It's morning, I take note, as I feel the sun's rays hit my side and see a soft glow behind my lids.

Inbedded in my soft and silky sheets that are so warm, and my feathery fluffy pillows, I have no desire to get up and leave.

Alas, I have no choice but to obey to the whims of my elders. No matter how ridiculous I feel about the matter it is necessary. A slow bubble of resentment lingers towards my parents for making me leave home to find my mate. As much as I love the idea of meeting the one person tailored for me, part of me is scared and not ready. I want to relax awhile longer, not take on the Luna or Gamma roles that will undoubtedly become assigned to me. As the daughter of my packs Alpha I should have shifted long ago, but since I have not, it is assumed I'm either the mate of an Alpha or Beta and must therefore be marked and mated to perform my first shift.

It isn't exactly out of the norm for higher ranking wolves to seek out their mates, and so my parents are pushing me to begin that process by visiting our closest neighboring pack

My thoughts are interrupted by a shrill loud beeping, and I know its time to get moving. I reach around blindly, and when my hand lands on the annoying device I pull with extra force and throw it somewhere across the room. I smile satisfied when I hear a bang then crunch. It only lasts about five seconds.

"ANNABELLE TIME TO GET UP!"

I groan. Maybe if I pretend to be dead I'd get to stay longer. Suddenly the bed dips and before I can defend myself the covers are lifted off of me. Then I see the face of the devil himself. My annoying older brother Cameron goes for the kill. Immediately I'm screaming for help as the bottoms of my feet and behind my knees are tickled without hesitation. He laughs while I squirm and yell for him to knock it off.

"Say the magic word!"

"NEVER!!!" I say.

"Okay you asked for it." He keeps tickling me until I'm crying out my eyes and I give in to his antics.

"Uncle! Uncle! UNCLE!" He snickers while I hit him upside the head with my pillow.

"Jerk" I mumble.

"Come on Anna bannana wakey wakey!" He taunts some more on his way out.

My mom walks in not long after with a smile on her face and, bless her soul, a cup of coffee. I smile gratefully and then frown remembering that I have to leave my family.

And most importantly my comfy bed.

"Mom? Can't I please stay awhile longer?"

"Honey, you know you can't your birthday will be in about five more months and you need to find you mate before you turn eight-teen or you won't be able to shift, ever."

I frowned. She just had to play the 'shifting' card. She knew how badly i've wanted to shift since Cameron did a long time ago. I just wished that I could've shifted at my age of maturity like most do. But, if our theory is correct, I'm mated to someone of higher rank i.e an Alpha or Beta. I was getting shipped off because my grandparents told my mom and dad that the soon-to-be Alpha of their pack hasn't found his mate. So naturally everyone is hoping he is mine. What are the chances?

I'm snapped out of my reverie when I notice my mom has been trying to get my attention.

"Annabelle? Are you listening? You need to get dressed your flight leaves at noon."

"Ok sorry! I'm going."

Well at least I tried. When my mom left the room I smiled and took the opportunity. I plopped down on my bed again. Enjoying the warmth of my blankets.

"Up NOW!"

"Dangit! Does she have eyes in the back of her head?" I grumble underneath my breath.

"I heard that!" My mom calls from another room.

Grimacing guiltily I hurry to drink the rest of my coffee so I can atleast wake up.

After I'm done I hop in the shower and use my favorite strawberry shampoo and conditioner and rush to get clean and pampered up. When I get out I wrap my hair and body in white fluffy towels. I do my eyebrows and put on some lotion. When I walk out of my bathroom I pick out some standard undergarments and put them on.

After that, I slip on my favorite dark blue jeans and white undershirt and black cardigan. I pick out some black flats to match and walk back into my bathroom. I put my long curly hair in a high ponytail and add some light foundation to my face with mascara and clear lip gloss. I pull out my suitcases from under my bed and start packing all my clothes I want to bring, knowing I'd be there for awhile.

When I finish packing we all eat breakfast downstairs like a family and laugh and talk as we normally do. When it's around 12 another hour or two later, my mom calls me a cab. The cab driver shows up not long later, he puts my stuff in the back and we are set. As I say my goodbye's to my Mom, Dad, and brother I can't hold back the few tears that escape. With one last glance toward home I couldn't help but be nervous with the new faces, encounters, and scenery that was to await me.

When I got to the airport I payed the cabby and went inside. Rushing to get to the right terminal I listened to the overhead announcing what flights were beginning to board. I made it to my appropriate station just in time to get checked in and onto the flight dock. My parents ordered first class and the 1 o'clock flight, so I knew I'd atleast be comfortable and maybe able to take a nap. When I got to my seat I put my carry on in the upper compartments and sat down.

When everyone boarded the plane the flight attendants asked that everyone turn off our cell phones for this part of the flight. I was already a step ahead. When we lifted into the air, I got the sensation of being on a roller coaster, it was funny since i've never been on a plane before. It was now around one forty-five and I was getting hungry. When the flight attendants began making their rounds I tapped my fingers along my arm in hopes that my turn was coming up soon, and that nobody could hear the gurgling noises my stomach was making.

My opportunity was quickly approaching as the lady ahead of me quietly declined her offer. The redheaded elderly flight attendant turned to me.

"Hi hon, is there anything I can offer for you? We have an array of snacks or if you'd like we have some menu items?"

"Yes actually I'd like to see the menu items please."

She reached to the top of her cart and pulled out a menu which she then sat in front of me.

"Alright, here you go. Call when your ready." she smiled politely and walked to the next person.

I scanned through the menu and found the lunch section. Surprisingly most if not all the choices sounded appetizing. Between a cheeseburger, tuna sandwich, and Mac n cheese I decided. The same flight attendant walked back over after making her rounds and looked at me expectantly.

"Ready to order dear?"

"Yes, can I have a cheese burger, tuna sandwich, and small side of Mac n cheese and a coke please?"

Not suspecting for me to have such an appetite the elderly attendant widened her eyes in surprise before composing herself and taking down what I wanted.

"Anything else?" She asked with a smirk

"No, that'll be all"

"Okay dearie, I'll have it for you shortly."

I thanked her and she was off to either prepare my food or have someone else do it. I don't think she was happy about having to make all that.

"Wow and I thought I ordered alot."

At first I didn't think it was me being addressed until my hypersensitive werewolf abilities gave me the feeling of being watched. It didn't slip my notice that it was also a male who made the comment, and when I peeked over to confirm my suspicions I had to control my reaction. Blonde hair and enticing hazel eyes. A strong nose and jaw that any male model would kill for, and he definitely had points for the muscle department.

"Yes well what can I say? I'm here for a good time not a long time." I replied back.

He guffawed at that and then said, "You know what I think I'm going to apply that to the next heart attack of a meal I order when I get home. I'm Brent by the way."

He extended his hand to meet mine and even though there were no other telltale signs I was hoping for sparks when I shook it.

"I'm Annabelle and glad to make a decent impression." I smirked at him, but I don't think it completely hid my disappointment if he was paying attention. He chose to continue the conversation regardless.

"Cool, pretty name for a pretty girl." He said with a wink.

"Thanks" I responded fighting the slow blush on my cheeks.

Suddenly the most heavenly smell invaded my nostrils and my stomach was quick to respond.

My food was making its way down the aisle.

I looked around and sure enough the same flight attendant came our way with a cart that had my food on top. I saw the plate with my Cheeseburger, tuna sandwich, and Mac n cheese and jokingly bounced up and down in excitement.

"Yay!"

Brent laughed at my response. She sat the plate on my tray and coke in the cup holder. I noticed she moved on to Brent next as he also ordered an array of foods. I dived into my food and moaned quietly in bliss and being able to get some more food in my stomach. Werewolves had a pretty hearty appetite.

"Dang girl! You're making me look weak."

I could only smirk at Brent as my mouth was full but I don't think he expected much of a response as he chuckled and went to work with his own plate.

Too soon I began to notice the lack of food on my tray and I felt a slight pout forming.

"In all fairness there wasn't much on the plate, plus I was starved."

"I'm sure there wasn't." He chuckled. I finished my last bite and put the tray to the side. The flight attendant came and picked it up. Along with Brent's now empty tray.

Brent and I continued a pleasant flow of conversation for the remainder of the flight and all too soon I felt the plane begin to descend.

"So, where are you getting off?" I asked Brent.

"Oregon, what about you?"

"Same actually."

"Wow really?" He asked.

"Yep I'm visiting my grandparents."

"Oh cool, I'm just coming back from a business trip."

"Nice! Where are you staying?"

Then suddenly he smirked and leaned in and whispered quietly "Dark Crescent Moon."

Widening my eyes in shock I looked him over again for not picking up the subtleties that showed him for being a werewolf. Not having shifted I couldn't yet pick up on it as clearly, but his size should've been the biggest indicator. Most humans would think he was a body builder or part of a major sports team.

"Don't worry I could tell you might not have guessed since I can't smell your wolf yet." He commented and I blushed realizing I had basically been checking him out.

"I see, well that's quite the coincidence since that's where I'll be staying for awhile to visit my grandparents." I smiled knowing I had atleast one friend already.

"Mrs. And Mr. Stanley by chance?"

"Yes! How did you know?"

"If I didn't know when we had outside members visiting and who, I would suck at my job. I'm the current Beta." He looked at me slyly and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Ok, well since we're going the same way would you mind showing me around?" I asked

"I would like that!" He responded enthusiastically.

We continued to talk about what I had to look forward to in the next couple of months and I thoroughly enjoyed talking to Brent. I hoped we could continue to be friends and that he would stick around so I wasn't so alone for the first few weeks. Once we got onto our connecting flight and settled in again I sighed as the plane began to take off. I hope I really do find my mate at this pack. It would've been a quick trip had Brent been the one. But fate didn't seem to want to take it easy on me.