I step further into the living room and my parents stand up looking directly at me. My father looks me up and down before sighing in relief.

"Thank god you're not hurt!" He says throwing his arms in the air. "You realise you could of been hurt."

"You've trained me since I was 5 years old, I think I can handle myself." I say shrugging then removing my shoes and placing them by the front door.

"Melody-" my mom says walking up to but I hold out my hand to stop her.

"I love you both, a lot. But I don't want this talk with you every time I walk through the door 5 minutes past curfew. I'm not 10 anymore, I'm 18 years old!" I say throwing my arms in frustration.

I feel the heat rising up my throats and I fear for what I would say. My parents don't deserve my anger. As they try to continue I throw my shoes back on.

"Melody please, stay here." Mom says trying to reach out for me. Father comes at me too but I stand up straight holding my arms up in the air.

"I can't, I promised James I'd help him out with Jessie. I'll be back by midnight, but please don't wait up and don't worry." I say giving them a small smile before opening the front door and walking out.

I walk down the corridor and pull my jacket tighter to my body. I greet people as I pass and try not to think of the fact that they will tell my parents where I am.

Everyone in the pack is so loyal to my parents, they love them. I'm glad I don't have the weight of the pack on my shoulders because it's just too much.

I finally make it to Oli's apartment and knock on the door frantically. I glance at my phone screen and see it's just gone 10pm.

It's late but I have to talk to somebody. James is busy and I don't want to bother Mikey right now. I know he has a mate of his own to take care of.

I jump as Oli throws his door open, he looks at me through half closed eyes. He is wearing a pair of pj trousers and his hair is disheveled. I woke him up, great.

Nice going dumbo.

"Babe?" He croaks as he opens his door wider allowing me to pass him into his apartment. His eyes follow me as I walk into his small cozy apartment.

"Hey Oli, sorry to bother you but I had to get out." I say rubbing my face with my hands.

"Hey hey, it's okay Melody!" Oli says closing the door and bringing me into his embrace, his arms are strong and I have gotten so use to being in them, so why does it feel confining? "What's up babe?"

"Just stuff, I'm fine just...um wanted to see you." I say trying to smile up at him, he gives me a smirk and plants a kiss on my forehead.

"You can stay as long as you want babe." He says rubbing my back soothingly but tonight it feels weird, like it burns my back.

I shake my head and ignore it, maybe it's because I'm angry. I need a run, my wolf hasn't been out for a while. Training has taken up a lot of my time recently.

'Not our mate.' My wolf says angrily, she has always been silent when I'm with Oli because she is angry that I'm not waiting for my mate. 'Need run.'

"Um no," I say getting out of his arms and heading to the door "um I have somewhere else I need to go, sorry for bothering you."

"Melody wait," he says grabbing my hand "don't go! You can spend the night, we can finally take the next step. I know you've wanted to wait but I really want you."

I flinch away from his hand and finally find myself getting scared. I've never thought of sex before, I was told to wait for my mate. But I don't want my mate? Or do I?

Why does it feel like today is going by super fast? I can't keep up with the drama and anger.

Why am I so confused tonight?!

"Look I'm sorry for bothering you." I apologise and feel bad for waking him up then running out, I mean he is my boyfriend "It's a big day tomorrow and I have to get ready."

"Fine." He says walking me to the door and slamming it after me, I let out a long sigh. Oli has always been the dramatic type.

It's only 10:30pm and I don't want to go home until I absolutely have to. Tomorrow is going to be big, my moms is going to make James take me shopping for a dress then my father is going to give me the 'I can't believe she is so grown up' speech.

I let out a laugh as I walk down the corridors, I may get annoyed at my parents but they are the best out there. My parents are my inspiration.

'Lody come home please? It's a big day tommorrow plus I have news!'

Mikey's voice pops into my head. I stop in my tracks in the middle of the dark corridor.

He sounds like he needs me, but do I want to go home yet. I still have time before midnight. The curious wolf in me comes out and I instantly want to know his news.

I let out a ear piercing scream when a hand grips my shoulder, a hand covers my mouth soon after. I turn my head and see that it's only James.

I smack his hands away from my face and push him slightly.

"James!" I growl in a low voice "what the hell are you playing at?!"

James, who is too busy laughing his butt off, grips my shoulder once again trying to keep himself from falling.

"Gosh, you should of seen your face!" He laughs holding his stomach "I haven't seen you this scared since you peed your pants in front of the whole school in kindergarten."

"Oh shut up James!" I whisper shout, I'm half annoyed but I'm finding his laughing funny too.

Mixed moods here.

"Mikey told me to find you." He says once finally farming down "plus I want to tell you to be up early! We're going-"

"Don't say it..." I mutter to myself closing my eyes to await the dreaded word.

"SHOPPING!" He laughs in my face, shaking my shoulders at the same time.

"You hate shopping James, and I hate shopping so why?!" I say banging my head against his shoulder in annoyance.

"Because," he says grabbing my shoulder and moving me to arms length so he can look me in the eye "you need a dress and I'm your best friend!"

"Fine, but if I'm being forced to get a dress you have to get a tux!" I say poking him with my finger, he gasps dramatically "with a bow tie!!"

"You are such a horrible woman!" He says punching me playfully "deal."

We do our famous spit shake which consists of; spit, shake, high five, high ten and a fist bump.

"Now I think I have a brother in need back at home!" I say pointing to the direction of my home. James gives me a big smile in return "hey you should invite Jesse along. People can change their mind about ball dates you know."

I give him one last hug and a tiny yap on his blushing face before heading back up to my home. The corridors are deserted and dark, I only meet a few male wolves who are on duty.

I finally get to the final corridor but come to a stop when I see our front door open. Mikey stands there with a smile on his face and Victoria is hugging him before waving goodbye and disappearing down another corridor.

"Mikey!" I shout as he turns to go back into the apartment. His head whips around and he sighs in relief.

"Melody where have you been?!" He says worriedly, as soon as I'm near his he quickly rushes me inside.

"I was at Oli's, what's going on?" I whisper standing in front of him. I give a quick sweep around the room and sigh as there is no sign of my parents.

"Well firstly, I'm glad your okay!" He says quietly standing close so we can hear each other "secondly, Victoria and I have decided to complete the mating process tomorrow night! We've marked but now all that's left is the actual mating." He adds a wink at his last remark making me want to roll my eyes.

He sounds so excited and I can see how happy he is, so instead of being a downer or complaining I pull him in for a hug.

"Congrats big bro!" I say happily "you deserve her!"

"Thanks Melody!" He says hugging me tightly, suddenly he pulls away and looks upstairs "Oh crab balls! Mom is up! Right don't tell mom or dad about Victoria and I yet!"

"Okay I won't promise!" I say rushing to say everything "now quick get upstairs!"

We both hurriedly make our way up the stairs trying to be quiet as we run. I watch as Mikey darts into his room safely and I'm about to open my door when my name is called.

"Melody." My mom calls from a few feet behind me, I freeze and slowly spin around.

"Mom." I greet pretending that I wasn't just running for my life.

"You okay sweetie?" She says pulling me in for what is my like 5th hugs in the last 2 hours.

"Yes I'm good, just exhausted after training and going out." I say hugging her back, she smells like roses and fresh bread.

"Well okay, get some rest now. I'm sure James had plans for you tomorrow." She says pulling away with her motherly smile, then kisses my cheek before wandering off back to bed.

I lean against the door and stare into the darkness of the corridor. In under 24 hours I shall be dressed up and dancing around the grand ball room.

What if I do find my mate? I've tried so hard to put the pressure of finding a mate behind me. I mean my mom is the Mystical wolf, and everyone expected me to be but I'm not.

I am a normal average wolf.

Suddenly a voice popped up in my head. 'We want our mate!' My wolf says stubbornly.

I do. I do want to find my mate, I'm scared of the outcome like most. But instead of wondering if their dead or already mated, I'm scared that I will let them down or reject them out of fear.

My phone starts ringing in my back pocket so I quickly bring it out and answer it straight away. It's Oli.

"Hello." I answer sliding down onto my floor against my bed. My body itches for a shower to clean everything away.

"Hey, I'm sorry for tonight." He says though the phone.

"It's fine." I say standing up and sitting on the edge of my bed instead.

"I wanted to ask you if you want to go to the Ball tomorrow with me?" He says and I hear a voice say something in the background making Oli sigh.

"Maybe, I don't know I'm sorry Oli. My parents probably want me with them representing the pack. I'll text you." I say rubbing my temples trying to decide.

"Okay, goodnight Melody." I hear the slight annoyance in his voice but I don't say anything about it.

"Goodnight Oli." I say before hanging up, I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I know we haven't been in the best place lately but I didn't realise we would be distant towards each other.

You need a shower Melody...

I think standing up and heading into the bathroom.

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