•Mara's POV•

I wake up on Sunday morning with a smile on my face.

This is it. This is the day.

I get up and find something to put on for the time I'll be at the pack house before the ceremony begins.

I grab some deep blue denim jeans and a pretty cream coloured sweater. After having a fairly quick shower, I change into the clothes and tie my long hair in a low ponytail then apply my usual makeup.

Grabbing my phone on the way, I race down the stairs and shout a goodbye to mum and dad.

When I get outside, I stop short but then smile, walking forward towards Ryder who's sitting on his bike.

"You could have come inside you know." I say as I grab the helmet he's holding out for me.

He looks around quickly, "Outside was nice."

I sigh, "You were looking out for Cam."

He helps me onto the bike and then starts the engine.

"Maybe." He replies.

I giggle and breathe in the fresh air that whips my face as Ryder drives the bike to the pack house.

Once we pull up at the driveway, I hop off the bike and Ryder takes my hand. I squeeze his hand as we walk up to the front door.

"Are you ready?" I ask.

He looks down and smiles at me, "As long as you're with me, I'm ready for anything."

My insides melt at his words and I think my walking went into autopilot as I had no control over them anymore. If Josh didn't stop us when we came in, I think I would have just kept walking until I hit the wall.

And that would have been embarrassing.

"Hey, future Alpha's." He says.

"Morning Josh." I smile and give him a hug, which doesn't last long because Ryder pulls me back and Josh slaps Ryder on the back playfully.

"Josh." Ryder nods.

I roll my eyes at Ryder, "Ryder, you need to get it into that thick head of yours that Josh and I are friends."

He just gives me a look, which I return.

Layla comes out and crushes me when she sees me, wrapping her arms in a tight hug around me.

This surprises me a little, since this is something I have never seen Layla to do.

I just laugh and hug her back, "Layla, you're happy."

She pulls away and beams at me, "I am."

I'm about to ask more, but Mandy and Cole come in, holding hands of course.

"Hey guys." I wave at them.

"Hey!" Mandy says as she gets out of Cole's grip and comes over to us.

Cole waves at me and turns to Josh and Ryder.

I give Mandy and quick hug, "So what do you have planned for me outfit wise?" I ask them.

Mandy and Layla told me, and I mean told me, that they would organise my outfit for today.

They smirk, "You'll see soon enough, let's just get some girl time first. I feel like we haven't had anything like that for ages." Mandy replies.

I nod in agreement, "Hell yes."

We climb the stairs and go into the master bedroom, where we will be getting ready.

Layla and I sit on the floor while Mandy bends down and reaches for something under the bed.

"What are you doing?" Layla asks.

Mandy comes back up with a brown paper bag in hand and a playful grin on her face.

Layla and I eye her suspicisouly, I grab the bag out of her grasp and open it, pulling out what's inside.

"Is this-"

I'm cut off by Mandy jumping on me and covering my mouth.

"Shush! The guys will hear and they'll kill us." Mandy says through mind-link.

"What is it?" Layla asks.

I hand the bottle to Layla.

"Tequila?" She smirks, "Where'd you get this Mandy?"

Mandy shrugs, "That's for me to know and you to never find out."

Layla giggles and opens the bottle, taking a swig.

I push Mandy off me and she hits the floor with a crash.

"Ow! Mara what was that for?" She whines.

I scoff, "You were literally on top of me, I need space."

"It was for our own good." She replies.

I hear footsteps coming up the stairs and I quickly grab the bottle of tequila from Layla and search around the room to hide it somewhere.

When I see the lonely desk, I shove it in the drawer and sit down where I was.

About a second after I do, the door opens and Ryder, Josh and Cole pop their heads in.

"We're sorry, we just had to know what was going on up here." Ryder says.

I cross my arms over my chest, "And what did you think we were doing?" I ask.

"Yeah, and why were you listening?" Mandy asks too.

"Whatever you were doing sounded weird." Ryder replies.

"And we listen for your own protection." Cole replies too.

"Our own protection? What do you think we talk about?" Mandy scoffs.

Cole's about the reply, but I hold a hand up, "We're fine, now shoo. It's girl time."

"Yes Ma'am." Ryder replies and shuts the door.

When we are convinced they've left, I get back up and grab the bottle.

When I sit back down, Mandy has three cups I had no idea where'd she'd gotten from.

"Have you have it before?" Layla asks as she pours a tiny bit into each cup.

I shake my head no.

Mandy smirks, "Neither have I, I just thought we could use a celebration."

"I'll drink to that." I reply and grab the cup.

We clink the glasses and bring them to our lips.

The liquid burns as it goes down my throat, making my eyes water. Mandy lets out a cough, but I just take a deep breath and the sensation in my throat subsides.

We smile at each other and burst out laughing.

Why we think this is funny, I have no idea.

"So," I say after we finish our laughing fit, "Why are you so happy Layla?"

She grins and brings the cup to the lips again, taking a small sip.

"Spill." Mandy says.

Layla puts the cup down and sighs in content, dropping to the floor on her back and looking dreamily at the ceiling.

Mandy and I share a look and pounce on her, tickling her sides.

She's laughing so hard that her eyes start watering.

"Tell us Layla!" I demand.

"O-okay! S-stop!" She stutters between laughs.

We pull out hands away, but stay in close proximity.

"I lost my virginity to Trent last night." She says.

Mandy and my jaw drop and we look at each other before screaming.

It doesn't take long before Layla joins in and we're standing up and jumping around the room.

"Oh my God! Layla!" I squeal when we've finally calmed down.

"Are you okay up there?" Ryder asks through mind-link.

I looks like he mind-linked us all because Layla and Mandy have the same snickering faces as I'm sure I do.

"Fine." We all reply at the same time.

"Uh huh." Ryder replies, unconvinced.

"Girl's time." I say.

"Ugh, I hate girls time." Cole replies.

"Too bad. Stop listening then." Mandy says.

We zone them out and Mandy and I turn back to Layla, coming in closer.

"How was it?" Mandy whispers.

Layla sighs, "Unbelievable. He was so sweet the whole time." She whispers back.

Mandy and I let out a quiet squeal, "That's so cute." I reply.

Layla looks at us, "Have you guys thought about taking the next step?" She asks.

To be honest, no. I've never really thought about sleeping with Ryder. I mean, our kisses can get quite heated, but we've never really gone further than just kissing.

I'm happy with it that way. I'm only seventeen, I have my whole life ahead of me, there is no reason to rush anything like that.

And we still have this whole Cam situation to get passed, I'm so preoccupied with other things, I guess it's just not the right time.

Mandy shakes her head, "Cole and I are pretty serious, but I'm just not ready and I guess he respects that." She replies.

I nod in agreement, "Yeah, I'm the same."

"I mean, I've known Trent all my life, so I trust him with my life." Layla says.

I nod and smile, "I'm glad you guys are happy."

She smiles back, "Thanks Mara."

"Where is Trent anyway?" I ask.

Layla shrugs, "On patrol."

Mandy starts fanning herself, "Can someone open a window our something?" She asks.

I nod and get up, walking to the window and pushing it open.

I catch something in the forest and I'm not surprised to see Cam there.

He looks at me and make a gesture telling me to come down.

I sigh and nod.

"I'll be right back." I tell the girls.

"What's wrong?" They ask.

"Cam's here." I reply.

They nod and walk down the stairs with me, when we get to near the back door, I see the guys staring out the window.

I think Mandy and I blush a little, wondering if they heard our conversation or not.

"What are you guys doing?" I ask.

They jump around, startled.

"He's here?" Ryder growls.

I roll my eyes, "Yes, Cam's here. He wants to talk to me."

"I'll be close." Ryder says.

I shake my head, "You can't Ryder, he thinks we're on bad terms right now. We can't risk that."

He sighs and looks back out the window before turning back to me, "Fine, but mind-link me if anything happens." He says.

I nod, "Of course. I'll be back in a minute."

And with that I walk out the door, shoving my hands into my pocket in my jeans, I walk towards the forest.

About twenty metres in, Cam shows and nods at me.

I nod back and retract my hands from my pockets, crossing them over my chest.

"What do you want Cam? I'm in a bad mood already." I say.

He cocks his head, "Really? What from?" He asks.

I scoff, "Is that any of your business?"

"I noticed you and Ryder got into a pretty heated argument the other day." He comments.

I roll my eyes, "Don't remind me."

"Would your mood have anything to do with that maybe?" He asks.

I glare at him, "Maybe. But you don't need to know the details, just tell want you want to talk about before he thinks something is up." I reply.

That signiture smirk of his creeps onto his face, "I need a favour."

I sigh, "Depends on what it is."

"I need you to distract Ryder as much as you can today." He replies.

I narrow my eyes at him, "If you're thinking of anything to do with the ceremony, think again." I warn.

"But I thought you and Ryder weren't on good terms?" He asks.

I scoff, "Right now, I couldn't care less about Ryder. This ceremony is for me too, I'm becoming the real Luna and I want it to go smoothly."

"And it will," He smirks, "For you."

I sigh, "Just tell me what you're planning Cam."

He fake gasps, "But that would spoil the surprise. Just do what I say Mara, it sounds like Layla is quite happy right now, aren't you wondering where Trent is?"

I step forward in a threating motion, "Where is he?" I demand.

He chuckles, "You'll have to see for yourself, do as I say Mara." He says seriously and runs away in his wolf form.

I think it's best not to tell Ryder about this, he's worrying enough right now.

'Snow, can you pick up anything?' I ask

'Not really, it might be better if you shift.' She replies.

I nod and shift into my tiger form as she says.

I start to pick up something, it smells like blood.

I take off as fast as I can in the direction, after leaping over multiple rocks and winding through trees, I finally find the source of the smell.

I quickly shift back and run to Trent's unmoving body.

I fall onto my knees beside him and push him over so I can see him, I check his pulse and relief rushes through my body when I feel the steady beating of his heart.

I tense again though when I see the sharp stick stabbed into the side of his abdomin.

I feel him move under my hand.

"Trent? Trent can you hear me?" I ask.

He mumbles something and I see his eyes flutter open a liitle.

"Mara?" He mumbles.

I feel a tear slip out of my eye and shift my position, "Yeah it's me, you're going to be fine, you're going to be just fine."

I don't know if I'm really telling him that or just convincing myself.

Even if I could drag him, I couldn't get back to the pack house in time for Trent.

I reach out a shaky hand and grip the stick, "I'm going to pull this out now, okay?" I ask.

He snaps his eys closed and nods his head a little, I can tell he's losing energy.

I close my eyes too and give I strong pull, feeling the stick come out, I open my eyes and quickly apply pressure to the wound.

Since he's shirtless, nothing is soaking up the blood. I could take my sweater off, but I can't risk the wound to be open for a second.

"Mara?" Trent asks.

"Yeah?" I reply.

"If I don't make it, tell Layla I love her so much okay? Tell her she's beautiful and strong." He says.

I shake my head, my tears falling freely now, for some reason I can't get through to Ryder.

"Don't talk like that Trent, I'm going to make sure you're okay, you're going to survive." I reply.

"Tell Ryder he's going to be an awesome Alpha, and tell everyone how much I loved being part of their lives." He continues.

By this point, I'm sobbing.

"Trent, please, don't talk like that." I say.

"And you Mara, you're going to be a strong, kind Luna. I know you'll lead the pack amazingly and you and Ryder are going to get married and have lots of pups and live to be old and grey together." He says.

"Trent stop!" I cry.

He shakes his head, "I have to Mara, I can't get out of this."

My lips tremble as I speak, "Trent." I whimper.

"Make me proud." He mumbles.

I watch in horror as his eyes start to darken, losing control. His face pales and I feel his pulse stop, his body falling limp.

"Trent!' I scream.

I don't dare take my hands off his wound as I colapse over his body.

I breath heavily as my body shakes with emotion.

I shake with sadness, sadness that one of my best friends has gone.

I shake with guilt, guilt that I couldn't do anything.

I shake with anger, anger that Cam was the reason this happened.

I shake with fear, fear of what is yet to come.

I start feeling a weird sensation deep inside of me, like something is forming deep within me.

The sensation starts running through my arms and I open my eyes to see small strings of light race down my arm.

To transfixed in the light to move, it forms at my fingertips and I feel it pulse through my hands, to the wound my hands are still covering on Trent.

Then, just like a flick of a light switch, the sensation disapears and I intake a sharp breath.

I slowly move my shaking hands and jump back in surprise when Trent's side is perfecty covered in his tanned skin.

I stare wide-eyed at the spot where the wound was, trying to elaborate how that happened.

Suddenly, Trents eyes open and his intakes a large breath.

I gasp and just stare at him while he just stares at me, then I reach for him and he pulls me into a large hug.

"But, how?" He asks.

I shake my head, holding on to him for dear life, "I don't know."

But one thing I know, I'm sure that Trent is still alive because of one thing.

And that one thing is me.

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Hello!

Whoa, that was a hard chapter to write. Bet you guys weren't expecting that huh?

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