Luna's Blessings

Mila's POV

"Mila!"

My name is Mila Tanner. Today, I'm turning eighteen. I'm nervous. The girls in our pack are summoned to speak to our Luna on our birthday. She gives us a little pep-talk and encourages us to remain pure until we finally find our mate. But let's be honest... rarely any eighteen-year-old comes to that age and is still a virgin.

Unless you're me, Mila, the fat loser, best friend of Vera Venegas. She was the opposite of me, beautiful, thin, and popular with her natural wavy brown hair and blue eyes. I was fat for a wolf because I could easily still fit in a human's medium, ok, maybe a large, but I definitely did not go past a large... either way, whatever.

I had long jet-black hair like my dad, dark brown eyes with thick but very beautifully shaped brows, and long... super long lashes. She's the popular, pretty girl; I'm the nerdy, ugly friend everyone looks at with disgust.

Still- I don't care anymore.

She's my best friend, and I love her. We were meant to be best friends. The moon goddess knew it was our destiny to be besties forever.

"Happy birthday, Mila," Vera's mom congratulates me, making me blush. You guessed it, today is my birthday.

"Happy birthday, loser!" Vera says, making me chuckle as I give her a tight squeeze. "Thanks, Vera," I say politely.

Vera's mom and my mom were close friends to our Luna. But even then, I've rarely ever been to the pack house. You can, however, always find me at the library, reading in my room, or volunteering at our local fashion boutique. I may not be stylish, but I love designing dresses. I love to dress girls in their wedding dresses, prom dresses, or... any special occasion. There's just something about the right outfit that makes me smile, knowing I helped boost their confidence even if mine's on the floor.

"Girls, as you know, we are a day away from your birthday party. Now, before we take any further steps, our former Alpha and Luna would like to meet with you girls to give you her blessing." Vera's mom says, making my stomach somersault.

"Really? That's so cool!" Vera replies, clapping continuously with a giggle and jumping up and down, making her loose curls bounce.

"I know, honey. It's an honor to have her blessing. Now, let's not keep her waiting. Come on," she adds, leading us toward her car.

Before I know it, we are on our way to the pack house, and I smile from ear to ear as I see my dad walking back with his body covered in sweat. He was just returning from the training grounds, and for a forty-something-year-old, he was still good-looking and in great shape.

Once we are in Alpha Ruelle's and Luna's presence, she guides us to their garden, where Luna has a few words with Vera and me, sitting with us as we drink tea, and she gives us her blessing.

"Remember, girls, you are now entering a new phase in your life. Turning eighteen means your possibilities of finding your mates have increased. I know you girls have done a wonderful job waiting and staying pure for your mate. Our moon goddess must be so proud of you girls. As am I." She says, holding my hand and Vera's.

"Who knows... maybe one of you girls may even be my son's fated." She says, making my stomach somersault as she looks at Vera with a wink. Alpha Ruelle looks at her with a sigh, a bit uncomfortable with the conversation. "Sweetheart!" our alpha warns, making her chuckle, waving him off.

"I'm serious. Connor needs his Luna, his mate... ugh, I'm tired of Luna's duty. I am so ready to retire," she says, making us chuckle.

"Mila... Mila!" my wolf, Lainey, itched for my attention, making me feel embarrassed."Not now, Lainey."

"But, Mila... this is important," she begged. I tried to withstand her irritation, blocking her until our former Alpha and Luna dismissed us. Once out, Vera and I walked through the garden Calmly, reminiscing on our past years.

"Are you really going to leave for college, in a few weeks, Mila? What if you find your mate tonight at the party? Will you be able to leave him?" she asks, making me grunt inwardly. It's true, I longed to find my mate, but I wasn't desperate to find him either. I guess... I was just scared of what would be. What if he rejects me because I was not what he wanted?

"By the way... I have something to tell you," she says, biting her lip. "What is it?" I ask, intrigued. She never keeps secrets from me, so if this was something important, I knew it had to be big.

"Vera. Time to go. We need to pick up your dress." Vera's mom calls from the entrance door.

"I'll call you tonight, ok?" Vera says as she hugs me and strides happily toward her mom. I wonder what she wanted to tell me.

"Great. I'll see you at the party, bestie?" she says, sighing deeply.

But my eyes widen as I realize I'm alone in Luna's garden. To make it worse, there are a few girls from my old high school murmuring and chuckling as they look at me. And if I say old, it's because I graduated a year ahead of them. That's why they see me as a freak, a nerd. Still, I haven't left for college because I had spent my last year traveling with my dad and big sister, Analise, visiting all of Italy and Korea. Yes, Korea... I fell in love with that place.

I groan as I see them stand by the door, giving me mocking looks, "Look, it's our little piggy."

"Lost your way to your pigsty, fatty?"

"As if anyone wants to go to your party!" one of them says. "Oh please, the only reason we're going is because of Vera. How wants to be around this fat-ass." the girl with curly hair says, making me sigh looking away.

"Come on. Leave her alone. I'm sure she's... busy thinking of her next meal." another girl says, making me feel like a loser. It was a constant thing I dealt with in high school. That's why I worked hard to get out faster... so I didn't have to face their ridicule.

Suddenly, I'm hit by an amazing scent bulging my eyes and making me forget about these girls.

"Oh... my... goddess. Lainey... do you smell that?" I whisper, trying to get my wolf's attention. I turn toward the pack house and begin to walk toward it.

"Where are you going, fatty? You got hit by the smell of bacon?" a girl calls out as I approach the pack house. "My goddess, I want to slap them so hard. Mila, let me out. Let me rip them apart," Lainey says, making me groan inwardly.

Unlike me, a weak link runt, Lainey is strong and fearce. I rarely let her out because I'm afraid of her hurting someone.

"Look at her. She's actually drooling!" another girl says, chuckling, making the other girls laugh. "Shut up, you stupid bitch. If I get my hands on you," Lainey adds, making me close my eyes as I pass them.

"Don't trip over your fat ass, oinky! You'll end up rolling over everyone inside." the first girl says, making me growl softly. I walk past them, ignoring their hurtful words.

"She'll squish them like pancakes." they laugh, making me feel an ache in my chest. No matter how much I want to ignore them, their words still hurt. Even with a dad as a top warrior and a doctor for a mom, it didn't stop them from treating me the way they did. To them, I was just... the fat werewolf chick no one wanted around.

"Let it go, Lainey. Now, about that scent... Is it what I think it is?"

"That's what I was trying to tell you earlier, Mila... that's our mate's scent. He's here... Mila, he's here," she says, filling my stomach with butterflies.

"Are you sure?" I ask, feeling scared out of my mind.

"Yes, silly. He's here, Mila," she confirms. I can't help but follow the scent, walking carefully through the pack house to not disturb anyone. I've never been past the first floor of the pack house, but I'm intrigued... I walk to the top floor until I reach a big double door at the end of the hallway. My hands shake with nervousness as I bring my fist, ready to knock, when the doors suddenly burst open.

"Mate!" I hear a whisper, and I am left dumbfounded, frozen in place as I see none other than Connor Ruelle, our new alpha, standing on the other side of the door.

"Connor!" I whisper as he growls slowly.