T W O

I loved listening to our paws hitting the ground, it was soothing to hear. The forest floor was damp and muddy, but I loved getting my paws dirty. My wolf was settling down finally, she knew she had work to do and was in focus mode. The Evergreen trees were our favorite to look at, tall, withstanding years of all kinds of weather, and still strong. As a bonus, I loved the smell too.

On our Northern Boarder, was the Night Bane territory. Run by our Alpha King, Gabriel Black. He was ruthless, and from what I've heard possessive. His Betas on the other hand Zak and Bree were very lovely. They also had twins, Bayne and Blair. Another shiver ran down my spine at that thought and my wolf reassured me,

"don't worry, they are twins born to betas."

"You're right, the legend says Alphas. I just can't shake this feeling," I thought back to her.

"I know, but maybe today is the day we find our mate, how about you think about that."

"How can you think about that right now?!" I couldn't comprehend her logic.

--

About halfway through our route, a very faint scent hit me. It was old, maybe a couple hours. I knew it wasn't the Night Bane wolves. They all smell like, black ice car scent. This one smelled, like dirt, like they had been traveling a long while. A rouge, with nowhere to call home.

Eyes peeled, I've caught wind of someone. Couple hours ago. I linked the three of them.

It must have only been three seconds later, and the Night Bane wolves were flanking us. I wondered if they caught wind too. Usually they have some petty games to play with us, but not today, today they looked focused.

A brown wolf with hazel eyes met my pace, we looked at each other and I could see that he was on a mission. That confirmed my previous thought, no games today. Worry about the unknown, new comer. The only thing I hate about the Mind Link, is that you can't talk to everyone with out specific training. Unless you're a king. The brown male running with me slowed down once Bex's massive jet black wolf came up between us, always protecting his future Alpha's sister. I rolled my eyes and shouldered Bex,

"They've caught wind too, I could see it in his eyes. Plus, no petty games today."

Right at that moment, a snarl erupted from someones chest and a yelp followed by someone else.

Fern.

I halted and turned on a dime, Bex following as I did. I didn't think I'd ever see a darker jet black wolf than Bex. I'm talking bottom of the ocean, can't see your hand in front of you, black. Deep in a cave, can't see anything black. Icy blue, winter eyes stared at us. His teeth barred and a snarl coming from his snout.

The stranger towered over Fern, granted the auburn wolf was quite petite. She just laid there, the big male's orbs scanned us all, until they landed on me. His eyes made me uneasy, he radiated hatred, and hurt. If I didn't know better, I would have thought he was ready to kill any one of us. He just stared at me, holding eye contact. A new look of accomplishment and determination across his face.

Bex snarled at the new wolf, and stood in front of me, Theo by his side. Soon, a smaller black female appeared from behind the strange male. She too, staring directly at me. Theo moved in and blocked the view,

"Kai what's going on, you know them?"

"No idea who they are, but they seem to know me."

With another snarl they turned and ran. The Night Bane wolves on their heels, except the other brown male. I think he was a Beta's son, but wasn't sure. He winked at me and followed pursuit.

My wolf was mad, anxious, stressed. She shook our fur to relax and walked over to Fern.

"You good?? Did he hurt you?"

"No, just my ego a bit. He was huge. Who are they??"

"I'm not sure. Everyone, on me. Let's get home so I can talk to my Father."

The three of them nodded and we finished our patrol.

--

Theo and I walked through the front door at 6:45, the smell of eggs and bacon rushing to our noses. I inhaled, my mom is always up early, but today she cooked breakfast. I could hear the bacon sizzling, and pancakes being flipped.

"Focus, remember the Rouges??"

My wolf spoke sternly. I rolled my eyes and took a peak around to see if my father was also in the kitchen, but didn't see him.

"Mom, where's Dad? We all need to chat before we leave."

She looked at me, "no, what YOU need to do is go take a shower and get ready to go."

"It can't wait, code x."

My mom turned to me and sighed, "fine but right after you say what you need to say, you and Theo are excusing yourselves to go get ready. Bex and Fern can fill us in."

I groaned.

"Hey now, don't be rude to your mother, she just made you breakfast." My dad walked in, patting me on the shoulder, "and stand up straighter, we raised you better. Its Ritual day." I wanted to roll my eyes again, but held it back.

"This isn't a game. We ran into two rouges this morning, and one pinned Fern down. They meant busine-"

"They want Kai." Theo interrupted and both parents looked at me, "well, something to do with her. They stared at her, the entire time. One male, one female, same coat color, darker shade of black than Bex."

"Something isn't right here." Another shiver ran down my spine. I was really sick of that happening today. "What if they're twins. They would be the sixth-"

"KAI, you know that the Legend of Malachi is fake. It's exactly that, a legend. Used to explain why we have twins in each pack." My father's eyes were hard, and sad. He let out a low rumble from his chest in disappointment.

"Something about the look on your face makes me question the words that came out of your mouth." I sassed back, "now if you'll excuse me. Mom said I need to say what I had to say, and go get ready for the rest of my day."

--

The hot water felt amazing. I felt like it was rinsing the stress away with it, washing my worries down with the shampoo. I thought about what I was going to wear, jeans? Leather? Leggings? What screams "I'm a badass, don't mess with me." Maybe if I chose something that I could wear out later tonight too, I'm sure Theo will want us to go celebrate, Fern will definitely want to, too. I scrubbed my face and turned the water freezing cold, letting water run down the front of my body for a moment before shutting it off.

When I opened my bathroom door there was an outfit laid out on my bed, with a note. It was the perfect outfit, a very deep plunging, burgundy, v-neck body suit with long sleeves. Stunning brand new high-rise black leather pants laid next to it, and a Louis Vuitton box. The note sat on top of the box, my name written across it in gorgeous cursive. I picked it up.

My dearest Kai,

Happy birthday. The time is finally here. You have grown in to a stunning young woman. I cannot wait to see what your future holds.

I'll be watching. Be sure to not disappoint me.

xoxo,

- E

I raised and eyebrow and jumped when there was a knock on my door.

"Yeah, come in."

Fern's bright auburn hair dangled through before I even saw her face, "you got another package." She smiled at me, handing the small box to me. "Ooooh, H-O-T, who gave you that?!"

I handed the note over to her, "not sure, someone who's name starts with an E. Probably the same person that sent that over here too." The small box was tied with a burgundy bow, the exact same shade of the shirt. I untied it and opened the box, jewelry to match. Fern and I shared a gasp, then a look.

"Is all of that real?!" She squealed, "get dressed right fucking now. I need to see this."

"Are you sure its a good idea?? What if it's someone that is going to be at the palace today??"

"Then you don't want to disappoint them!!!" Fern picked up the body suit and leather pants and pushed them into my chest, walking me back in to the bathroom, "and DON'T forget these!!" She smirked and handed some bandaids to me. Again, for probably the 18th time today, I rolled my eyes. She was right, if they are apart of the committee, I need to wear it.

With the body suit, came a body chain, made from a very dainty gold chain, with three diamonds that laid on my exposed sternum. I had to admit, whoever this was, they had taste. Good taste. I pulled on the leather pants, and walked out of the bathroom. Fern gasped, her hands covering her mouth.

"Oh my- you are STUNNING. I'm living for this look." She was nearly jumping up and down with excitement.

"Yeah yeah yeah, do my hair or something" I blushed. My hair was close to a platinum blonde, with an ashy root. It was long, the very ends brushed the top of my bum. I hated doing anything with it, and I knew Fern wouldn't let me leave without having it perfect to match my outfit.

"Braids?? Can we please do braids?" She sat down on my bed.

"War braids?" I winked, sitting down in front of her.

"You know that would look ridiculous with this outfit. We need something to last all day, and night." My hair was still wet from the shower, so she towel dried it a little more, and started french braiding. She eventually had me move to sitting on the bathroom counter, and did some light make up on me to finish it off.

I walked out to my full body mirror to see the final product. I gasped, something I never thought I'd do. I didn't recognize myself. I looked grown, a whole adult standing in the mirror looking back at me. I smiled.

Two french braids, turned into low buns at the base of my head. Burgundy eyeshadow, and a bold burgundy lip. A thin gold and diamond choker, layered with a gold necklace holding another diamond. Burgundy, plunging deep v-neck long sleeve top. The stunning gold body chain with three more diamonds. High rise leather pants. Completed with Louis Vuitton black leather combat boots. My eyes stung with hot tears of happiness. I was mesmerized.

I almost didn't want to walk out of my room. This moment was everything. This outfit made me feel like me.

Don't forget, we still don't know who it's from.

My wolf brought me back to reality and I shook my head, yes, right.

Fern was staring at me in the mirror too, "c'mon I have to give Theo his birthday present."

--

We sat down for breakfast, it was 9:20 and we had to be out of here by 9:45 this morning. My parents eyes' stuck on me, I slouched a little feeling the pressure of their stares. We ate in silence, accompanied by the Beta's in our pack. Fern was so giddy in her chair, Bex had no idea how to act, Theo was shocked.

"Okay look, I didn't buy this. It was laying on my bed when I got out of the shower, and it came with a note. Someone named E, or who's name starts with E." I shrugged, "its my birthday. I am a woman. I'm probably going to find my mate soon and I'm an Alpha. So no more judging please, I'm nervous enough as it is today."

My mom gave me a side eye, "I know sweetie. I'm just speechless. Don't worry, its a good speechless."

I smiled and finished my bacon, "alright Theo, we gotta GO." I gave my parents both a kiss on the head, hip bumped Fern before hugging her, and gave Bex a giant hug before walking out the door.