1 - An awkward Dinner

If there was a way to make my nineteenth birthday memorable, then it must be this moment.My birthday cake is beautifully decorated and kept on the table in front of me.My mother sat opposite me on the chair, nervousness clearly shimmering in her eyes as she flash me a smile that lacks it's usual shine.My father stood against the kitchen counter with clenched fist.The angry lines on his face gave away the hatred he has for this very moment.

The tension was thick in the air.I didn't know how to replace it with the usual silly environment.

"The candles are melting" Mom's low voice was like a soft caress to my ears.

"So is the chocolate"

I flinched when Dad spoke.The harshness of his voice covered us with more thick tension.

"I'm sorry" He sighed, looking guilty.I don't blame him.No parent would be calm when their daughter's doing a deed in the house and the noises are way too loud to even avoid it.

"It's oka—

My voice was overlapped by a familiar scream of my best friend followed by the growl of our Alpha.Dad slammed his fist on the countertop.I avoid looking at them to at least spare them some humiliation.

As I said, my birthday became very memorable indeed with my best friend getting banged up in the room upstairs and us spending these torturous minutes in the dining room, waiting for them to be done and join us.

Time ticked away and just when mom replaced the almost melted candles with the new ones, I heard the footsteps approaching.

"Happy Birthday Elysia"

I mentally groaned, biting back a snarl when Nikona stood next to my chair.His heavy scent mixed with alcohol and sex filled up my nostrils causing me to hold my breath in order not to puke.

"Hopefully I didn't ruin it for you" He said.

My eyes darted up to his face when he leaned down and dipped his finger in the cake, flaring my anger furthermore.I clench my fist as he licks the chocolate off his fingers.

Had I known he would eat this cake, I would have mixed wolfsbane in it.

"Oops forgot the birthday girl" He stares at the leftover chocolate on his finger then at me.I notice Dad shifting away from the countertop when he reached out his filthy fingers in front of my face.I abruptly stood up, causing the chair to slide back harshly.

"I will go and get Amia" I announced and turned to leave but not before giving the filthy Alpha a cold glare.

It's been three years since the title was passed on him.And these past three years were nothing but a torture.Especially ever since Amia started dating him.

The door was left open when I reached there and the sight of Amia naked on the floor shocked me.I stride towards her and was relieved to see her awake.The claw marks on her pretty skin saddened me.

"I know you are upset," She whispered.Sighing heavily, I helped her to sit and ran a soothing hand up and down her back.

"I am not"

But I am worried.

She scoots closer when I wrap my arm around her.

"It's like I am always there for aftercare" I joke, fixing her messy brunette hair.She let out a small laugh.

"How long will it take you to recover from orgasm?" I asked, reaching for the comforter on the bed.

"I will tell you when I have one" Her words stunned me.

"So all that fucking and yet no orgasm? What a crime!" I exclaim, draping the comforter around her.

"Asshole never bothered to give you one, I suppose" I added bitterly and helped her get up.She quietly walked to the bathroom but stopped at the door.

"Elysia, I am sorry to ruin your birthday." Her head hung low as she muttered out an apology.

"Dad must hate me" She added and I am sure she is holding back tears.

"I think we all know, there's only one person we hate and that's definitely not you, Amia.So take a shower and come downstairs.My cake is still waiting.." I blow her a kiss and turn to grab a dress from the closet.

It's not Amia's fault that Nikona showed up unannounced and took her upstairs, not caring about her parents either.I have talked to Amia about the whole Nikona situation but she always tells me to not bring it up.Maybe she doesn't really have a choice to walk away.

I desperately pray to Moon Goddess that the upcoming Ball on Blood Moon will bring a ray of hope in her life.I wish Nikona is not her mate.Then finally she will be able to walk out of this toxic relationship that can't even give her an orgasm.

Once Amia was done, we headed downstairs to the dining room.Nikona was gone and the chocolate cake was replaced with cupcakes with a candle on one of it.

"I should've bought more candles" Dad sighed, resting his hands on his hips.An action he usually does whenever stressed.I jogged to him with a smile on my lips.

"It's enough" I hug him.He pats my head before gently shoving me to blow the candle.

I blew the candle and then they erupted together, "Happy Birthday Elysia!"

A wide smile stretched on my lips as I looked at the happiness on their face.I am forever grateful for this family even if I am not biologically their child.

"Amia, are you sad because she is saved from a cake smash?" Dad said while approaching her with a cupcake in his hand.Dad has never once let his anger and frustration out on any of us.He must be trying to lift Amia's mood.

"Cheer up! We can do this instead" With that, he rubbed the frosting of the cupcake on my cheek.I gasped and glared at him playfully.

Amia giggles and grabs the cupcake.

I quickly run to hide behind mom while laughing.

This is the best part of celebrating birthdays.Always with laughter and chaos.

"Alright, enough! Remember we have to go for a run" Mom announced, handing us a tissue box.

Every year on each of our birthdays, we do a run competition for fun in order to see how much our wolf has grown up.

Dad waits for us in the backyard while we shift and take position for headset.

"Go!" He shouts, and we take off.My wolf being a little too excited this time as I let her run through the forest.Amia and mom's wolf are similar, mine a lot different in comparison.They say I take after my biological father and although I don't remember what his wolf look like, I am glad to carry my parents reminisce.

"Loser!" Amia comments through the mind link as she passes me and mom.I growl, chasing after her and within a while my wolf turns to another direction.

"Where are you going? That's not the right path" I ask my wolf who continues to run, ignoring my worry.

"Stop! Oh my—

I pause, my anger momentarily dissolving into amusement at the sight of the waterfall surrounded by lush green trees and cascading down its sides.My wolf jumps under it and holler around in content.

She just wants to feel the free water on her furs.I let her enjoy.This place used to be a camping site for the Pack but Nikona asked his father to gift him the whole area and ever since this wonderful sight had become forbidden for Pack members.

"I think it's enough.Now let's get out of here" I tell my wolf.

The sound of heavy paws thumping against the ground alerted me.I panic, urging my wolf to move quickly away.

"Stop Elysia!" The command of Alpha Nikona forced me to halt my movements.