I threw a punch and did a flying back kick before I jumped back. I dashed back in, pulling out a knife and slicing trough the air. I twisted around and around, attacking from all sides, staying light on my feet. Next, I threw the knife to the ground and shifted. I attacked the training dummy, biting and slashing, diving in and out. I stopped, backing away to catch my breath and shifted back. I placed my hands on my knees and took deep breaths.

"Good work, Sammie," Chris complimented. "I think you're done training for the day."

I smiled. "Thanks." I stood up and turned back to the pack house. It's been several weeks since I had come home from...that place. I trained every other day with Chris, the head pack trainer, in the training grounds to bring up my fighting skills.

I pulled open the back screen door to the pack house and entered the kitchen. I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. "Hey, Sammie!" A cheerful voice came into the kitchen.

I took a drink of water before I turned to an excited Abi. "Hey, what's up?" I leaned back, placing my elbows on the counter as Abi looked me up and down.

"You need to change." I frowned at her. She held up her hands in surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying. You smell, you're sweaty, and your clothes have grass stains. You need to change. And take a shower."

I gave a small growl at Abi, "Fine. I'll go clean up." I sighed as I trudged up the stairs. I went into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

When I got out, I wrapped a towel around myself and went back into the bedroom. On my bed, I found a beautiful turquoise dress, a jean jacket, brown sandals, and a brown purse. There was also a few accessories: matching bracelets, earrings, and a necklace.

I picked up the little yellow sticky note laid on top of the dress. It was an elegant handwriting that I couldn't miss.

Just try it on, please? It's in your favorite color. Look your best! I want to see it! Come downstairs when you're done.

I chuckled. "You're a mess, Abi, but fine." I changed into the outfit, put on the accessories, and wore just a little bit of make up. I brushed my hair, and I put a little turquoise flower clip through my hair to pull back the left side of my hair slightly. I would leave the rest of my hair down. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. Abi was right; the dress was in my favorite color.

I left the bathroom and walked to my bedroom door. I took a deep breath before I opened it. I walked down the stairs slowly, taking one step at a time. I didn't know what Abi was planning, but I wasn't just going to jump right down into it.

As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I noticed how dark it was. All of the lights were off and the drapes were pulled closed over the windows. "Okay, what the heck is going on?" I demanded, placing my hands on my hips.

"Surprise!" I jumped back, hitting my heel on the bottom of the stairs as everyone jumped out, turning on the lights and pulling open the drapes again.

I placed a hand over my heart like they had given me a heart attack. I looked around at everyone's smiling faces. It was pretty much everyone who lived in the pack house and more. Then I saw the banner hanging from the ceiling above them.

My hand went up to my mouth in disbelief. "Oh my gosh...I forgot my birthday!" I yelled. Everyone burst out laughing at my reaction.

"I never thought I would see the day my daughter would forget her birthday," my dad chuckled, stepping forward with his arm around my mom.

I ran forward and hugged them both. "I never thought I would experience that day," I laughed.

I heard barking, and I looked down to see Rosie jumping up and down. I laughed at her. I bent down and hugged her neck. "Thank you, girl." Rosie licked my face, causing me to laugh.

"OMG, that outfit was perfect! I knew I picked good." I stood up to see Abi, smiling with her hands on her hips. "Girl, you look good in that dress! You have good taste in colors." I laughed at her as I ran over to hug her. Abi hugged me back happily.

Alpha Drake stepped forward with a woman by his side. "Happy Birthday, Sammie."

"Thank you," I replied with a grateful smile.

"Samantha," the woman stepped forward. "It's so great to finally meet you. I'm Rachael, Mason's mother and the Alpha Female."

I smiled and curtsied to her. "It's wonderful to finally meet you. And please, call me Sammie."

She laughed. "My dear, you don't have to do all that. Come here." I stepped forward, and she pulled me into a hug. "I've heard so many great things about you from both my husband and from Mason."

I backed up and smiled. Someone suddenly cleared their throat behind me. I turned around, already knowing who it would be according to the scent.

Standing behind me in a grey dress shirt and black dress pants was Mason. I smiled and threw my arms around him. Mason chuckled. "Happy Birthday, Sammie. Welcome to being seventeen."

I backed up and threw a fist into the air triumphantly. "Now, I'm as old as you!"

Everyone burst out laughing. "Nope, because I'm seventeen and a half," Mason countered with a smirk.

I growled playfully and punched his shoulder. "Whatever." He laughed.

"Now, how about we eat some cake and open some presents?" My mom suggested.

"Yes!" I dashed for the dining room with Mason on my heels. On the table was a beautiful three tiered turquoise and brown birthday cake.

"It's vanilla with strawberries inside," Mason explained. I jumped up and down in excitement. It was my favorite type of cake.

Everyone crowded around the table and sang happy birthday before we passed around slices of cake. Of course, being the ridiculous people we are, I ended up with cake on my face. When Mason laughed at me, I put some of his cake on his face. Everyone had ended up cracking up at us.

Next, we opened the gifts, which I loved. There were new clothes, accessories, books, and even some money. By the end of the day, it had been the best birthday of my life, even if I had forgotten about it at first.

"Thank you again," I said as I hugged my parents.

"Of course, Sammie. Man, my little girl is seventeen." My dad smiled down at me proudly. "We better get going if we're going to get back to the house before dark though. Goodbye, Sammie."

"Bye, dad. Bye, mom." My parents opened the front door and left. They got their own house to live in nearby since Brian was still the Beta and had the third floor. My dad didn't want to take away Brian's position yet, so my dad wouldn't become Beta for a while. Plus, we still hadn't officially rejoined the pack.

"Hey," a deep voice sounded behind me. I smiled as I turned to Mason.

"Hey," I giggled. "You know, you still have some cake in your hair." Mason growled, and I laughed. "Here." I grabbed a napkin and wiped off the extra cake frosting in his brown hair.

"I wanted to show you something." I tilted my head at Mason. He smiled, and he grabbed my hand. "Just follow me." I nodded and followed him out the back door. It was beginning to get dark. The sun was just finishing up setting.

Mason let go of my hand and shifted. I followed suit before I took off into the forest after Mason. I growled playfully as I leaped over Mason's back to his left side. Mason let his tongue roll out of his mouth as he barked playfully. I yipped and jumped back over.

Mason started to slow, so I did, too. Mason shifted to his human form and smiled at me. I smiled excitedly as I shifted back. Mason walked behind me and put his hands over my eyes. "No peeking."

I giggled as he led me forward. I listened to our soft footsteps on the undergrowth and the gentle swaying of the trees in the breeze. I could smell Mason's sweet scent and the smell of the grass and the flowers. The fresh air blew through my hair gently. "Okay, ready? Here we go." Mason uncovered my eyes, and immediately, my hand went to my mouth as I teared up.

It was a beautiful little clearing on a cliff that overlooked miles and miles of pure forest. But the little clearing was filled with flowers. White and purple garlands and lanterns hung from the branches of the trees, and there was lavender, orchids, and pink and white roses all around the clearing. And right in the center, there was a small little brown box with colorful swirling flowers embroidered on it.

I looked back at Mason, and he smiled. He gestured to the box. Slowly, I took a step forward with Mason right next to me. Then another and another. Finally, we made it to the box. Mason reached down and picked it up. He held it out to me.

I opened the little box up, and what was inside made the tears flow down my cheeks. A beautiful silver (but luckily, it was fake silver) bracelet with a wolf howling at a crescent moon.

Mason picked up the bracelet and sat the box on the ground before he put the bracelet on my right wrist. I picked up the little charm with my left hand and flipped it over to see a metal plate with a message engraved into it.

If you are alone, I'll be your shadow
If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder
If you are not happy, I'll be your smile
If you need me, I'll always be there
~Mason

Suddenly, music began to fill the little clearing. It was "You Can Come To Me" from Austin and Ally. I smiled and threw my arms around Mason. "It's beautiful," I whispered as I silently cried.

Mason pushed me back enough to look at me and wiped away my tears. "Truthfully, I couldn't find the person who said that quote, but now, I'm going to be someone who says it. This is my birthday present for you, Sammie. I was not incorporated into my parents' gift, no matter what they say. Happy Birthday, Sammie."

"You know, I've read so many books, seen so many pictures, and been all over the Internet. But I never thought I would have any true friends because of the life I lived with my parents. But I see that I was wrong. Because I have the best one possible right in front of me," I said as the music finished.

Mason smiled and backed up. He shifted into his big, furry brown wolf with those same icy blue eyes. I shifted as well into my white and grey wolf.

Mason looked up to the sky, and I followed his gaze. Up in the sky, just beginning to rise above the trees, was a beautiful, white full moon. Mason raised his head to the sky and let out a beautiful, deep howl. I smiled as I did the same, letting out a smooth, higher pitched howl.

The two of us howled as the moon rose in the sky, and the Moon Goddess looked down upon us. There was at least one thing that both of us knew. We were here for each other, no matter what happened.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Hey, you guys! Wasn't this so cute?! So, the pictures are of Sammie's outfit, except for the turquoise flower bow, her birthday cake, and the charm on the bracelet Mason gave her. The song is "You Can Come To Me" from the show Austin and Ally. I love that show, and Ross Lynch is awesome and cute! And I found the quote online, but the person who said the quote is unknown. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Now, I have to go work on a summer school assignment that's due Friday. So, bye! Have fun! Vote and comment! :)