SECOND CHAPTER

When I saw her, my face started to blush. "Cindy, it's been a very long time! You looked stunning in your dazzling red gown!"

I embraced her with enthusiasm but did not let her know that it was my birthday today.

She flashed a smile. "How are you?" she asked while we were still hugging each other.

I slipped from the hug and answered her. "I'm okay! I'm so glad to meet you again!"

Her eyes sparkled with joy. "The feeling is mutual. Are you still with your cruel aunt?"

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Well, that's a good guess!"

"Really? But they are so cruel to you and treat you like trash! How can you still live with them?"

"Have you forgotten that I must spend the rest of my life paying off a significant debt left by my parents?"

Cindy gave me a pitying look. Are you willing to be their slave till you die? Are you comfortable with this kind of arrangement?

I gently curled my lips into a smile and responded, "I came to the mating ball to meet my destined mate who will change my life forever."

Our conversation was interrupted when a handsome man dressed in polo attire suddenly arrived in the hallway and his scent dominated the scents of all the food and flowers. He has deep blue eyes, thick eyebrows, a sharp nose, and fixed hair. Everything about him is perfection!

"And who is that very handsome man dressed?" I asked Cindy while my eyes are still glued on the handsome man.

"I don't know his name but based on his appearance alone, he's probably one of the higher ranks in your pack and he's probably quite popular because of his handsome face!" she answered.

"How sad, an Omega like me never had the privilege to see a handsome man as I was always trapped inside my house with unending house chores!"

The handsome man continued to stroll while oblivious to all of the eyes staring at him. However, he stopped in front of me and fixed his gaze on the pendant around my neck.

I felt a frantic bubble of fear rise up inside me.

A proud half smile tilted his mouth. "It has been a very long time, Rhea! You've grown so fast and you still have the pendant that I gave you when we were still a kid!"

I blinked twice as if shocked by the question, not expecting that it is Matthew standing before me. I almost melted when he gave me a killer smile.

"You are lucky enough that your birthday also happened to be the mating ball!" he added.

I had the impression that Matthew must hold a special place in his heart for me because he remembered my birthday. I was about to reply when Cindy cut our conversation.

"Is it your birthday?"

I turned to face her. "Yes, sorry if I have never informed you about this!"

She smiled and gave me a warm hug. "Happy birthday. I could have bought you a present if I know today is your birthday!"

"Please don't bother doing this. I am doing just fine!" I said with a hesitant voice.

"Can I also get a hug from my childhood friend? I mean, I was not able to give you any presence either!"

At the edge of my sight, I can feel that everyone is staring at me as if they envy that I got the attention of Matthew.

Suddenly an old man with white hair suddenly arrives in front of him and spoke.

"We've been waiting for you to arrive!"

He turned his gaze at me. "I would love to talk to you more but my father will arrive any minute from now," he said, letting out a frustrated sigh.

I smiled. "It's okay, I sincerely understand!"

Then he walked away and he was seated between two women. In my theory, the one with the blue gown is his sibling while the other one sitting with the red gown is probably his cousin since they were both looking younger than him. Shortly after he seated, the Moon Goddess finally arrived and everyone clapped their hands to give her a warm welcome.

"I have not anticipated that he is the man you were telling me about," Cindy murmured to me.

My attention diverted to Cindy as I replied to her. "I also feel the same! To think that the cute man I adored so much when I was still a kid would turn out to become the most handsome man at the party. He's beyond perfect and I think that he has not changed at all!"

"Really? I'm sure the Moon Goddess will pair him up with a very lovely lady as his destiny mate!"

I nodded in agreement. "Yes, I agreed with what you said!"

She entered the mansion gently while wearing a long, full white gown, and her hair was not fastened, leaving everyone in awe of her beauty. She was warmly hugged by several people in the front seat and the happiness on her face was plain to see. I was a little jealous when she approached Matthew.

She had a distinct aura that I had never experienced before in my entire life. She walked up to the podium and peered behind the group of people standing in front of her.

"I need to go now, my friends are waiting for me in the other area!" Cindy remarked to me.

I stood with my chin up as the highlight part of the event is about to happen. She gave us an appreciative grin.

"For all mateless wolves and for the new pup wolves, the long wait is over!"

I fixed my attention on her mouth since her next few words could fundamentally alter the course of my life. But I was preoccupied when I noticed Matthew waving at me, so I did the same in reply. I shivered when the woman in a blue gown next to him scowled at me. I quickly turned my attention back to the Moon Goddess who was still speaking.