TWO

“Do you even know what you’re talking about? The Alpha’s birthday party? Absolutely not!” I heard the finality. She was never letting me go.

I expelled a sigh and nodded. “I understand.”

Her eyes softened. “I’m doing this for your own good. You don’t know what happens at those kinds of places. They’ll talk down on you.”

“You’re not going, are you?” I questioned, making sure. I didn’t want to have a run-in with her when I snuck out.

“I don’t want to.” She shook her head.

“I won’t go, then.” I smiled at her, making sure to hide any sign of deceit.

We spent the entire day binge-watching the Twilight series, just how I liked to spend birthdays. Selena always complained about how the werewolf didn’t get the girl, but it didn’t matter to me. It was Bella’s choice.

“Aw, come on. I bet she wouldn’t have suffered this much—”

“If she had ended up with Jacob, you say that every single time we reach the birth scene.” I giggled, kissing her cheeks.

I held her tighter each time there was a romantic scene on screen. I knew how hard it was for her to watch things like that, especially since her mate had died. She watched it for me. She loved me. I loved her.

“Finally.” She yawned after the credits to the last movie rolled. It was evening. She would be falling asleep soon enough.

“Should I make you some tea?” I offered.

“No, I’m already tired. I’ll be heading to bed soon, anyway.” She stood up. “By the way, we should go out some day. You don’t have to spend your birthdays like this, every year.”

“I want to.” I waved her off. I would spend every single day like that with her, if I could.

“Sooner or later, and I believe it’s going to be soon, your mate will find you. You’ll have your own family. You can’t be with me forever.” She brought up the topic that always made my mouth go dry and my stomach twist.

“My mate can wait. You’re…my mother.” I tried hard to get my voice to be stable at the last two words. She seemed to buy it, since she kissed my forehead.

“You’ll never understand what the mate bond would make you do until you share it with someone. Good night, Athena. Don’t forget to turn the television off.” She retreated up the stairs. Knowing her, I knew the next time I’d see her was the next morning.

I walked up to my room and opened the doors to my small closet. I didn’t have the best clothes, but they were perfect, considering we didn’t have much but Selena always found a way to get me what her money could buy.

I didn’t know if there was a theme, but most werewolves did like to pair with the moon or blood. Since it was an Alpha, I made a guess–blood.

I picked out a red lacy dress with a slight slit in front of it. It had a square neck, making it appropriate and modest for the occasion. I couldn’t afford any horny, unmated wolf breathing down my neck for the night.

I picked out the black lace-up heels Selena had gotten me yesterday as an early birthday present. Why not use it on my birthday?

I guessed Selena was sound asleep, but I still tiptoed down the stairs with my heels in my hands. Her wolf senses could still be tingling.

When I got to the door, I turned the knob slowly, but I froze when she cleared her throat behind me.

“I knew it when you didn’t even beg to go after I refused once.” I turned with a grimace and released a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, ashamed, as she walked towards me slowly.

She cupped my cheeks and slowly pulled my face up so I could face her. “Don’t ever try to sneak out on me. You could get hurt somewhere and I wouldn’t know where you are. I was about to come tell you that you could go, but I see you’re one step ahead.”

Tears welled my eyes, but I blinked them back. “I’m so sorry, Selena.” I hugged her as tight as I could without trying to put her in a chokehold.

“Put your shoes on and let me see how perfect you’ll look for the night,” she encouraged. I bent and put them on, the heels turning my five-foot-seven height to five-eleven. Even at that, I knew I wouldn’t tower over people that much. Werewolves were extremely tall.

“You’re lovely.” Selena smiled. I bent for her to place a kiss on my forehead. She stroked my dark, brown hair. “Be careful. Call me if you need anything, I’ll keep my phone close. Try your hardest to stay away from the Alpha. Alphas are a ticking bomb.”

I laughed at the metaphor and kissed her cheek. “Bye, love you.”

It dawned on me after I got out into the streets that I would be entering the Alpha’s house for the first time. I had passed by the gates a couple of time with Selena, on our way for a moon festival or some other occasion.

I walked down the lonely streets, the wind ruffling my dress and my hair as the familiar giant gates came into view. I looked up at the bright full moon, my heart thrumming faster. “Please, be with me,” I mumbled.

As I got to the entrance, two tall and bulky men stood searching people. Of course, there were bodyguards. The Alpha wouldn’t risk this much of the pack being in one space without some form of security. That would just be plain stupid.

“Good evening.” I smiled at them, hiding how intimidated I was by their looks.

“Anything suspicious with you over there, young lady?” One of them asked, his hair in a loose ponytail and a two piercings on each ear.

'If you have something suspicious, would you tell them? What kind of a stupid bouncer is he, anyway?' Raya grumbled from the back of my mind.

I tried not to laugh at her remark. “I don’t have anything, just my phone.” I held my phone up and spun in a circle as proof.

The other security guard approached me, and that’s when I noticed it was a female in a buzzcut. She looked unreal.

She used her hands to search me before nodding in approval: “Clear.”

As I stepped into the mansion, I could hear the ponytail guy saying “she smells different.”

I wasn’t a member of their pack, so that was fair.

As soon as I stepped foot in the building, my eyes widened. The bright rows of chandeliers, the butlers buzzing past, the clinking of glasses, the soft wave of music, the chatter which was accompanied by occasional laughter. I had never witnessed so much…life.

“A glass of champagne, ma’am?” One of the butlers offered, flutes of champagne perfectly arranged on a golden platter.

“Thank you,” I said, taking one in my hand. I’d never taken champagne before, so I tipped the glass back just to get a drop on my tongue. Fizzy, sweet, I liked it.

My eyes raked the people around, and I almost laughed at myself. It was a masquerade ball. How embarrassing to be the only bare-faced guest.

“I’m shocked Selena let you come, Thea.” I heard a familiar voice from behind me. I turned to face Mr Jerry. “Or did you sneak out?”

“I almost did, to be honest.” I laughed. “But she caught me and let me come, surprisingly.”

He was in a white button-down shirt, a black bowtie that matched his black suspenders, black slacks and black shoes. He even had a mask on.

“You didn’t catch the theme, did you?” He chuckled.

“I didn’t.” I sighed, looking around. Nobody was focusing on me. Not tonight, at least.

“You’ll be fine. You’ve always been unique.” He patted my head.

“The Alpha’s not here, is he?” I asked, my eyes sweeping the crowd again. Nobody had the aura I had guessed only an Alpha possessed, unless I was wrong with my assumptions.

“Not yet. Isn’t it exciting, sharing a birthday with an Alpha?” He asked.

“I honestly don’t see it as a big deal.” I shrugged, pushing the flute of champagne back and gulping the rest of the champagne.

“Be careful with the alcohol, now. Wouldn’t want Selena locking you up forever if you get drunk,” he joked.

“I will. That should be my last glass.” I reached for a chocolate ball set on one of the tables and popped it in my mouth.

A distinct scent hit my nostrils like a punch. I squinted, taking more of it in to decipher its elements. It smelled like petrichor, mixed with a hint of coconuts. I gasped at the tingly feeling between my legs.

“Is anything the matter?” Mr. Jerry asked, noticing my shock.

“No.” I shook my head. What was happening to me? The scent hit again, harder this time. The feeling came again, and I fought back a moan.

The lights dimmed, which I was thankful for. I couldn’t risk people seeing the confusion and distress on my face.

A voice broke out: “And now, please welcome the Alpha of Crimson Pack, Alpha Conrad Darcy.” The claps sounded like thunder, but I could barely stand. The scent was getting stronger. My heart was getting erratic. I could feel myself sweating, even with how cold it was.

The spotlights all went in one direction at the top of the stairs, revealing a huge figure.

Holy shit.

I watched his eyes scan the crowd restlessly. He was looking for something, or someone, and I seemed to know who.

When his dark eyes landed on me, Raya lost it.

'Our mate! That’s our mate!' she screamed.