perfume that Judy bought me before slipping on the pair of black flats. Satisfied that I looked alright, I quickly step out into the hall; only to come face to face with Judy. She laughed softly and I found myself smiling. "You look really nice Cleo."

"Thank you. You do too." I replied softly and I watched as her eyes lit up. I still didn't talk much, but when I did, it was straight and to the point. "Maybe you'll get lucky tonight and find your mate." At the confused look on my face, she quickly explained. "Your mate is your other half. They were given to you by the Moon Goddess because he or she is the perfect one for you."

We finally reach the door and I watch as Judy hurries towards her brothers. Hanging back behind everyone, I watch. Dean shakes the hand of a man that was just a little taller than him. "I'm glad you could make it Tobias." The man chuckled softly but I could hear that it was forced. Looking at him closely, I could get a sense of deep sorrow from him.

"I'm glad that I was able to Dean. Things have been pretty hectic lately. My pack could use some good news right now, even if it's not our own." Dean nodded his head like he understood and went to greet the others.

The man, Tobias as Dean had called him, turned his head a little and I froze. I could feel Morna becoming excited but I just ignored her. It had been a little over a month since I shifted and I was still getting used to having her in my mind. He was the older version of the little boy I had spent most of my life dreaming of. How could that be? I thought that my dreams were just something I had made up. If he was standing right in front of me, did that mean that everything and everyone I had dreamed about were real?

As if he felt my eyes on him, Toby tensed and started looking around. Quickly, I dropped my eyes and shuffled around a little. The bonfire was still a few days away, and there would be more packs arriving in the mean time. But even with so many people around me, I still felt alone.

"Are you alright Cleo?" The sudden sound of someone speaking made me yelp in surprise. Looking out from the corner of my eye, I saw Gabriel staring at me. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to startle you." I just gave him a weak smile and nodded my head.

"Why are you standing here alone?" I didn't answer him, but just like before, he somehow knew how I was feeling. He let out a soft sigh and gently turned my head so our eyes met. "Even though Dean hasn't officially introduced you as a member of the pack, you are one Cleo. You belong here just as much as anyone of us."

I could feel the sparks on my chin where his fingers were, and I smiled at him. I couldn't explain why Gabriel made me feel the way I do whenever he's around me, but I was slowly starting to like it. He made me feel safe, sheltered; something I cannot ever remember feeling. He slowly took my hand in his and started to lead me towards the two packs. "Come on. If you stand here alone, you'll never make new friends."

Once we reached the crowd, I could feel someone watching me. Looking around, I spotted a smiling Judy and a hard, confused glare from Toby. Gabriel didn't release my hand and I didn't try to remove it. I knew that without him beside me, I would be on my back into the house.

As Gabriel talked with those around us, I found myself scanning the faces of those who had come with Toby. I was looking for Georgiana. By the time both packs started heading back into the house to get the sleeping arrangements set up, I was a little disappointed. I hadn't found one woman that looked even remotely like Georgiana. And to even confuse matters more, Toby hadn't stopped staring at me. Shaking my head, I made my way to my favorite room in the house; the library. There, in between the covers of a book, I could lose myself in a whole different world.

Tobias watched as his pack mingled with Dean's. Several members had already found their mates, judging from the emotions he could feel surging from their links to him. His wolf growled a little, letting him know that whoever was staring at him hadn't stopped. Letting his eyes scan the crowd, he quickly spotted the culprit; a young woman standing well away from the rest of them. Confused, he watched her, something about her gnawing at his brain.

The small breeze shifted and Toby found his body stiffening. The all too familiar scent of roses hit him hard. It was the same brand that his mother had worn every day of her life. When the Beta walked over to the woman, Tobias dropped his gaze and focused on the packs. He didn't know what it was about her that confused him so, but before they left he would find out.