Don't forget our Love
|1|

Age 17

I can't stop staring at my school lunch. It’s supposed to be cheese nachos but it looks like yellow thick vomit instead. The nachos don’t even smell good. I push the lunch tray away and turn my head in disgust.

“I’m pretty sure the lunch ladies are trying to kill us,” I announce glancing around at my friends.

“I told you to pack your lunch on Taco Thursday.” My best friend Bea smiles at me.

Bea has been one of my best friends since I moved here to Lakeview. She has long wavy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She's so beautiful and energetic, everyone loves her. We met when I moved here eight years ago and I hardly remember my life before this place.

My father is the pack Lawyer. My Dad helps with the contracts between other packs and also helps with the business side of the pack. Our Alpha Craig owns many businesses and my father also helps other wolves with their businesses on pack lands and off.

My mother’s job is pretty much spending money. I swear all the women does is shop and constantly redecorate our house. She shops more than me and I’m a teenager, almost an adult. My 18th birthday is in three days.

My other best friend Kayla shoves her sandwich in my face getting my attention. She has short black hair cut into a pixie cut. She's as tough as can be and tries to be the momma bear of our trio, always taking care of me and Bea.

“Here you can have my other sandwich I packed extra and by extra, I mean five.” Kayla laughs.

I grab the sandwich and take a huge bite moaning in delight, ham and cheese it’s delicious. “This is great, thanks,” I mumble.

“No problem, let’s just hope camp has better food this weekend,” Kayla says making Bea and I both nod in agreement.

“I’m so excited I hope we replace our mates and their perfect!” Bea holds her hand over her heart with a huge grin. Like always she's daydreaming about her mate. She's a sucker for romance.

Kayla scoffs and starts eating her sandwich. Bea and I exchange glances unsure of what to say. Kayla has always been hesitant about replaceing her mate but won’t tell us why. Both of my friends are already eighteen so if their mate is around they will sense him.

I decide to speak up and break up the awkward silence. “I just hope my parents believe me. I feel bad for lying to them but they are so hesitant about me replaceing a mate. They keep assuring me I don’t need one.”

“Yeah, your parents are so weird. Most parents are happy for their kid to replace a mate and if the wolf is of higher rank it’s even better.” Bea cups her chin and I can tell she's daydreaming again about replaceing her mate. I used to get annoyed by it but I'm used to it by now.

“Is that why they banned you from going to the mating camp?” Kayla asks concerned. She hates how overprotective my parents can be.

Every year there is a camp to help werewolves replace their mate. You either have to be eighteen already or turn eighteen while at the camp. They make us train and the alphas there use their free time to create new allies. It's supposed to be very fun but my dad has banned me from going. He doesn't want me to have a mate.

“Yes, but I really want to go. But you know I hate to break the rules.” I pout at Kayla and she reaches across and squeezes my hand.

My parents are very strict. I have a curfew of eleven, I have to get perfect grades and attendance. My dad has already helped me apply to colleges close by and he wants me to become a lawyer like him. He wants me to take over his role here in the pack one day so he can retire and spend more time with Mom.

My parents are even more strict when it comes to dating. It was either no boyfriend or they picked one for me. I refuse to let them decide who I date so I have just stayed single. My mom refuses to talk about mates and my dad just keeps trying to convince me that I am too independent to need a mate and it will just ruin me.

When I asked my dad about going to camp this year he got angry and shifted into his wolf. He broke a lamp and destroyed the living room couch. So obviously he didn’t want me to go. Which is why I’m sneaking off to go there.

Bea and Kayla have agreed to help me and we have all told our parents none of us are going and instead we are having a girl spa weekend to celebrate my birthday. We even made reservations in case our parents called to check in.

Kayla didn’t care if it actually got used but I decided to give our spa date to some shy she-wolves in our class. They were surprised and happy when I gave them the information to check in. I guess I just love making other people happy and always have. I’m excited for our trip. I hope I do have a mate and I hope I replace him soon.

My thoughts are interrupted by Bea talking. “I heard there are parties every night. We have to make sure we pack the cutest outfits!” she squeals and stands up from the table.

“Please tell me you already went shopping I don’t want to hit up the mall last minute.” I sigh and run my hand through my long brown hair. We’re leaving in the morning to be there on time. Our flight leaves at five in the morning.

“I promise it will be fast, just go with me after school please,” Bea begs waiting for me to cave in.

“Fine. But let’s make it quick. I promised dinner with my parents.”

“Oh thank you bestie! I love you so much! I owe you one.”

“Count me in I need some new combat boots.” Kayla loops her arm around my shoulder and we all walk away together in an awkward hug.

After shopping with the girls I go home with three bags full of clothes, mostly dresses, and try to figure out how to fit it all in my luggage bag. I wanted to pack lightly for the trip since it’s only for three days, but now I might need a second bag.

Deciding just to pack another bag I rearrange all my clothes again organized by color. After packing I have dinner with my parents at home. My mom spends the whole dinner talking about the amazing spa I'm going to because apparently, she has been there lots of times. My dad just nods and pretends to listen.

I’m closer to my dad than my mom since she always acts too busy for me. Dad is busy also but at least when he's home he makes time for me, my mom ignores me unless she wants to criticize me. My hair isn’t shiny enough, I need more makeup on, and nothing is good enough for her.

Once were done with dinner I meet my dad in his office. It's time for me to take my birth control shot. Since I'm a werewolf my dad says I can't use human products. He gets mine from a doctor in Sweden who specializes in werewolf medicine. I have to take it once a month. I'm still a virgin but my dad insists I take it anyway.

"Hey, Dad I'm ready for my shot." I smile at him. He smiles back and I walk up to his desk and hug him.

"My sweet Avery. I can't believe you're about to be eighteen. I remember when you could barely reach my knee."

"Dad I haven't been a kid in years."

He nods. "You're right, you're a young woman now. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I'm sorry I got so angry about the camp. But it's no place for a sweet girl like you. You don't need a mate."

I don't understand why my dad doesn't want me to have a mate. He has my mom and their so happy together. I've always felt like something was missing from my life. That a piece of my happiness has already been ripped away. Sometimes I wake up drenched in sweat and crying from a nightmare. But I can never remember my dream or why I'm so upset.

But every time I talk about it people look at me like I'm crazy. They say nightmares are normal and everyone cries. My parents tell me I just need a hobby and Kayla thinks I'm depressed. Of course, Bea says I just need to get laid to be happy.

I fake a smile. "Don't worry Dad I'm happy with my life. You're right. I don't need a mate."

"You don't. Now let's give you your shot." He grabs the small blue case from his drawer and pulls out the needle. He sticks it in the jar filled with green liquid and I take a deep breath. I watch as he sticks the needle in my hip. "All better. Have a great birthday sweetie."

I silently pray that I do have a great birthday. Please Selene our moon goddess help me replace my mate.