Blossom

We're driving through the familiar woods leading to the Blood Moon Pack. I've visited this Pack many times but this time is special. We're here for a very special event. My childhood friend Justin turns 18 today and is having his Alpha Ceremony. Turning 18 is an important age for us because it is when we awaken our wolf and have our first shift.

At his Alpha Ceremony, since he became a fully-fledged wolf, Justin will become the official Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. The Alpha ceremony is a very important event where the whole pack gathers and other important guests attend. My family was invited because our packs are allied and our parents are close friends. My father is the former Alpha of my pack, the Crescent Moon Pack, and would often visit the Blood Moon Pack. He would often bring me along and I watched as Justin grew into the amazing wolf he is today. I am overjoyed to be attending such an important event for Justin.

We finally arrive and pull up to the side of the packhouse to park the car.

We follow the large crowd of people making their way to the back of the packhouse, where the event will be taking place. There are many people now gathered in front of the stage waiting for the ceremony to start.

A few minutes later the ceremony begins and Alpha Daryl and Justin get on stage. As I watch him stand on that stage I feel very proud of him. I can't believe he's already 18. He deserves this title and I know he will be the best Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.

"Do you Justin Shaw accept the title of Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack"

"Yes, I accept"

"Congratulations to Alpha Justin!"

The crowd starts cheering for Justin.

"I can't believe it's already happening!" Says Hana, my best friend.

"Yeah, I'm very proud," I tell her.

Hana and I grew up in the same pack and have been friends for a long time. She knows me well and she is the closest friend I have in the Crescent Moon Pack. I love her very much.

"I guess now that he's awakened his wolf he'll find his mate."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Come on Blossom don't you think it could be you? You've been friends forever."

"Yeah, just that. Did you forget he turned me down?"

"None of that will matter if you are mates. You have a chance so don't look so dejected."

"I doubt it but thanks anyway."

To be honest I don't want to think about that right now. Although to him I've been just a sister, I've always wanted to be his mate. I can't stomach the thought of my dreams being crushed; I'd rather just not think about it. I just want to focus on Justin becoming Alpha. It's his big day after all.

Suddenly, a wolf bumps my shoulders.

"Sorry!" I hear a blonde wolf say. I instantly recognized her.

"Hey Teresa, I haven't seen you in a while," I say to Teresa, who is a close friend I've known since I was young.

"Oh hey, nice to see you two. What have you guys been up to?"

"Oh you know, the usual. I still have school, I don't graduate till next spring," I say.

"Luckily I just finished school," says Hana. "But, I'm just as busy with my healer training." Hana's father is the pack healer. He is in charge of healing all types of injuries. Hana has always looked up to her father and has wanted to follow in his footsteps.

"Well, I hope that's going well. There's not much going on with me, I finished school last year and I haven't found my mate so I've just been helping around in the pack."

"Hopefully you find him soon," I say, trying to encourage Teresa.

"Thanks, but anyways, I can't believe the Justin we all know and love is finally becoming an Alpha."

"Yeah, I can't believe it either," I comment.

"Who's that cute wolf next to him by the way? He's swarmed with she-wolves. You'd think the celebration is about him and not Justin."

"Oh, that's Ryan," I explain, "he and Justin are great friends. He is the next beta."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, but be careful he's a bit of a playboy."

"Well, I don't think he's my mate, so I'm not interested. Hana is the one who needs to be careful."

"What are you talking about? He's not my type," Hannah says shyly. "Anyways, don't you want to congratulate Alpha Justin? It looks like he's waiting for you."

"Alright, I'll go. Are you coming?"

"No, I'll wait for you here. I want to catch up with Teresa."

"Okay."

I make my way through the crowd towards the table where Justin is sitting talking to Ryan. As I approach, I watch as Justin's gaze becomes fixed on me. He looks at me as if I am the only one here. He stands up and walks toward me.

"Congratulations Justin on-"

"Blossom!" Justin says longingly. He says my name differently than usual. It makes my heart beat a bit faster.

"Justin?" I say.

"Mate." He whispers in my ear, then cups my face with his hands as he leans closer to me. He is just about to kiss me then stops and hugs me instead.

I push him away, a bit feeling uneasy. "I'm sorry!" I say then run away.

I am surprised that Justin is my mate. I didn't think it would happen. But somehow I feel disappointed more than happy. I always pictured that when I found my mate we would passionately kiss but Justin clearly wasn't up for that.

Although we're mates I don't feel much has changed.

I see Hanna up ahead and grab her arm. "Let's go!" I urge her.

"What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it right now. Let's get out of here."

"Alright, let's go. But don't tell me that Justin is…"

"We'll talk about it later!" I say, embarrassed. How can she always read me so well?

I drag Hanna out of the party and we take one of the cars back home. Hana looks curious to hear what happened but she says nothing the whole ride back.

As I drive back home, I can't help but think of Justin and what's ahead. It's still a lot to process.

Justin

My mind keeps going back to that moment when we embraced. The moment she approached me I noticed her sweet scent and knew right away she was my mate. I wish I could have held her for longer but she pushed me away.

Although my wolf Jared is happy we found our mate, he's upset that we were rejected like that.

I decided to go on a run after the party to help us calm down a bit. As expected this is just what I needed. I love the rush I feel as I run through the forest. I feel all the tension go away.

"Why Blossom?" I ask Jared.

"Why not Blossom? She's perfect."

"Fair enough. But it's a bit strange."

"What do you mean strange?" He replies defensively.

"I've always seen her as a little sister, so feeling this attraction feels wrong somehow."

"I don't know what to tell you, but you'll just have to get over it because I ain't changing my mind!" Says Jared before shutting me out.

I think he's right, I do need to get over it. But it's easier said than done.

I quickly run back to the Packhouse, and see Ryan waiting by the entrance.

"Have a good run?"

"Yes."

"I figured you were out on a run, so I waited for you."

"What happened between you and Blossom?"

"She's my mate."

"Wow, really? You've known each other since you were kids right?"

"Yeah, we have. I'm happy I found my mate but I don't know…"

"Do you not want her as your mate?"

"No, it's not that, it's just that we've always just been friends so it's kind of weird to suddenly be mates."

"You'll both work it out. I'm sure she won't reject you. Did you see how red her face was when you tried to kiss her?" He says teasingly.

"Shut up."

"Don't stress too much about it, okay? It's obvious she likes you."

"He's right," says Jared.

"I'm going to bed good night."

"Good night Alpha," he says teasingly.

"Good night beta," I retort back.