Changes

"When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny."

― Paulo Coelho

(Freya)

"I'll run in really quick and change." Freya said to Sam as she closed the car door.

The window rolled down, "Into the new outfit you bought." Sam clarified.

Freya almost laughed, "Fine," she replied shaking her head as she hurriedly walked into her house. Shutting the door, Freya leaned against it, and took a deep breath.

First day of school had been horrible, one of the worst days yet, and now she was about to go to a ceremony that would label her for the rest of her life. No pressure at all. Not to mention that once the ceremony was complete the block on her mating link would be opened. A lot of shifters that went to this ceremony ended up finding their mates the same day. The unmated shifters always showed up, in hopes of finding their mates, it was a truly magical moment. The fear that she did not have a mate was a constant thought, it weighed on Freya heavily, that she would forever be alone. Shoving the depressing thought to the back of her mind another entered, what if she found her mate but he rejected her? That was always a possibility, it had never happened in the history of this pack, but that did not mean that it could not happen. Knowing Freya's luck that was a strong possibility indeed, who would want a mousy looking girl that could not even defend herself against a public grope fest? Freya was so low on the social pole that no one had even bothered to stand up for her in a room of a hundred people, just Sam, now that was pathetic.

"Ditching the ceremony?" came a deep voice from across the room.

Freya's eyes flew open in surprise, green eyes clashed with liquid silver ones, her mouth opened but no words came out. Clearing her throat softly she looked down, "No, just changing before heading there." She finally got out.

"Look at me." Zander's voice was unusually serious, the command had Freya's eyes immediately back on his. "You smell different."

Confusion and embarrassment came off her in waves, she smelt different? What did that even mean, why had he taken such an interest in how she normally smelt. "So?" she questioned, not knowing where that had come from.

Zander stepped closer to her, if she would have been able to move back, she would have. Unfortunately, her back was already pressed against the door, so she went ridged, standing still as he crowded her space. The creak of wood sounded around them as he rested his hand against the frame behind her. Turning her face away from his bulking frame, she squinted her eyes shut tightly, hearing him inhale right beside her neck.

���You've been touched by a male," he sniffed the air again, "and recently." He bit out, his voice had dropped an octave, which was impressive since it had already been low before.

Freya's heart fluttered against her chest, "Nice observation, if you are done, I really need to get changed. Big night and all, why are you even here, don't you have your own place?" she asked, still not looking directly at him. The smell of his own body crept its way to her nose, she breathed it in softly, and was a little taken by surprise at how nice he smelt. Why had she never noticed his scent before? It was quite enticing, like the smell of rain and peppermint.

He didn't make any indication that he was moving, "I was picking up your mom's camera, she had left it here in a hurry. I am supposed to bring it with me to the ceremony."

Letting out a little sigh, she nodded, "Cool, so could you back up, you are kind of crowding me." She stated, starting to get slightly annoyed with the amount of male attention she had been getting today, though the smell of Zander's minty fresh breath had her wanting to turn to face him.

Zander was silent, sneaking a peek of him from the corner of her eye, she found him just staring at her intensely. Finally, he pushed away from the door on a sigh and she took the moment to scurry around him, heading for her bedroom. "Freya." Zander called from behind her, she stopped, but did not dare turn around. "You should wash up, you stink."

Jerk.

Pulling out her cell phone she sent Sam a quick text, letting her know she was going to be a little longer to get ready, so she could wash off. Zander might be a jerk but if he noticed the smell on her, then her mom would too, and that was a line of questioning that she would rather avoid. Sam ended up turning off the car and coming inside, she was sitting on the bed, Freya's outfit in hand when she had come out of the bathroom.

"This works out better, now I can help you do your hair and makeup, new outfit new look." She announced with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

Freya swallowed hard, "Yay…" she let out with less then no enthusiasm.

"Oh, don't be a big baby, this will be fun! Now change into this so we can get started." She tossed the outfit clapping her hands together.

Sam's excitement was kind of contagious, Freya chucked the towel away from her body, taking the slip of the dress she had bought and pulled it down over her head. Sam was watching her with keen eyes and Freya raised a brow at her, "What?" she asked.

"If you would just stand up straight and be a little more confident, you could bend this entire pack to their knees with your beauty." She stated.

"Whatever." Freya shook her head in annoyance. It was sweet of Sam to try and build her up like that, but she knew the truth about her appearance, she was not beautiful.

Sam just smiled, "You'll see." She hummed lowly, "Lets get you primmed, gosh I am so jealous of that dress, it makes your boobs look so good." She gushed.

Freya fidgeted with the top of the dress, it was strapless, and had a plunge neckline. The only thing holding it up were indeed her breasts, which were decently ample. With this dress though they looked incredible, nice, and firm. The dress accentuated the curves she did not know that she possessed. The white of the fabric stood in stark contrast to her tanned skin and the dark of her hair as it flowed around her bare arms, tickling her sensitive skin.

Freya watched as Sam pulled her makeup bag, she never left home without it, most of the time Freya would have teased her for it but now she was thankful. "Let's pluck those eyebrows and oil you up, then we will do your makeup."

"Pluck my eyebrows?" Freya blanched, absently touching one of her brows.

"Mhmm," Sam mouthed, "This will make your eyes more prominent and then we will add some neutral eye shadow, then darken it with some black eyeline, and plump out your thick lashes. I have been waiting for this day for a long time, I have envisioned getting a hold of your face for a while now." She laughed lightly.

Freya groaned inwardly, "What have I gotten myself into." She mumbled but sat down and let Sam have her way.