Chapter 6

The cold water splashed on my face woke me up. I stared at my reflection in the broken mirror. It was my birthday. I was supposed to be happy… different. I stared at my body to check if there was any change.

Was I supposed to feel different? Since my wolf was supposed to emerge tonight.

Even with my status and all, at the bottom of my mind, I felt a tiny bit of hope. Just there…a flicker that maybe, just maybe, things would be different.

A knock on my door pulled me back from my little fantasy… a sharp reminder of who I was and my place. I sighed and made my way to doom…the quadruplets’ room.

I exhaled before knocking and opened the door. They were all dressed and glamoured up…flawless, powerful, glowing in their matching black suits. Compared to them, I looked like what I was: a servant in torn sleeves.

“Happy birthday to all of you,” I said softly, trying to sound light-hearted, though my voice shook.

No one looked at me. Not even Axel. I swallowed hard and started cleaning their room, pretending it didn’t hurt. Maybe they were still angry about what happened earlier.

When I looked up, they were already walking out. My eyes blurred.

What a nice life I have, I thought bitterly.

Outside, music boomed through the entire pack house. Laughter echoed…deep, proud voices celebrating the Alpha heirs’ eighteenth birthday. The smell of roasted meat and perfume filled the air. I was invisible as usual.

I worked through the afternoon, exhaustion burning through my arms. When I finally returned to my room, darkness had fallen. It was almost time for the ceremony…the moon ceremony, where every wolf turning eighteen would awaken their wolf.

Everyone except me, probably.

I was halfway undressing when I heard a knock on my window.

“Eli?” I whispered.

He grinned from outside. “Open up.”

I opened it quickly, and he climbed in, smiling wide, his blond hair messy from running.

“Happiest birthday to the most beautiful girl,” he said joyfully.

“Oh, please, Eli. Thank you,” I said, blushing despite myself.

“Come on, let’s go for your appointment. Take your dress along,” he said, already reaching for my hand.

“About that…” I hesitated, looking away. “Eli, I think I’ll just stay here and maybe sleep.”

“What do you mean, Aria? It’s your birthday, love!” His golden eyes sparkled. “Look! We’re going. Get up.”

“Eli…”

“No arguments,” he said, stamping his foot dramatically. “You’re coming with me, and that’s final.”

I laughed quietly as he pulled me up.

“Come on, let’s go,” he sang softly, his tone playful, dragging me through the window.

Maybe I could try to have fun. Just once. Maybe do something for myself.

I looked at Eli…his excitement, his warmth. He always treated me like I was worth something. I smiled and followed him, my hand still in his.

We sneaked past the kitchen through the back door, our steps light on the wooden floor. Eli’s hand stayed wrapped around mine, warm and steady.

The night air was crisp, carrying music and laughter from the main hall. I could already hear the echoes of celebration for the quadruplets. Everyone sounded happy. Everyone except me.

We crossed the small field behind the house.

He grinned and led me into one of the guest cabins. When he opened the door, I froze. Inside was a small vanity table, candles lit around it, and a woman standing by it with a makeup kit.

“Happy birthday, dear,” Nana said warmly. “Eli said I should make you shine tonight.”

“Eli…” I whispered, turning to him, speechless.

He smiled and shrugged. “It’s your day, Aria. You deserve this. Now sit down before I change my mind.”

I laughed quietly, blinking back sudden tears. I hadn’t heard anyone say you deserve this in a long time.

I sat, and the woman began her work. Brushes swept over my face softly. I felt the light press of powder, the cool glide of gloss. My hair was combed, styled, and left to fall in soft waves down my back. When she was done, I almost didn’t recognize the girl in the mirror.

Her skin glowed under the candlelight. Her lips shone like rose petals. Her eyes…once dull…now sparkled faintly with gold flecks I hadn’t noticed before.

Eli looked at me, really looked at me, dazed, before a smile crept up his face.

“Wow, Aria… you’re really pretty,” he said in a dreamy tone.

I blushed.

“Now go and put on your dress.”

I stood up and slipped into it behind the screen. The fabric brushed against my skin like silk, the deep red glowing against my pale tone. When I stepped out, Eli froze for a second.

“Wow,” he said under his breath. “You’re… you’re beautiful.”

I laughed nervously, lowering my gaze. “You’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not,” he said softly, his eyes lingering for a moment longer before he turned away with a grin. “Now come on. Let’s show them.”

When we stepped outside, the cold night air hit me, but for the first time, I didn’t shiver. The lantern lights caught the shimmer of the dress, and I felt… different. Maybe not free, but no longer invisible.

As we walked toward the main grounds, heads began to turn. People looked twice. Whispers followed me,

“Who’s that?”

“She’s… the servant girl, isn’t she?”

“No… can’t be.”

I couldn’t tell if they were mocking or amazed. But for a moment, I didn’t care.

I caught my reflection in one of the glass windows…the girl staring back wasn’t the servant anymore.

She looked like someone who belonged under the moonlight.

Eli smiled beside me, proud. “Told you. You’d steal the night.”

I smiled faintly, clutching his arm. “Just for tonight, maybe.”

But deep inside, my body stirred…faint and restless.