Coming of Age

I woke up feeling a little bit better. And…well…it's finally my birthday. Not that I feel anything about it anyway.

I glance at the clock on the bedside table—it was still 5:17 a.m.

I sigh, sitting up, and begin my morning routine like I always do. When I finish, I quietly step out of my room and head to the kitchen to help Cassie since she's always wakes up early from everyone else. There was even a time that I thought I woke up earlier than her, it was probably around 3:am that time, and I was excited to tell it on her face, but the moment I stepped in the kitchen she was already sipping her coffee. So my plan backfired.

I slowly walked to the kitchen expecting her, but to my surprise, it was empty.

The room is still dark and oddly quiet. I frown and walk deeper inside, reaching for the switch on the wall. That's when I hear a faint sound from the corner of the kitchen.

"Hello?" I call out softly, but there was no answer.

I take another cautious step, then suddenly, the lights flicker on and a loud chorus of "Happy Birthday!" bursts through the silence.

I yelp in surprise, stumbling back a little. My eyes were adjusting to the light, and I see three people in front of me. Cassie, her mate Mark, and…Gabriel? They're all laughing, clearly amused by how startled I look.

"Happy Birthday again!" Cassie says warmly, walking toward me with a bright smile.

Chase and Mark hand me their presents, which instantly made me grin. Cassie gives me a new set of clothes, and I hug her tightly. While Chase and Mark gave me shoes and new clothes.

She cooks my favorite food and even bakes a small cake. We celebrate quietly in the kitchen so we don't wake the rest of the pack. It's a small celebration, but it means the world to me. I thank them all, truly grateful for the moment. I didn't expect that Gab would also celebrate with us. It's been years since we last celebrated together.

Later that morning, I sit in front of my laptop, chatting with my Uncle over webcam. We've been talking for two hours now.

He's been asking if I made friends lately, and I said I met one guy on the first day and he sighs on the other end, troubled, but I guess knowing how I'm like, he's thankful that I was able to make one friend.

What he doesn't know is that things haven't really changed. The bullying never stopped. But I can't bring myself to tell him. If anyone in the pack finds out I spoke up, the cruelty will only double. They'll make sure of it. Uncle Seb and Auntie Reyna are rarely here—they have important work—and I don't want to be a burden. I can survive this.

If I still find my mate here. I'm leaving this pack. I'll explore the world, find my place, maybe even find someone who truly sees me. But I won't tell my uncle and aunt that—not yet.

"Ivy," Uncle Seb says softly, his brow furrowed with worry, "are you eating properly? You've lost weight, and you look pale."

"I'm okay, Uncle. Just tired from school and… everything else."

He doesn't look convinced. "I'm really worried about you. We leave you alone so often. We barely have time together. If we could come home right now, we would."

"I'm fine here, really," I say with a soft smile. "You both have responsibilities, Uncle. I understand."

He stares at me through the screen for a long moment, then finally sighs.

"Ivy, if you ever need anything—anything at all—you tell me, okay? Don't be scared."

I nod.

"How was your birthday?" he asks, trying to lighten the mood.

I hesitate. "You know I don't really like celebrating my birthday…" I begin, my voice low. "Especially not without Mom and Dad. I didn't even tell anyone here, I only celebrated it with Cassie, Mark and, umm…Gab."

Uncle Seb's face crumples.

Tears escape before he can hide them, and he quickly turns away. Aunt Reyna appears on the screen, walking over to comfort him.

"Hey, don't cry," I whisper. "I'm okay. Really."

"I'm sorry," Uncle Seb says, wiping his face. "I wish I could turn back time and be there with you. I should've come home…"

"But you will, right?" I say, forcing a hopeful smile. "When your work's done, you'll come back. And we'll celebrate together."

"Yes," Aunt Reyna adds, wrapping an arm around Uncle. "Next weekend. We're coming home. One whole month. We'll go somewhere nice for your birthday."

My heart lifts. "Really? I'll wait for you guys then."

Uncle Seb perks up slightly. "We actually bought you a gift. It'll be delivered tomorrow."

"You didn't have to," I groan. "You guys always get me expensive stuff I don't even use."

Like the necklace last year. Still in the box. Then came the iPad, camera, and latest laptop. I told them to stop, but they never listened.

"This time, it's not expensive. Promise," Uncle Sebastian insists.

I narrow my eyes. "You're lying. I know that smile."

He laughs, caught. "Okay, okay. It's less expensive. But I swear you'll like it."

We shift topics. "Ryker's birthday is in two days," Uncle Seb says. "He's turning eighteen. He'll be Alpha soon. I heard Alpha Robert's inviting other packs—so Ryker can meet his mate."

I didn't know that.

Suddenly, someone knocks on my door.

"I have to go," I say quickly, my heart skipping. "Someone's here. I'll see you guys next weekend. Love you both!"

"Love you, Ivy. Take care."

I end the call, my hands trembling slightly. I take a deep breath and open the door.

Alpha Grey was stands there, smiling gently. I instantly relax when I saw it was him.

"Hello, Ivy," he says. "Come with me, we need to talk in my office."

I freeze for a second. Did I do something wrong?

"Are you okay?" he asks, turning back when I didn't follow him.

"Y-yes, sir," I stammer, then trail after him.

Inside his office, he gestures for me to sit. I was turning my brain upside down to think of possible mistakes I have committed. But I couldn't think of any.

"W-what can I do for you, Alpha Robert?"

"Relax, Ivy," he says kindly. "You didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to ask, are you still having problems? Is anyone bullying you?"

Every couple of weeks, he checks on me. He's one of the few who knows what I went through.

"I'm fine, Alpha," I lie. "Nothing bad happened recently."

He nods slowly, not pushing it. But I can tell he wasn't entirely convinced. "If anything does happen, tell me. Or tell Ryker."

Never. I'd rather die than go to Ryker. Instead of helping me, he'll probably end up causing me more pain.

"It's your birthday, right?" he continues, smiling now. "Happy Birthday. I got you something."

He walks over to a cabinet and pulls out a small box.

"My gift. Your uncles told me you'd like it. And… this is something I wish I'd given you a long time ago."

"Thank you, Alpha," I say sincerely. "Your greetings are already more than enough though, you don't have to give me presents."

"Nonsense. Open it."

I carefully unwrap the gift. I always save the wrappers, ribbons, and cards. Weird habit, maybe, but they mean something to me. I always store them in a box and tuck them underneath my bead.

When I lift the lid of the box, my breath catches.

It's a framed photo, of…of my family.

My father and mother were in their wolf form. I was resting my head on my mother's stomach, laughing while trying to listen on something. My father was nudging my head with his nose.

Tears sting my eyes, each passing second as I looked at the photo.

I remember this day. I was six. It was the day they told me I was going to be a big sister. One of the happiest moments of my life.

But that happiness... didn't last.

Not only did the rogues took my parents and other members in our pack. They also took my little brother away from me. They said they were gonna name him Timothy, and I was laughing at the thought of calling my little brother Timmy. But…that hope crashed. I wasn't able to do anything.

"T-thank you, Alpha." I choked on my tears.

"Don't cry, dear. I'm sure, your parents would love to see you smile instead on your birthday. Their little princess." He muttered, gazing softly at me.

I nodded my head and wiped the tears away. Smiling gratefully at him. Even though others said that I was the cause of our Luna's death, he never once showed me hate.

We were soon interrupted when a knock came to the door and Ryker barged in without a care.

The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression quickly turned black. I immediately lowered my head and excused myself and got out.

I went directly to my room, and jumped to my bed, burying my head under my pillows as I reminisced the past.

I miss them so much. Mom, dad. I'm eighteen now. Don't worry, I promise to live my life from now on. Once I find my mate, I will explore the world and be your eyes on earth while you watch in heaven.