02

Hi everyone, I'm Allya Sullivan. Today is my eighteenth birthday, and I'm so excited -- I've been waiting for this moment for ages. The day I'll finally have my transformation and meet my wolf.

I'm the daughter of Samia Sullivan and Gregory Sullivan. My parents found me in the forest when I was one year old. To this day, they haven't told me exactly what happened or whether they know anything about my real story, but they never hid the fact that I was adopted. I have two siblings -- Analia Sullivan and Jorge Sullivan. Analia is already mated and expecting her first pup. Jorge... well, my brother is the classic wolf who hooks up with every girl in the pack. He's the Beta to Alpha Derek Northwest. I've never actually met Derek -- in fact, nobody meets the Alpha until they turn eighteen. It's only after the Moon Ritual that we transform. Today is going to be a great day. My friends and I will go through the ritual and have our first transformation. I've dreamed of this day my whole life -- and also of finding my mate. Everyone says the bond is something beyond words. Analia tells me about the mate bond she felt with Brendo, and I wonder if I'll ever feel it too. Here in the pack, everyone takes part in the heat cycles starting at sixteen, even before transforming -- instinct is instinct, after all. But I've saved myself for my mate all this time. It's hard, but I've never felt the desire to be with anyone during the heats.

I wake up early, get out of bed, and take a shower. Then I get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast -- everyone's already here.

"Good morning, family."

"Good morning! Happy birthday!"

My mom comes over and hugs me.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm glad you're up! Happy birthday, my little wolf. May the Goddess always bless you."

Samia Sullivan

"Thanks, Mom."

She hugs me and hands me a present. I open it to find a beautiful moonstone necklace.

"Mom, it's gorgeous!"

"To protect you today and always, my love."

She fastens the necklace around my neck, and then my dad comes over.

"Happy birthday, my little girl."

Gregory Sullivan

"Thanks, Dad."

"It feels like just yesterday I watched you take your first steps. Tonight we'll watch you transform into your wolf. I love you so much, sweetheart."

My dad hugs me, and now it's my sister's turn.

"Oh my God, I'm getting all emotional! You're finally going to transform!"

Analia Sullivan Jacob

"Analia, come on -- weren't we up all night getting everything ready for today's ceremony?"

"Still! You know how I am. Your present? I'll only give it to you after the transformation."

"She hasn't bought anything yet, sis-in-law," Brendo teased.

Brendo Jacob

"Brendo, you're going to pay for that!"

Brendo hugs me, Analia smacks his arm, and we all laugh at the two of them. Now it's my brother's turn.

"Happy birthday, little sis. Unlike Analia, I actually bought your present -- but I left it at the pack house. I'll go grab it now."

Jorge Sullivan

"Yeah, sure. Tell us another one!"

"Here, smartass -- I really did buy it."

Jorge shows me a photo of a dress he ordered online, and we sit down for breakfast. Everything is perfect with my family around me, until my phone buzzes. It's a notification from the group chat I have with my friends Erika, Lince, Amanda, and Joshua. I open the messages and crack up laughing.

Erika: Ahhh you guys, happy birthday to us!!

Amanda: I can't believe this day is finally here.

Lince: I've been training all week for the hunt. I want a position at the pack house already.

Joshua: Same here.

Allya: Good morning everyone! I'm so hyped, I can't wait for tonight!

I keep chatting with my friends as everyone starts heading out. Jorge and Brendo leave for the pack house -- the Alpha already called them in. My dad is one of the elders; despite his relatively young age, he managed to become one. My mom is a doctor and helps at the pack hospital. Analia is staying with me to help me get ready for the ritual, and I can honestly say I'm super nervous.

"Lia, what was your first transformation like?"

"It was perfect, Allya. I dreamed about my transformation my whole life. I felt a lot of pain, like I told you, but once Rari transformed, everything was incredible."

Rari is the name of Analia's wolf. Every wolf has a name.

"I'm so nervous. Do you think I'll do well in the hunt?"

I ask while putting the dishes in the sink, and Analia comes over and kisses the top of my head.

"Don't worry, Allya. Just let your wolf take control and trust her. I promise everything will be fine."

We're distracted when the doorbell rings. Analia goes to the door and comes back smiling with a package in her hands.

"The ceremony outfit arrived."

We sit on the couch and I open it -- it's a dress for the ceremony. The pack house sends outfits to everyone who's participating.

"Come on, we need to get you ready for later."

"Why bother with all this if I'm just going to look like a mess after the transformation?"

"Allya, stop it! It's your day, your moment -- you have to look perfect."

I sigh, and we head upstairs to my room. Analia helps me get ready -- hair, makeup, the ritual baths I need to take.

"Lia, do you think I'll find my mate soon?"

"Absolutely. Beautiful as you are, you're going to turn every head tonight. And before you know it, you'll be mated."

"I want to feel the same things you told me you felt when you first saw Brendo."

We spend the whole afternoon chatting until we glance at the clock and it's already six in the evening. We didn't even notice the time fly by. Analia goes to shower and get dressed, and my parents are getting ready too. Jorge and Brendo got ready at the pack house since they had a long day working with the Alpha. I come downstairs and everyone is waiting for me in the living room.

"You look beautiful, princess."

"Let's go -- we don't want to be late."

We pile into the car and head to the ceremony venue. I am beyond excited.

Allya's Dress

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