Chasing October

One

The origami cranes sat on my desk, the light that filtered out of the open window gave it a golden glow. The wood was warmed in the direct spots of the sun, and I pressed my hand there for a small second, my fingertips tingling.

Footsteps danced up the stairs, creating rhythmic beats. Turning my head in the direction of the door, Cecily bursts through, a large, cheesy grin plastered on her face. My best friend looks at me underneath her bangs and pounces in my direction, both of us crashing to the floor. I breathe in air, groaning at the pain in my chest as she continues to hold her elbow in my side.

"What did I do to you, Cecily, to deserve such torment?" I ask with a growl, shoving her off of me. Smiling and helping me to my feet, she fixes her skirt.

"It's not that you did anything, Star. It's that today is the day we are gifted with our mates from the Moon Goddess!"

Of course she'd be excited over that.

Sighing, I drop to my bed and stretch out, staring at the ceiling. The glow in the dark stars Cecily and I had stuck up there when we were children were still up there, stuck in their sporadic design.

I tried to not think about the ritual that would be tonight, or the fact that, after eighteen years, I would finally have my mate. The idea left an odd feeling in my chest, and absentmindedly, I traced the mark on my waist, wondering about who my mate was. Cecily plops next to me, leaning on her elbow to stare out of the window.

"Do you think about it any?" she asked.

"All the time. It's been nonstop since I was sixteen, and my parents told me that the summer of my eighteenth birthday, I would find my mate. I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling about this." I replied, rolling off of the bed.

I could feel her eyes on me as I walked into the bathroom, grabbing the brush and running it through the tangles in my hair as I stared at my reflection. Wild hair, shining eyes, and paler than normal, I frown at myself and turn my eyes away, leaning against the cabinet. I wasn't sure who my mate was, but something about having someone meant only for you left a pain in my chest.

Cecily started to laugh in the other room, and I pop my head out with a frown, wondering just what she was going on about. My devilish best friend looked up at me and gave a large smile, putting her cell phone down. "Troy wants to meet me," she gushed, excitement building in her eyes.

"What about you finding your mate later on tonight?" I asked her slowly, walking into my bedroom as I watched her gather her items to leave.

"Well, I mean, it should be okay. Troy will be finding his mate as well so think of this as, like, a little fun before we're stuck, you know?"

Shrugging, I give her a tight hug and sigh. "Have fun. Let me know how it goes, dear. I'll still be here until later tonight."

Cecily laughed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, hush now, Star. Just go out and do something. Get some lunch if you must. Stop being such a boring child."

I nod with a smile, then usher her out of my room as she giggled down at her phone. With Cecily gone, I enjoy the silence before plucking my own phone and sticking it into my pocket, heading downstairs to leave.

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The coffee was, unsurprisingly, buzzing with energy. From the squealing females talking about their mates, to the writers who were determined to finish whatever they were working on, every inch of the little store seemed to vibrate with pent up excitement and determination.

Taking a seat near the back, I stretched my legs out and pulled my book out of my bag, flipping to the last page I had read. Behind me, I listened to the girls gush and gossip about their mates, and internally, I started to sigh.

"I really hope mine is Garrett," one squealed, giggling.

"I hope mine is Liam, then," the other gushed, and the two girls started laughing. Of course if they were best friends they'd want the Alpha and Beta.

I sighed, attempting to read as the girls continued on with their banter. Halfway through the third page, the girls start to scream, and I lift my head up.

"Oh, my god, someone help!"

Placing the book down, I turned in time to watch the rabid wolf jump over their table and crash into me, knocking the wind out of me. It growled, foam seeping as it bared its teeth at me. I struggled to push it off, but shift once the wolf was off of my chest, my own wolf growling. The wolf snarls, more foam dripping down before it goes to lunge.

Stepping to the side, it crashes into a table, the girls around it screaming in fear.

Lousy wolves, I growled at them, watching as they bowed their heads. Get the Alpha if you're not going to do anything.

They ran out of the store and in the direction of the pack house, the wolf turning its attention to them briefly before I managed to pin it down, my teeth latched on its neck. The more it struggled, the tighter my grip became on its neck, and the wolf eventually whimpered and laid on the ground in defeat.

The Alpha entered the coffee shop soon after, his posture tense. "Everyone but Star is ordered out of here."

The shop was soon empty aside from me, the wolf, and three other pack members. When the Alpha nodded in my direction, I removed my grip on the wolf and moved away, watching as its head lifted up to stare at me.

"Shift," my Alpha ordered the wolf, and slowly, it did. The man kneeled on the ground, his body quivering as he held onto his arm tightly. Walking behind my pack, I shifted and pulled on the dress handed out to me, stepping back around with my hands on my hips.

"Why did you attack my pack?" my Alpha asked, his eyes dark with rage. I watched the man lower his head even more, shaking as he tried to stand. Walking over, I helped him up, freezing at the warning growl that he gave me.

"I don't think that's any way to talk to your king," he hissed out, slowly standing. I stared at his face, frowning as I tried to place him.

"Sam? What are you doing here?"

The man laughed a little, taking the towel he was given and wrapping it around his waist slowly. Taking the opportunity to look at his arm, I squint at the silver liquid pouring out, frowning. "Alpha, I think he has silver in his blood," I whisper to him, looking back into Sam's eyes.

Silence settles around us as my Alpha helps Sam, both of them struggling to keep him on his feet. Biting onto my lip, I glance at the clock and then back to Sam and my Alpha, standing and waiting for my orders. The birds outside began to continue their song from before, chirping loudly and lightly. I shift on my feet before kneeling down to grab my book and phone.

"Alpha, if you do not mind, I have to leave and get ready for the ritual tonight," I told him with a smile.

He nodded, shifting so Sam could lie on his back as he ran. Good luck tonight, my dear. I will see you then.

When I nodded, he took off in a slow run towards the pack house, the rest of the pack following. Unlocking my phone, I look at Cecily's message and smile.

He kissed me! It was so much fun!

Well, at least one of us had a good time.

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It was a weird way to bring Sam in, but hey!  This will definitely be leading to some fun things.  Enjoy lovelies ♥