Alice was thrilled. It looked perfect and it fit beautifully. She stared at herself in the mirror, he would love it. Or at least she hoped he would. Alice smiled. She loved Halloween especially in Wonderland, everyone was so very festive. Tonight was the big night and there was going to be a huge party at the Hatter's house. He held it every year and after the party it was the annual hide and seek game. Alice had never taken part in the hide and seek game before. It had rules and she hadn't been old enough to play last time however this year she was and she couldn't wait. Although she was slightly worried, Hatter had told her that the hide and seek game was the way soulmates found each other in Wonderland. You had to be eighteen to enter but you also had to go in costume, after all it was Halloween. As she looked at herself in the mirror she felt nervous. She couldn't help it. Alice knew exactly who she wanted to be her soulmate and had dressed up to match him. She'd had a crush on him for ages but now she was worried. What if it wasn't him ? The thought sent a shiver down her spine and she could feel tears well in her eyes even as she pushed them down. No. It would be him, it had to be, she was already in love with him.

'Stunning Alice as always.'

She smiled at his compliment. It was true the outfit he had made was one of a kind and it fit her to perfection. Not that you would expect anything less of the Hatter.

'Do you think he'll like it ?'

'Of course he will darling. How could he not ?'

Hatter smiled reassuringly at the girl. He knew she was worried and scared. Most people were when it was their first time in the maze but Alice's fear was more than that and he waited patiently for her to share her fears.

'What if it's not him Hatter ? What if it's someone else ?'

Aah she was scared that the man she loved wouldn't be the man she was destined to be with. He'd thought it was probably something like that.

'It will be him my sweet. Don't fear. Wonderland will match you with the man you are destined to love and I have complete faith that that man is him. Now come on out of that outfit, there are still many things to do before tonight.'

She smiled at him. She always appreciated his comfort and she knew Hatter would never lie to her. She slunk back to the changing rooms shedding the outfit and hanging it back up in its bag. When she came out Hatter was gone and she headed back upstairs to make her exit, hopefully catching him before she went. She gasped as she walked round the house. He had outdone himself yet again, it was stunning. Candles littered the rooms and every room had a different theme. The windows were all barred and she caught herself looking out of one down at the landscape below. Her eyes wandered trying to find what she was looking for. The maze. Her eyes stuck on it and her nerves returned. She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped, it was Hatter. She hadn't noticed him come up but then he was very talented at creeping around.

'Relax Alice. Go home and have a nice long bath. The party doesn't start for a few hours yet. Go.'

She nodded smiling at him as she made her exit from the house. She had just stepped out when she turned back to face Hatter.

'Thank you Hatter. For everything.'

He smiled before closing the door and she began the short walk to her home. Wonderland looked perfectly spooky. Everyone had spent the last week or two decorating and the effect was breathtaking. She looked at her small house. It wasn't really hers but they were put there for unmated people in Wonderland. Of course once you were mated you would move in with the man which was why only females lived in these small houses. She sighed as she closed the door locking it behind her hanging the keys up on their little hook as the lights slowly made their way on. She moved through the light corridor to her room at the end. These houses contained only four rooms. A kitchen, a lounge, a bathroom and of course a bedroom. Her bedroom was rather sterile apart from the few photos she had put up of her and Hatter. She hung the costume bag on the outside of her wardrobe and taking Hatter's advice begun running a bath. She tipped it some scented oil and the bath bubbled with it turning the water a pale pink as the room filled with the scent of roses. She swirled the water around making sure it was neither too cold nor too hot before slipping in.

She had picked up her copy of Wonderland News which was the only form of magazine or newspaper in Wonderland. She didn't tend to pay much attention to it but she did like to see the pictures and find out all the events going on. She sighed as the hot water worked its magic. She opened the magazine eager to hear all the Halloween news but more importantly they always did articles on the top bachelors in Wonderland. Quickly turning to that page she saw his face. She'd known he would be in here and deep down she knew that was the only reason she had picked up the magazine. She felt herself respond to the photos, a warm rush of arousal and a sharp pang of jealousy that other women would also be looking at her Chess. Although he wasn't really hers, they spoke sometimes at Hatter's when he came to visit. When she'd first gotten here he had taken her on a tour of Wonderland, which was where she had fallen for him, and everyone had thought they were going to be a couple. Sadly that had never happened and the buzz died down. That had been ages ago now and she sighed throwing the magazine at the wall. She closed her eyes and sunk deeper into the water trying to relax.

Her alarm went off and she opened her eyes. She'd had the most wonderful little daydream. The alarm stopped as she towelled herself dry before heading into her room. She felt less nervous now and as she slipped into her costume she felt like maybe, just maybe, she could have her dream. The costume was beautiful and she smiled as she blow dried her hair curling it slightly. Next she did her makeup. It was dark and smokey with hints of blue and purple in the eyes and her lips were a dark crimson. She had large earrings sparkling under her hair and a gothic choker graced her neck with one of the beads falling from it hitting just between her breasts. She heard the clock chime announcing her transport would be here in ten minutes. Dousing herself in perfume she slipped the cat ears on before clambering into the sleek knee high boots that clung like latex. Picking up a jacket she headed out shutting the door behind her. If she found her mate tonight all her stuff would be magically transferred over to her new home and the house would be given to a new owner or left empty until someone came along to fill it.