His Flamed Luna

Eighteenth Birthday

     ~Ember's P.O.V.~
     Today was my eighteenth birthday. Also the day I would find my mate, hand picked by the Moon Goddess as my perfect match. It was also the day I would finally shift for the first time. In my mind my wolf, Zara, paced back and forth with excitement. Today we would meet our mate and finally live the life of a true wolf of the pack. This was the day every pack member looked forward to, outside of the humans mated into it. 
        "What if Alpha Thomas is our mate?" Zara asked excitedly. Thomas was the Alpha's son and soon to be Alpha, he was already twenty and hadn't yet announced to anyone who his mate was. 
         "It's possible," I replied with a small smile. My mother and father were the pack's Betas so me being paired with Thomas wasn't a bad thing, I had a strong bloodline and that's what most Alphas wanted in a Luna. 
      Zara was wagging her tail in my mind with joy at the possibility and I laughed at her pacing. I got dressed into some nice blue jeans and a red blouse before I combed through my dark brown locks and stepped out of my bedroom. Because of their ranks, my parents had a nice house within the pack territory so I wasn't embarrassed to invite friends over, unlike them who felt less than due to their smaller homes. Though, I didn't mind the cozy warm feeling their homes brought to me. As I walked downstairs I was greeted by my father, who was ecstatic to see me already ready for the day's events. 
             "You look beautiful!" He hugged me tight. 
             "Today is the big day!" My mother's voice chirped behind me and I turned to see her green eyes sparkle with joy. "Are you excited?"
          Another tight hug and I gasped for air.  My mother was a little too excited, even for me. Zara gave me a mocking bark in my head and I rolled my eyes.
               "Of course I'm excited," I smiled with a giggle. I felt like bouncing off of the walls with the amount of energy I had inside right now. 
          My parents smiled brightly, I was their only daughter so today was even more special. My two older brothers, both having a shade of gray for their wolves when they shifted, much like our parents, cheered my name from the kitchen. I jogged in and laughed as I spotted them, each holding up a red velvet cupcake with big dopy grins on their faces. 
               "Alex, Liam!" I protested as they scooped me up and howled with delight.
               "Our baby sister is all grown up!" Alex laughed heartily. 
               "She's gonna find her mate!" Liam boasted.
            I playfully smacked at them. "Guys, let me down!"
            Alex and Liam both let out howling cackles and I continued to swat at them with playful ferocity. 
                "Dorks!" Zara barked in my head.
            After another minute of our playful banter my brothers set me down and hugged me tight. I hugged them back, of course, because I knew that after my birthday they both planned on leaving for college. I'd miss them, that was for sure. 
                "Whoever your mate is, I hope they cherish you," Liam muttered.
               "They'd better, or they'll have us to deal with," Alex growled. 
           Grateful for their protectiveness I gave them both a tight hug before turning to our parents who were grinning ear to ear. It was time to head to the pack house for the big celebration, which packs threw for each of their members coming of age. As we loaded into the car I heard Zara's impatient whine. Inwardly I ordered her to calm down as we'd be there soon and I'd rather keep my good mood when being greeted by everyone. 

        The drive to the pack house wasn't too long as my parents were required to stay close to the Alpha and the pack in case of emergencies, so when we pulled into the circle drive in front of the pack house we were immediately greeted by the Alpha and the Luna. 
          Alpha Ezekiel and his wife, Luna Audrey, smiled warmly at me when I stepped out. "Happy Birthday, Ember!" Audrey hugged me. 
               "Thank you," I nodded to acknowledge their greeting.
               "The party is about to begin, but we need the guest of honor to arrive first," Alpha Ezekiel motioned for me to join the others around back. 
          Happily, I walked around through the gate to the back of the packhouse where we held most festivities. The large decorated yard caught me by surprise as the whole pack broke into cheers and howls, a chorus of 'happy birthday' rang strong in the air and filled my chest with more excitement. My best friend, Karly, ran over and hugged me tight, her own mate following behind her with a grin. 
                  "Happy birthday girl!" She squealed excitedly. 
                  "Thank you Karly," I laughed and Zara pranced around. 
             A strongly sweet scent hit my nose and I froze, my gaze darting around. 
                   "Follow!" Zara yipped. 
            I trailed the scent, my heart racing as it grew stronger. Without paying much attention I bumped into a solid form and stumbled back. 
                     "Shit, I'm sorry, I didn't-" My eyes locked on the source of the sweet scent that was driving me. 
                     "Mate!" Zara howled and I couldn't help but stare into the eyes of Thomas. Thomas Nightingale. 
               His green eyes softened as he stared into my gaze and I felt my breath hitch in my throat. He knew the entire time I was his mate and didn't tell me! His arms wrapped around me and pulled me flat against him, making my heart jump up to my throat. I sank into his hold, grateful my mate wanted me. I wrapped my own arms around his well toned body and buried my face into his chest.
                     "Mate," He murmured. "I've been waiting for you, Ember," Thomas' voice was soft as he looked down at me. 
                 I looked up, meeting his gaze and smiled. "I can't believe my mate is you," I exhaled.
                 Thomas chuckled and brushed his fingers over my cheek, the tingling on my skin made me move impossibly closer to him. Suddenly, the clapping of our pack members reminded me we were not alone. My parents, along with Thomas' were beaming at us with delight. His hold on me was still tight but I didn't much mind, the tingling sensation was enjoyable. 
                       "No matter what, Ember," Thomas whispered in my ear. "I'll always be happy to have you as my mate. You'll be my Luna," He promised as he kissed my cheek.
                   I looked at him lovingly, happy he was a man of his word. He always upheld his promises to the pack and to the members, so I knew I could trust him.
                       "Mate loves us!" Zara yipped happily as she pranced about in my head. 
                  Without another word, Thomas and I walked into the crowd to celebrate my birthday hand in hand. After the festivities I knew I would have to shift and I hoped my wolf would be a beautiful one, much like my mother's. Thankfully we would be partying all night and the shift would be the following day, a last minute decision my parents made. 

                   I set down my glass with a giggle, Karly making her faces as her mate Dean told the most ridiculous story I'd ever heard. Thomas had socialized here and there with the others earlier, but now he was gently pulling on my waist to get my attention. I looked up at him expectantly.
                      "Come with me, Ember," He took my hand. 
                  Willingly I followed him, Zara chanting "mate" in my mind. "He's going to claim us!" Her tail wagged with excitement and the thought made my heart race with anticipation.
                       "Thomas?" I asked him softly as he led me into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. 
                   His arms wrapped around my waist and he nuzzled his nose into my neck. I shuddered and pressed against him as my body was engulfed in the tingling sensation brought by the mate bond. 
                        "I've waited too long for you, Ember," He murmured as his lips brushed along my earlobe. 
                   I sucked in a breath and nodded. "I'll be your Luna, Thomas," I reminded him quietly. 
                       "You're a strong wolf," He commented. "And even if you weren't the Betas' daughter I'd still mate you."
                   And then it occurred to me, some wolves had defective wolves. We all have a wolf counterpart and some are forever stuck in our minds or even if we shift, something is wrong with the wolf. 
                        "Thomas, what if my wolf is defective?" I asked breathlessly. "The wrong color, misshapen, weak or just never surfacing.."
                   His hands found mine and he intertwined our fingers. "No matter what, you'll be my Luna. Even if your wolf is defective." 
                   I felt loved as he said those words, his voice gentle and full of promise and affection. He wanted nothing more than to have his mate. Soon I found myself under him on his bed, his teeth embedded in the crook of my neck as he claimed me to be his.