Chapter 3 Mate!

Catherine's POV

"Kate, we are going to be late!" My mother's voice echoed over the mind link.

I was still busy getting ready for tonight's proceedings. I had just walked out of the bathroom.

"I'll meet you there!" I answered her and shut off the link.

It was still far too early for me to go down to the clearing, yet my mother wanted me to join her and welcome all the pack members who were coming down to see my first shift.

I was a bit nervous, and I was fiddling nervously.

When I got home from school, I told Sarah that I needed to think about everything she had said, and I went up to my room.

Jimmy followed and asked if I was okay.

"Nothing to worry about," I told him. "I'm just nervous about tonight."

He understood and let me be.

That was four hours ago.

I guess Jimmy told Mom and Dad that I needed to have some time for myself.

I sighed out loud, dropped the bathroom towel on the floor, and looked at my reflection in the mirror on the wall.

My gaze moved over my perfect features. I still believed my auburn; wavy hair was the best feature I had.

I dropped my head to the side, inspecting my toned body.

I wasn't the tallest and biggest of the she wolves around, yet I wasn't the shortest or smallest.

My body was toned and in perfect shape from all the extensive training I had with my father.

I had curves in all the right places that any male wolf would adore, and my hands moved over my breast; they were firm under my hands, and to me, they were just the right size.

I sighed out loud, and my gaze wandered up toward the reflection of my face in the mirror.

I looked tired, and black rings had started to form under my eyes...

Was that because of all the worry today?

Did I do this to myself?

No wonder Sarah was getting worried.

I walked closer to the mirror, moving my fingers over the dark purple black rings.

My emerald green eyes suddenly changed to a deep golden color, and startled, I took a step away from the mirror. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and I noticeably shivered.

That must have been my imagination.

I slowly took a step forward, looking at my eyes again. Nothing seemed out of place.

I sighed and dropped my gaze. I guess with all the excitement of my shift tonight and worry about Brian and me being mates, I was now going mad and seeing things.

I shook my head, annoyed, and lifted my gaze. This time, golden eyes stared back at me, and I yelped out in surprise, feeling my heart pounding uncontrollably against my chest.

A burst of sweet, angelic laughter sounded in my mind.

"Halloo?" I asked, feeling silly about asking the question.

Yet again, I was greeted by amusing laughter.

I sighed as I watched my eyes change back to their emerald green color, and I shook my head in disbelief.

I was seriously losing my mind today.

I turned and walked to my walk in closet and searched for the clothes I would be wearing tonight.

I have decided on a white floral dress with big yellow flower prints. It was decent enough for the shifting, yet I wouldn't feel bad if the dress was ripped in the process.

I found my white sandals and put them on, and then I sat at the dressing table to do my hair.

Usually, Sarah would come over and do my hair for me on special occasions, but I assured her that I would manage to do my hair myself.

Another breath left my lips as I pulled the hot iron through my hair. My mind was racing in all directions.

"Why the long face?" An angelic voice echoed in my mind, interrupting my thoughts and, in the process, startling me.

"Now you want to talk?" I growled.

"My dear girl," she said, "I was a bit distracted by how beautiful you are... and because it is my first time walking the earth and I was a bit nervous and overexcited about meeting you..."

I rolled my eyes at her, yet I couldn't help but blush.

"Thank you..." I said, "And welcome to... earth."

She chuckled, and her voice was like a melody written only for me to hear.

"I'm Kia, by the way," she said, and I could feel her move inside my mind.

"I'm..."

"Catherine," she said, cutting me off, "I know, the Goddess told me all about you..."

"Really?" I gasped, surprised.

"Yes," she answered, "the goddess is very fond of you."

I couldn't help but smile.

"Will you reveal yourself?" I asked, hoping for her to show me what she looked like.

"You will only be able to see me when we have shifted," she answered. "Until then, I am only a presence in your mind."

"So, I need to wait until midnight?" I challenged.

"Yes," she answered.

"Now I feel like Cinderella," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Yet, Cinderella transformed back at midnight; you will shift in your wolf at that time," she argued, "and the magic is permanent, not like Cinderella's."

I guess I received a smart mouthed wolf as well. This might just end interestingly.

"Can you help me fix these black rings under my eyes?" I asked, and Kia chuckled, finding me amusing.

"Of course," she answered, "the fairy godmother is doing her first magic trick." and before my eyes, the black rings under my eyes vanished...

"Thanks," I said, and I picked up the brush to comb through my hair, then tied it up in a loose ponytail.

I pulled my makeup case closer, searched for the items I needed, and finished off my face five minutes later.

"Perfect!" I said and pouted.

A soft knock sounded from the door, and I got up to see who was there.

As soon as I opened the door, the most intoxicating scent of forest and pinewood hit my nostrils.

"Mate!"

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