1: Special Day

April 17th, 2012, was supposed to be THE day—my day. The day I had been dreaming about for as long as I could remember. I imagined that everything would finally align perfectly and that I would feel a sense of joy and fulfillment. But now, as I gaze at the moon, reflecting on how the day unfolded, I can’t help but feel like it had turned into the worst day ever.

It all began when I finished getting ready for my birthday. I had planned every detail for months, and at that moment, everything seemed flawless. My makeup was on point, accentuating my features just right, and my outfit? Absolute perfection—a stunning dress that made me feel like a queen. The weather was just as I had hoped, with a gentle breeze and the moon shining brightly. It felt like the perfect day and nothing could ruin this day… or so I believed.

Checking out my outfit, I heard a knock on my door and as I called for the person outside to come in, my mom entered, her bright smile lighting up her face and her blue eyes sparkling—eyes I had inherited. "Happy birthday, sweetheart," she said, her voice full of warmth.

I grinned "Thanks, Mom. What do you think of my outfit?"

"It's perfect!"

"Thanks."

"By the way, Jessi is back and she looks much prettier now." At that moment, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Jessi, my older sister, always seemed to be the center of attention, and it felt like my mom loved her more than she could ever love me. Everyone adored Jessi, constantly comparing me to her and wanting me to emulate her, mostly because she was a Luna and I was not. They would always say she was “the better version of me,” but I knew better. Deep down, I found her insufferable. She was the most annoying person I had ever met, and to be honest, she was a complete bitch—a whore, to be precise.

Responding to Mom, I groaned "Yeah, yeah, whatever," I rolled my eyes. "It’s my birthday, Mom. You’re supposed to be complimenting me, not Jessi," I said, trying to keep the annoyance from spilling over. I haven’t seen Jessi in a year. Ever since she went on that camping trip, we haven’t talked at all, and honestly, I was relieved to have a break from her. But now she’s back, and I can already feel the irritation radiating off her. It’s like she brings this cloud of annoyance with her wherever she goes.

"I know, but she hasn’t been home in so long, and her being here just makes everything better, don’t you think, Bella?"

"No, I don’t. And why does she have to come back today of all days?"

"So she wouldn’t miss your birthday."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Well, I didn’t invite her."

"She’s your sister; she doesn’t need an invitation. Besides, you wouldn’t want her to miss your big day, would you?"

I couldn’t help but scoff again. I really don’t want her around, but deep down, I knew it might be fun to have her here, especially since tonight is the night my boyfriend Nathan becomes my mate, and I finally get all my powers. I’ve been waiting for this day forever, and I just can’t wait to gain my powers so I can finally stop being compared to Jessi.

Sighing heavily, I finally said to Mom, "I guess you’re right."

"Yes, anyway, finish up and meet us downstairs. Your sister is eager to see you."

I rolled my eyes, fully aware that she was lying; Jessi hates me just as much as I hate her. It was just another one of her attempts to be fake nice, and I wasn’t buying it.

After Mom walked out of the room, I slipped on my favorite pair of shoes, the ones that always made me feel a little more confident. I added some final touches to my makeup, just a hint of shimmer on my eyelids and a swipe of gloss on my lips, before grabbing my phone to call Nathan. He was supposed to be here by now because the party can’t start without him. I dialed his number, heart racing a bit as it rang, but it went straight to voicemail. I tried again, listening to the familiar tone, but still, no response.

I decided to just let it go; he’s probably caught up with something important, though honestly, I can’t think of anything more important than my birthday. I’d like to believe something came up and he had to help a friend, but considering the party is packed with all of his friends, that just doesn’t add up. Nathan is the cool kid in college, always surrounded by people, while I’m just the nerd who sits in the front row, trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone but the teacher. I don’t have any friends of my own, but ever since Nathan noticed me and we started dating, his friends have become mine, and it’s been amazing. 

As I stepped out of my room, a series of strange noises caught my attention from the guest room. It felt odd since I couldn't remember anyone moving in there. The sounds grew clearer as I approached, and I could hear someone moaning softly. My mind immediately jumped to the maid; she had a history of this kind of behavior, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she had brought yet another guy into the house.

Curiosity got the better of me, and as I neared the door, I noticed it was surprisingly unlocked, granting me instant access. I hesitated for just a moment, then swung the door open. What I saw next was nothing short of a nightmare. Nathan was completely naked, sprawled across the bed, while a girl was riding him, her moans filling the air as her head tilted back in sheer pleasure. He instinctively gripped her hips to stop her as I stepped into the room. The shock on his face was palpable; he looked like he had seen a ghost, mouth hanging open in disbelief. Meanwhile, the girl—who I quickly recognized as Jessi my sister—whined, begging him not to stop, her movements desperate as she tried to grind against him again.

When Jessi finally turned her gaze to me, a smirk spread across her face as she waved, casually saying, "Hey sis." That smirk was infuriating; it was clear she knew exactly what she was doing, and it felt like a deliberate attempt to ruin my day.