Best Present

Chapter one

Aria's Pov

"Mum! I'm leaving." I yelled, banging the door behind me.

"What about breakfast? You haven't had it yet."

"Fuck breakfast, I'll eat in the school's canteen."

"Don't worry about me. I'm good."

The sun shone brightly in the sky as I stepped out of the pack house feeling the warmth of its rays on my skin, the gentle breeze blowing brushed against my skin.

I felt a sense of excitement and happiness growing inside me.

Today was my birthday. I am finally an adult and will be moving out soon.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement coursing through my veins as I thought of Alpha Ethan, my boyfriend.

I couldn't wait to see him in school, not because he had promised me a day full of surprises and fun, but because he would be marking me as his mate.

I walked to the garage when my stomach let out a loud rumble.

Groaning inwardly, I wondered if I had time to grab a quick snack before school because Ethan would be waiting for me.

Without a second thought, I turned around and headed back to the house.

"I need to grab a quick bite before leaving?" I whispered, chuckling as Mum looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I thought you said you weren't eaten, and I should fuck breakfast?" She spat as I rolled my eyes

"Well... I guess I was wrong. Can I have something to eat, please?" I begged as she chuckled, shaking her head.

"Sure thing. You know where everything is."

I quickly grabbed a piece of toast and some fruit while rushing out the door.

"Don't come home with a broken leg before the end of your day,"

"Tell that to Ethan," I replied with a chuckle.

I walked towards my car, every step seemed to fill me with more joy and happiness.

I've always loved birthdays, but this one was extra special since I was now 18 and was permitted to spend it with the person I loved the most, Alpha Ethan of Crescent Water.

The thought of spending the entire day with him, doing all sorts of fun things, made my heart flutter with anticipation as I blushed hard.

I got into the car and started the engine, as a rush of adrenaline surged through my body.

This was going to be a day to remember, and I couldn't wait to see what my friends had planned for me.

I finally arrived at the school and I walked toward the classroom.

"Happy birthday boo," Tanya said, jumping on me, making me roll my eyes, I was expecting Ethan to do that, not her.

"Have you seen Ethan?" I asked, ignoring her greetings.

"Come on, must it always be Ethan?" She pouted, rolling her eyes.

"You're jealous. So tell me what's going on here?"

"Nothing much." She said as I turned to look at her.

"What do you mean by that? It's my birthday." How can the school be this quiet today?

"What's Olivia up to?" I asked suspiciously.

She was my rival and also one of the hottest girls in school.

"Nothing. She isn't even in school today which is strange and you know, she has a thing for the Alpha." Tanya spat, as my mind drifted to Ethan, I couldn't wait to see him and I wondered if he was thinking about me too.

I walked into the classroom as the chattering stopped and all eyes fell on me.

Of course, the queen was here.

"They are all staring at you," Tanya whispered as I flipped my hair, putting on my sexy look.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing that I was the center of attention once again.

"Happy birthday Queen Aria." They yelled as I turned with a smile, but it all disappeared when I saw Olivia's minions on Ethan's seat.

"Wow, you're always gorgeous," Sarah said, running towards me.

"What are they doing there?" staring at Taylor and Regina in anger.

"I don't know, we are yet to see Ethan," Sarah said as I brought out my phone to dial his number, but it was unavailable.

I grinned, cursing under my breath, wondering where he would be right now, but I still needed to be bold, I won't let them get to me.

"Your skirt," Sarah squealed as I let out a smile.

"I know, right? I mean, have you ever seen a uniform this short?" I gestured to my skirt, which barely covered my thighs.

"I swear, you always manage to make it shorter," Sarah said with a laugh.

"Well, if you've got it, flaunt it," I replied with a wink.

I walked to my desk, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room following me. I straightened my skirt and adjusted my hair, knowing that every detail had to be perfect. I was the queen of this school, and everyone knew it.

But then, I began getting disturbed. The first lesson was over and Ethan was nowhere seen. I called him again but got the same response.

I decided to find his brother, Dave, as I spotted him standing by a locker, talking to some girls.

"Hey," I said, smiling at him.

"Hey,"

"How's it going?"

"Happy birthday."

"Thanks, please do you know the whereabouts of your brother and any reason why he isn't yet in school?"

"I've been trying to call but can't get him," I said disturbed as he just laughed.

"Ethan and his tricks, we both came to school together, maybe it's one of his few surprises." He said as I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Don't tell him I told you." He whispered when Tanya's voice suddenly rang behind me.

"Hi, Dave," She called, as I rolled my eyes.

"What a flirt."

"What are you all doing here?" I asked turning to meet Sarah also.

"Hey, come on, it's your birthday, let's spoil you. We're taking you to the cafe. You deserve a break," they said in unison.

"Now you're talking."

We walked into the cafe and I immediately knew something was up when I saw a flurry of movement in the corner of my eye, and then suddenly, I was being showered with flowers and confetti.

"Happy birthday Queen!" everyone shouted, making me give a genuine smile.

"Was this Ethan's doing?" Half of the school was present.

Then, the TV turned on, and a video was being played.

It was a montage of all the good times I had shared with my friends in school and the trophies I won over the years.

Suddenly, the video stopped, and my friend Sarah stepped forward. "And now, without further ado, we present to you... the queen!" she said with a flourish as everyone cheered.

However, it was taking Ethan time to show up and I wondered why. I felt a twinge of disappointment but hoped it was all part of the surprise.

I was still basking in the glow of the surprise party my friends had thrown for me when I noticed Regina making her way toward me.

"What's she here for?" Sarah whispered.

"To apologize of course. She's jealous of us." Tanya spat as I just stared at her.

I knew Olivia was always looking for ways to get under my skin, but I never expected her to ruin my 18th birthday.

"What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as she just smirked at me.

"Oh, nothing much. Just the best present ever."

And before I could even respond, my phone beeped, accompanied by all the phones in the room.

I looked down and saw that I had a notification. When I opened it, my heart sank. It was a nude picture of Ethan, my boyfriend, kissing a stranger.

"Let me save you the stress, this picture was taken some minutes ago at the school's guest house," Regina said as tears pricked the corner of my eyes while I tried to hold back the flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.

"The queen is in tears," She said, letting out a dirty laugh as everyone gasped, staring at the picture in their phones.

"How could you?" I spat as she just shrugged.

"It's not personal, dear, just wanted you to know you were dating yourself."

I turned away as I ran out of the cafe, my friends coming after me.

"I swear, I'll deal with them." I cursed, heading to the guest house.