I woke up to the smell of cake batter, eggs, bacon, and chocolate. I knew my mom was making her famous chocolate chip pancakes; . She only makes them on one occasion that happens every year.

birthday

I was turning nineteen and heading off to college next month with Collin. I was going to major in the Arts while he majored in business, of course.

I got off my bed and headed to the shower. It was going to be a long day. As I reached for my towel, I noticed something glint in the sunlight.

ring.

I smiled as I admired it. It's been a month since Collin proposed to me. Everyone was overjoyed when they heard the news. Naturally, my dad threatened to cut his balls off if he ever hurt me. And although before I swore left and right that, that was all Collin was going to do, I'm positive now he would never even dream of it.

As I got out of the shower, I noticed it again. The gold-encrusted ring garnished in red rubies and one medium-sized diamond in the middle, really reflected the light beautifully. You can't not notice it. Collin says the rubies represent our love and passion for each other as well as the blood that binds us together as mates. I couldn't agree with him more.

When I finished getting dressed in a short-sleeved, cream color dress, a pair of matching flats and, of course, my moon-shaped amulet, I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in," I said.

My dad walks in holding a small box with a bow on top. He smiled at me and embraced me in his arms, tightly. "Happy Birthday, baby girl." He kissed my cheek and handed me the box. "I know I've missed a lot of birthdays and I have my whole life to make up for it. So I wanted to give you something. I know it isn't much but I hope you like it." 

I smiled a teary smile. "Oh, dad, you didn't have to. You know that's all in the past." I said, as I gave him another hug. 

"I know, baby, but I still wanted to give you something." He pulled away from me and wiped the tears that spilled on his cheek. "Go on, open it."

I unwrapped the bow and opened the small box. I gasp as I pulled it out. It was a thick bracelet with a locket shaped like the moon in the middle. I opened it and I saw a picture of my mom and dad, smiling happily at each other. It was a picture of them when they were young. I smiled. "This is beautiful, daddy. I love it. I love you." I hugged him and allowed him to clasp the bracelet around my wrist. 

He smiled. "I love you and I'm glad you like it. I thought it would go perfectly with the moon amulet your mother gave you," He touched it. "You know that's been in her family for generations now." He added.

I looked at him. "Really? I didn't know that."

"Yes. Through her father's side, she obtained that necklace. He believed a lot in the supernatural beings and so did his family before him. The men would give it to their loved ones and pass it down. Your grandfather's mother told him to give it to the love of his life so he gave it to your grandmother who gave it to your mother and then she gave it to you." 

"Wow, I've never heard that before. Where is my grandfather?" My mother never talked about him.

His face softened. "He died before I got the chance to meet him. I'm sure he would have loved the prospect of his only daughter mated to a werewolf." He chuckled. I heard footsteps shuffling outside and an overpowering scent emanate the room.

"Who's that?" I asked.

He smiled and sniffed the room. He went to open the door, revealing my smiling mother.

"Happy Birthday, honey." My mother said, engulfing me in her arms, kissing my cheek.

"Thanks, mom." I said, basking in her warmth.

"You're very welcome, sweetheart, but there is someone else who would like to wish you a happy birthday." She let me go and turned to face the door.

Collin entered, looking sexier than ever. My wolf growled in appreciation. I had to keep her at bay, otherwise, she would jump his bones, with or without the presence of my parents. Collin seemed to be feeling the same thing. We were in a trance-like state, neither of us saying anything, just looking.

I distinctly heard the voice of my mother say, "Well we will leave you guys alone to continue to. . . stare at each other. Let's go, Rick." And then I heard my father protest before he relented; the shutting of the door pulling us from our trance.

Collin shook his head and walked towards me. "Happy Birthday, T."

I smiled up at him, shyly. He went to grab my waist and we both groaned as a shock ran through our bodies, which has never happened before, at least not with such intensity. Collin and I just stared at each other, our wolves nearing the surface, no longer did we hold control.

We kissed each other ferociously, out of pure primal instinct. Our wolves gearing us towards the bed. Collin fell on top of me and bit my collarbone playfully, I moaned. His lips found mine in an eager dance of passion, our tongues fighting for dominance. I began to rock my hips back and forth, feeling his arousal near my stomach. He growled and bit my bottom lip, grabbing my hips to stop their slow torture. His lips moved to my neck, finding the spot to claim. 

I felt like I was going to burst with love and lust; . "Collin, please, mark me. I can't take it anymore." There was desire swirling in the pit of my stomach. I inclined my head to give him more space to mark me. I wanted. . . no I him to do it now.

Before I could moan, I felt his canines extend and graze the skin where my neck and shoulder met. If he claimed me there, his bite mark would be forever imprinted on me and vice versa. I clenched his hair in my fist. I was so turned on. This was slowly becoming his game of seduction which I was sure to lose. My hips bucked as he licked the spot, my canines extending as I reached my lips to his shoulder where I was going to mark him.

Boy, this heat was really taking a toll on me. The only way to ease the pain and pleasure was if Collin claimed me. The only way for it to stop completely is if he mated me, which I wasn't ready for and he knew that, but he sure was tempting me to flip him over and have my "wicked way with him", as they say.

"I want you to claim me too, T, or I'm going to fuck you on this bed, right now." He began to move his hips, bringing his bulge to my crotch so I could feel how turned on he was, as if I didn't already know. I moaned out loud. He pulled away from me slightly and looked at me, his hazel orbs turning into a bright violet color before turning into a charcoal black. Although I couldn't see it I'm sure mine were doing the same, because he looked into my eyes, mesmerized. Our wolves were already taking control.

He pecked my lips before he brought his to the spot again. I did the same. I felt him take a whiff of my scent, which made me shiver. In unison, we both growled and through our bond link we said, We bit into each other, a surge of emotions traveling through us. I felt what he felt, I saw what he saw, I knew what he knew and I was sure he experienced the same. I felt the bond establish more but it wouldn't be fully complete until we mated.

We licked the wound of our Claim, our blood bond strengthened.

* * * 

"Collin, stop. You've had your fill," I said, giggling. It was a little while after we marked each other and he held me in his arms, on my bed, fully clothed.

"Yeah, but not enough. Not until. . ." He let the sentence hang. I knew what he was talking about.

I sighed. "I know, baby, I know. I'm just. . ."

"Not ready yet. I understand, I'm not pressuring you. I will wait centuries for you if I have to." He nuzzled his nose on my forehead and kissed it, snuggling in closer to me. 

"We better go downstairs before my father kills you." I said.

It was his turn to sigh. "Yeah, you're right. We better," He pecked my forehead again before getting up, bringing me with him. "Let's go." He picked me up bridal style and I squealed, laughing all the way to the dining room.

When we got there it was pitch dark, but we were both daylight and nocturnal creatures, which allows us to see in the dark. Collin put me down and I saw movement through the darkness. Before I could take up a defensive stance, light shone throughout the room, everyone yelling, "Surprise."

I saw Collin's parents, Serena and Mike, my parents, Maggie's mom and dad, and then Maggie, herself, along with her mate Evan. And then I saw another familiar face. "Grandma?" I asked, tears threatening to spill.

I ran to her and hugged her very tightly. She pulled away to examine me. "Oh, Terra, how you've grown in just a year. Oh, you're so beautiful, darling. And who is this?" She motioned to Collin, who was standing awkwardly next to Evan.

I smiled at him, bringing him to my side. "This, grandma, is my mate, Collin." My grandmother was well aware about werewolves and from what my dad told me, so did my grandpa. I wished I had known him.

"Hello, Mrs. Fern. Nice to meet you." Collin said, nervously, extending his hand out.

My grandmother laughed. "Call me Janet, honey. It is so nice to meet the young man who will forever love my Terra. Welcome to the family. Bienvenidos a la familia. " Instead of accepting his hand, my grandmother greeted him with a warm smile and a hug. She pulled him away to examine him also. "Wow, what a handsome young man you are," She patted his arms. "Very strong and very polite. I think you have yourself a winner, Terra. El es muy guapo y respetuoso. Bien trabajo, Terra. Esta divino." She said, looking at me, smiling.

I chuckled and I looked at Collin, who was looking at me. "I think so too. Gracias abuelita"

After a while of mingling, eating, and opening presents, it was time to cut the cake. As my dad went into the kitchen to bring it out, I talked to my mom about something that was bothering me all night.

"Hey, mom, before when me and Collin were alone. . . you guys didn't hear--"

My mom laughed. "No, honey. We were all out picking your grandmother up from the airport. You know she decided to go on a vacation after we left. We wanted to surprise you."

I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Oh good, because I would have been a little embarrassed if--" I blushed at the prospect of my friends and family hearing me moan at the acts of my mate.

My mom kissed my head. "Don't worry, honey. I saw the mark when you went to hug your grandmother. Your secret is safe with me," She winked, revealing her own mark that was hidden behind her scarf. I guess a certain someone and her mate completed their bond as well. I smiled, hugging her. "Hey, honey?" 

"Yeah, mom?"

"How would you feel if I. . . moved in with your father? You know, back to his land, to help him lead the pack."

I looked at my mom and saw that she was happy. Gone was the hollow depression in her eyes and in it's place was light happiness. Who was I to deny that for my mom? I would miss her like crazy but I would be away for college anyway.

"I think that's an absolutely amazing idea, Ma. Go for it," I kissed her cheek, her laughter carrying on throughout the room.

My dad brought out the cake and set it out in front of me. There were nineteen candles on the cake. . . . I counted. They began singing the birthday song and I reveled at the sound. Collin was beside me, serenading in my ear. When they were done, it was time to blow out the candles.

"Make a wish, T." Collin said. I looked around the room; at my mom, dad, and grandmother. I saw Maggie and Evan, who came here from Barcelona after they went to Paris. I saw Maggie's mother and father, Collin's parents, and finally Collin, himself. . . my mate. I smiled. 

"I already have all I need." And with that, I blew out the candles.

* * *

"Where are you taking me, Terra?" Colin asked as I walked behind him, covering his eyes, which served to be quite a challenge seeing as he was much taller than me.

"Hush. Just a few more steps. Keep walking." I whispered in his ear.

We were in the Midnight Moon Woods. Yes, the place I had first ran to, to escape from him. And now the place I take him to, to share a part of my life I've hidden. . . until now.

"Is this the park? I hear the leaves crunching underneath my feet." He said, as we were slowly nearing my favorite part.

"No, it's not the park. Just a couple more steps. Aaaaaand, we're here. Okay, I'm going to take my hands away but you have to promise me you won't open your eyes until I say so, all right?

"Terra, what is this--"

"All right?" I interrupted.

"All right. I promise I won't open them." He said, reassuringly.

"Okay." I took my hands away and walked in front of him, waving at his face just to make sure he wasn't looking. "I'll be right back. Stay here."

"Terra-"

"Just stay there." I run behind a tree where the surprise that I had planned for him was awaiting. I picked it up, went back to him, and said, "Okay, now you can open your eyes."

He opened his eyes, his face indescribable. But I could sense his happiness and I began to see tears brim his eyes. "Oh, Terra. What? This is so beautiful." He took the canvas from my hands and held it, admiring how the brush strokes met one another to portray this beautiful piece of art that I had made for him.

"You made this? For me?" He asked in astonishment.

I smiled and nodded my head. "I don't think I ever told you this but I was in a rut artistically before I met you and actually while I met you, well, not actually met you, more like as I ran from you. And now, I'm babbling." I chuckled, nervously, shaking my head. "But anyway, once I accepted our bond, I don't know, I started to get inspired and the painting, well, painted itself, really. All the love I felt for you poured out of me through art and manifested itself into this piece. I wanted to capture the first time I knew I felt safe in your arms, the day I fell in love with you, the day I knew you were mine forever."

He smiled down at me, amused and reverted his gaze back to the painting of us on the balcony the night we met, our bodies resting on each other, our gazes locked on each other, lovingly, as the moon shown it's light down on us. "Terra, this is incredible. I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with you even more but clearly I was wrong. But it's your birthday. I'm supposed to be giving you a present. Not the other way around."

"You've already given me everything I could possibly want. This is just a keepsake, if you will, a memento, a thank you for all that you've given me. Oh, and how could I forget the best part." I did a slow twirl. "Look around. Look where we are."

He did just that, looking around, trying to discern where we were. "The Midnight Moon Woods? I've been here before. . . but wait, is this?" Realization hit. "No, it can't be."

"Oh but it is. I know we have our own little sanctuary in the park but this was mine for a very long time. It's the place I ran to when you chased me all those months ago." I explained.

"I could never enter this part, though. There was like this invisible force that wouldn't let me in."

"Yeah, well, I was that invisible force."

"What?" He looked at me with furrowed brows.

"A witch my mom once knew enchanted this part of the woods so that only those that she wished to come inside, could enter. Then my mom passed it down to me and well, now I'm sharing it with you." I confessed.

"Wow. You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" He smiled at me and walked towards me, kissing me on the lips. He would have deepened it if he wasn't holding the painting. "Thank you for sharing this with me. All of it. I love you."

My heart skipped a beat at his words. "And, I love you."

He put his arm around my shoulders and we walked down the path to his car. "So wait, where's the witch now?"

I thought about it. "I actually don't know. I never met her and I don't think my mom has seen her since. But apparently her name is Alice, too." I explained as our voices faded out into the distance and the moon showed it's light down on us.