One

Adeline’s pov

I tried not to cry again. This was something my tear ducts were used to, it was almost a routine to watch it dry up and so I sucked in the tears and thought happy thoughts. Thoughts that comprised of the good old earlier days.

Looking back to the sequence of events which brought me to that house of brooding mystery, of sinister undercurrents and disturbing echoes. I sat on a wooden bench I had found as I became lost in thought all alone in the darkness.

The happier days weren’t that long, in actuality they were six years ago. Six years ago when my parents were still alive. Forgive me for taking you on this journey, but spare the orphan girl, this only source of comfort.

(Flashback begins)

I woke up hazily, my eyes springing open by the glimpse of sun passing through dark pink curtains. Then my eyes cleared and joy passed through them, I jumped up from the bed in Glee. It was today! Today was my thirteenth birthday, the day where I was old enough to watch some movies. Old enough to be a teenager. I stopped my movement of jumping on the peach sheets, mom hadn’t come to wake me up which was highly unusual. She always came to my bed five minutes before my alarm,even on holidays. Then I will scowl and hide my face deeper Into t my pillow. Was she and dad not around? Had they been summoned to another pack meeting?

The thought dampened my glee, dousing it in ice cold water and my face dropped. Those meetings usually lasted for hours, the latest one being up to the almost whole day. Was this how I was going to celebrate my birthday? Stuck in the house waiting for the meeting end?

I shuffled out of the bed, almost slipping on the glossy sheets. My bed was a bit too large for one person to sleep on. The bed could contain seven growing kids and counting.

When my feet touched the floor, my alarm rang off signaling that it was eight am. A knock on the door at that same exact moment drew my attention from the clock and my face lightened up.

“ Miss? It’s time to get up” A hesitant voice called gingerly from behind the closed doors and I recognized the voice immediately as Milly. The maid.

My face deflated again, like an over pumped balloon .

“ I am already awake” I bellowed out petulantly. Then chewed on my lips at the side,

“ Is … my parents around?” I asked, holding my breath slightly when Millie didn’t reply for a moment.

“ Yes miss”

My breath came out in a whoosh of relief, they were here and this birthday was still happening. I propped my hands up jerking it forward in a mock dance,

“ But uh.. Mr. Jerome and family are also here” my smile stretches even wider.

*

I pause at the third step smelling distinctly the sweet smell of apple pie. Aunt Rosa! It permeated the whole house, clouding my nostrils and bringing jittery feelings. For only Aunt Rosa could make pie so great like this.

“ Aunt Rosa!” I yell out jumping the other remaining steps and almost topple down on my face.

“ Careful dear” Aunt Rosa says holding my arm to steady me from almost getting a concussion.

“ You should have let her fall” her mom said, she pulls my ear and scolds me harshly. “ Be careful Adeline, you are no longer a child”

“ Yes mom” I say stepping away from her painful hands and my eyes land on the huge blossom frosted cake. It’s the kind spilling with frosting and sprinkles. They are all my favorite snacks in the world, there is Oreos, Snickers and a handful of tart.

I squeal loudly, my eyes widening and my arms going around my mom.

“ Thank you, thank you so much mom. I love it, I love it lots and lots” I say tightening the hug, smelling her familiar scent of sugar and spices.

“ Don’t be dramatic “ Mom says, but she hugs me back and I feel distinctly the warmth of her love.

“ Where is Dad?” I ask drawing back from her hold, my eyes searching curiously for my old man’s sweet smile. I turn back to catch mom’s face drop slightly and sigh, she rubs her face worriedly.

“ He was called into an impromptu meeting by the Alpha. There are some troubles at the borders” she states cautiously peering at my rapidly down turning face. My energy suddenly feels zapped, because how can I have a party without me most favorite parent. Oops, don’t tell my mom I said that.

I love her but my love for my dad is on a different level. My dad is my pal through and through, he always come for me in any situation.

It was in front of him when I had my period last year, my stomach had knotted in pains and I was hunched over my chair during the moon goddess festival.

“ Um, Cecilia” I started at my cousin who was close to age with me. We sat beside each other during the festivities.

“ Yes” she droned out seeming to be looking annoyed. I had interrupted her from her reverie. Previously I had caught her, she had been shooting glances at a guy at a drink stand.

“I think I might..”

“Sorry, excuse me” she interrupted leaving me to walk to the guy and my hand fell flat in it’s attempt to grab her.

I was sweating profusely now, and sure that the icky feeling between my thighs were definitely not sweat. I struggled to get up and prayed that the cover of darkness could hide my probably soiled dress as I tried to push my feet forwards and almost stumbled.

“ My cousin?” I heard Cecilia call out and through my blurry vision, I saw her pointing towards me with a set of people and a boy that looked very similar to Aaron. The Alpha’s son.

Who was approaching me with some people from class. Uh-oh!