Dawn

Chapter 26

"Is everyone ready?" My dad yells from downstairs.
"Yea,"my mom yells back as she puts the finishing touches on my makeup. She takes a step back to look at me. Her hands clap together, a broad smile lights her face.
"You look beautiful my dear. As always"
A small smile graces my lips, and I turn around to face the mirror.
My dark brown hair is curled lightly while my makeup complements my brown eyes.
I sigh.
"Honey, what's wrong?" my mother asks from behind me.
My eyes shoot up to hers through the mirror.
"Oh nothing!" I exclaim, shooting my eyes up to hers and placing a fake smile on my lips. She lifts an eyebrow, but dismisses my mood.
"You know-" she says over my shoulders. "You can find your mate tonight. I am not getting any younger you know, and I would like grandchildren in the foreseeable future," she teases, poking my side.
I choke on my saliva, coughing loudly as I try to clear my throat.
Oh no you don't mother, I thought.
If only you knew what you were asking...
It's not uncommon for mates to have kids young, actually it happens all of the time really.
Just the idea of him and I having a family together...
I'm just creeped out at how the thought of that instantly makes me feel both happy and terrified inside.
I hate this bond.
There's a brief pause in my mind as I waited for my wolf to retort something back, but she doesn't. Which concerns me, to say the least.
She hasn't made an appearance since what happened, and I just pray to the moon goddess that she doesn't come back from her retreat ready to attack.
"Are you coming kid?" my mother says lightly, snapping me out of my daze, an amused expression on her face. I shake my head.
"Yea" I say, grabbing the two birthday presents off of my bed and walking out my bedroom door.
I'm very happy with the presents I got the twins, not to give myself a pat on the back or anything.
But, I'm mentally patting myself on the back.

For Alyssa, I got a matching set of gold heart shaped locket necklaces. One for me and one for her. I like that on the inside I was able to put a picture of us. A simple picture of the two of us when we were younger and all was good. When the smiles on our faces were more than genuine.

For Max though, I had trouble trying to find him a present. I had to do a lot of research, and I mean lots and lots of research. Until I finally came across this website that sells jewelry, but the cool thing about it is that the jewelry is made out of these special beads and stones that all have different meanings and give off certain energies.
So, to make a long story short I had settled on a black beaded bracelet with a moon stone in the middle. It's supposed to bring strength to whoever wears it, and to top it off, I thought it was pretty cute.

"But dad! I'm 11. That's more than old enough!" Ella whines, stomping her foot.
I reach the end of the steps meeting her frustrated stare.
"Dawn! I want to go! Talk to them!" She huffs as the doorbell rings, my mom putting on her earrings.
"That must be the baby sitter!" she exclaims, rushing towards the door.
"I'M NOT A BABY!" Ella shrieks, throwing herself on the couch in attempt to hide. I walk over to the side of the couch, watching mom open the door to reveal an old woman with an impatient beady stare.
"She looks like she's nice, maybe she'll make you cookies" I say to her with a shrug. At this she looks at me from under the pillow she was using to hide her face.
"Cookies?" she questions, her mood starting to lighten. She sighs and puts the pillow behind her head.
"I just don't understand why I can't go. You're going!" she says, shaking her head. I sit on the couch and put my hand on her head.

"Trust me on this one, parties aren't that great. There's lots of people, noise, and many other things that you won't understand, and honestly are better off not understanding. I'm actually quite jealous that you're the one staying." I say, dropping my hand from her head.
I would be lying if I said I didn't have a least a little bit of PTSD from the last birthday party I went to...
Ella sits up, her dark brown hair falling to her face as she tucks it back.
She then proceeds to lean close to my ear.
"Will your mate be there?" she whispers, pulling back as I study her curious expression with a hard face. I look down, playing with the hems of my dress. I shake my head.
"I was wrong about that," I say blank faced, my heart thumping loudly at the lie.
It felt bitter to say those words, like I had just eaten something rotten.
She eyes me suspiciously, but if she has any doubts she doesn't bring it up.
Thank moon goddess.
"Ok, kiddo! We're going, and we'll be back soon! Ms. Morris is going to take good care of you, ok!" Dad says pinching her nose, and she flicks it away, but not before a smile graces her lips.
"Ok... bye dad. Bye mom." She says sadly as they both wrap her into a big hug, and mom kisses her on the cheek.
"Alright, bye L. Behave!" I tease, ruffing her head of hair.
"I always do." She says with a smirk. "Oh and Dawn" She says, making me halt half way out the door.
"You look beautiful."
I grin.
"Thank you," I say softly, before closing the door behind me.