Graduation.
1149 Words
Ariana
I wasn’t worried about graduating. In fact, I just wanted to put all of it behind me. I was no longer excited about turning eighteen and being able to find my mate. I just wanted to stick to the routine I had until all the bad memories were wiped away like ashes. In one swoop my entire life burned down, and now all that was left were the ashes.
I went through the motions while everyone around me prepared for a huge event. They always had their graduation at the pack house. Birthdays were celebrated with the entire pack present. I celebrate those things in the homelands mostly. My birthday always seemed to be during exams, but this year everything was different.
My parents really went all out and I was sure this was going to be one of those pack parties the people would be talking about for a long time. I would smile and wave and make conversation, but I just wanted to forget the past couple of years of my life.
My mother’s entire entourage of royal make-up artists, hairdressers and goddess only knew who else arrived in my room in the early hours of the morning. I wasn’t sure why the hell we had to start so early. The party was only going to be tonight, but I didn’t fight my mother. I wanted to make her happy. I knew how much my relationship with Conner had upset her.
I also knew that no matter how much she disagreed with my decisions, she would always support me in the end. She would remind me that she didn’t like it as often as she could, but she would always tell me that at the end of the day it was my choice.
When the staff started setting up in my room, I understood why the preparations would take the entire day. My mother had really gone all out to make the day special for me! There were people to do my nails and give me a massage. People to tend to the finer things in life, like waxing! I hadn’t shaven my legs since I arrived!
I didn’t have anyone to do it for and didn’t see the damn need. Just brushing my hair every morning was tiring enough. But I knew that if I didn’t take a bath each day and comb my hair I would completely fall into a pit of darkness and I would probably never be able to climb out of it. Conner and I weren’t mates even if I thought we might be.
I have to admit that after the massage I felt incredible. My legs were smooth again, but when my nails were done, I was beginning to feel like a princess. I had small diamonds on my nails and they looked so beautiful. The omega brought my dress over and they helped me slip into it a couple of minutes before the party was going to start.
I walked over to the mirror and I couldn’t help but smile. I was the picture of perfection, even if I felt as though I was broken. I didn’t look broken. We would have my graduation celebration first. After graduation, I was going to change into a blue ball gown for my birthday party. My mother chose a beautiful pair of silver sandal-strapped heels that went really great with both dresses.
Since I wasn’t shifting tonight, I could wear beautiful dresses. My father grinned when he saw me and he and my mother gave me a beautiful diamond-encrusted comb for my hair. It was a bit extravagant for what I was used to, but I loved it. I forced myself not to think about my relationship status. I didn’t want a mate.
I was supposed to be spending that night with Conner. I was supposed to find out he was my mate and we would have lived happily ever after. I took a deep breath as we walked down the stairs. I knew as soon as we stepped through the huge double doors between the main house and pack house, our people would be gathered.
I was actually growing slightly nervous as we turned the corner and I noted the huge red velvet curtains in front of the doors. My brother and Noah were standing there and Noah gave me a quick wink, making me smile. He really was a good friend. I looked at my brother, who was positively beaming. His mate had really made a huge difference in his life!
She made him softer. Kinder. More relaxed. They pulled on the silver curtains and my parents and I stepped through as the crowd cheered from their seats. We walked down the long red carpet and the emotion of the moment hit me. I felt tears stinging the back of my eyes. I had been so damn wrapped in the hope that Conner and I would be together. That we would build this dream life together that I actually forgot I was part of a pack. I was part of this incredible family. This group of people celebrated every step of my life with me, even when we didn’t have parties.
We took our seats in the front while my father made a little speech. My parents surprised me by having the principal himself handing me my graduation certificate. It was really special and I didn’t think I would enjoy it so much. It was a huge rush after that to get dressed in my incredible blue gown. When I came downstairs again, the red velvet curtains were blue.
My brother and Noah opened the curtains and this time I stepped through on my own. Outside, the chairs had been moved away. Tables and chairs were packed out around the dance floor and the small podium from earlier had been replaced by a band! The decorations on the tables were so pretty! I joined my parents in the middle of the floor.
I wouldn’t officially be turning eighteen for another hour and there were some protocols to get through. I grinned at the crowd gathered around us. Their excitement was contagious! I felt it build up no matter how hard I tried to keep it down. My body was slowly filling with the electricity of the moment as my parents pushed through the protocols.
I felt different all of a sudden. Stronger. So damn loved. I felt incredible as the seconds started to tick by closer to the hour.
“Five … Four … Three … Two … ONE!” Everyone counted down until the last second. “Happy birthday, sweetheart!” My parents shouted. They pulled me into a hug, and as I lifted my nose, I smelled him! My heart stopped for a moment at the realization. His scent was stronger than anything I had ever smelled before!
- Writer
