Aquafinia.

The buzzing of my alarm was a nuisance to my morning. Laying on my stomach, I rolled to the left of my bed. Now laying on my back, I groaned deeply and sat up to turn the stupid thing off. '6 am.' I thought as I slowly placed my warm feet upon the cold hard wood floor causing chills to run down my spine. Throwing my red curly hair up into a messy bun, I moved towards my bathroom. Pushing the door open, I smiled lightly, though still very tired. 'Jace and Axel will be bursting in soon. I need to hurry and finish getting ready. Those two are creeps around naked people.' I thought, creeping myself out. Shaking off the feeling, I hopped into the warm shower that was waiting for me.

Pulling my hair down, I began to rinse my body off. Quickly washing hair, I yawned, still trying to wake up. Looking around for my razor, I opened the shower curtain quickly and found it on the back of the toilet. Sighing, I quickly grabbed the razor and pulled the curtain closed. Shaving as quickly as I could, I finished up and rinsed my body off. Turning off the shower, I pushed the shower curtain open.

Getting out of the tub, I grabbed my favorite fuzzy towel and wrapped it around myself. Moving to the bathroom door, I cracked it and peaked out. 'Nobody in sight. Good.' I thought to myself and then walked out into my room. Walking straight over to the closet, I opened up the doors. Staring at all the clothes I had, I shook my head. "I wish Haze was here." I spoke out loud.

Making up my mind on a red tank top and some short, black denim jean shorts, I tossed them over my shoulder towards my bed though they didn't seem to make it, landing on the floor with a light thud. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my black sports bra and pulled it on. Reaching back into the closet, I grabbed a pair of socks and an old pair of combat boots. Turning around and walking over towards my bed, I leaned over and grabbed my tank top and shorts. Quickly slipping the shorts on, I heard a knock coming from my door. "Come in." I called through the door. Just as I was pulling my tank top down, the door clicked open.

"F*ck!" was the word that came from the person's mouth. Turning to face them, I saw the newest member of the pack, Malcolm, standing there. Quickly pulling my shirt down, I blushed brightly. "Sorry Malcolm. I...I didn't know it was you. I thought you were either Jace or Axel. Normally they just walk in around this time." I told him and sat on my bed. As the words left my mouth, I remembered he had knocked, something the other two would never do. Pulling my socks on rather quickly, I watched him slowly from my peripheral vision. I then started putting my combat boots on, and looked at him once again. "Why are you here?" I asked, wondering why he actually came up to my room. "O...Oh right! Your father asked me to relay a message." Malcolm said, as he started to rub the back of his neck. Watching him, I waited for him to tell me what was going on. "He wants you to join him in the kitchen. He needs help finishing up breakfast for the pack." He told me nervously. He wasn't used to being around girls, so this was a new experience for him.

"Thanks Malcolm." I said lightly as I walked towards the door. Watching him nod, he quickly left without another word. 'So shy around women.' I thought as I rolled my eyes, then followed after him giggling a little bit. He turned around and looked at me curiously. "W...Why are you laughing?" He questioned as he watched me. "Nothing." I giggled in response. "I really just noticed how awkward you are. No offense though, Malcolm." I spoke lightly as I watched him with light eyes. "I may be the Alpha's daughter, but I'm just like everyone else." I told him with a nudge of the arm. Once we were down the stairs, I could hear him sigh. "Remember Alexi, my last pack consisted of all males. I was just the medic that they 'needed'." He said as he put air quotations around needed. Though I could tell he said that with a sad tone, he was right, they just used him.

"Well, you are needed here. Today's the day you get assigned a position right?" I asked him as we both stood at the bottom of the stairs. Watching him nod, I smiled mildly. "Don't worry, today is the second time I get to try out my skills." I said, then rubbed the back of my neck. Clearly the memory of the first time was still vivid in my mind. "The first attempt didn't go too well about a year ago." I said softly as I rubbed my chest, where the scars still were from that bear. Every time I recalled that memory, my chest always seemed to hurt. "Thanks Alexi. I will see you at breakfast, I was tasked with meeting your mother when she arrives home." Malcolm said with a shy smile towards me. Giving a little wave, he disappeared out the front door. I watched him momentarily, for some reason my heart skipped a few beats. Though I knew I wasn't going to fall for him, it was obvious he felt different, or so I thought. Blushing with that realization, I bit my bottom lip and headed towards the kitchen.

"Morning sir." I spoke respectfully in my father's direction. Yeah he was the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack and my father, but I still showed respect. "Good morning my sweet daughter. Sleep well?" He asked as he stood over the stove top. Pancakes, steaks, bacon, toast, and more were already all prepared and stacked on the pack dining table. "You called for help?" I questioned, as I looked at all the food already on the table. "And yes, I slept okay. Just missing mom." I spoke softly as I watched him. She was the only thing missing from our morning, and it was different. "And I need to go over some details about the Lunar Ceremony and my birthday tonight with mom." I said with a slight yawn at the end. "That's right. Well it should all go according to your schedule. Everything will start arriving at noon, and we have a few VIP's arriving at 10 am and 11 am. Your mother and I have business we'll be taking care of for a little while this morning and I would like for you to be there." My father told me as I turned to him. He always followed schedules, even if it was an agenda for the day. Stickler to a T. "Will you fix the drinks?" he asked, trying to change the subject completely.

As I began fixing the drinks, I could tell my father was almost done with the eggs, so I walked towards the entrance of the dining room and let out a howl, calling the pack for breakfast. I quickly moved out of the way so that I wouldn't get trampled. These guys are ruthless when it comes to breakfast. Hearing doors swing open, with some subtle bangs along the way, made me more eager for the day to begin.

The Lunar Ceremony, a huge party celebrating the Moon Goddess' gift to us, starts at midnight when the moon is at its peak. A special moment happens once a year for a special werewolf that will be selected to be the chosen one, by the Moon Goddess, herself. And this year we were hosting it. I was only nervous because it happens to be my birthday as well. My mother also thought it would be a great idea to celebrate both, together. Ever since the incident happened last year, I've been dreading my birthday again. 'Please Moon Goddess show me some mercy tonight?!' I begged her in my head. The party part was really for the pack, but I hated it had to be on my birthday. Sadly, I had yet met my inner wolf. I sighed once again and turned around, managing to bounce off something much more solid than I. Closing my eyes, I braced for an impact to the floor, but rather, I felt hands placed on the side of my arms, holding me up. Opening my eyes, I looked up to see Maverick. Hearing him chuckle, I could already hear what he was going to say next.

"You're in your head again huh?" Maverick asked as he looked down at me. Turning my face away from him, I could hear him still chuckling. I could feel his eyes on me, but didn't dare look into them. Standing tall, but aggravated I turned my head and spoke softly, only for him to hear "I'm sorry. Yes, I'm always in my head." I was agitated about not meeting my inner wolf yet, but something in me knew she was there already. "Whoa there little miss." he defended quickly, and pulled me away from the others. "What's wrong?" he asked sincerely, looking me in the eyes. He was always the one others could get advice from, but this was something I didn't want to talk about.

"Nothing." I said as I tried to push him away as though pushing the thought away. As if he could read my thoughts, he gave me a small grin. Leaning in closer to where only I could hear him, he whispered, "Haven't met your inner wolf yet?" Pushing him away, I turned around quickly hiding the fact that he was right. "So, I'll wait longer. She's probably sleeping or something!" I said quickly defending my inner wolf. "Here is a tip for a birthday girl...Wait for the time you were born." he spoke and then looked at his watch. "10 am right? That's when Alpha Lockwoode is going to arrive, yes?" he asked me, chuckling towards the end. Something turned in my stomach, and I started to get nervous once again. Looking at him, my eyes widened. "No, don't tell me that! I cannot go full wolf in front of a high esteemed guest when they get here." I asked as my voice began to shake, as well as my entire body. My nerves had taken over, and I knew a panic attack was about to set in. "Hush Alexi. It is nothing like that when you meet your inner wolf. They calmly talk to you, like the voice inside your head. I mean, they already know you, so you got to get to know them." Maverick explained as he placed a gentle pat on the top of my head. "Come on, breakfast is probably almost gone. You know those pigs." he laughed and headed into the dinning hall. He was right, I mean he was Hazel's father, and he was young once too.

Turning around, I walked after him. Glancing to the pack as they stuffed their faces with food, disgusting, but you get used to it. Walking to the head of the table, I sat down to my father's left. Grabbing some food quickly, before the pack finished it off, I began to eat as well. Hearing a strange, but sweet 'Hello.' in the back of my head, I looked around. Nobody was talking, just eating, so I thought I must have been hearing things. I shook it off quickly and continued to enjoy breakfast with the pack. The only ones missing were my mother, the packs Luna, and Hazel, my best friend.

I sighed and began to scan the packs faces. Once my eyes set upon my father, I smiled. Not seeing my mother attached to him made me think of her, and watching him eat, it seemed as though he was in deep thought as well.Realizing I was looking at him, he put his food down. "What?" he asked, then looked at me with questioning eyes, "Do I have food on my face?" He then began to wipe his face, trying to get nothing off his face. I giggled and looked at him with caring eyes. "No dad, I was just thinking, and you were so lost in thought. Then I got lost in thought thinking about mom. I'm just missing her a little." I spoke gently and leaned back in my chair a little sort of depressed. "Don't worry Alexi, she'll be home sooner than you think." he told me, then placed a light and gentle touch on my arm.

Soon the aroma of La Francé filled my nose, and I quickly glanced around. My eyes landed on my mother standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She was holding a cake in her hands, with a big smile on her face. I couldn't help but blush as she walked towards me as the whole pack's eyes were now on me. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DARLING!" my mother shouted, and the rest of the pack followed after her. I could tell that everyone was excited for me and for thought's ceremony. It was impossible at this point for me to feel anything, but nervous. "T...Thanks." I said shyly as I stood up. Walking over to her, I helped her put the cake on the table. Turning around without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her waist holding her for a moment before pulling away. "Good to see you mom." I told her as I leaned against her. Her embrace was the only birthday present I wanted, and I got it. "You too darling. I am glad to be home. On that note, I will not be traveling for a while. I need a break and some time with my wonderful husband and family." she said softly as she laughed about it afterwards. Walking to the head of the table, she planted a kiss on my father's cheek. Clearing her throat to get the attention of the pack, she began speaking, "Attention my wonderful pack and family," As if the Moon Goddess herself was speaking, we all listened. "Today we have four important guest Alpha's that will be arriving. Alpha Lockwoode will be here at 10 am. He has some important business that your Alpha and I will be discussing." She went on to say as she looked at everyone, "We will be hosting them for a week while the Lunar Ceremony concludes itself. Alexi, that meeting with Alpha Lockwoode, you will be attending. I was told you're of age, and the high elders suggested it be wise you sit in on meetings." my mother said as she looked directly at me.

"Yes Ma'am." I responded quietly, then looked to my father, noticing that he seemed nervous about something. "Now the rest of you, go get ready. We only have..." she began to say and then paused to look down at her watch. 9:15 am. "We only have forty five minutes before Alpha Lockwoode arrives. Hurry and shower. Make sure you look sharp in your suits. And men, security will be 24/7 while these guests are here. Now go." She barked out orders quickly as she began to gather the plates off the dining table. Once she told them to leave, the pack seemed to disperse quickly. Watching my own mother pick up the pack's mess, I started to help her clean up. "Oh no! You will not be attending the meeting looking like that." she stopped in her tracks and looked at me. "Put everything down now, and go put on the new birthday dress I bought you. It's in your room, along with a little surprise." my mother told me. A surprise with it? I really didn't like surprises, but I knew it had to be good if it was from her.

Sighing, I shook my head. "At least let me..." I began to say, but she cut me off quickly. "No darling. It is your birthday. Plus, you need to look acceptable for this meeting and the Lunar Ceremony as well." she said as she put the plates she was holding on the table. "Now go." she added firmly, as she placed her hands on my shoulders and began to push me out of the dining room.

'No wonder she is the pack's Luna.' I thought as I turned on my heels and headed towards the stairs. 'Mom mentioned another gift. Something's definitely weird here.' my thoughts ran wild as I reached the bottom of the staircase. Looking up at them, I slightly chewed on the inside of my cheek. I began to ascend the stairs as quickly as I could. The fresh scent of roses with a hint of sweet cherry filled my nose. As I kept climbing the stairs, I thought to myself 'It couldn't be? Could it?'

As I reached the top of the stairs, the scent grew stronger. Trying to catch my breath from moving up the stairs, I followed the scent towards my bedroom. Slowly, my breathing became normal once more. Biting my lower lip, I grabbed the door knob and held my breath. Pushing the door open, that rose cherry scent filled my nose immediately. Expecting someone to be in my room, I found it was completely empty. Looking around I sighed, thinking, 'It's empty. Maybe I should call out?' Without a second thought, I called out in a normal tone of voice "Haze?" My eyes kept scanning the room for Hazel.

My best friend, and slightly evil other half, were born the same day, but she just happened to be born a few hours before me. She hadn't been around recently, and my heart and feelings hurt every day about it. Due to some issues with another rogue pack, her and her father had to investigate the situation. As if my voice alerted her, she rushed out of the bathroom. "Lex!" she squealed, running towards me, embracing me with a bear hug. While hugging me, she spoke softly, "Girl I've missed you so much!" She then released me, and studied my newly found curves and features. "Mm, you're gonna have all those potential mates out there after you." Hazel complimented me, as she walked around my body. "I can tell these last six months you've been working on looking fantastic." she giggled as she raised an eyebrow at me, obviously a little jealous, herself.

"Next time, don't leave me here without you. Six months without a single word from my best friend...I...It's scary as hell and I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you." I told her with the sincerest look and voice I had. I then looked over to the dress that was laying on my bed. My eyes widened and I shook my head quickly. "Mom cannot be serious!?" I said with a groan as I moved towards the bed. Looking at the thing, I could already tell it was meant to hug a person's body. "Your mother didn't pick it out all by herself, I helped a little bit. Plus Lex, you need to get yourself used to wearing dresses. Soon, instead of your mother traveling with my father and I, it's going to be you. Unless you find a mate and leave us." Hazel said and looked at me with puppy dog eyes. She had a pained tone in her voice when she talked about me leaving the pack for a mate.

My nose scrunched up, as if I was disgusted about having a mate. Yes I wanted one, but not when I've hardly even turned eighteen yet. I didn't bother saying anything about the mate part, but the dress was another story. Grabbing the dress, I held it up to my body. It was a cocktail dress. I began to grow super nervous, not only because I didn't have a single dress, but because this was my first one. Now I have to wear it! Though the color scheme looked beautiful, I wasn't much of a fan of the rest of it. The dress was black and gold, with one three inch strap on the right shoulder. And the biggest issue I found with the dress was the split down the left leg. It looked like it was a little higher than normal. "You cannot make me wear this." I blurted out as I looked over to Hazel. "It's a little too late to change outfits now. But you can just thank me for that later." Hazel said with an 'I'm sorry look' on her face. Then confidently walked towards my closet. "Go put on your sexy black strapless bra and try to get that on." She added as she stuck her hand behind her and waved.

Rolling my eyes, I didn't have much of a choice. Walking into the bathroom, I shut the door behind me. Sighing, I looked down at the dress. 'I cannot believe I'm going to be wearing this.' I thought to myself, hoping that everything was going to be alright today. After last year's incident, I just became a hermit of sorts. I didn't go to training with the pack, and stayed to myself away from them. But now, I had to plan my birthday and help run the Lunar Ceremony. After trying to find the zipper, I noticed it didn't have one at all. "Hey Haze!" I called out to her, still trying to figure out how to put it on. "How am I supposed to put this thing on?" I asked curiously, knowing it was going to be a struggle. "You just slip it on. But you have boobs, so you may need my help!" Hazel called out with a laugh, only teasing me about my large bust size, but she wasn't wrong. "Hey! I cannot help it if I was blessed with big boobs!" I snapped, knowing she was only teasing me, but striking a nerve just the same. "Don't worry Lex," she began to say, through the door. "The Moon Goddess blessed you perfectly. You are truly beautiful. And that's why I picked out the dress with your mom." I could hear her still in my closet, looking for something.

Looking at the dress, I heaved out a heavy sigh. 'Just put it on.' That sweet voice called out in my head. I started to look around, but understood I was only in my bathroom. Looking down to my phone, I noticed the time. 9:30 am, thirty minutes before I am actually eighteen, and thirty minutes before the first Alpha arrived. Gasping, I quickly took off what I was wearing and pulled on my black strapless bra. I was trying to pull the dress down over my large bust. Having issues already, I growled to myself. "Damn you haze!" I shouted and then opened the bathroom door quickly. "Help me out here." I groaned as I looked at her.

Without hesitation, she stood up and walked over to me, giggling a little as she could see my struggle. "Not funny Haze, now help me. We really don't have time to stall any longer." I said impatiently, then reminded her "We have only a limited amount of time before the first Alpha arrives." I was already nervous and had begun to panic a little. It was obvious that I was looking forward to redeeming myself, but I was not looking forward to hosting two things in a day. "Relax." she spoke, as she grabbed each side of the dress. Giving it a hard and quick tug, she managed to pull it over my large bust area. "See just a hard tug, and wallah!" Hazel said as she looked me in the eyes. "Don't be gentle with this dress. It will be okay. Well, unless someone wants to rip it off of you." she added as she looked at me with gentle teasing eyes. I could see she wanted to laugh, but refrained. Once she said that, I quickly looked away from her. "Very funny Haze." I blurted out quickly, and followed up with "Nobody is going to be interested in me." I managed to scoff at my own comment, as she looked at me. I wasn't wrong and I wasn't right either. But I didn't know how wrong I truly was.

"Whatever Lex, you are perfect Luna material." She tried to reassure me, but continued to speak, "You've trained as an alpha since you were five. Now once again, you're working with the pack. You'll do great, and always listen to your inner wolf. She'll always be listening." she told me with a small smile and grabbed the flat iron that was already on. She began to straighten my hair a little, but it turned out to be more wavy instead. Casting my eyes downward, I spoke softly "I am no Luna, Haze. My mom works so hard to show her love and hard work to the pack. And the only time I did anything with the pack, I got seriously hurt. I haven't worked in a pack mentality since then, and I'm just worried I'm going to f*ck up." I always seemed to make myself seem worse than I really was. Only because I messed up one time, and felt bad ever since.

Without hesitance, Hazel had already seemed to have an answer to what I was saying. "You will be fine, Lex. Your mother and father will be there. So, you technically do not have to do much." she said sincerely. "Trust me, the first time I went out my dad was there. I know it seems hard now, but once you do it the first time, it's easier the next." She continued to speak, as she finished up my hair. "Since we have time issues, your hair will be wavy, but it matches perfectly with your dress!" she said, obviously trying to change the subject and hoping to try and distract me from the situation at hand. Smiling at her, I didn't continue the conversation. But she was right, I needed to show a little effort. Looking down at my phone, I gasped loudly, "Hurry Haze, we only have fifteen minutes!" I spoke anxiously, once again beginning to chew on my lower lip.

As she put the flat iron down and unplugged it from the wall, Hazel spoke lightly as she dug around in her make-up bag. "I only have time to do your eyes and lips. Your eyebrows are perfect as they are, and your cheeks already have color to them, so there's no use for blush." She then smiled softly and added, "Close your eyes. I don't have much time left to make you look more beautiful." As I did so, I jumped a little, feeling a cold liquid on my eyelid. "Calm down, it's just an eye primer." Hazel said as she began to rub it into my eyelid. I heard her rummaging through her make-up bag again, and soon enough everything was finished, and without a moment to spare. "Peach lipstick will be your color tonight. It goes with the outfit." she spoke with a sly grin, and held it out to me. "Have a moment to yourself. You've only got..." Hazel said as she looked at her phone, "Five minutes. Now take in the hotness. I'll be right outside, looking for some heels for you." she said and walked out of the bathroom.

Watching her, I turned to the mirror and my jaw dropped. 'I know! We look HOT!' The same voice that I heard earlier, growled seductively. 'We?' I asked curiously. 'Yes we. Come on Alexi, is that really how you are going to treat me?' she asked with a hurtful growl. 'Y...You're my inner wolf? B...But you talked so early.....How?' As we held a conversation in my head, I heard Hazel call to me. "Come on Lex, your mother called for everyone." she said, then added softly, "Put the black heels on that are laying on your bed." "Alright I'm coming!" I called back to her and headed out of the bathroom. 'Heels? Oh Moon Goddess don't let me make a fool of myself!' I thought, knowing I had very little experience in heels. Even though I owned a few pairs, I normally wore pants or a skirt with them.

'Don't worry Alexi, with me, you will never fall again. And the answer to your question is because I can speak on my own accord.' she told me, as I started to put the heels on. 'But Haze?' she questioned amusingly. 'She is rather funny, and no doubt, very smart. We look amazing, and it's all thanks to your mother and her.' She spoke gently, as we moved around the room. I was still nervous about today's events, and now I knew somehow I was going to have someone to talk to, even if I was alone, or feeling alone. 'But, now that I have spoken a little bit, you should know my name. I am Aquafinia, and I am forever your inner wolf. Now, let's get this birthday started off right. Shall we?' the voice inside my head spoke. 'Just remember this, I can always hear you and you can always hear me. So listen to my reasoning, and if it gets too much for you to handle, I can take control at any time, with or without your permission of course.' She spoke in a soothing tone. It was quite nice to have someone, other than me, sharing my mind. For some reason, it felt comfortable; possibly because of the werewolf gene? Looking at myself in the mirror once more, I lightly applied the peach lipstick. Standing straight up, I opened the bedroom door and walked out. Aquafinia speaking lightly in my head 'We can do this.' It was so gentle, it seemed to calm me down.