Coldwater drips down my skin making goosebumps crawl across my body. I sit as still as I can as a drop runs down my face and off the tip of my nose. I know I'm pushing my luck staying out here, but I can't bring myself to leave. The drops slowly fall down my scalp, and the heaviness of my hair tells me its soaked. Mother won't be happy, blowdrying takes time that we don't have.

A deafening boom shakes me to my core. I close my eyes and smile. This is where I want to be. The second I leave I'll have every inch of my body fussed over. Just one step closer to the rest of my life. Tradition. Tradition. Tradition. That's Mother blabbered on about, but didn't she know I was terrified? Such a huge decision about my life and I don't even get to make it.

"It's such a privilege!" she'd say, "Maybe he'll be the prince and we can be royalty."

I don't think she should get her hopes that high. It's very rare to marry out of your social group. Whoever he may be, I know mother will respect that. Although I wouldn't put it past her to look down upon anyone below our social class, whether he's my husband or not. I smirk, maybe I'll be like Aunt Mia. She never found her mate and she is mostly fine.

I feel a sadness deep inside. The smirk on my face falls into a frown. These feelings have been more noticeable for the past couple of months. Others refer to it as their wolf, but I know you can't transform until you meet your mate. Besides, your wolf is just yourself, so it can't have feelings you don't have.

Another boom shakes the world, this time just a little quieter. The storm is moving away. It's for the best, any longer and Mother would send a search party. I stand and stretch my stiff muscles as a few of my joints pop. My soaked clothes stick to my body making it harder to move quickly through the woods. I welcome the excuse to walk slower, maybe if I'm late enough I won't have to go. I know that's not true, Mother will force me to go if only for a minute.

The woods clear and I see the manor comes into view. Aldridge Manor. It was a gift from Father to Mother on their wedding night. It belonged to Father's great great grandfather. Fifty-six thousand square feet of rock, tapestries, and antiques. All cold and dusty. Of course, Mother accepted, anything that made her look better than before.

I see a small round figure waiting outside the servant's entrance. Alice. She cant be happy. A clap of thunder hits just as her eyes meet mine. She looks murderous.

"What the hell do you think you were doing?" she asks in a low hiss as she pulls me inside and wraps me in a towel.

"It's nice to see you too," I say with a half-smile. I know she's pissed, but there isn't much I can do about that now.

Her face reddens, "Your Mother has been waiting to see you. You have to be ready in an hour."

I've been gone that long? I thought I made it back with more time to spare. The tone she said the last part in catches my attention, "Wait, you haven't told her?"

Alice looks at me like I just suggested murdering a crate of puppies, "Does it look like I want to lose my job?!"

My chest hurts as I try to hold in the laughter that bubbles up inside. A few giggles escape as we make our way up to my bathroom where Alice has drawn a bath.

As she realizes we haven't been caught, Alice's face softens, "Hop in the tub, we have to get you ready before your mother throws a fit and tears down your door."

I peel off my wet clothes and step into the bath. "It's cold," I say with a frown.

This time Alice cracks a smile, "You should have been here on time."

After the disappointing bath, Alice sits me in front of my vanity as she drys my hair. "Do I have to wear makeup?" I ask, ready to complain.

"If you want to make your mother happy," Alice says, gently combing through the knots left behind from the blowdryer.

I hate wearing makeup, but I hate hearing Mother nag even more. I decide to just apply the least amount of makeup I could get away with.

After spending ten minutes fighting with the dress, Alice stood me in front of the huge mirror in the foyer as she goes fetch Mother. I'm pleasantly surprised by the outcome of our haste. I fought with Mother about not getting a huge and showy ballgown. It took all day, but after many, very loud, arguments we agreed on a dark blue dress with a white mesh overlay and silver trim. My eyes travel up to my head and I touch my fingers to the crown of braids and curls Alice weaved. I smile, maybe this won't be so bad.