The Ugly Mate

Every full moon the Royals hold a gathering for everyone called a Mating Ceremony. I watch the ceremony every month as they transform into an adult and find their mate in one day! My face lights up in excitement because today is my turn, I'm sixteen and the gathering is being held soon. Hi! I'm Kaspersky.. yeah, I know.. weird, but everyone calls me Kas. I jump around excitedly as my mom gives me a new blue dress with black flats that are way too big over the child clothes I already had on. "Try to keep these on as best you can going to the ceremony, make sure to take your smaller shoes off when you get there." my mom said "THANK YOU!! I shouted with a small squeal. My mom smiled "I just want you to know that no matter what.. I will always love you" she said with a small pain in her voice, I didn't notice as much at the time and rushed to the kitchen to eat. The house is small, twelve feet by twelve feet to be precise; just big enough for a shower, toilet, bunk bed, fridge, oven and a folding table with folding chairs.

If you know swans. You know swans have five to seven ducklings, i know what you're thinking. Where are the rest of the ducklings in my flock? What about my father? Now.. Now.. You can't rush a great story; I'll tell you later. For those of you who know swans only live twelve years; just know that we are half swan, half human. Like werewolves are half wolf, half human. So we live longer than the average swan.

Currently I have a short, curly, red-haired bob, freckles spread all over my body, circled pick metal glasses, I'm about five feet and look more like a ten-year-old than a just turned sixteen-year-old but this is how everyone looks before the transformation. The first shift turns everyone olde and, beautiful/handsome, the glasses are thrown out! Unfortunately.. ever since I got freckles, I have been the odd one out and have been bullied for it.

I've had gum stuck to my hair once (note: the bob.. there was too much to save my long hair) I've been tripped, I've been the center off all food fights, I've had a lot of things knocked out of my hands, different liquids poured on my head.. anyway, you get the idea. I'm the outcast everyone picks on... I know what you're thinking.. Why don't you tell anyone? I've tried.. let's just say that I've learned to keep my mouth shut., grin and bear it.. but no more!! Today is my day! I will find my mate like everyone else and be beautiful just like everyone else!!

I've been smiling for so long my face hurts, but I don't want to stop! I've been practically squealing in excitement and bouncing around the house all day like a maniac. The sun has started to set and it was time for me to leave so I could make it to the ceremony before the moon comes up. I pulled my hair into a half ponytail; I tripped over the big clothes trying to get to the door fast. I had to fold my dress and tie it up to keep it short enough I could run in it, I will have to hold it to keep it from falling while running though.

"alright.. I showered, got clothes big and small on, ate breakfast, ate lunch, ate early dinner, brushed my teeth.. what else?" I said, trying to make sure I didn't forget anything. "I know something you should take with you" she said and handed me a rolling suitcase, I searched it and gasped "MOM!! Why are you giving me all my belongings?" I asked with a slight choak as I held a tear back, she gingerly touched my head. "When you find your mate, you will want not want to stay here and have ducklings.. but I know you will be safe; you will be with him" she said with a big hug "I love you Kas". You can stop by anytime" She said with a small smile "you bet mom; I love you too" I replied as I shut the door behind me. This is it; my new life awaits me. I smiled in anticipation and rand to the gathering as fast as I could so not to be late.

Everyone was arriving, it looked like I was right on time as the king and queen stood up "Welcome unmated ugly ducklings, I am sure you are all aware, but my youngest son will be joining today's ceremony as he has recently turned sixteen and today is his first full moon. When the transformation is complete you and your mate will have matching tattoos on your right hand, you will feel a pull to them called hormones that will make you want to stay close to them., In this time I urge you to move together in your own house.. I see all of you have brought your belongings and big clothes to wear. Alright, the moon is coming up.. son go down there" He finished as a boy with soft blonde hair and blue eyes came running out with his black suitcase to the front of the crowd.

I sighed in relief that I wasn't the only one that brought too big clothes and a suitcase, I wasn't an outcast for once. When the moon rose up high enough that the gathering was covered in moonlight, the transformations started. I saw and heard everyone around me screaming in pain of growth and waited patiently to feel pain, I waited and waited.. soon I saw and heard everyone stopped being in pain and they were all grown, and they all were already searching for their mates. My jaw dropped. Why haven't I grown? Then I noticed I had a tattoo!! Why did I have a tattoo but didn't grow? I'll figure that out later, I noticed my tattoo was a crown.. That was weird.. I was confused, I'm the outcast again..

Then I looked around and bumped into the prince who also had the crown mark, and he was also not grown "my mate" he said, he also seemed confused. Everyone started whispering and I blushed at the attention "hi" I said. The king saw us and came over with a deep chilling voice "Is this some kind of joke?" he scoffed at our un-transformed bodies; I looked down. Unable to meet the kings menacing glare. The prince looked at me "how is this possible?" he asked me, I shrugged.

I stared at him wondering why he didn't shift as well "what now?" he asked, turning to his father and ignoring me. His father sighed a deep sigh "I think.. you have to complete the process.." he said, I flinched. Even though we didn't shift, I still felt a pull to him, but I still didn't want to mate with him and from the looks of it.. he didn't want to mate with me either.