Standing in front of her floor length mirror, Isabe looked over her perfectly styled hair, the back pinned up into a french knot whilst curled tresses framed her face, softening her features. Her light make up brought out her blue eyes and the long flowing strapless silver dress clung to her curves, showing off her figure perfectly. A light knock at the door caught her attention, e in'' she called


    The door opened and Charity came in, her blonde hair cascading down her back as her midnight blue dress sped her body exquisitely, gasping as she saw her daughter, ''well don''t you just look like the most beautiful angel in the universe'' she finally said, wiping tears from her eyes as Isabe blushed.


    ''Still biased mom'' she grinned as Charityughed despite herself.


    Walking over to her daughter she held out a small velvet covered box that she had sped in her hands. ''A birthday present from your dad and I'' she said with a small smile.


    Taking the box gingerly in her hands, Isabe prized open the lid to reveal a stunning diamond encrusted bracelet, staring up at her mother she managed to mutter ''its gorgeous''.


    Charity smiled as she lifted the bracelet from its velvet cocoon and ced it around her daughters wrist, firmly fixing the sp before stepping back to take in her daughters frame. ''You are a vision my Be Boo, I hope you find your true love tonight'' she said as she stepped forward again to pull her daughter into a tight hug.


    Smiling happily, Isabe pulled away from her mother before taking her hand and leading the way out of her bedroom and toward the stairs, suddenly nervous but refusing to show it as she lifted her head and walked with her mother down the steps to the waiting guests.


    As they reached thest stair case all eyes turned to watch them as they descended to the foyer, her father stepping forward to pull her into a hug before grasping his wife and whispering something in her ear that made her blush a faint rose hue and a smile to creep across her lips.


    The crowd parted to allow the Alpha and Luna to make their way into the dining hall that had been transformed that afternoon into a celebration for Isabe, Silver and blue streamers hung from the ceiling whilst helium balloons stood in bunches on the tables. Banners wishing her a Happy Birthday hung on the walls and a huge chocte fountain cascaded in the corner of the room, various fruits and sweets encircling it ready to be dipped by hungry guests. The teen grabbed her brothers hand, who had been stood beside his father, and followed behind them, ignoring the lustful stares from the teen boys who were here with their parents, looking straight ahead as Aaron led the family up onto a small stage that had been set up for the party''s DJ, gazing down as the pack members filed in behind them, gathering on the dance floor to listen to their leader.


    When the babble of noise died down, Aaron raised his hand smiling, ''Family'' he called out, his voice echoing around the room with ease, ''tonight we celebrate theing of age of one of our own, we have watched her grow from a toddler who liked to steal her grand fathers biscuits to the beautiful teenager here with us tonight'' he said as the packughed and Isabe blushed furiously.


    ''She has be a formidable warrior and I have no doubt that when her timees, she will make a formidable Alpha, may I present to you my daughter, your future Alpha, Isabe Mary Annalise Cross'' Aaron announced, reaching out his hand to his daughter as the pack erupted into yells and howls from the pack members.


    Taking her fathers hand nervously, Isabe stepped into the centre of the stage, bowing her head at her father before murmuring ''Thank you everyone''. Quiet fell again as the pack house waited expectantly, taking a deep breath, Isabe searched the crowd, staring into the hopeful eyes of every unmated pack male and watching as their expressions turned to sorrow as the realization they were not her mate hit them. After having gazed into the eyes of every single male, Isabe lifted her face to her father and shook her head sadly.


    Giving her hand a tight squeeze Aaron turned back to their pack, ''Though Isabe has not found her mate tonight among us, we are still going to celebrate hering of age in the best way we can, so everyone join me in wishing my beautiful princess a Happy Birthday'' he shouted as the pack all replied with ''Happy Birthday Isabe!'' before breaking up and wandering off into groups to talk, eat and dance as the DJ set the music going and Aaron led his family off the stage.


    ''Sorry you didn''t find you mate sweetheart'' Charity said sadly


    Isabe smiled up at her parents concerned faces, ''Hey dad didn''t find you till he was in his twenties! so obviously by having to wait, i''m going to find someone just as amazing as you Mom'' she said smiling as her dad grinned down at her.


    ''It''s true, the longer you wait the more perfect your mate is when they finally find their way to you'' he agreed, pulling his wife into his arms and kiss ing her whilst Marcus pulled a disgusted face.


    ''Eww get a room!'' he moaned as a loud chuckle sounded behind them and they turned to the beaming grins of Justin and Hazel stood behind them.


    ''Uncle Justin!'' Isabe yelled happily as she threw herself at him, ''I thought you couldn''t make it'' she squealed


    ''As if I would miss my Izzy Wizz''s big eighteenth'' Justin said with mock horror, ''plus I had to be here in case you found your mate to stop your dad killing him'' he added with a grin as Isabe chuckled, hugging him tight before releasing him and hugging Hazel. Leaving the adults to talk, Marcus disappeared into the crowd in search of Justin and Hazel''s son Jason whilst Isabe lost herself in the sea of people, thanking each one as they stepped up to give her birthday wishes. Making her way over to her friends, she dropped into one of the empty chairs, smiling round at the faces of her closest mates.


    ''Sorry you didn''t find your mate Bell'' Courtney said with a small smile.


    Isabe shrugged, ''it''s ok, just means I have more time to focus on the pack before I have to deal with some horny teenager following me around'' she giggled.


    ''You know what we should do!'' suddenly said Darcy, ''girls night out! this weekend, there''s that hot new club in the local town, now Bell is eighteen the Alpha should let here'' ''You never know, maybe your mate will be at the club'' Courtney added with a smirk.


    ''I don''t know girls, I still have a lot of training to do'' Isabe argued.


    ''Don''t be such an old granny'' Darcy mocked, ''You have years to be a boring old fossil doing Alpha work, this is the time to have some fun! ask the Luna, she''ll say yes'' she urged. Her resolve swaying under the intense cajoling of her friends Isabe finally relented, ''OK I will ask Mom if I can go''


    The girls screamed happily as they all piled on her in excitement, ''this is going to be the best night ever!'' Courtney yelled as they caught hold of Isabe''s hands and dragged her up to the dance floor, Darcy running over to the DJ and demanding he y their choice of song. As ''girls just wanna have fun'' belted out of the speakers, the group of teenagers danced together, yelling out the lyrics as they swayed to the music.


    As the night wore on, the guests gradually took their leave, some very much the worse for wear, being supported by partners or friends as they wandered out of the pack house and back to their cabins.


    Walking up behind her daughter, Charity put her arm around the young girl, pulling her sideways so her head rested on her mothers shoulder, ''Did you have a good night?'' Charity asked with a soft smile. Nodding happily, Isabe replied, ''The best Mom, though I need to ask you something'' she added looking nervously up at her mother who''s brow creased in concern.


    ''What is it Be?'' Charity asked worriedly.


    ''The girls want to take me out this weekend, sort of a ''sorry you didn''t find your mate'' girls night out'' Isabe muttered hurriedly, ''They want to take me to a club in the town.'' keeping her eyes on the floor Isabe waited for her mothers answer. ''Ummm, I don''t know Be, you are the future Alpha, we need to keep you safe'' Charity began,


    ''I know'' interrupted Isabe quickly, ''But we would all stick together, no-one leaves or stays by themselves, they''ll even escort me to the bathroom! We will be super duper careful I promise'' she pleaded, her eyes connecting with her mothers, begging her silently. ''Well'' Charity wavered, ''Maybe Merrick could take you down there and pick you up?'' she suggested.


    Squealing, Charity threw her arms around her mothers neck, ''Absolutely! then you know we''ll all get there and home safe''


    Nodding reluctantly, Charity replied, ''I''ll talk to Dad ok, no promises, but i''ll see what I can do, OK?''


    ''Thanks Mum'' Isabe grinned, giving Charity a quick kiss before skipping out of the dining room and heading to her room, desperate to ring Riley who she knew would be waiting up to hear how he party went.


    Falling into her room, Isabe unzipped her dress, allowing it to drop from her shoulders before stepping out and grabbing her warm fluffy pyjama''s, throwing the top over her head and pulling on the trousers quickly to protect her from the night''s chill air. Picking up the dress, she hung it carefully on a hanger in her wardrobe before heading into the bathroom to brush her teeth and remove her makeup. Finally, having brushed her hair into a high ponytail, Isabe dropped onto the bed and grabbed her phone, flicking through her contacts until she came to Riley, pressing his name and holding the phone to her ear as she listened to the shrill ring at the other end.


    ''Be?'' Came Riley''s sultry tones momentster, ''Happy Birthday Babe! finally the big eighteen!'' he growled affectionately, ''sooooo what''s he like? could I take him in a fight? who am I kidding? of course I could, i''m an Alpha'' he boasted as Isabeughed. ''Calm down stud'' she growled yfully, ''I didn''t meet my mate tonight, so there is no need for a show of masculinity''


    A short pause followed her words, before Riley spoke, ''Aw sorry babe'' he said gruffly.


    Shaking back her hair from her face, Isabe smiled, ''don''t be, i''m not, one less thing to distract me from my Alpha lessons'' she replied airily.


    Chuckling sexily, Riley replied, ''so tell me about the party, who got drunk? anyone actually find their mate?'' he asked as Isabey back on her pillows and happily filled him in on the nights adventures. They finally managed to hang up at 1am after Isabe promised to visit for his party in two months time.