Chapter 1: Nuray

I was flat on my back, gasping for air as Jacob helped me up, “You okay, sis?” I took his arm and pulled myself up,

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I breathed out, “That kick just took me by surprise.” Jacob nodded, 

“You were thinking about mom?” I looked away and balled my fist. Jacob sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder, but I took that momentary lapse of judgment and flipped him onto his back, knocking the wind out of his lungs. When he recovered, he got back up, clutching his torso,

“Nice one, Ray.” I smirked and helped him to a bench, “Just make sure to keep your foot straight. You only caught me off guard; if I was aware, I could have easily knocked you down.” I nodded; we sat there for a while when Vivian, Neil’s mate, ran toward us.

“Ray! Your father is looking for you; he said it’s urgent.” I sighed, I knew what this was about, but I got up anyway,

“Same time tomorrow?” I asked Jacob; he nodded, then I turned and continued home.

The second I walked into the house, I was bombarded with decorators; once I fought through them, I found my father in the kitchen with caterers, “Yes, Father.” He turned and gave me a big hug, 

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” I smiled but pushed away and sighed,

“My birthday’s tomorrow.” He only nodded, 

“Yes! And I already spoke to Alpha Blake, he said we could use the packhouse for the party, and he is personally inviting every young wolf without a mate.” I put on the best smile I could fake and nodded, 

“That’s great, Father. I can’t wait.” I then turned to walk away, but apparently, he wasn’t done with me, 

“And Luna Nichole brought some dresses for you to wear; why don’t you go try them on.” I groaned inside, dresses, yay…

“Yes, Father,” I said, then I hurried upstairs before he could add anything else. 

When I entered my room, my jaw dropped at the four rails of dresses in my room. It took all of my strength not to scream, but I managed. I immediately changed course for my bathroom and took a long, hot shower; the steamy water felt so good against my now sore muscles. Jacob began training me after our mother’s death; it was hard, but before long, I was almost better than him, and he was top of his sparring class! I quickly washed my hair in my peppermint shampoo and conditioner, then washed my body in a vanilla bean sugar scrub. 

Putting on some comfortable pajamas, I curled up in bed with my sketchbook. I looked over to the dresses then decided to pick out something. I closed my eyes, trying to remember my mothers’ face…Before I knew it, I had my mother staring back at me. I don’t remember many moments with my mother, but the ones I do, I cherish with all my heart. 

Half of the dresses were too girly for me, most of them actually. I was beginning to lose hope in finding something to wear, but that’s when I saw the last dress; it was simple and understated. It was perfect. It was a strapless, form-fitting, mermaid dress with a slight poof at the bottom; my favorite part was that it was black but had an ombre of purple at the bottom. I put it against the door to my bathroom and smiled; it’s like it was made for me. After making a brief appearance for dinner, I came back upstairs and climbed into bed. 

The banging on my door jolted me awake as Vivian and Luna Nichole burst into the room and headed towards me; Vivian grabbed my legs and dragged me out of bed. “No! The bed is warm!” I screamed, but she continued to pull until my butt was on the floor. I glared at her, “I hate you.” She smirked,

“You love me.” I pouted because she was right; she’s the sister I never got to have. I stretched and got up, 

“Why are y’all here?” I looked over to the clock, “At six in the morning.” I crossed my arms while they only smiled, 

“Breakfast is waiting for you downstairs, then we’re all three going for a run.” Luna Nichole stated, “I’ve already cleared it with Blake.” I nodded, then started to crawl back in bed,

“I’m going back to bed.” I started, but then I heard a whistle. The next second, both of my brothers came in and picked me up. With both of them on my arms, I began pouting because, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m not stronger than both of them together. 

“Nice try, little sister.” Neil said with a smirk, “But you’re not getting out of this that easily.” I looked over at Jacob, who only shrugged with a smile plastered on his face.

“Besides, we made a ton of pancakes just for you.” Luna Nichole said; I froze for a second then tried fighting the boys so I could go destroy those pancakes. The boys only laughed,

“You two may wanna move,” Jacob said. They lowered me down but held on tight; they released me simultaneously, and I charged for the kitchen. Then I heard Jacob and Neil shout in unison,

“She’s loose!” I made a mental note to kill them later, but first, pancakes!

After breakfast and whooping both boys, I went with the girls for the run. It was nice once I shifted; our body heat is supposed to protect us in our human forms, but for some reason, when everyone else is friendly and warm, I’m freezing half to death. I shook out my snow-white fur and laid down next to a stream. Nichole and Vivian came towards me and did the same. We then began to have a conversation through mind-link. “Are you excited for tonight, Nuray?” Vivian asked; I wanted to say that I didn’t want a party or anything, but I thought it best to just go along with everything, 

“Yes.” I said, then turned my attention to Nichole, “And thank you for the dresses, Luna; they’re all so beautiful.” She gave me a slight nod,

“You can call me Nichole, dear.” I nodded, then looked up, 

“We should be heading back; we’ve been out here for a while,” I stated; we all got up, shaking out our fur, then started running for the house.

Since the party would be at the Big House, we decided to get ready there. When we got to the house, we went up to my room to get my dress, my makeup, which isn’t much, and my shoes. Once everything was gathered up, I told my dad bye, “See you at the party.” He said; I smiled,

“Yeah,” I said, but before we headed out the door, dad called to me,

“And happy birthday.” I smiled,

“Thank you, Father.” With that, we left for the big house.

When we pulled up to the house, we were met by the Alpha. He kissed his wife, said hello to Vivian, then turned to me, “Happy birthday, Nuray. I hope the Moon Goddess will bless you with a young man worthy of you.” I smiled and bowed my head, 

“Thank you, Alpha.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled, 

“Just like your mother.” I raised a brow, but then he changed the subject, “Come, let’s get inside before Nuray freezes.” I crossed my arms but followed everyone inside. What did he mean? I decided to find out; Nichole and Vivian told the driver to put everything in a spare bedroom. They were about to escort me up the stairs, but I wanted to talk to the Alpha,

“I’ll be right there,” I said, “I wanted to ask the Alpha something.” They looked at each other, then back to me, 

“Okay, but if you’re not up here in ten minutes, we’re coming after you,” Vivian stated plainly. I laughed lightly,

“I will. I shouldn’t be more than five.” They nodded then went upstairs. I walked over to the parlor where Alpha Blake was sitting; I knocked on the door, and he looked up, 

“Nuray, what can I do for you?” He asked, motioning for me to sit down; I did so,

“I was wondering,” I didn’t get a chance to finish when he asked,

“What I meant by ‘Just like your mother’?” I nodded, I’d hate to think that way about my mother, but I had to know, 

“Were you two…?” But Alpha Blake just laughed; now I feel like an idiot.

“No, sweet Nuray, no.” He stated after gaining his composure, “She would watch me when I was younger; that’s how Neil and I became such good friends.” I thought to myself that makes more sense. “I would hang out with your family a lot, and by doing so, I could read all of their expressions. And the reason I made that comment is that when you’re not really excited about something, your nose crinkles when you force a smile, not to mention your breathing hitches, but it’s slight. You’d have to be watching to actually see it.” I was stunned,

“My mother did all of that, just like me?” I asked; he nodded,

“You’re more like your mother than you think.” I smiled and got up, 

“Thank you, Alpha, for the clarification.” He smiled, 

“You’re welcome.” He said, “You better hurry before they come after you.” I nod and head upstairs to get ready.