Finding My Mate

Chapter 9

Stephen's POV: 

I was sitting on the couch in the living room with my Stacy and Nick and Jane. We were watching 16 Candles, a classic. Stacy had already seen it about 20 times but still laughed. I just loved that about her. Hanging onto that thought, I brushed her red hair behind her ear and gave her cheek a quick kiss. She sighed, smiled, and snuggled closer to me. When the movie ended, we finally noticed Nick and Jane sharing a very sloppy kiss. Stace looked at me with dancing eyes and we did the same. That's how Calla and a strange boy found us when they walked in. I had expected her to say "Ewww!' and mock us, but to my surprise, she just smiled and looked at the boy. "Who's this?" I asked her with a teasing smile. "I'll introduce him when the pack is all here." She beamed. The boy hugged her from behind and planted a kiss on her ear. Oh man! Calla had a mate! Ha. Now no more teasing from that little brat. "Oh my gosh, Cal!" I ran to pick her up. I was so happy for her that I hadn't noticed the raw power radiating off her mate until we were hugging. "Uh, Steph." She said nervously. "Yeah, sorry man. I'm used to old times." I said, using my best apologetic voice to ease his harsh stare. I wondered if Calla had told him about our friendship. I'd never forget how it started. 

Calla's family and mine had always been close and living in close complexes along with the other pack member's families. I never fully understood why until the day I turned 16, which was also the day I became a wolf. Since Calla and I had always been about as close as Ashley and Karen since the fifth grade, it was almost impossible not to tell her. I was so horrified and relieved on her birthday. "Steph, why are you acting so strange tonight? It's my party, You should have fun." She said innocently. "Sorry Cal, I just want you to have a good time." I said while trying to hide my worry. "But I can't if you aren't!" She protested. "Well maybe I am!" I smiled at her as I pinched the back of her neck. I always loved to pick on her. "Hey!" She squealed. She ran away after that. After everything, I tried to relax and talk to people. After about an hour I decided to go find Calla. I searched all over the house for her. When I couldn't find her anywhere, I knew what must've happened. Racing outside, I shifted, trying to find her in mind speak. "Calla?" I called out. "Calla, are you there? Are you ok?" Still no reply. But I caught her scent and followed it to a meadow. In the center, there was a light brown wolf running around wildly. I checked the eyes first. Yep, It was Calla alright. I tried to reach her again but decided that it would be best if I just shifted. So I did. The girl who had originally been whimpering and growling at me looked at me with recognition and started to look more frantic. "Calla, listen to me. You have to calm down. This is very normal. It was meant to happen. Feel your wolf, connect with it. Don't resist it." I said. She became still and started to glow bright yellow. After a minute of glowing, she became very still and just looked at me. "Ok, good, you are now one with your wolf and you should be able to-" But I didn't have to say it. She shifted right there and with no tears, or sobs, fell into my arms and said a simple "thank you." I was so shocked. So proud. She had handled it so well. We walked  to the pack house after I communicated our alpha, her father John. She was so quiet, she didn't ask me one question. Instead, she held her head high and walked across the moonlit path with the most courageous look I had ever seen on anyone.

I snapped out of my thought when her mate said, "Apology accepted. Just make sure it doesn't happen again." He said. They obviously hadn't mated or marked because mates aren't usually that protective. "It won't." I said. I intended to keep that promise. At least until he calmed down about it. Stacy had adjusted to Calla and I quite well. Thankfully. I returned to her on the couch after telling them that the adults went to shop for books and would be back soon. I surveyed the room to see what Nick, Jane and Stace thought of her. Nick seemed to think he was alright, but then again, he was very laid back. Jane hardly noticed him because she was too busy staring at Nick. Stace just smiled. I mind spoke to her, "What do you think?"  "About what?" She asked innocently. She wasn't quick to judge so I just jerked my head in their direction. "I think they're cute. Ben will be a good mate to her." She said. "You know him?!" I asked. "He dated my friend in the 8th grade, he was pretty nice to her." She said like it was no big deal. "Lets hope he hasn't changed" I said. "Steph, stop it. You know Calla can take care of herself." She scolded. I did know that, but she was still my friend. I still cared. Oh well, I guess I'd have to meet him later. Because the two were already gone in the kitchen making brownies. Ok, so maybe they were pretty darn cute together.