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Chapter 5

Paige's POV

I make my way to the training room just as the sun begins to repaint the sky. Pulling the glass door open, I'm met with stares. Great, I guess everyone knows that Cory dipped his stick in Amber's crusty cave. The thought makes me cringe. Cory and I had never gone all the way. I wanted to wait for my mate. I guess I'd hoped it would be him. I'm glad it wasn't. I think. I keep my head down and make my way to the blue mat.

"Are you okay?" Tasha asks.

"Um, I'm alive, I guess."

My father clears his throat, commanding the room's attention. "Today, we need to work on hand-to-hand combat. Tasha, Paige, you're up first."

We're always paired together. Tasha is a strong pack warrior. One of the strongest. She gives her male counterparts a run for their money. After having beat all her opponents, my father realized that my Alpha blood would be a good challenge for her. He's the type of Alphas that is always pushing his warriors (and his daughter) to be the best. Dad worried about how small our pack numbers were, so he thought having strong warriors would earn us respect, and he was right.

"Not going easy on you today just cause Cory is an idiot."

She lunges into her first attack, almost kicking my ribs. I move just in time for her to make a full turn and face me again. This time I lunge before she can get her footing, tackling her and pretending to throw punches.

"Wouldn't dream of asking you too."

I jump off Tasha and help her stand. She pushes her chocolate waves out of her face and launches again. Tasha and I spar the entire class, even after my father moved on to pair up others. She won some. I won some. It was a productive class. My frustration melted away with each move, leaving me physically and emotionally exhausted by the time I pulled myself into bed. The week was a blur. I've completely ignored Amber and Cory, though they sure like to pack on the PDA at school. Funny how he can be all about my forgiveness when we're alone but all about Amber in public. Asshole. Tomorrow is Peyton and I's birthday. The nerves emerge at the thought. Something just feels so important. I know we're turning eighteen, but it's more than that. I just feel like my life could change tomorrow.

I awake in the morning to my mother yanking me out of bed. "Paige, you're going to be late for your hair and makeup. Get up!"

"Ugh. What if I don't want to get my hair and makeup done?"

"Then, you can explain to your father and Alpha Colin of Aurora Flame why you aren't looking your best on your big night!"

Like I'm the one who asked for this party. My parents insisted on it. Peyton and I are turning eighteen, and they want to go all out for it. I'd rather hang out with Val. Why would Alpha Colin care what I look like anyway? I only remember meeting him once a few years ago, but he didn't pay me any attention. He was following his dad around like a little Alpha puppy.

I groan and push myself out of bed. Every freaking muscle in my body hurts. I guess I've been overdoing it at training. With that thought, I push through the soreness and open my bedroom door. I call out for the she-wolves and my mother. They are quickly up the stairs and into my bedroom. My mother paces around while the she-wolves pull, paint, and yank on my hair and face. When hair and makeup is done, my mother helps me into a dark green strapless dress that hits right above my knee, my full bosom barely fitting in. It's evident my mother didn't pay attention to my size when she bought this dress. Doing my best to stuff my boobs in the dress, I finally get it to where I'm comfortable with the amount of cleavage I'm showing.

I turn to show my mother. "You look so beautiful, Paige."

Before I know what I'm doing, my arms are around my mother, pulling her into a hug.

My dad and brother barge in to interrupt our moment. "Oh, Paige, you are beautiful."

"Thank you, Daddy." I kiss his cheek. "You look nice, Peyton. No buckets of water today?"

He gives me a distracted smile and shrugs. His eyes keep darting to the door. I guess he's ready for his grand entrance. An Omega comes up to tell my family that guests are arriving. My parents exchange a nervous glance as we head downstairs. I can't shake the feeling that they are expecting something to happen tonight. Peyton slows down before coming to a full stop on the stairs.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm nervous to see Claire."

"Why? Have you not seen her all day?"

"No. I wanted to wait till the party. I wanted to be able to show the world we are mates."

Putting my hand on his arm, I say, "You already know that you two are mates. There's nothing for you to be worried about."

We link arms to descend the stairs when our father starts to call us over. We make our way through the crowd, stopping for hugs and pictures with the many friends in attendance. My mother did a beautiful job mixing my and Peyton's personalities together. There is black and green fabric draped over the walls.

I catch a faint scent of mint and cypress. The small scent reminds me of rainy days in the forest. Rain is my favorite weather. I'm inclined to believe the appetizers that are being passed around are the source of the smell. I wouldn't have any doubts about that if Ash wasn't on high alert. Her red fur is blurry as she paces back and forth.

The scent gets stronger with each timid step I take towards my parents. By the time I get to my father, the scent has completely invaded my body. I don't even listen to my father introducing us. Instead, I'm staring at hazel eyes rimmed with gold specks. My eyes absorb the powerful man in front of me. His eyes burn into me as I scan his body, undressing him from his stuffy suit. I want to see his naked body. Woah. That's a forward thought.

Ash is speechless until I force my eyes to meet his gaze again. The burning need in them sends Ash into a frenzy.

Mate! Mate! Ash squeals, jumping around.

Her confession echoes through my scattered mind.

"Mate."

Did that just come out of my mouth? Damnit.

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