愛は枯葉のごとく静寂に散りゆく

In the modern era, several people started to enjoy various technological advancements. Traditions and cultures slowly disappeared due to the numerous technological changes that continued to invade the progress of time.

The impact of time's development is not limited to human beings only; it extends to the traditions of a group of werewolves as well, thanks to the evolving era.

When werewolves reach the age of 18, they used to celebrate marriages to unite their destined mates within their pack. However, things were different this time. At the age of 18, to signify a person's maturity, a grand birthday party was held.

Just like the extravagant 18th birthday party held at a luxurious hotel for a girl who was the mate of the Alpha King in her pack. The beautiful girl wearing a red dress looked stunning, even standing out among the guests attending her party.

Not only werewolves but also the girl's friends, who were ordinary humans unaware of her true identity, came to liven up her birthday celebration.

"Happy 18th birthday, Giselle Primrose!" shouted an excited man, raising his wine glass high in the air.

Giselle joined in the cheer and lifted her own wine glass because today she was officially an adult and could consume alcohol, just like everyone else.

The teenagers, intoxicated by the atmosphere, enjoyed every drink served at Giselle Primrose's birthday party. The music accompanying the party was loud, playing beats that made anyone who heard it want to move their body and dance along with the people around them.

"Woah!" exclaimed Giselle, raising her wine glass and moving her body in various directions, following the rhythm of the music.

While the teenagers in the middle of the room danced and indulged in alcohol, a different scene unfolded in the corner of the room.

A man, seven years older than Giselle and her werewolf mate, sat leisurely, enjoying snacks in front of him while sipping on vodka.

He glanced at Giselle, who was dancing with her friends, forgetting all the problems that plagued her, including the issue of her upcoming marriage to the Alpha King.

"My lord, would you like another drink?" asked an elderly man, Giselle's father.

The Alpha King named Vexeon turned his gaze to the man in front of him, who was about to pour more vodka into his glass. But Vexeon pulled his glass away and smiled.

"No need, Mr. Gilbert. I've had enough alcohol for today," replied Vexeon.

Although Vexeon was younger than Gilbert, who was Giselle's father, Vexeon's status was higher. He was the Alpha King, in other words, the leader of the werewolf pack.

Vexeon's power was not to be underestimated. He had faced attempts to overthrow him as the Alpha King by those who disagreed with his position, but the outcome remained the same. Vexeon remained the respected Alpha King of his pack.

Mia, an elderly woman sitting next to Gilbert and his wife, smiled at Vexeon, who was sitting across from them.

"By the way, when will you marry Giselle? Or what's the plan? Giselle is of age and can marry you, Mr. Vexeon," Mia asked, still smiling.

It was evident that Giselle's parents were proud because their daughter was the destined mate for Vexeon, the Alpha King.

Vexeon tapped his finger on the table and briefly glanced at Giselle, who was happily dancing in the middle. Then his gaze returned to Mia and Gilbert, who were waiting for his answer.

"I will discuss it with Giselle and my mother first," said Vexeon.

Now, Vexeon was an orphan because his father, who was also an Alpha King, had passed away due to his job as a police officer in his human life. Vexeon only had a graceful and beautiful mother named Emily.

"Well, in that case, we'll wait for good news about the progress of your relationship," Mia replied.

Vexeon took another sip of his vodka and looked at Giselle from a distance. He didn't feel comfortable dancing with Giselle there.

Suddenly, Giselle approached the table where her parents and Vexeon were sitting. Giselle smiled at Vexeon and grabbed his hand, which was still holding his glass.

"Vexeon, would you like to dance with me there? Let's enjoy this song and celebrate my 18th birthday," Giselle requested.

"Giselle, it seems like Vexeon isn't interested in dancing. Don't force him," Gilbert said.

Vexeon looked at Giselle with flushed cheeks, then he stood up and touched Giselle's warm cheek. Giselle smiled and closed her eyes.

"Are you drunk?" Vexeon asked.

Giselle immediately opened her eyes and looked at Vexeon, pouting her lips in front of him. It made Vexeon feel fondness for Giselle and he really wanted to kiss her.

"No, not at all. I can handle alcohol. I'm not an ordinary girl, you know," Giselle proudly replied, then smiled at Vexeon.

"Giselle, don't get too drunk! Just because you're legal now doesn't mean you can drink alcohol as much as you want. You need to take care of yourself!" Mia exclaimed amidst the loud music playing.

Giselle turned to Mia and nodded her head. "Okay, my dear mother," Giselle said, then she looked back at Vexeon. "So, you don't want to dance there?" Giselle asked Vexeon.

"No, you go ahead. I'll wait here," Vexeon said.

"Alright then, I'll go back there," Giselle replied, letting go of Vexeon's hand on her cheek, and she returned to her friends' crowd, dancing as before.

The wine that had been enjoyed by the newly-turned young adults finally ran out. Giselle approached a hotel server who was responsible for serving the guests during her birthday event.

"Sir, I'd like some whisky and vodka, please," Giselle requested.

The hotel server nodded his head. There was no need to hide the fact that alcohol was provided at the hotel, as all the attending guests were of legal age.

While waiting, Giselle danced again and occasionally glanced at Vexeon, who was busy drinking his vodka.

As Giselle danced and enjoyed the music, her parents suddenly stood up, and Giselle noticed it. Giselle didn't know what they were discussing, but it was clear that her parents bid farewell to Vexeon, leaving Vexeon alone there.

"He must be bored there all by himself," Giselle said.

Just as Giselle was about to approach Vexeon, her hand was stopped by her friend, who forbade her from approaching Vexeon.

"Are you going to see your lover, Giselle? You better enjoy this drink first. We mixed it for you," Aiden, Giselle's school friend, said.

Giselle stopped and turned around, then saw a glass of alcohol prepared by Aiden for her. "What's this?" Giselle asked as she took the glass from Aiden's hand.

"It's a mix of whisky and vodka. You're sure to like it. It tastes really sweet," Aiden said.

Giselle's other friends encouraged her to drink it, so reluctantly, Giselle took a deep breath and gulped it down in one breath.

Everyone cheered as Giselle finished the concoction Aiden made until it was empty.

"Wow, you're amazing, Giselle," Reverie, Giselle's close friend, said.

Giselle raised her glass high and then turned it upside down over her head as a sign that she had finished Aiden's drink.

Meanwhile, Vexeon, feeling uncomfortable with the increasing noise, got up from his seat and approached Giselle for a moment.

"I'll go to the room first. If you're done, just come to my room. My room is on the 16th floor, number 1609," Vexeon whispered to Giselle, speaking directly into her ear.

Giselle nodded her head. "I'll follow later," Giselle said.

Vexeon finally left, and now only Giselle and her friends were busy enjoying the party.

Amidst Giselle's enjoyment of alcohol, Aiden looked at Tiffany, who was standing nearby. He whispered to Tiffany, "Did you put in the aphrodisiac?"

Tiffany made an OK gesture with her left hand. "She will definitely enjoy tonight with her lover," Tiffany said.

Aiden messed up Tiffany's hair, proud of what the woman had done. Especially Tiffany's idea of suggesting putting an aphrodisiac in Giselle's drink just now.