Happy Birthday, Serenity

Serenity POV

Another worthless birthday again today.

“Happy twentieth birthday to you, Serenity.” I wished myself a happy birthday and took a deep breath out of exhaustion.

Most times, I think I'm cursed. Sometimes I act like everything's normal. Which… isn't.

I live in a big house with plenty of food, but I'm still starved of the same food.

I am Serenity Crescent.

Well, that's the only tangible thing Alpha Gideon and Erica, his Luna, my foster parents, have ever given me. I am a plus-size girl with a huge waist and broad chest. My eyes are blue like the sea. Sienna, Gideon's daughter, detested that compliment from the gardener.

I have lived in Blackwood Pack ever since my parents died in the attack that claimed their lives. I have heard several stories about how they died. Some say wolfsbane poisoning, and some say… a car crash. And yet, I am still struggling to believe it.

I was just six months old.

But fate accepted it. Who am I to question the Moon Goddess?

I have been looking at it several times. Not with the kind of stares people give you when you dress sweetly for a gala, but with disgust. I am labelled as the pack's defective wolf. Ever since I turned eighteen, I haven't been able to shift into my wolf form. “What do you expect from someone who takes up the whole space?” Sienna groaned calmly, but I could feel the disgust in her eyes.

But Tristan… he had promised me when we were kids. “When I become the next Alpha, I won't think twice about making you my Luna.”

His words kept me going until recently.

***

It was a sunny morning. I collected my apron from the wooden stand by the kitchen door, tied it around my big waist, and went to do my dishes, which was also part of my daily routine.

I had prepared vegetable soup and bread for breakfast. As I walked down the stairs, I overheard him.

“News came from the Lycan throne about that cursed, mad king. He's placing a bounty of $200,000 for any pure-blood who is fit to calm his madness and bear his future pups.” Gideon's voice echoed through the walls of his study down to the stairs where I stood.

I froze.

“Sienna, our child was chosen,” he continued. “But I won't allow my only daughter to be a bride for a cursed, lame king.” He groaned, slamming his hand on the wooden table. The table and the whole house vibrated.

“So, what do we do now, Gideon?” Erica started. Her voice was calm but with heaviness underneath. “Serenity should go and act as our daughter, Gideon. We both know that Serenity is useless to us, and we need that money to sort out the pack problems.”

My stomach dropped, and I felt a knot squeeze in my chest.

I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat. I tightened my hand around the tray of soup I held.

“Lower your voice. I don't need her moping around listening to our conversations,” Gideon cut her off.

I adjusted my pink gown against my skin and walked one foot after another. The thought of the conversation was still playing in my head.

“Serenity… you look stunning today. Have you seen Tristan?” Erica lifted her head to me with a bold smile.

“He's probably in his room… oh, here he comes.” I pointed out. My voice came out nearly cracked.

“Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?” I asked because, honestly, I don't remember the last time they thought I existed.

Tristan had taken over an empty seat. I reached for a glass and poured in the orange juice I had made earlier.

“Okay… fine, let's cut the act. The Frost Pack King, Valerius, has placed a huge amount of money that...” He belched. “...We need to sustain our pack. So I want you to attend the ceremony with his pack tomorrow.”

Of course, I was worth nothing to this household. I stared at Tristan, who was supposed to be my fated mate. But he buried his face in the cup he held just to avoid being asked anything.

I wasn't even worth an explanation as to why I was being sold like property. I already knew where he was heading, but to allow him to finish, I asked anyway.

“What's this about, Alpha? Why am I attending any ceremony?” My voice barely came out as a whisper.

I stared at Tristan, but he looked away.

“Tristan. Say something.” I lowered my voice and whispered.

“As I was saying, the King needs someone who can bear him future pups, so his bloodline doesn't end. I want you to represent Sienna. You will go as her stand-in. You won't want this pack to go bankrupt after everything we've done for you. Do you understand?” He said, swallowing the vegetable in his mouth. His Adam's apple went up and down.

I gave a soft nod.

I felt used and useless at that point. I cleaned off the little tear that rolled down my cheek with the strap of my apron.

‘No. I would not let them see me break.’ I had always thought Tristan cared. He was my fated mate, so I assumed at least there was one person in the world willing to stand for me.

Sienna stood by the entrance door. She had the perfect slender shape of a model superstar. Her dark hair was neatly curled. Unlike me.

She dug a little paper into the pocket of my apron.

“You think Tristan still sees you, Serenity?” She whispered so close that I felt her hot breath near my ears. No one else could hear. Standing one foot away from me, she continued, “If you really want to find out the truth, you should check that.” She purred, moving her eyes to my apron pocket. She let out a soft smirk.

I watched her walk into the dining room. Her steps were elegant, swaying her waist like she was about to impress no one.

I walked back into my room. I dug my hand into the area where Sienna had put the paper. And behold, it had a letter and address written on it.

*Tristan is getting engaged to Emily to bind a treaty between her pack and ours. Go see for yourself. Tomorrow, Tristan will be there.*

That's not possible, I said in my mind. Tristan can't be getting engaged. He promised me I would be his only future Luna.

A hot wave of rage and sorrow wrapped around me. I felt so small at that point.

I have sacrificed a lot for this pack and house. Now everyone treats me the way they wish.

I wiped the hot tears off my face. “Then I guess I will be attending the chosen ceremony at the Frost Pack. I need space away from all of this,” I muttered to myself, clutching my knees up to my chest.

I need proof before I leave this pack once and for all.