Strength to Find Her Way

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Quinn POV

As we drive off the pack territory towards our school I see Suze tense a little. I can tell she's getting nervous and I assume it has something to do with the ball tomorrow.

"Whatcha thinkin' about, Suze?"

She sighs but doesn't take her eyes off the road. "I don't want to lose you Quinn. What if we find our mates tomorrow and we never see each other again? I can't live without my best friend. You're my sister."

I hadn't really thought that far into it. I didn't have much faith in finding my mate my first year at the ball. It took many wolves a few tries before finding the other half of their soul. Only one of my three older brothers found his mate on the first try and that's because they were the same age. I didn't really realize that Suze might find hers before I do though.

It's common for there to be at least some sort of age gap between mates so one could be looking for years before finally finding them. Some people never find their mate because one of them gets frustrated and gives up. As much as I'm not ready for a mate right now, I hope that doesn't happen to me. What if he's already given up on me though?

Suze's quiet sob pulls me from my thoughts and I give her a pointed look.

"Suze, there is nothing that could pull us apart. We are both the strongest she wolves I know and not even our mates could stop us from being together. Even if we both move across the world from each other, I will still make sure we are close. We can each visit one another and our pups will grow up to be the best of friends. Cousins even! I have faith that no matter what happens tomorrow, we will be fine."

Suze gave me a warm look through her watery eyes. "Thanks, Quinn. I needed to hear that. I know that if you say it'll happen, then it's going to happen. There's nothing you can't do."

I smiled at her kind words. She had such faith in me and it gave me faith in myself as well. There was nothing I couldn't handle. She was right. I would make sure we were just as close after finding our mates as we are now. Sisters for life.

After the tears stopped falling and we cheered up to one of our favorite songs on the radio, we pulled into the school parking lot. Suze touched up her makeup before we grabbed our bags and headed into the large building.

We wouldn't be here much longer. It was mid-May and our graduation was only a week away. It was perfect to have the mating ball this close to the end of the school year. It ensured us some time to get our affairs in order before we were off on our next adventure. Most eighteen year olds won't come to school tomorrow in order to prepare themselves for the ball. Suze is making me take off so she can make sure I look my best. I gave in if only to spend more time with her.

The wolves who didn't find their mates after graduation were normally taken into the forces to train to be warriors and guards. The ones who did, either left right after graduation or stayed with their mate in the pack.

I hoped my mate would be willing to stay in my pack. It wasn't unusual for the two mates to talk things through and decide where they wanted to live. The female used to always uproot their life to go live with the male but times have changed and we've learned that sometimes the grass is greener in the female's pack.

The only time a wolf was forced to uproot their life was if their mate had a title in their own pack. Alphas, betas, gammas, and deltas were needed in their packs and there was no arguing with that. Sometimes head warriors were given the same option, especially if there was no one suitable to take their place.

For these reasons I hoped my mate would just be some common wolf so we could make the decision together. I'm not the type to be forced into something against my will. I understand the circumstances but it doesn't mean I like them.

As I walked next to Suze down the familiar hallway I started to feel a bit nostalgic. I had been at this school for the past four years. All my pack mates go to this school along with the human population from the area. I have made friends here and had so many great memories. Some people say that high school is the worst years of their life but I beg to differ. This was a great place to grow up. We all get along so well and despite the regular drama that comes with being a teenager, we are all one big family.

Now it was my turn to start tearing up as the memories all hit me. Good thing for me, I don't wear makeup so my face won't be ruined. Suze turned to me with a knowing glance. She also knows our time here is almost up and feels the same as me.

I feel her grab my hand and look down at her with a smile. "I'm gonna miss this place too, Quinn."

We head to our lockers and grab our things for one of our last days in these halls. The day drags on but not annoyingly so. Our teachers are preparing us for the end of the year. Thankfully seniors don't take finals so there's no build up to some horrendous test.

Most of our teachers spend time closing out chapters, talking about future plans with us, or reminiscing over our time together. It's nice we have adults in our lives who care about us and our wellbeing. I'm going to miss them as well.

As the final bell rings for the day, I find Suze waiting outside my English class. Her eyes light up when she sees me and I know she has something on her mind.

"Hey Quinny, how about an afternoon at the spa?"

"Suze, you know I have training. Just because you feel the need to look pretty for your mate tomorrow doesn't mean I should skip out on my obligations. I need to stay on my game. If my mate doesn't like me for the strong she wolf that I am, then I can reject him. Being true to myself is more important than some guy."

Upon hearing that Suze gasps. "Quinn! How could you say such a thing? Your mate is a gift from the Moon Goddess made perfectly for you. Your mate will love you for who you are, strength and all, but don't even talk about rejection! Just the thought of it gives me goosebumps!"

I sighed. Suze was right. The thought of rejecting my mate also made my wolf howl within me. I could never go through with something so painful. It would destroy me. Hopefully he wouldn't reject me though...

"You're right, Suze. I'm sorry I even said that. I will absolutely give my mate a chance to prove himself. But that doesn't mean I'm going to the spa with you! Take Beth with you. You guys will still have fun and I'll get my hours in for the day."

Suze rolled her eyes at me but agreed. She and Beth are close but nowhere near as close as Suze and I are. Beth was more of a girly-girl though so a spa day would be right up her alley.

As we pulled up to the pack house, I gave Suze a big hug before jumping out of the still moving vehicle. I could see her shake her head at me as she stopped and Beth jumped into the seat I just vacated. Moments later they were gone down the dirt path leading away from the pack house and I was on my way to the training grounds.