I Won't Give In (Completed)

Chapter 1 - On My Way

It's an absolutely gorgeous day, April 1st to be exact. The weather is surprisingly warm already this spring, but that's Canada for you. It could be snowing tomorrow. 

I'm sitting in my piece of shit 2007 Dodge Caliber on the QEW waiting for the stupid transmission to stop overheating so I can continue my journey to Toronto. Luckily, I have a crystal clear view of Toronto across Lake Ontario and a beat up ship that was placed near the shore years ago. The sky is clear and blue and the lake is calm. The site is beautiful. If I wasn't so worried about some cop giving me a distracted driving ticket, I would totally take a picture, but I don't need that three hundred dollar fine right now. Hell, I could barely afford the gas to do this trip.

As I sit and wait for the transmission to cool, I think about what lies ahead. 4 hours from now, I could potentially find my mate. I can't wait. This is something I have been dreaming about since I was a little girl. I used to watch how my mom and dad were and I always wanted that for myself. Their love for one another is beautiful. I can't wait to have that for myself. 

Yes! The light is finally off, time to get this show on the road! I step on the gas and continue on. 

As I continue my drive, I also continue thinking about what may happen tonight. There will be thousands in attendance tonight, all done up in beautiful gowns and striking suits. Our hair will be perfect. Our hearts will be racing. All of us anticipating the moment where we can potentially find our mate. I say potentially because it is highly likely that our mate won't be there. Not everyone can afford to go. I saved for an entire year to make my way here and I barely made it myself. My mate could be in a similar boat. Hopefully, that isn't the case though, because I really, really want to finally meet him. 

Will you relax, we will find him one way or another. My wolf, Ailith, reassures. 

I know, but we have been waiting 23 years. I whine. 

He will be there. I can feel it. Relax. Ailith growls. I can feel her irritation with me and she retreats in my mind. 

The truth is, I am not just excited to meet my mate, I am also really nervous. All these thoughts keep running through my head about all the things that could go wrong. Like what if my mate decided to not wait for me and marked another instead? Or what if my mate isn't here? And there is the possibility our mate would reject us. That one scares me the most. I heard it is the most painful thing that could ever happen to a wolf. I really hope that doesn't happen. 

It won't. Mate loves us. 

There's always a chance. I reply. 

Ailith growls in my head and puts her walls up. She doesn't like listening to my craziness. She has the patience of a 2-year-old. 

In an attempt to clear my mind, I turn the radio on. Highway to Hell by ACDC is on - one of my favourite songs. I belt out the lyrics with Bon Scott as I weave in and out of traffic. 

***

2 hours later, I arrive at the Mississauga Convention Centre just off Huronontario Street. It is amazing. The building is at least 2 stories high with large, tinted windows and double glass doors. The outside features an amazing garden with mature evergreen trees and bare maple trees still waiting to grow their leaves for the summer. There are limos and buses parked throughout the parking lot and hundreds of people lined up to make their way in. You can smell the excitement and nerves of all those waiting to enter the building so they can get ready for the night and their mates. A large sign is on the east side of the building that specifies for Women, so I head over that way, clutching onto my purse and trying to swallow back my nerves. It is an exciting time, but right now all I can feel is fear and I don't know why. Even Ailith isn't calm. 

I try to push back the thoughts and make my way into the line. There are a few people ahead of me, but the line moves quick and pretty soon it is my turn to register. 

"Name." The red-haired human says to me. 

"Skylar Griffin, thank you."

"Done, you can go to the Conference room to pick out your outfit and get ready. The ball starts at 7 pm sharp with dinner and a short speech from one who is running this event," She means the Alpha King, but the simple girl wouldn't have a clue what that is. "Please make sure you are not late."

"Okay thank you, have a good day." I smile as I head inside the double doors to her left. My mouth drops as I enter the building. I am inside a lobby. The lights are slightly dimmer, but not too dark. The walls and decor are a rich beige with gold accents. There are 2 large bars on the back wall and multiple doors to different places throughout the building. 

If this is what the lobby looks like, just imagine what the actual ball is going to be like. 

Ailith huffs. I don't care about what it looks like, I just want mate. 

I growl and walk off to find the Conference Room to get ready. 

When I walk into the Conference room, I am met by an absolutely gorgeous she-wolf. She has short, golden blond hair and beautiful blue eyes. Her skin is tanned with no imperfections whatsoever and she had to be at least five feet, eight inches tall. She was gorgeous. 

With a huge smile, she says, "Hi, my name is Abigail Winters, but you can call my Abby. I am here to help you get ready for tonight. What size are you?" 

"I am Skylar Griffin and I am a size 6. Thank you." I answer. Without a word she turns and starts walking to the back of the room. I quickly follow behind her, trying not to get distracted by the hundred other dresses in the room. It was really an amazing sight. I couldn't wait to see what I was to wear. 

"I have the perfect dress in mind for you," Abby mumbles before she starts rifling through the various dresses on one of the racks. "Here." She pulls out a beautiful, dark purple dress. It is long, silk and form-fitting with a deep v-neck. It was perfect. 

I squeal, "Oh my goddess, it is amazing. Thank you so much!"

"Oh no worries, it's my job. Now get out of those clothes and let me help you get ready hun." I remove my old, purple runners and start to take off all my clothes while Abby pulls out a black, lacy thong and a pair of black, strappy heels to go with the dress. Once I am naked, she hands me the underwear and then bends over to help put on the dress. 

I can do this myself. I think.

Makes me feel like royalty, Ailith purrs. 

Lazy ass. I joke. Ailith growls. She really needs to grow a sense of humour. 

"Okay all done with the dress. Now I absolutely love your natural hair. I think if we just add a few more curls and some hairspray, you will be ready to go! Are we doing your makeup today too?" 

"Maybe just some mascara, I don't want to look too fake. You know what I mean?" 

"Of course." She smiles. I really like her. 

She pats on a nearby stool and gets to work on my hair and makeup. When she is done, she hands me a mirror and I gasp.

"I look amazing, thank you so much!" I hug Abby. 

She giggles. "Oh, this is my job! I wish you luck, you have fifteen minutes left. I would start heading over to the ballroom now if I were you. The Alpha King doesn't like when people are late." She fixes a strand of hair and then pushes me towards the door. I give her one more smile before I head out of the room. 

This is it. Fifteen minutes and I'll find my mate. I start heading to the ballroom doors that are now open. Before stepping through them, I close my eyes and take a deep breath to calm my nerves.

What are you waiting for? Get in there! My wolf howls. 

And I do just that.