I pull on my red hoodie and jump the two steps from my cabin to the grass.
The sky is dark now and the stars have begun twinkling ominously like trickster pixies.
The moon is poking over the tops of the trees. The sight of it makes me gulp. The scent of smoke, wafting from the bonfire, is drifting through camp.
This is really happening.
I head in the direction of Katie's cabin with my hands stuffed in my hoodie pockets. Campers are buzzing past me, heading in the same direction.
Some people look excited, like they're at a midnight screening of a new Avengers movie and are hurrying toward the gathering, while others are lingering around the cabins.
Everyone is kind of dressed up. Like they're going to senior prom or a wedding or something. I guess I missed the memo.
I pass Eleanor, decked out in a silver dress with sequins sparkling under the lights. Her jaw is tight and her hands are constantly switching from clenched to flexed.
Todd and Simon come barreling past, shoving each other and making jokes about who's going to find their mate first. Even my bro-y roommates have collared shirts on. .
We're all about to wander into the woods and get naked but even so, I hunch my shoulders hoping no one will notice how underdressed I am.
Katie is waiting for me as I reach the end of the cabins. She looks super pretty in a teal dress that pulls in tight at her waist, before pluming out and stopping just above her knees. She's curled her golden hair the way she does for school dances.
"You okay?" she asks.
"Totally," I lie. "Where's the fire?"
I'd assumed the bonfire would be in the same place it was the first night but apparently not.
"Everyone is heading to the amphitheater," Katie says, linking her arm through mine. "This is less of a kegger and more of a sacred ritual situation."
I scoff and we join the hordes of horny wolves flowing past.
Torches are burning all around the amphitheater, casting a soft glow across the faces of all the excited, nervous, eager wolves filling the seats.
In the middle of the stage below the fire is raging.
Katie tugs my arm, gesturing with her head telling me she wants to get closer to the front. We push our way through, trying not to step on anyone, and eventually, find a spot.
Jasper is standing off to the side, wearing another amazingly tailored black suit, and looking more stoic than ever. His nose twitches as I sit and, for a second, he glances in my direction.
I think he spots me but his gaze doesn't linger.
Olivia is standing to his left and in front of the fire is Marcel.
"Looks like we're in for another indecipherable pop hit," I whisper to Katie, and even though she's trying to act all serious, I see her grin a little.
By the time the moon has risen above the trees, everyone is gathered in the amphitheater.
Marcel opens his arms and the crowd goes silent. It's usually impossible to get this many wolves to stop barking, but tonight––crickets.
"Wolves!" Marcel booms. "Tonight we ask the Moon Gods to bless us and tonight, more than any other, we ask them to light the path between our souls. We are the chosen people of Selene, Nannar, Mani, Igaluk, and Tsukuyomi. The celestial beings who watch down on us from their Luna Palace, ensuring our fates and blessing us with the gift of mateship."
I wish they'd bless me with a concussion so I could sleep through this whole ordeal.
"We pray to them and ask for their blessings."
He closes his eyes and I roll mine when I realize what's happening.
Marcel is about to sing. He opens his mouth and begins chanting in Lupine.
Everyone around me closes their eyes and lifts their heads.
I sigh and am about to join them when I notice Jasper hasn't shut his eyes yet either. In fact, he's got them wide open and pointed in my direction.
We lock stares and suddenly it feels as if the bonfire is burning ten times higher. The night closes in until I feel as if I'm sitting alone in the dark. There are no other wolves. There's just the fire, the moon, and...Jasper.
Marcel's voice floats away and becomes a distant hum, like a gentle birdsong.
My heart rate rises and my body vibrates. My teeth start chattering and I feel like I'm freezing but at the same time, it's way too hot.
Eventually, it all becomes too much and I slam my eyes shut.
The crackling of the fire is gone. And so is the prayer.
I open my eyes one at a time. Marcel is stepping back, letting Jasper take center stage.
"In a few minute's time," Jasper says. "The Mating Run will begin."
Applause erupts, along with whoops and cries from the bleachers.
"We will head into the woods together. But once there you are encouraged to leave the group, separate from any friends you may have made while at the festival, and find your own path. Let the Moon Gods lead you in the right direction."
His voice is deep and captivating but he keeps staring at this one spot in front of him, like he's finding it hard to remember all his words.
"When you have found a quiet place, we ask you to remove all clothing. As the Grand Marshal of this year's festival, I will shift and howl signifying the start of the run. At that point, we would ask you all to change and partake in the hunt for companionship."
There's a lump lodged in my throat and no amount of swallowing is doing any good.
"Tonight is a special night in a young wolf's life," Jasper continues.
"As a representative for my father, the alpha, I wish you all a successful Mating Run. I hope the Moon Gods see fit to pair each and every one of you with the perfect mate."
Jasper's stare falters for the first time in his entire speech and I swear for a fraction of a second he's about to look at me again.
But he takes a deep breath and lifts his gaze to somewhere over my head.
"There's nothing else for me to say except good luck, and may the Moon Gods light the path between souls."
The crowd goes wild. Jasper steps back and Olivia presses a reassuring hand onto his back. To a cacophony of wolves hollering and clapping, they leave the stage and Marcel steps forward one more time.
"Wolves, let the Mating Run begin!"
The crowd is immediately on its feet and suddenly, we're all walking away from the theatre toward the edge of the forest.
People are already unbuttoning their shirts, and letting their hair down as they disappear between the trees.
Katie and I stop and turn to each other. I take both of Katie's hands and squeeze them tight.
"Whatever happens tonight," she says. "You are the most important person in my life and I will always be your best friend."
"Katie," I say, worried that if I keep talking I'm going to burst into tears. "Whatever happens...nothing is going to get between us."
I wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me.
"I hope you get everything you want and more," I say, pressing my face into her hair.
"Anyone would be lucky to have you as their mate," she replies.
When we pull apart both of us have glistening eyes.
"You have to go first," I say, stepping back, and wiping my cheek.
Katie smiles and nods. She lifts a hand and presses it to my face.
"Just try to remember," she says, "there could be someone wonderful waiting for you in there. Don't let them slip by."
"Pinky promise," I say. "Now go."
I give her a playful push in the direction of the treeline.
"Love you, squish face," she says.
"Love you too, bish."
I watch as Katie turns and walks confidently between two towering pines. There aren't many wolves left out here in the open. And it won't be long until Jasper's howl signals the start of the run.
If I don't go now I'll miss out on a private spot to get undressed. I take a big breath and try one last time to swallow the golf ball-sized lump in my throat. Then I take my first step toward the forest.
Fate is waiting on the other side of those trees and I have no idea if I'm ready for it.
But I'm about to find out.