*Abigail's POV*
The light coming through my window is the first thing I notice as I open my eyes. It is bright, and it hurts my eyes. My head is buzzing as I raise my head, something is different. Very different. Slowly I sit up, did I have too much to drink last night? No, I don’t drink like that... wait a second... I still have my dress on from last night. My shoes were thrown haphazardly against the wall. How did I even get back to my room?
I look at my hands, they feel... different? They tingle with a weird sensation, and as I open and close my hands, I feel a strange sense of power. Just... what happened? Slowly I slid out of the bed, my bare feet touching the cold wood floor, my dress seemed smaller than yesterday. Tight around my chest, and shorter on my thighs. If I bent down, I’m sure my goodies would be displayed to the world.
It was just then I could feel everything. The pack link seemed to explode around me, they are worried for the alpha? Wait a second... that’s right! My brother’s ascension ceremony was last night! So why don’t I remember anything?
Stumbling to the mirror I almost didn’t recognize myself! Was I taller??? Did my chest get bigger??? What is going on?! My dull auburn hair is shining, and longer as well! The unruly curls turned into a wave that reached low on my back. My bluish green eyes seemed to dance, and the amber eyes of my wolf started to glow in my iris. I feel stronger, my aura feels stronger, and I gasp as I remembered everything from yesterday.
~Flashback~
“How do I look?” I ask my best friend as I twirl in front of her. Angie was the gamma’s only child, and we have been besties since we could walk.
“Uh, look Abby, it looks great but... peach colored? Again?” She frowned. “It really clashes with your hair and skin tone.”
“I know but its Mason’s favorite color on me.” I pouted as I fought with my hair again, the unruly curls already creeping back up. She scoffed and grabbed my hair straightener. “You will understand when you finally turn 18 and find your mate.” I smiled, fixing my makeup.
She only rolled her eyes. “You know, ever since you two found each other you have started to change. I understand you have training now to be the Second Beta but don’t lose yourself.” She frowned. “You’re the alpha’s daughter for Goddess’ sake. You are supposed to be a leader, but ever since you hooked up with him all I see you do is say ‘Mason this’ or ‘Mason that.” She sighed and looked at me through the reflection of the mirror. “It feels like I’m losing my best friend.”
“Oh, you’re not losing me. I’m still the same pain in the ass I have always been.” I gave her a small smile. “Just because I found my mate and he is going to ascend to the Beta post doesn’t mean I’m going to forget about you. I just have a lot to learn. He has had his whole life to prepare to be Beta while I have only had months! My parents always thought I would end up being mated to another alpha. Luna training is so different than Second Beta. Its more thought out.”
“Ugh. At least you get to train for a titled job.” Angie pouted. “It doesn’t matter that I am the Gamma’s only child, it's like I don’t even matter.”
“Of course, you matter.” I scolded her. “You would make a great Gamma. You’re the most organized person I have ever met, not to mention more than half of our training class is absolutely terrified of being paired up with you during training.” I chuckled. “Even my brother hesitates when fighting you.”
“That doesn’t matter though.” She sighed. “But. Let’s not talk about my sucky life! Let’s go back to you and this hideous color!” She giggled. “So, is Mason going to pick you up here or are we meeting him downstairs?”
“You know, I texted him earlier and he hasn’t replied. That isn’t like him....”
“Oh, he is probably just busy getting ready. You know he is ascending as soon as Wyatt becomes Alpha, probably a lot to do.”
A knock on the door startled us and I grin as I nearly run to it! Mason came for me! Wait.... “Hi Daddy!” I smiled, trying to hide the disappointment.
“Hi Alpha Abraham.” Angie smiled, before bowing her head slightly.
My dad only chuckled. “Hey girls. There is my princess.” He looked me up and down before pulling me into a hug. I am such a daddy’s girl. “Just wanted to come and see if I could walk the most beautiful future Second Beta and her best friend downstairs.”
I smiled. “Okay Daddy!” I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice that it wasn’t Mason that was walking me down, but I failed.
“Sorry, Princess. I asked Mason to show some of the visiting Alpha’s around seeing as how we have all been busy today.” He smiled. “But don’t worry too much, I’m sure he’ll make time to see you before the ceremony begins.” He offered me his arm before smiling to Angie who followed us out of my room.
“Oh. That’s where he has been.” I muttered. “He could have at least texted me or mind linked me.”
My dad chuckled again, his hazel eyes dancing. “Just like your mother. Clingy.” He kissed my cheek, his red beard tickling my cheek.
“Where is mother?” I asked, as Luna she should be on my dad’s arm.
“She is getting ready with Wyatt.” He smiled. “He asked her to stand with us today.”
“What really? What about Veronica?” I popped her name mockingly. She was my brother’s mother who showed up one day after my parents were happily mated with my stepbrother in her arms. Ever since then she has been a thorn in my mother’s side, and she barely hides her contempt for me.
“Yeah. About that. Wyatt only told her this morning, and they had a big fight. Some things were said...”
“Like what???” I pressed further.
“Well. It seems he sees your mother as more of a mother figure than Veronica.” Daddy sighed. “Don’t bring it up tonight, okay Princess? Things are already tense.” He frowned, as long as I can remember he was not happy with the situation either, once he and mother got mated, he never slept with anyone else, but he was not that conscientious before. I was only a newborn when she showed up at the pack. I guess she thought my daddy would throw my mom and me out and make her Luna.
She was sadly mistaken, as my dad is faithful to my mom and me. However, she still rubbed it in my mom’s face that she was the mother of the future alpha... I smirked, but it seems that was taken from her as well.
I noticed her in the hallway sulking, and I tried to not make eye contact with her. Her narrow pointed nose turned down like normal while her blonde hair was pulled back. Big pieces of gawdy jewelry decorated her neck and ears almost as if she was trying to tell anyone who didn’t already know her ‘importance’ to the pack. I looked to Angie to stop my eyes from rolling. As we passed her nasally voice squeaked out.
“Abraham, can’t you talk to him? I should be up there with you not her.”
“Veronica, it is his decision, not mine.” My dad sighed. “He wants Luna Ellie to stand with him. And I will not go against his wishes.”
“But-!”
“You dare argue with your Alpha?” I snapped my head around, feeling my anger spike a little. Angie giggled behind me softly as she lowered her head. <Bitch better be glad that’s all I’m saying.> I mutter in mind link to my dad and best friend. <And she stinks, how much perfume does she need, anyway?>
<Careful Princess, that aura of yours is getting out of hand again.> My dad warned, and I focused on bringing it back in.
<Sorry, Daddy. She struck a nerve.> I sighed as we walked down the stairs. Ever since I was small my aura was a problem, always flaring out and making others uncomfortable. My dad had to train with me even harder when I turned 18 and learned I was destined to be Second Beta. He chuckled once, saying that Mason needed to watch out, that I was stronger than he was.
Not that it mattered, even if I wanted to use my aura against my true mate it wouldn’t work as commands wouldn’t work between us. And I’m okay with letting him take the lead, I’m really laid back when it comes to Beta work.
Finally, we enter the giant ballroom, at the front is the giant stage that is decorated extravagantly waiting for my brother and parents. Near the stage are a whole gaggle of females, all surrounding my brother’s girlfriend and soon to be chosen mate, Delilah. They have been together for years, and my brother is totally infatuated with her. When they turned out not to be true mates he didn’t care, asking her to be his future Luna.
Of course, she said yes.
“Alright Princess, I have to go get ready.” My dad chuckled as he hugged me again while my other friends made their way over to me and Angie with drinks in their hands.
“Alright Daddy! Tell Wyatt he’s got this, but don’t fall off the stage and embarrass us in front of our allies.” I laughed as Mariah passed me a glass of champagne.
He cracked me a humorous smile and kissed my forehead again before leaving back up the stairs, not even looking at Veronica as she frowned at him again. She looked like she wanted to say something else to him, but I growled loudly, and she crossed her arms and made her way to the stage. I really don’t like her.
“Let me guess, Icky Vicky strikes again?” My friend Brian laughed, he was one of our strongest fighters in our training class. Working towards becoming an Elite guard or even a head trainer himself. Angie had the biggest crush on him since middle school. I stole a glance at her as she looked away, a slight blush on her cheeks.
“Yeah, she is in a mood.” I smirked as she walked over to Delilah and gave her a fake smile. Rolling my eyes again I looked to my friends and giggled as Mariah started to mime out Delilah’s preppy mannerisms. “Stop that, you’re going to get in trouble!”
“Not yet, I’m not.” She flicked her hand away from her face just like Veronica does. “I’m very important!” She mocked in the same high squeaky voice Veronica uses and I nearly choke on my drink.
“Stop that!” I laugh as my nose starts to burn from the champagne I had just tried to swallow. “Remember Delilah is going to be Luna soon don’t make her an enemy.” I warned as I wiped my mouth with a napkin.
“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Stewart groaned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, shocked.
“Oh, come on Abby, don’t tell me you don’t see it.” Mariah looked at me with her eyebrow popped up.
“What, no. She always seems so nice.” I looked back towards the other group and scrunched my face in confusion.
“Yeah, to you. You are his sister... and mated to the Young Beta.” Stuart sighed. “But to the rest of us.... nope.”
I was about to argue my point again when a voice from over my shoulder nearly made me jump out of my shoes.
“Hey, Geegee.” My heart futtered with excitement as I spun around and looked into my mate’s gorgeous brown eyes. His long blonde hair was pulled back, and he smirked as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, making me shiver as I smelled his minty toothpaste. “You look amazing.”