Chapter 04

TIA POV

Despite my colour theme being blue and white, my mother and Hilary wore elegant silver dresses that complemented their freshly applied tanned skin. Neither my mother nor my sister got the olive skin pigment I did, so they were sporting their beautiful fake n' bake bronzer, and I relished it. My father, brother, and even Beta Miles, my sister's mate from Fisher Brooks Pack, all wore silver accent pieces to complement the females.

I shouldn’t be surprised by this hostile takeover attempt, but it still hurts. My wants were never accepted; they were always wrong and changed to suit what Hilary wanted.

Push it away, focus!

A mantra I told myself daily was becoming more frequent, but I chose to ignore it.

I walked around the room, ensuring I left my impression of what I wanted everyone to believe. I knew what they all thought of me.

Tia Henry is the youngest daughter of the ever-kind and loving Alpha Markus and Luna Ava. She was spoiled rotten to the core. Nothing good harboured within, and selfishly destroying the family's good name. They thought I bullied Omegas for fun and got entertainment over oppressing those beneath me.

There was even speculation that I was not the real Tia, that the wrong child had been returned to them, and that I bore no resemblance to my adored family. I suspected this was one of the reasons my mother made sure that the portraits of her family bloodline were always on display—not because they were smearing me and my existence, but because they were questioning her integrity.

I watched from afar as Hilary worked the room with poise and ease. Her smile was elegant and carried her effortlessly from group to group. They all loved her. She was the poster child of Cherry Ridge Pack. I hated how great she looked in that silver dress. It was so similar to my own dress's unique design that I wouldn’t be surprised if she reached out to my designer and had it copied for herself.

As always, I was upstaged.

I walked over to where Beta Miles and his twin brother, Alpha Tyson Roberts of Fisher Brooks Pack, stood. They weren't identical twins, thank god, but they both had strikingly similar features, which made them both stand out in a crowd. Although most were uninterested in my presence or wary of my criticisms, neither of these two males dismissed me. I felt like they could see past my stone mask, and it felt refreshing to be seen, even in small doses.

“There is the birthday girl!” Beta Miles smiled, offering me a side hug. He always gave me the best hugs. I always felt recharged when he was around. That was rare in my world. But I couldn't afford to break character in front of so many, and I was always relieved that Miles understood that. I knew I would get a proper hug once everything calmed down for the night. Miles always seemed to understand the mask I wore. He was my favourite person, but I knew it would be only a matter of time before Hilary turned him against me. She thrived on isolating me.

“Hey, Miles.” I greeted back. I was mindful of my facial features, but offered him a slight curl of my lips and softened my eyes. I knew he understood.

“Happy Birthday, Tia. Sarah sends her wishes and apologizes for being unable to make the trip.” Alpha Tyson offered.

Sarah was Alpha Tyson's Luna and was due to give birth to their first pup any day now. It made sense that she couldn’t travel. I liked Sarah; the main reason was that she didn’t like my sister, which was rare. Everyone seemed to fall prey to my sister's charms, everyone except for Luna Sarah. For that, I make it a point not to be my typical bratty self around her. No, I reserved that for the rest of the sheep following blindly.

“Think nothing of it, Alpha Tyson. Please let her know that I am excited for you both and hope to get a chance to meet the new addition when the pup arrives.” I offer the same slight curl of my lips before I pull it back with Hilary's approach.

I rolled my eyes at her obviousness. She hated the attention not being on her, and me talking with her mate and Alpha without her interference was a clear no-no to her.

“There you are, dear sister. Your guests were asking about you. Perhaps you should mingle more efficiently.” Hilary’s voice was painfully sweet. Anyone overhearing would think she actually cared.

“Okay, and?” I asked in a bratty, bored tone, as I examined my manicure.

“These people have travelled a long way to celebrate your eighteenth birthday. Don’t you think you should respect that?” Hilary’s smile looked almost painful, as she pulled it back tightly. She reminded me of that creepy Smile movie poster. It was unsettling.

“Correction, dear sister. They came for mother and father and began sniffing Simon's backside so that when he takes over, they can hop onto that alliance train. No one came for me. Wasn’t having me greet everyone at the front door, despite being the birthday girl, enough to appease the ass-kissery? Or do you have some lipstick I can borrow? You do it so well, I imagine you would prefer we use the same shade.” I flipped my hair with my trademark eye-roll and turned my attention back to the Beta and Alpha pair watching in hidden amusement. “Gentlemen, if you would excuse me, not only had my ever-so-devoted sister hijacked my colour theme with this atrocious aluminum foil tablecloth wrapped around her body, but her lips are tired from the continued ass-kissing she's been scurrying around all evening doing. It appears to be my turn.”

I didn’t wait for a response; I left.

I could feel Hilary’s burning glare on my back as I left the group, moving to the opposite end of the room to be alone.

I wasn’t alone for long, however. Simon’s overbearing presence and grip on my arm. “What the fu.ck was that over there?” he growled low in my ear.

“Simon, I suggest you let go of my arm before I make a scene.” I looked up at him; my expression remained unreadable. “And you know I will.”

I yanked my arm out of his grip and left him standing there, fuming.

I hated it here. I hated being married off like livestock. I hated everything. This wasn’t a birthday to celebrate me. It was a political gathering, complete with fancy attire and cake.

I’ve made enough of an appearance, so I left.

I already knew I would not be shifting tonight. I made sure I told my family that I felt none of the usual signs suggesting I would shift tonight, so they distanced themselves from me and focused on their contacts in the house.

I didn’t need to be there anymore; my fiancée didn’t arrive as promised.

Some birthday, I thought with a sigh as I made my way to my secret hiding spot. Tonight, like every night, I will spend the evening alone.