The evening came quicker than I thought it would, much like the preparations for my birthday.
I stand beside my mother in the kitchen of the pack house, looking at the counters covered in cupcakes, flowers, cookies, and centerpieces. Everything is lilac and white. Colors, I am told, that compliment my complexion and the white dress I am to wear.
The entire evening has been planned to compliment me, when I didn't even plan on attending.
"Alexandria, I need to know what flavor you want for the frosting." My mother sighs. She has been trying to capture my attention for the last fifteen minutes, to no avail. My mind is far from this kitchen, it's out in the woods with my brothers as I listen to each of them take turns howling at the moon - a joy I would soon be able to revel in.
"What are my options again?" I offer the women gathered around me a sheepish grin.
"Lemon, lavender, or maple." My mother sighs, "honestly, Alexandria, I know you're not looking forward to this, but could you at least pretend?"
I paint on a fake smile, looking her dead in the eyes, "maple would be divine."
"Thank you." She rolls her eyes, checking something off on her long list of "to-do's".
The patio doors open and a herd of shirtless boys enter, laughing and roughhousing. A large gulp makes its way into my throat as I stare at the glistening chiseled chest of my favorite guest.
"Boys!"
My mother shouts, holding out her hands to stop them from coming inside any further. All of the boys stop dead in their tracks, baggy gym shorts hanging off of their sweaty bodies, eyes wide with shock at her outburst. My brothers and cousins stare blankly, while Sam's eyes dart around the room and then to mine - sensing my lustful goggling.
"Out, out, out!" She shoos them backwards.
"We were actually looking for Al," Danny tells her.
"She's busy." Our mother shakes her head, waving them off. She looks away from her clipboard, meeting my protruding bottom lip and batted eyelashes, as I beg for release. She sighs, a smile breaking through her serious facade, "fine."
I race towards the boys, pushing my way through the sweaty horde, onto the patio as she calls out to us, "but not too late! The party starts tomorrow around noon and I expect to see all of you there."
"Have you picked out your pretty dress," Danny teases, following me outside away from our mother. He lifts strands of my hair, making the curls dance.
"No," I snap. "But mother says it'll match yours!"
Isaac high fives me, a boisterous laugh bellowing out of him
"I don't know what you're laughing at," Samuel teases, "I've seen the ruffles on yours, it's just darling."
"The tulle is really going to bring out the gold in your eyes," I add, caressing the side of his face. He pushes my hand away and flips me off. I laugh along with all of the boys, the moon smiling down on us.
"Ha ha, very funny." Isaac rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest and raising his chin to kiss the sky. A smug smile adorns his face, "I think it's time we show you what it's really going to be like around here after tomorrow."
"What do you mean," I ask. My laugh falters and fizzles away as I watch my brother shift in front of me. A great brown wolf towers over me, baring its teeth and growling. Several of my cousins shift around him, all varying in size and color. Even Sam shifts into a beautiful wolf - his fur a mixture of yellows and browns. Isaac lowers his head, laying on the ground, beckoning me to come closer and climb onto his back.
YOU ARE READING
On Your Mark
Werewolf*THE PREQUEL TO I DARE YOU* Understanding the future can be a bit tricky when one does not know about the past. Although for Alexandria, the present was the most difficult of all to decipher. Between battling for the trophy and for love and for the...
