Chapter 003

When I woke up, I was entangled in a sheet with a man I hadn’t met before.

I covered my face, embarrassed by what I did.

The man was still fast asleep; it was my chance to leave.

 What we had was purely a heat-of-the-moment.

 Then, I tiptoed out of bed, put on my ruffled clothes and exited the room.

***

“Look who has finally decided to return home,” Morgan said as she stood at the door, her arms wrapped around her chest. “Mom! Dad! Your adorable daughter is home”

I knew what Morgana was trying to do; I didn’t have the strength to argue with her.

I was still mad at her for betraying me with Tyrone, but I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of our parents.

It was Christmas, and they deserved a peaceful holiday.

Mom and Dad walked in, they looked visibly worried, and I knew it was about me.

My father was the beta of our pack, beta Nicholas and his mate, Matilda Westmore, my parents.

“G on, Mom, ask Kaira where she’s been the whole night”, Morgana said, trying to heat an argument. “She disappeared during the party and didn’t think to inform us of where she was going. You were worried about her all night”

Mom walked up to me, almost teary-eyed.

“Where did you go, Kai?” Mom asked, and I felt bad for disappearing like that. “I was worried about you?”

“I’m sorry, Mom, I left the party with Samara and didn't notice how fast the time had passed. I decided to sleep over at her place. Sorry, I didn't call you; my phone had died, and I didn't have my charger with me”

“Huh,” Morgana scoffed at me. “You really expect us to believe that trash? Kaira, you little whore, you didn't sleep over at Samara”

“Stop calling her a whore, Morg, she's your sister. Show her some respect,”   Matilda said, and Morgana rolled her eyes.

“I can't believe this, for goddess’s sake, mom, don't tell me you're letting her off with a pat on the back!” Morgana was fuming, and I love that she was.

After what she and Tyrone did to me, I can't believe she still has the guts to try to put me in trouble with our parents.

“Kaira hasn't done anything wrong to get scolded for,” Matilda defended me. “She lost track of time, that's all. Besides, it's a holiday, we should be celebrating, not arguing about unnecessary things”

“Your mother is right, Morgana,” Dad chimed in, and Morgana clenched her knuckles like she wanted to break them.

“Fine, suit yourselves. I’m going out for a drink with Samantha” Morgana took her jacket and left.

“Morgana, we have to cut the cake”, Mom called after her, but she was gone.

“Let her go, besides, let's not ruin the moment for my other daughter”, Dad said, and moved closer to me.

Before I knew it, the lights went off, and coloured lights popped up with decoration.

It was astonishingly beautiful; I smiled as I looked at it.

“Happy birthday to you,” I heard my parents say, joined by the staff. 

“Happy Birthday to you, dear Kaira, happy birthday to you!” 

They sang and clapped excitedly. Then the real lights came on, and they were standing in front of me, holding a nine-step cake with my favourite colour, lavender.

I didn't realise it was my birthday until now. Morgana and Tyrone’s betrayal made me forget my own birthday.

“Happy Birthday, darling”, Mom said and kissed my forehead. She smiled at me, and I was grateful to her for being my mother. “Blow your candles and cut your cake, everyone is waiting”

Matilda urged, clapping her hands. She looked adorable acting like that.

I bent down, made a wish, blew out my candles, and then cut the cake.

I fed mom and dad, then a few of the staff who were super close to me.

“Happy big 19th birthday, Kai,” my dad said, kissing my forehead. “I hope you get your heart's desires”

I scoffed. My heart desires? I wish Morgana and Tyrone would get their karma.

But I know as well as everyone that nothing of that sort will happen to them.

Tyrone is the alpha heir, son of the current Alpha; he will become the alpha of our pack without question.

And Morgana, she's the beta’s real and only daughter. She will be chosen as Luna, even if she's not Tyrone’s mate.

What does that leave me then? With nothing, I'm nothing in comparison to them.

I'm grateful that my adoptive parents loved me unconditionally.

“Here, I got you this.” Everyone gave me gifts, and by the time everything was over, I couldn't carry them all by myself.

One of the staff took a few of the gifts to my room while I chatted with my parents.

“What have you decided to do, Kaira?” Dad asked, “You're not getting any younger, my darling”

“Stop saying that, Dad!” I grumbled, tapping his arm. “You're making me feel so old when I'm only 19.”

“Well, you're getting older by the day, aren't you?” Dad said, I know he was teasing me and I laughed.

“Maybe you're right, but still I'm not old,” I pouted, and Mom pinched my cheeks, calling me cute.

“Did you find your fated mate last night?”  Mom asked, staring at my face. 

Heat crawled up my cheeks hearing this. Especially when I recalled the wild night I had with that stranger, whom I gave my first time to.

 I didn't find my fate last night, but I sure did something incredibly hot, and I will never forget it.

“No, I don't think I have a mate out there”, I blurted out, thinking of Tyrone, whom I loved with my whole heart for two years. “Maybe I'm not worthy of having one in the first place”

“Dont say that, darling”, Dad said, looking at my face. “You have a fate, you just didn't find him yet. Besides, you still have a lot of time on your hands; you'll be fine”

“What about Tyrone?”  Mom asked, and I frowned, surprised. “I mean, you two were quite close; I thought something was going on between you two”

My face changed as I struggled to control my emotions. That bastard betrayed me.

No, he didn't betray me; he had been fooling me all this time.

“It was nothing,” I mouthed, looking away to avoid their gaze. My parents can read through me, and I don't want them to see me break. “We are just friends, nothing more”

“Are you sure?” they asked in unison, and I wondered what they knew.

“I guess that is all it was, Mom and Dad”, I said and hopped to my feet.

If I stay here any longer, I might end up blurting out the truth, and it wouldn't be good to do that.

I can't have them scold Morgana because of me. She would hold the grudge against me. Goddess knows what she will do to hurt me again.

Morgana is no longer hiding her hatred for me as she did for years. I can't blame her, but I won't forgive her either.

“Im going to my room, Dad and Mom”, I said. “Beauty must be waiting for me inside” 

“Of course, she would be waiting”, Mom said, dramatically. “That girl never comes out without you. Better go feed her,” she suggested, and I agreed.

“Come down for dinner later,” Dad said after me. “Im going to see the alpha and attend to a few things, I will be back by dinner”

After that, I rushed to my room, excited.

“Beautyyyy!” I called out the moment I entered my room. “Where are you, my baby!”

I didn't hear anyone for a moment, and my heart jumped to my throat.

Fear gripped me as I wondered if Morgana had done something to Beauty in an attempt to hurt me.

Tears were beginning to blur my eyes; I scampered around, searching for her.

Just when I was about to slam myself to the ground and cry, I heard a purr, and I turned to look.

Only to see Beauty purring and making biscuits in front of me.

I felt relief wash over me. I crashed down and picked her up, petting her back.

“Where did you go, little Beauty? I was so scared!” I cried, kissing Beauty’s face.

I caressed the grey fur of my green-eyed cat, Beauty, while she purred in my arms.

Beauty, she's my best friend before Samara. She has been with me longer than anyone, including my own parents. 

I found her and fed her at the orphanage when I was younger. When my parents came to adopt me, I asked if I could bring Beauty along, and they agreed.

Beauty and I have been inseparable ever since.

I scooped Beauty up in my arms, and I kissed her fur, and she purred, grabbing a fistful of my hair.

“Meow…” Beauty purrs, and I nod, agreeing to whatever she is saying.

“It's my birthday and yours too,” I said to her. “I got you a gift, do you want to see?” 

I dropped her on the table and brought out a charm I bought for her as a gift.

I wore it around her neck, and she looked even more adorable, and I hugged her.

I fed Beauty treats while I got rid of my sticky clothes. I had been wearing it for an entire night now.

After taking a bath, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw the love bites on my neck. I buried my face in shame. 

If anyone saw this, I would be dead. 

I covered it up with concealer and jumped into bed with Beauty, who followed me.

 I held her close while the thoughts of the strange man filled my mind.

“Beauty, you should have seen him,” I muttered. “Too bad, we will never see him again. Maybe it's for the best”