I opened my eyes to the sound of loud knocking onthe door. I must have fallen asleep worrying about Flora. I didn't even change out of my outfit. I don't know what to do , she isn't responding to me anymore.

   I moved lazily to open the door thinking it was Vanessa or one of the other girls but I was almost engulfed in a sea of pink as I came face theo face with Patty's smiling form.

     "Hey" She greeted. "We'll be going out for dinner soon." She gasped over dramatically making her bosom go up. "Are you okay? You look like a mess."

     "Yeah. Thanks." I said sarcastically. She basically ignored me and beamed. "Dress nice. A lot of people will be there." And with that she turned on her heels and walked away in her pink jeans clothing,  followed closely by her orderly.

     I closed the door and peeled of myclothing  ever so slowly. Stepping into the bath,I turned on the shower and let the cool water wash me clean.

     "Princess Deraya? "Someone called. I recognised it as Kimberly's voice.

  "I'm in the shower." I called back. "We are all waiting for you." She said. "I'll be quick" I remembered I have to ask her about the statue. I'm so curious to know how her mom got it. I'll be glad to get information about what I am.

 I'm a mystery to myself . I don't know what kind of wolf I am. I can vividly recall the first time I shifted . It was in school and I was about eight years of age. I shifted early so most of my mates had never shifted at that time. I fell to the floor,my bones cracking as I screamed out painfully. It felt like an hour but it was only just minutes.

 It was recess so a lot of other kids including my classmates all watched me in awe. By the time I finally shifted, I was sore and I was scared. No one told me how painful it will be. I tried walking with my paws but I just tumbled and the kids ran away from me. I kept hearing the words 'She is white!'  'White fur!' I was confused until I looked down at my fur and saw it was indeed white. Then I ran away ashamed. I was nicknamed 'White fur' and the name kind of grew on me. When everyone got used to my wolf , I began to hold myself in high esteem.

     I have really been trying not to think about what Derrick said when he called in the bus. I guess he knows about what happened to me but wouldn't say a word. He must know something, why else would he have said that? I was about to ask him what he went when the line went dead. He didn't call back and when Caleb  tried to reach him it didn't go through.  He must have done it on purpose.  Now I'm pissed at him.

     I got out of the shower feeling good as new. I won't let all the bad vibes of today interfere with the most eventful birthday I have ever had. Yes,I'll just be neutral. 

     I made my way to my box and got out a lilac chiffon gown. I really don't want to wear it but I have no choice. Actually the only other gown I brought here except the one I just pulled off. Most of the clothes I brought along are just  shorts and tees.

     I got into the gown and wore my shoes. Sitting at the vanity, I packed my hair into a tight bun.

     Normally,when a she-wolf is to go into another territory to meet her mate,she is only required to carry along a few clothes and necessities, nothing else. Once she finds her mate,he is meant to take care of her every need.

     I gave myself one last look in the mirror and grabbed my phone. With all the buzz of today,I had forgotten to charge it and i need to so I can call Naomi, Sheila and Derrick. Derrick can't possibly shut me out forever.

     Making my way out the door I saw Kimberly and the other girls waiting for me. "Hey guys." I smiled at them and they all smiled back. Glad they aren't afraid of me anymore. "Thanks for the gift." I say. "You like it?" Asked Kimberly. "Of course I do. It's beautiful. "

"My mother gave it to me .I have been meaning to give it to you ever since I saw your wolf but I didnt get the chance." I communicated with her through the mind link ,letting her know we will talk later.

     Dinner was to be held in some sort of common room Rachel said. Apparently, Patty had given them details and directions to get there. Each pack has seperate guest houses so we have to walk for up to five minutes to get there. They girls were chatting away as we hit the road while I only talked when asked a question. 

     "Silver Moon is fantabulous! " Kimberly exclaimed, twirling around and giggling.  "Uh-Oh.  She's gone." Tya said laughing.  "Fantabulous?  That isn't a word!" Vanessa said,joining Tya in a laughing fit.

     Kimberly stopped twirling. "I made it up silly. If you combine fantastic and fabulous what do you get?" She said. "You get fantasticfabulous which doesn't make any sense.  At all. "Rachel offered. And we all laughed. Mine was more forced. I wasn't in the mood for jokes. I want to be on a comfy bed right now, dreaming all my worries away.

      There was a moment of peaceful silence between us and I took my time to study my surroundings for the first time since I got here. Silver Moon is a really big pack. They have over ten thousand shifters and trackers. Their buildings are massive,each having the same size but different designs. The part we are now seems like it's very close to the North border. As we walked,i noticed we were surrounded by trees. No single structure in sight. Each pack's guest  houses must be a reasonable distance from each other.

      "What did Patty say about the other people we are going to be dining with? "I asked. "She didn't say much.  We are going to be dining with fellow mappers from other packs." Rachel said. "Isn't Patty supposed to be our guide or something?  She should be leading us to dinner. Tya rolled her eyes"She said she had a lot to do and couldn't wait for us to get prepared."

 "Patty also said a few of Silver Moon pack members will dine with us." Kimberly added. "Including the Beta." Vanessa confirmed. "Why not the Alpha?" Rachel asked."It's not an official gathering you know. The Alpha is only expected at the mapping ball." I answered. 

*************

How was this chapter? Please comment, vote and share.