I glared at my parents across the breakfast table as they sang happy birthday to me in an overly joyous tune, which I didn't care for. The last thing a twenty—year—old college student who still lived at home with her parents wanted to hear was them still singing happy birthday to her like they had every year since she was a child.

It was bad enough that I still lived under their roof but the fact they still treated me like a child made it much worse. I was itching to be independent for some time now but I just didn't have the resources for it. Going to college didn't leave much time for working, so with my part—time waitress job on the side, I was barely paying the bills I had now. Adding new ones just wasn't an option.

Mom and dad had been more than understanding about my situation and agreed to keep me up, as long as I needed, until I was able to move out. Neither of them was rushing me though, so I was thankful for that.

At the song's end they both stood and clapped before mom pushed the chocolate iced cake in front of my face. I stared it down grudgingly, unsure whether or not to taste it. Why did chocolate have to be my weakness?

I had been on a diet for a solid month now but had barely lost any weight. If I was able to go out for a run more frequently I'm sure I wouldn't even have to even be on this diet. Being a werewolf alone was enough to keep one in shape. You could burn a day's calories in just one run.

I'll just be glad once all of these college courses are over and I can have more free time. My wolf really needed a good run.

Now that summer was here I'd at least have a good two months before classes started back up again at the local campus. Maybe Charlie will let me pick up a few extra shifts so I can start apartment hunting. I'm sure that by the end of summer I'll have enough saved for first and last month's rent.

"Oh, come on honey. It's your birthday. One slice of cake won't kill you," Mom urged.

It will when I have to work it off later. Maybe after work tonight I can go for a decent run. It's much needed.

"I suppose," I mumbled just to make her happy. "Pass me a plate."

Mom clapped her hands happily as dad passed out the plates. I don't know who was more anxious to eat it, me or them.

"Don't forget to make a wish," she said, watching the lit candles in the middle burn.

Eh, why not? May as well humor them, right?

I closed my eyes and leaned in close while thinking what I wanted to wish for. Within a few seconds I automatically knew.

My Mate.

I opened my eyes and blew out the two and zero candle just before dad started cutting the cake. Well…someone was hungry. I thought sarcastically to myself.

I dug my fork into the chocolaty goodness that now sat in front of me. It's not often I get chocolate for breakfast. Or at all for that matter. I May as well make the most of it.

Ah, heaven. I smiled. The creamy milk chocolate melted away in my mouth. It was perfect. Truly and utterly perfect—

"Oh honey, before I forget, there is a pack meeting taking place tonight. Alpha Daniel has requested that everyone be there. Apparently he has some news to announce."

Well almost perfect.

What could be so darn important that they needed everyone tonight? Now I'm gonna have to switch my shift with Celeste and she is not going to be happy with that. She hates covering the weekend shift. The nights were always the worst. That's when the diner was filled with the less desirable people.

You know the ones that were a little too touchy and the worst tippers? Well after nine pm at least. Those last three hours until the diner closed were the most dreadful though.

"Honey, you're spacing out again. Have you been losing sleep? You remember what Dr. Peterson said—"

"I know mom," I replied, cutting her off before she could lecture me further. "I was just thinking about the diner."

I don't know exactly what I said that made her smile but she had the biggest grin of all on her face at the mention of it. In fact, it slightly worried me.

"You know, that reminds me dear. Now that it's your twentieth birthday you might meet your mate tonight."

I raised an eyebrow to her in confusion. "What does that have to do with the diner?"

"Well when you find your mate you won't have to work so much. You know he'll take care of you. You might actually start to enjoy life again."

Oh, so that's where she was going with this.

"Mom you know good and well I don't want a mate for that reason. I want my mate because he'll love me unconditionally. I don't plan on changing my life style because of him," I stated.

"I know honey but you may find yourself doing a lot of things you thought you wouldn't normally do," she smiled. "Mates change everything."

I rolled my eyes at her but didn't reply. There was no sense arguing with her over it. She'll just pull the experience card at me. After all, she had a mate and I did not.

Maybe mom's right. Maybe that will all change tonight. Maybe he's waiting to meet me as well.

Let's see, who all has turned twenty since our last meeting?

Well, there was Tim, the Beta's brother, and Zack, my cousin, who couldn't be my mate.

Hmm who else? I know there was one more.