His Deranged Mate

Sweet 16

16 years later...

*Beep Beep Beep* *Knock Knock Knock* "Mylay Evonne Marks!" Get your butt out of bed NOW! I have heard that damn alarm clock go off for 10 minutes now, and I know you heard it!" my mother yelled through the other side of the door. "Okay, Ma!" I yelled back, still with the blanket over my head. Wait! I shot straight up in the bed. It's my birthday! AHHH!! The big 1 6! My party is tonight, and also the day I will have my first kiss with my crush Ashton. I can't wait! I jumped out of my bed and ran into the bathroom.

As soon as I hopped in the shower, I heard a knock at the door. "Come on, Lay! You were supposed to be out of there 5 minutes ago, not just getting in! It's my turn! MOMMM!!" my brother Miles whined on the other side of the door. "Silence, peasant! It's my birthday. I can do what I want!" I yelled back. I heard him sigh in frustration and then stomp back up the hall into his bedroom.

See, I am the oldest of 3 kids. I was actually adopted. My parents couldn't have children for years, and they found me at an orphanage about 40 miles outside of our small town. Surprisingly, just six months after adopting me, my mom found out she was pregnant with my brother Miles, and three years later, along came my sister Maddie.

I was lucky to be adopted into a good family. Life was good! I would be getting my driver's permit soon, and I still couldn't keep my soon-to-be first kiss with Ashton off my mind! We had been flirting and crushing each other since 8th grade, and we decided we would be each other's first kiss.

We weren't exactly boyfriend and girlfriend, but everyone at school knew he was mine and off-limits! Everyone except Ashley Moores! That little slut didn't know how to keep her hands to herself, but I won't let her bring down my thoughts! "Okay! Enough is enough. Lay, I've got a history test in first period. Can you please get a move on it?!" My brother whined from the other side of the door, pulling me out of my reverie.

Once dressed, I ran downstairs. Seeing my dad on his way out the door, I yelled, "bye, daddy!" He smiled and walked back to place a kiss on my forehead, "Happy birthday, princess. I will see you tonight at the party!" I threw my bookbag around my shoulders to walk out the door when my mom and sister came down the steps.

Maddie ran and jumped into my arms. "Happy birthday, Lay Lay! You are finally 16! When you start to drive, can you take me to the mall? Pleaseee," Maddie pleaded as she batted her puppy dog eyes. "Of course, I will Mads, I can't wait," I told her, giving her a big hug. My mother gave me a kiss looking sad. "I just can't believe my little girl is 16," mom said with tears threatening her eyes. I rolled my eyes, "don't start, ma! I have to go. I will see you later!" I kissed her cheek and ran out of the house.

I was late, of course, so I damn near ran to school. As soon as I got to my locker, I heard two voices yelling all through the hall, "For she's a jolly good fellow, For she's a jolly good fellow". I smiled and rolled my eyes. It was my best friends, Alissa Smalls and Johna James. "Do you both have to be so extra?" I faked gagging and rolled my eyes. "Oh, stop! It's the big 1 6, and you are the first to turn, so we have every right to be excited!" said Alissa. "So, how does it feel? Do you feel all mature and whatnot?" questioned Johna as she wiggled her eyebrows.

Before I could answer Johna, HE walked by. I sighed as I looked at him with such longing. He walked up to me with a smile. "Happy birthday Mylay," he said. I bushed. "Why, thank you," I replied. "I-I-uh- wanted- uh- to know if you wanted to wear my football jacket?" he shyly asked. Gosh, he was so adorable! 'Hell yes, I will wear your jacket and anything else you want to put on (or take off) me,' I thought. "Does this mean what I think it does?" I asked nervously for his response. Before he could respond, we heard the most annoying voice "Ashton! I have been looking everywhere for you, baby! Where have you been?" asked Ashley Morres. Ashton and I rolled our eyes.

"Oh, look what the cat dragged in!" Ashley stated, looking at me when Ashton didn't respond.

"Ashton, honey, I don't know why you insist on associating yourself with someone so... plain," she spat while examining her perfectly manicured nails. I just walked away before I smacked her smirk off her face! It was my day, and I would be damned if I got suspended for beating her ass before my party! I just went about the rest of my day trying to stay in a good place. I mean, it's my birthday after all!

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I stood there looking in the mirror, and all I could say was, wow! Just wow! I looked beautiful! Mom hired a professional to do my hair and make-up, and I must say that lady outdid herself! I heard a knock at my bedroom door, and Alissa and Johna walked in looking as gorgeous as ever! "Gawd lady, you are breathtaking," Alissa said to me. "You did clean up nice, sis," I heard Miles say from my doorway. "Do you knock?" Johna yelled before throwing a pillow at his retreating back.

"Can you believe I will be having my first kiss tonight? I think Ashton was going to ask me to be his girlfriend this morning before Ashley interrupted us! That would just make everything about tonight so perfect," I swooned, staring into nothingness. "Okay sexy lady, let's get this party started! We are already fashionably late, and we don't want to keep your man waiting!" Alissa said, leaning in and giving me kissy faces. I smiled, gave myself a once over, and walked out the door with my friends in tow.

We walked three blocks up to the firehouse where my party was being held. Everyone was already there, and the party was in full swing. I stepped in, and all eyes were on me with my white dress that hugged my body like a glove. "The birthday girl has just arrived," I heard called out from a loudspeaker, then I heard loud cheers. I smiled and made my way over to the food. I packed my plate the best I could and went looking for a seat next to my girls. Just as I finished up, I heard someone clear their throat behind me.

I turned around to see the most beautiful specimen of a man standing behind me. "Happy birthday, beautiful," Ashton said, handing me a small golden box. I blushed and took it from his hand. I opened it and saw a beautiful bracelet with an M pendant hanging from it. I blushed again. "Thanks" was all I could muster. I instantly rolled my eyes at myself 'thanks' really? Was that the best you got? I said to myself, annoyed. "Do you want to take a walk so we can talk?" he asked. 'Hell to the yeah,' I thought. "Sure!" I replied.

We walked out into the cold night air. I loved this time of the year; not only was it my birthday, but Christmas was right around the corner, and this weather always made me feel warm inside. I looked up at the big beautiful full moon. "Beautiful," I heard Ashton whisper. "I know, right?" I responded as I looked over at him but blushed when I realized he was looking at me and not the moon. He cleared his throat.

"You know I think you are the most beautiful girl in the whole world, right? I could stare at you all day with those beautiful eyes. Even that crazy hair birthmark thingy you got going on," he chuckled while he swiped my piece of pure white hair that fell in front of my face, behind my ear. I blushed.

"And I was wondering if you could - uh - maybe - uh bemygirlfriend!" he exclaimed as his cheeks turned bright red. Once again, I blushed. "I-I would love to, Ashton," I whispered. He touched my face, and I knew it was time! My first kiss was about to finally happen! I know it sounds corny, but I dreamed of this moment, especially with the kindest, sweetest, cutest boy in school! He started to lean in, and I licked my lips in anticipation before I closed my eyes.

Then it happened! The worst feeling ever! I thought I was dying! I must be dying! My body was on fire like never before, and my breathing changed."Mylay, are you okay?" Ashton questioned. Then I heard it, a snap! Out of nowhere my leg broke and I screamed out in agony as I fell to the ground! Ashton jumped up and yelled out, "Help!!" He could see the pain in my eyes. Snap! Another bone! "AHHHH!! What is happening!" I yelled through strained breaths, as I started hearing more bones breaking. I looked up and saw Ashton running away for help, I hope.

I lay there on the cold hard ground yelling in pain and agony as I started feeling the bones in my face breaking! I can't believe I was going to die like this and on my 16th birthday, no less! The pain slowly started to subside as I rolled over on my stomach to try and pull myself up. Looking down, I saw big, gigantic, furry paws. "Bear!" I screamed out in fear as I jumped up and ran off into the night! I ran and ran as fast as my legs could take me, and I must admit I felt great! Everything felt fresh... new!

I could hear, see and smell things like never before. I slowed down as I reached one of my favorite spots in this whole town, the lake. It was iced over due to it being early December, but beautiful just the same. I walked over to it and collapsed down next to it. "What is wrong with me," I asked myself. 'Get it together, woman! It's supposed to be your big day! Go back to your party and go get that kiss!'

As I stood up, I peered over into the frosted lake and saw a reflection. A wolf! "Ahhh," I yelled and turned around to face the beast ready to attack me. Surprisingly, there was nothing or no one there. I looked again and sure enough, staring back at me was a wolf with eyes like mine! I opened my mouth to yell again, but this time, a howl came out!

I freaked out and took off running again! I have to get out of here! "Where are you going?" a voice spoke to me. "Who-who said that?" I questioned with a shaky voice. "My name is Aja. I am your wolf! We are one now, so just calm down, everything will be okay," the voice spoke. " My what?" I attempted to process what I had just been told. I attempted to run my hands through my hair in frustration, but all I saw was a furry paw, and I freaked out once again! I took off running. "You can't run from this. It is your destiny!" Aja said. I felt so overwhelmed I started getting light-headed and just passed out mid-run.

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The sounds of birds chirping woke me up. I shot straight up, scared because I was not in my room. I searched my surroundings and saw I was out in the woods, stark naked, no less. As I stood up, all the memories of last night crashed back into my mind. I gasped, then realized someone must have slipped me a date rap drug last night because that is the only logical explanation.

I ran back to town as quickly as possible since I would have to sneak home, so no one saw me naked. Once I got home, I snuck up into my room, grabbed some clothes, and ran into the bathroom for a shower.

As the warm water rushed over me, last night's events ran through my mind. 'What is wrong with you, girl? Get it together,' I thought to myself. "Nothing is wrong with us!" I heard that voice again, and I jumped! "Shut up!" I yelled, hitting myself in the head. "You're not real!" "Ahh, but I am. I am your wolf Lay, get used to it!" the voice responded.

"Shut up!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I heard the bathroom door burst open "Mylay? Is that you?" I heard my mother say with her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, ma, I'm just taking a shower." I sighed.

The shower curtain flew open, and my mother snatched me into her arms with tears running down her face. "Where the hell have you been?! The whole damn town has been looking for you! We thought a wild animal had attacked you!" my mother exclaimed. "Can I just finish my shower? Then I will tell you everything." I replied, feeling drained. I just needed a couple of minutes of some peace. She looked at me for a moment. "Hurry up; breakfast will be ready soon," she responded, before leaving the bathroom.

I finished getting ready and went downstairs. My whole family was there in the dining room with worried looks on their faces. 'Great,' I thought. "Would you like to tell us what happened last night, young lady?" my dad said using his stern voice. "Don't you dare tell them a thing!" Aja shouted. "Humans aren't like us, and they fear things they don't understand!" she tried to explain. "I will say whatever the hell I want!" I spat.

"Language, young lady!" my mother scolded while staring at me with concern and a little bit of fear in her eyes. "And who are you talking to?" asked Miles. "My wolf! She won't shut up! Help me!" I yelled, desperately searching the eyes in the room for someone to make it stop. "Shut up, Mylay! They won't listen! Don't say another word!" Aja tried reasoning with me. "Stop!" I yelled back.

Now I was starting to see concern and fear in everyone's eyes. I had to explain myself and quickly! So I sat down and spilled. I told my parents and siblings everything, from almost kissing Ashton to waking up naked in the woods. By the time I finished, I was hysterically crying, and everyone was looking at me in dead silence.

No one said anything. Nothing! Finally, my mom just got up and walked away. I went over to my father, "You believe me, right, daddy?" I asked out of desperation. He looked at me incredulously and stated, "I believe that you believe everything you're saying." With no emotion in his voice or on his face, he got up and walked away.

"I told you stupid!" Aja spat. I ran to the phone and called my girls and told them we needed an emergency meeting immediately! When Alissa and Johna showed up, I took them up to my room and explained my night and the voice in my head. Aja was silent by this point, and thank heavens, because I didn't know how much more I could take. They both just stared at me. "Say something!" I screamed.

They both burst out laughing. "Girl! That is some story! If you don't want to talk about the kiss, that's all you have to say!" Alissa joked. "Silly girl," Aja hissed. "Please help me! She won't shut up! Please!" I started hyperventilating. They began to look concerned. "Mrs. Marks," Johna yelled. Then everything went black.