I let loose a tense sigh and straightened my posture. Words quiver through my lips. ''Jace Weston. I am Omega Ava Rose. As custom, I am here to request your family's pardon and blessing with this gift.'' Head low, I hand him the carefully wrapped package, ensuring to not meet his gaze. ''May the Moon goddess bless your path.''

My voice begins to shake, and I place an unsteady hand to my chest in an attempt to ease my growing anxiety. A hand places itself on my shoulder. My gaze pulls to the reflection of the woman behind me.

''That was good.'' My mother comfortingly replies. ''A little shaken, but it'll do.'' A hint of dismay colors her tone, furthering my worries. My fist clenches, turning my notes into a tight ball. Fearful thoughts begin to bubble to the surface and churns my stomach into knots.

Months of preparation had led to this crucial day, and yet I can't seem to bring myself to remain calm. I feel so- vulnerable and unprepared. Despite its simplicity, the Mating ceremony is of utmost importance to the werewolf kind, especially for those of higher ranks; any mistake will be regarded as disgraceful, traitorous even.

To an Omega like me, perfection is a must if I wish to leave unharmed.

I push the dark thoughts aside while my mother continues to brush my hair, her strokes delicate and comforting. Taking in my appearance, I start at how different I look. Gone is the pale, petite Omega, replaced by a beautiful, mature looking female; flowy auburn hair, hazel eyes highlighted with a hint of green eyeshadow, gentle pink lips, freckles and a beautiful saffron dress.

The bags under her eyes, skin pale as a ghost, I see how upkept she is now gazing upon my mother. She hasn't been eating or sleeping well, just last night, I even woke up to the sound of her retching in the bathroom. Although she insists that she is okay...

As my eyes wander, I gaze upon the wedding ring on her finger. Resentment cuts through me, as I've yet to meet my father; he vanished before I was born, leaving my mother and I to fend for ourselves. She rarely spoke of him, the handful of times that she did she tends to be vague, hesitant or quickly change subjects. I came to understand why many years later; he was a traitor and a coward.

Now my mother and I were left to pay for his mistake.

"Are you alright, sweetie?" My mother's voice grounds me back into reality. As I blink, the anger vanishes as my eyes lower to the crumpled paper ball in my hand, with the word " pardon " peeking through the crevice as if it is mocking me.

"I... I don't want to do this" I spoke with disdain, " This won't change anything. They won't accept us, they never will". Anger fills my chest, but I quickly suppress it

Silence fills the room, with both of us lost in thought. She turns my chair for us to face one another.

"I know this is difficult, Ava, sweetie." Her hands holds mine tightly, with her tone shifting into determination "But we have to do this, for the sake of your father-"

Those words make me flinch, she continues regardless. "Just focus on what you've been taught, and it'll be over before you know it." She lifts up my chin, "I promise you."

With that she adds the finishing touches to my make up, making sure there were no wild stray hairs to be seen.

Her eyes start to tear up, "Oh my baby girl... you're so beautiful..."

My cheeks are flushed as I turn to the mirror once more. I am shocked with my own transformation, I started to lift the silky ends of my dress to give it a twirl. and agree; I do look beautiful.

My mother sniffles, and I turn, lip quivering. ''Mom! Don't cry, you'll make me cry too.'' I chuckle, although it is more to prevent my emotions from spilling.

She smiles and nods. ''Yes, of course, don't want to ruin your makeup now, do we?'' Her arms wrap and pull me into a tight hug before she suddenly let's go. ''Oh! I nearly forgot! The piece of resistance!'' Her words distort with a broken french accent, pulling a giggle from my lips as she scurries towards the jewelry box. After thoroughly shifting through its contents, she pulls out a pristine silver colored chain, the silhouette of a wolf's head hooked in its center. She slips the chain around my neck, the wolf's gold encrusted eyes coldly piercing through me.

A gasp escapes my lips. ''Mom... It's gorgeous.''

Her smile lifts with awe. ''I know it isn't exactly fitting with your assembly, but-'' she trails off, eyes staring emptily. She lets out another one of those dreadful sighs. ''Your father gave this to me many years ago... It was meant to be yours, but... He-'' her words stagger into another sigh. ''It represents Helios, God of the sun and Selene's brother, so that he may watch over you as well.''

My father's mention turns my wonder to bitter ash. Why keep this all these years? Why give it to me now? And after what he's done...? As much as I despise my father, I can't bring myself to reject this gift; not after I've seen how much it means to her. I nod, masking my thoughts behind a sorrowful smile. At that, she kisses my head, her lips lingering onto my skin as a wave of emotions takes hold of her. Something about seeing her in this state coils my stomach with fear.

With a deep breath, I straighten my posture, my features schooled into a neutral gaze. Don't let them see you're afraid...

Mother hands me a basket with extra clothes and food for the road, when I begin to unclip the necklace from my neck. Her hand stills onto my arm. "No need to take it off, sweetheart." I blink at her words. She'd always insist I take great care of my clothes and jewelry, why is this one any different? I nod, albeit shakily and loosen my hand from her grip. Her hands somberly trail back to her chest.

I lean forward. "Mom...? Are you okay?"
Seconds pass before she blinks, her gaze shifting to a masked smile. "I'm fine, Ava."
I flinch. She never calls me Ava, not unless something's wrong.

I tense at her words as my voice slightly quivers from my stupor. "M-mom?"

Silence.

A gasp escapes me as my whole body is pulled back into a tight, nearly choking hug. A few seconds passes and the room becomes heavy with tension. I always knew my mother as a sensitive soul but... never like this.

My mouth parts to speak, but she pulls away and hides her face before she smiles. "Sorry sweetie, your old mother is a little emotional for her baby. Just promise you won't take that necklace off alright? It's... It's the last piece I have of your father. I cannot afford to lose it..."

A shiver runs through my spine from the weight of her tone. I reply almost nervously. "I promise."

We remain still, eyes locking with a heaviness to our gaze. My eyes squint as I attempt to read into her emotions, understand what she was thinking, but her emotions seemed securely locked behind a stone wall. I look down, torn as to what I should say or if I should speak at all, feeling a heaviness paralyze my throat. I chose to drop the subject, and, stepping back, I breath in and call forth my Wolven magic.

A presence steps forward, blooming from my chest. I focus, honing my energy onto the presence as it grows, sending familiar waves of heat throughout my body. My limbs stretch, bones snap and joints disconnect, shifting as rusty colored fur pokes through my skin. My jaws elongate, teeth become fangs and a low growl rises from my lungs.
I fall onto my hands- turned into paws- and gaze up to my mother with a wolfish grin. She smiles in return, staring towards my chest. As I follow her gaze, I notice the sensation of metal parting the fur of my neck. Gazing down, I happily realized the necklace's chain didn't break, it seemed to have expanded somehow, resting in the crane of my chest.

How is this possible? I'm at least three times my original size, how did it hold? I gaze at my mother, hoping she had the answer.
"It's a special kind of necklace. It fits both human and Wolf form. Your father paid a lot for it."

I smile in awe at her words, my mind wondering what could possibly give such an object the power to fit such a drastic transformation. Considering a werewolf's feral form is much bigger than any normal canine, I couldn't think of any other method which would've allowed such a feat. Magic wasn't exactly unknown, but Wolves weren't sorcerers so I simply assume it was obtained through the hands of some magic user.

Rising to the tip of her feet, she wraps her arms around my neck into a final hug. "Stay safe sweetie."

I lick her cheek with a wolfish grin. I will Mom. She opens the door of our little wooden home and my paws settle onto the lush grass, relishing the scents.

My parents settled in this little round wood house Father built many, many years ago now. It isn't much, just a cosy little cottage amongst the woods, but its isolation offered us peace and safety.

As I step out, I hear my mother sniffle, wiping her nose with a soft tissue. I give her one last wolfy grin as I gaze over my shoulder and she waves goodbye. My paws tremble with anxiety taking the first step forward, but I force myself to continue ahead.

It'll all be over soon. No turning back now. Today's the day... I repeat to myself , disappearing head first into the brush.

-*-

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