My Eighteenth Birthday Party

I woke up with a start, my head bumping against the headboard and grazing my arm. A sweet, unicorn-scented mist filled the air from the diffuser on my side table. As I looked around my room, confused and disoriented, I felt a strange, invisible presence. Something didn’t feel right.

I glanced down at my arm, and noticed a scratch, stinging faintly from the headboard’s impact.

But as I leaned in to get a closer look, the scratch seemed to vanish before my eyes. Had I imagined it? My heart began to race. I could hear the rustling of leaves outside, the song of birds, and even the hushed voices downstairs. Everything seemed to be amplified, my senses strangely heightened.

And then I heard the voice again. This time, it seemed to come from deep within my own mind, amused and bemused at my confusion. 

“Are you always this stupid, or are you just slow?” it taunted.

I felt a sudden jolt of energy surge through me. Before I could respond to the voice, I heard another, softer voice whispering my name. “Hi Bella,” it said, gently soothing my anger. “I’m Elsie, your wolf. I’m sorry if I startled you, but I thought you’d be happy to finally meet me.”

I stared at the space in front of me, wondering if I was losing my mind. Was this a dream?

“Yeah, you are definitely stupid, why would you think you are losing your mind?” 

Elsie’s voice broke into my thoughts, jolting me from my bewilderment and making me laugh. 

“Why are you so rude, I can't wait to see you,” I replied inwardly. 

 “Listen carefully,” she said, her voice urgent now. “I can’t speak to you for long, and there’s something important you need to know. Today is the day you link with your wolf. You’re going to feel some changes, and you’re going to be unsure. But remember, you’re not alone.”

The warmth of Elsie’s words gave me a sense of comfort. I knew I should be asking questions, but my mind was blank, unable to think past the steady thrum of my heartbeat.

And then, the changes began. My skin tingled and my muscles tensed, like an invisible current of electricity was coursing through my veins. A sharp pain shot through my bones, making me wince and clutch the bed sheets.

As the pain grew more intense, I became aware of Elsie’s presence once more, this time her voice soothing like a cool breeze. “It’s alright, Bella. This is the transformation,” she whispered. “It will pass soon, and then you’ll understand. You’ll be stronger, faster, and more powerful than you could have ever imagined. And you’ll be connected to me, forever.”

With one final, searing pain, it was over. I gasped for breath, my body trembling with the aftereffects of the transformation. But the pain had vanished, replaced by a newfound sense of strength and clarity. As I turned to gaze out the window, I saw the world with sharper eyes, the colours brighter and more vibrant than ever before.

“Happy birthday, Bella,” Elsie’s voice echoed softly in my mind. “You did it. You found your powers.”

I smiled, finally feeling a sense of understanding, of connection with the world and myself.

I stumbled to my feet, taking my first steps as a fully-realised werewolf. My body felt light, agile, powerful. It was as if my senses had been awakened, allowing me to see and feel everything around me in a way I had never experienced before.

I moved towards the mirror, gazing at my reflection with newfound appreciation. My eyes glinted with an otherworldly silver light, the colour deepening to a rich, brilliant shade of amber.

It was still dark outside, the faintest hints of dawn just beginning to peek through the curtains when my father, Alpha Derek, quietly opened my bedroom door. I pretended to be asleep to prank him. He walked silently and stopped by my bed, at this point I knew he was smiling gently as he surveyed my slumbering form. He'll forever be my favourite male ever. 

Tiptoeing to the edge of my bed, he leaned down and softly shook my shoulder. “Bella, wake up, princess,” he whispered.

I stirred and blinked sleepily, my eyes slowly focusing on my father’s face, illuminated by the dawn’s soft light. A smile spread across his lips.

“Daddy? What’s going on?” I asked, still trying to lace my voice with sleep. He laughed and tickled me for a while. 

“You think I wouldn't know when you are pretending? I've dealt with your sleepy head forever I already know when you're trying to avoid me,” he replied with a smile. 

Alpha Derek took a seat at the edge of my bed and reached out to gently brush a lock of hair away from my face. “Happy birthday, my dear,” he said, his voice full of warmth.

“Ain't you the sweetest!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around my father. “Thank you, Daddy!”

Alpha Derek laughed, returning my embrace. “Well, you deserve it, my girl. You’ve grown into such a beautiful, intelligent young woman.”

He drew back, looking into my eyes with an earnest expression. “I just want you to know, Bella, that I love you so much and I'll forever do.”

“Oh shut it before you ruin the gift surprise like you always do.” I laughed, gently rubbing my eyes. “I love you more Dad,” I replied feeling very emotional. 

“I learnt my lesson, no more disclosing birthday gifts prematurely, this time around I've decided to buy it last minute. But don't worry, it will be here before your birthday ball starts. Now hurry along before you get late for your lessons.” He gave me a forehead kiss and walked out, leaving me smiling like the spoiled princess I was. 

I blew a kiss to my father, smiling as he closed the door behind him. Despite his tendency to spoil me, he always made sure I was grounded, responsible and trained extremely well.

But today was different. It was my eighteenth birthday, the day I would officially become an adult in the eyes of the pack. And I was determined to enjoy every moment of it.