8 - My Birthday Is Tomorrow

LUCY'S POV

We were now at my door. I looked over to see Liam staring at me. “When do you turn 18?” His question felt intruding. I raised my eyebrow slightly at him causing him to chuckle.

He was adorable when he laughed. I sighed before responding. “My birthday is tomorrow but please don’t tell your dad. I don’t want anyone to make a fuss over it being my birthday. We have a gala to worry about” I said with a curt smile.

He seemed to be thinking hard about my response. He was still staring at me with a blank expression before finally responding. “That doesn’t seem fair for you to spend your birthday hosting and being part of a gala for us to find our mates. Maybe I can at least get my dad to let you sit this one out so you can do something else for your birthday.” This big tough soon-to-be Alpha was being genuinely sweet.

It was probably wrong of me, but I took this as an opportunity, the only one I had had so far. “I don’t mind going to the gala tomorrow. My birthday isn’t that big of a deal, just another day. You could do me a pre birthday favor though if you’re offering. I am supposed to greet the Alphas joining us tonight and I’m exhausted and not feeling that well. Could you convince your dad to give the task to someone else?” There was pleading in my voice.

He looked at me a little strangely but gave me a warm smile. “I guess that’s a fair trade. I’ll let my dad know you need the night off” he responded.

I was relieved once I shut the door behind me. Now I just needed to make sure I kept my distance during the gala, so my dad didn’t see me. I sprayed the descenter all over my room and myself. I knew I was overdoing it, and I was being paranoid, but I wasn’t risking leaving even the smallest scent around.

I relaxed in my room the rest of the day, making myself scarce when the packs arrived. As the night pushed forward, I found myself lounging on the patio reading. I planned on letting Nia go for a run once everyone was asleep.

I was engrossed in my book when I heard voices next to the wall that separated my patio from the Alphas. I perked up my ears being the nosey she-wolf I am, zoning in on the voice on the other side of the wall.

“It could just be because I recently swore her into the pack and claimed her as one of us. She’s a special girl no doubt Liam but Alphas are normally mated to Betas or she-wolves with an Alpha bloodline.” That was Leander.

“Dad, I feel a pull to her. The need to protect her. There have been Alphas mated to lower-ranking wolves before.” That was Liam.

Did he think I was his mate or was there another she-wolf that Leander had recently sworn in?

That would explain why he was questioning how old I was earlier. I assumed he was doubting my capabilities.

“Hmmm. Perhaps she is. I felt that way about your mother before she turned 18. I guess you’ll find out when she comes of age. There is something about Lucy I can’t put my finger on. I trust her but I know she is hiding something. If Leon doesn’t find a mate, you will have to accept her as your mate Liam. We need a Luna” Leander responded.

So he was talking about me.

Wow, that was kind of rude Nia said. It doesn’t matter Nia, even if I’m his mate he will never know. We don’t need a mate, let alone one who would consider rejecting us, I said firmly.

I would be lying if I said what Leander said didn’t sting a little bit. Did he think that Liam would reject me because he thought I wasn’t of Beta or Alpha blood? Would he want him to reject me if Leon found his mate?

My questions were unknowingly answered when Liam responded. “I would never reject the Moon Goddesses gift to me Dad, no matter what rank she held. Especially one that doesn’t mind putting Leon in his place. You should have seen her leave him at a loss for words earlier.”

They both chuckled and I smiled at the memory. The fact remained that I didn’t feel a pull to Liam, in fact, his hand on me made me squirm internally. So his instincts were probably wrong. He was dreamy looking but there wasn’t anything drawing me to him. He deserved a mate, and I was going to be a mate to no one.