My Perfect Mate

Welcome Home!

It took a long time to make it through the entire crowd, it was dizzying at the number of people that were here. As I was saying goodbye to some old friends, my brother Matt came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, “You think that this is a lot, you should see the guest list that mom has assembled for tomorrow night.” I sunk me shoulders down and groaned. I was not looking forward that that, I just wanted to get back to training and kicking some ass again. “Oh hush, do you realize that mom and dad never threw parties like this for us? You are their princess, their pride and joy. Mom wanted to make that everything was perfect.” I rolled my eyes as Matt led me over to the bonfire that was in full swing. Matt pushed me down into a near by chair, “Sit, I’ll go get you a beer.” I looked up and nodded before he headed back to the house. I slouched in the lawn chair and surveyed the group that surrounded me. There were a couple of the Pack's elders, a few mated couples, and the rest were singles hoping to mate. Then my eyes landed on Alex and Conner. Alex was trying fend off some skank, looking to get lucky. I was disgusted on how hard this b***h was trying to get into my brother's pants.

I could smell her from here. The scent of cheap, knockoff perfume wafted towards me, making my noise curl up. She was wearing an ill fitting sheath dress, she had no curves as all despite acting like hot s**t. If you're going to wear a body con dress make sure you can actually fill it out. Then it dawned on me, I could tell from her busted looking mug. This girl was one of my main tormentors growing up. That enraged me even more. 

That's when she saw me staring in disgust. She gave me a death glare before sticking her tongue down Alex's throat. I literally though I was going to puke, who the f**k does this b***h think she is. She makes my life miserable and now she's trying to throw herself at one of my brother's. Alex clearly wasn't enjoying himself, because his arms were actively pushing her off of his face.That's it, enough was enough. It's been almost 5 years, why can't bitches like this just leave me alone?

 I pushed myself up from the chair with gusto. It flew back a couple feet behind me. I marched over and tapped this b***h’s shoulder. She took her sweet ass time to turn around. She whipped around ready to give whoever was behind her a piece of her mind. She instantly froze when she saw that it was me, I towered over this girl, I could kick her into next week if I wanted to. I stood in front of her with my arms crossed and an eyebrow c****d. After a second, I leaned down and looked her dead in the face. I was nose to nose with her, I gave her a sweet, condescending smile, “Hi, I was just wondering. Who the f**k do you think you are, looking at me like that?” She leaned back into my brother, “Oh don’t think that he’ll save you,” I said pointing at Alex. “He clearly doesn’t want you to be crawling all over him, he's actually trying to push you off” I looked at Alex, he was leaning back with his arms folded across his chest, clearly not wanting to touch this human piece of garbage. He looked up at me and nodded his head with a smile saying, do your thing. I flashed an I’ll save you smile. I turned my attention back to this slut that had taken ownership of my brother’s lap. She tried to stammer out a couple of incoherent sentences, “I-I’m so sorry Stella, I-” I giggled at her stupidity. I cut her off and leaned back into her face, “If I ever see you near my brother again, I will make you hurt. And I think you know that I will.” the girl nodded and hopped off of Alex’s lap, and took off further into the party. 

I can't believe that after all this time,  I still let girls like her get to me like that. I needed to relax, I knew that it would be an adjustment when I came back, but f**k and A, I guess some things just never change.

I finally let my guard down and plopped onto a near by log. Matt walked over with two beers. “What was that all about?” he asked as he handed me the bottle. Alex chimed in, “Stella almost kicked this chicks ass for looking at her wrong.” Matt looked and me and smirked, he gave me an approving nod. “That's my girl!” Alex, Matt and I started laughing as we all cheered our beers.

The rest of the night flew by, I pulled my phone from my back pocket and realized that it was almost 2:30 in the morning. I was suddenly exhausted, I needed to go to bed. “Guys I’m toast, I’m going to call it a night. I’ll see you in the ring tomorrow at 5.” they all started groaning, “No whining, we got to get me back in shape, and there’s no negotiating. If I were you, I would go to bed too.” I said with a smile.

 As I was heading back to the house I ran into Conner, my oldest brother. “Damn, Stell, you look like shit.” I gave him a tight smile, “hey, thanks bro. I was just off to bed. Are you going to join us tomorrow morning? I need to get back at it.” Conner smiled down at me, “You mean I get to kick your ass first thing tomorrow? I’m game!” I punched him squared in the shoulder and felt a couple of my knuckles crack. “Damn Conner, are you made of bricks or something?” Conner started laughing as I shook out my hand. Once the pain subsided I rose on my tippie toes and kissed his cheek, “Goodnight bro, see you in the morning.”

I opened the door to my old room and flipped the light on. Surprisingly, my mother kept it the same as how I left it. Although it was sweet that it was left untouched, it was too girly for me now. I decided that after sparring tomorrow, I was going to give this room a quick make over. It reminds me of the person that I used to be and I’m just not her anymore.

I hopped in the shower and dressed for bed. Mother had one of the Omegas grab my stuff up from the car. I crawled into bed with heavy muscles, once my head hit the pillow I was gone. Scarlet was in my head as I drifted.

My alarms starting going off around 4, I was still a little groggy as I flipped over to hit the snooze button. I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling for a bit. I decided to link my brothers,

Hey guys, do you mind if we push back to 6? I’m still trying to wake up. 

 Are you kidding me Stells? This was your idea, I’m not letting you off the hook.

 Alex is right sis, get your ass up. We’ll meet you in the kitchen in 20

You're asking if for Stells, don’t make me come up there!

I reluctantly rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash up. I decided on just a sports bra and some leggings. I threw my crazy, curly hair up into a ponytail and headed down to the Kitchen. Surprisingly I was the first one there, I sat down at the counter as Lottie walked in, “Good morning Ms.Stella! What can I get you for breakfast?” I knew that I should keep it light, I didn’t want to fight on a full stomach. After some thought I knew what I wanted, “I’ll take some plain oatmeal with some fresh fruit please.” Lottie smiled and disappeared behind the swinging door. 

How am I the first one down here? Ya’ll were the ones giving me s**t.

Oh hush we’ll be right down!

 One by one they all started parading downstairs into the kitchen. Lottie came back out with my oatmeal and a medley of berries. My stomach started growling as I looked down at the bright colors in the bowl. Once we all finished eating we headed out to the ring.

 After about 4 hours of training I was officially done. It hurt to walk, breath, sit, stand, and overall live. As much pain as I was in, it was nice to be able to keep up with the three mountains that I call brothers. I could tell that they were impressed at how quickly I was able to jump back into it. I was standing on the sideline when Alex ran up behind me, “Great job today Stells, you’re still incredible.” He raised his hand for a high five that I had to jump up for. When I landed on the ground I wanted to cry, he did that on purpose. I gave a generous hit to the gut that had him doubled over on the ground. “f**k Stell!”I heard Matt and Conner erupt in laughter behind us. Alex looked up at me through squinted eyes,”You’ll pay for that.” I rolled my eyes and leaned forward to kiss Alex’s cheek, “Well as much fun as that was, I’m exhausted I need a nap before the party tonight!" I waved to Matt and Conner further out on the field. I turned on my heels and headed inside.

When I woke up it was nearly 2 in the afternoon.

Shit, Scarlet wake up. We just took a four hour nap!

Scarlet reluctantly awoken from her slumber, she did a long exaggerated stretch before shaking herself off. I looked out at my room. I promised myself that I would give this place a make over. I wouldn’t have time to paint or anything but I might be able to rid this room of all the posters, butterflies, and frilly pillows.

I got right to work unloading my clothes into the walk in closet, careful to keep everything neatly folded. I tucked my now empty bags in the back of the closet and went out into the room to start dismantling it. I was standing on my bed trying to remove the pink, fringed curtains when there was a knock on the door. “Come in!”

My mother walked in with a couple light snacks for me. I turned and saw that she had a tray, “Oh thank you mom, is that for me?” She smiled and nodded. “I figured you’d be hungry after fighting with your brothers.” I could tell she wasn’t in here just to bring me snacks, there was a hidden reason for her gesture. She set the tray down on the desk to the right and came to sit down on the edge of my bed. I dropped the curtains to the floor and walked over to where my mom sat before plopping down beside her. I tilted my neck and rested my head on her shoulder. I heard her take a deep breath before she began. I rolled my eyes without her noticing, here comes another “perfect mate” talk. As long it wasn’t another birds and wolves conversation. I don’t think that I could take THAT again.

  My mother looked at me with tears threatening her eyes. I could tell that there would be no joking around in this conversation. I took a deep gulp, “Honey, I wanted to come up here and talk for a few minutes before I lose you tonight.”

I honestly didn’t know what she was talking about, I pulled my head up off her shoulder and gave her a look like, what you talking about Willis?

She rolled her eyes and pulled my head back down to her shoulder and swept up my hands in hers. This conversation must be hard for her, she couldn’t look me in the eyes without losing her s**t. She inhaled again.

“Darling, I have a very strong feeling that you will meet your mate tonight at the party. I can feel it in my bones. I normally wouldn’t be having this conversation with you but Noni told me to. She was the one that saw it in one of her visions. She told me that you would run into him when you least expect it. She told me that it would be the strongest love that you have ever felt. He will change your exterior, you put up this facade that you’re tough as nails. And I don’t doubt you are my love, you are one of the strongest warriors that this pack has ever seen. I’m just afraid that you are too tough, it might scare your potential mate off.”

I started off hurting for my mother, but then it turned to rage. I shot up from the bed and looked at her. The flecks of green flickered across my eyes. Mother met my gaze with her illuminating purple. I could tell that I had awoken the beast. I should have calmed down but I didn’t, I let her have,

“How dare you mother, are you telling me that you don’t think I can find a mate because I’m too tough?” I exaggerated the last word “Mother, if my mate can’t handle me the way that I am, he is not worthy of me at all!” I was screaming. I could feel all the frustration and hurt coming out in my words. “So are you telling me that there’s not a mate out there for me? Am I not good enough because I choose to be myself? I’m not a little barbie doll in a pink box mother!” I heard Scarlet giggle, ha, pink box. Get it Stella?

NOT NOW SCARLET!

Scarlet coward to the ground and whimpered.

I’m sorry Scarlet, you’re right. That was funny but if you don’t mind I would like to get back to my ranting.

I started pacing the floor in front of mother, I felt like I was going to pop like a bubble with all the rage. Scarlet was trying to talk some sense into me.

Stella, babe I don’t think that’s what she’s saying. Calm down honey, calm down. Just listen to her.

I could feel myself relax with each passing pace. I finally stopped and looked down and the floor with my hands on my hips. I took a deep breath and returned my gaze back into my mother’s eyes. She had calmed herself as well, her once glowing purple was now matching my emerald green. I could tell that my outburst hurt her, I couldn’t believe that I had lost it like that. I sunk down to the ground and buried my face in my hands. I felt mother’s hands on my shoulders. Then I heard her coo, “Darling, please look at me. I am not saying that you are not worthy in anyway. I don’t tell you often enough,” she closed her eyes trying to hold back the tears. When she opened them she had tears strolling down her cheeks. “I am so extremely proud of you my love. I just want you to be happy. I am not telling you that you need to stop being yourself. I just don’t want you to be afraid to let him in. I’m saying that it’s okay to feel, I know that you are strong and tough, you can handle anything that life throws at you. I just want to tell you that you might need to let down a wall or two. When you meet your mate, you’re whole body with tingle from tip to toes. Let it happen darling, you feel your heart change. You will realize that this is the person that you fight for. This is the person the you live for, this is the person you will spend your life with. It’s such a special moment my love, I don’t want you to miss out on it. That’s all I’m saying.” She scooped up my face in her hands and kissed the tip of my nose. I gave her a small smile before she pressed her nose against mine. She straightened and regained that Luna stature, she smoothed her dress and wiped her face. I stood up and she wrapped her arms around me, “Now, I must return back downstairs. There is far too much to do!” she waved her hand,”goodbye darling!” and closed the door behind her, and then it hit me. My mother acted and sounded like Effie Trinket, from the hunger games. I chuckled to myself before returning to the curtains.  

After about an hour, I heard Scarlet, trotting towards me.

Stella? Can we go for a run? I need to stretch my legs. You haven’t let me out in a couple weeks.

Sure thing Stella, let me just pee and well head out.

Scarlet started trotting like she was a show pony getting ready to present herself to the world. I walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water before heading out for our run. I ran into Lottie who was overwhelmed with the amount of food that she was preparing. Lottie had been our number one Omega since I can remember. She was a little taller than Noni, her head only came up to my rib cage at best. I could tell she was stressed so I walked up behind her and hugged her shoulders. I bent down and kissed her cheek. “Relax, Lottie. Everything will be fine, don’t let mother get to you.” She turned towards me with a look of disbelief on her face. “Luna, is justified Ms.Stella. She just wants everything to be perfect for you.” I nodded and gave her a shy smile, “I understand Lottie, I just don’t want you to work yourself into a heart attack.” she reached out and gave my arm a reassuring squeeze, “I’ll be fine Ms. Stella, go enjoy your run.” I smiled sweetly at her before turning towards the back door. I whipped around for one last thing. "Lottie? If mother asks where I am, just tell her I’ll be back in plenty of time before the party.” Lottie smiled and gave me a wink.