The S-Gene: Bethanie (Book #2)

The Night

"Champagne?"

Bethanie's eyes snapped up as she stared at the waiter and his tray filled with champagne flutes. She offered a silent nod as she grabbed one from it, bringing it near her chest, but not drinking it.

She thought tonight was about meeting Filip.

She was wrong.

Following their short meeting surrounded by members of his coven, her parents, and Dr. Harper, they were led to the ballroom. There, Bethanie found out her parents had prepared a surprise birthday party in her honor.

Her first.

She had birthdays before. Extravagant, luscious... with family.

And no alcohol.

Now?

The ballroom was filled to the brim with people she did not know or had never met. Filip's guests were easy to spot but... the rest, the humans? She did not know them. A lot of them came up to her, and wished her a happy birthday...

It was... nice?

Most humans did not know about the existence of supernatural creatures and believed them to be legends and myths. Her family always made sure to uphold the belief. After all, how else could they protect them?

All these that were blessed as she was did the same. It was the least they could do.

Her siblings had more freedom, of course, but she could not risk her life, or anything else. Despite that, they never brought anyone home. At least, not anyone they did not marry.

Two of her siblings were married already. Their spouses were welcomed into the family and informed of this secret. They could trust them.

Regular people? No. It had always been in her teaching. It was simply not possible for someone else like Bethanie to mingle with regular people. She might slip up, they might find out, and then...

So many people would be at risk.

Therefore, there were two possibilities here. Either these people were carriers and supernatural beings like herself, or in order to celebrate this grandiose occasion, her parents had bent the rule.

Bethanie was most grateful.

She thought she would be alone with Filip. Logically, it should be what she wanted, was it not? Two souls split apart - finally together again. Yet, she had not managed to get over the feeling of dread growing inside of her.

Thankfully, he had not noticed.

"Is this the first time you taste alcohol?"

There he was, behind her. Of course. She was the guest of honor and he was her husband-to-be.

Bethanie put the glass of champagne down on the table before straightening her posture. "I haven't tas-tasted it yet." She cleared her throat. "My mother doesn't approve of alcohol."

"Then how about a toast?" he asked as he walked around her.

Filip snapped his fingers, bringing the waiter's attention to him. He took a flute from the tray and sat down next to her. "Surely your mother would have no objections to you toasting with your soulmate?"

Bethanie's bottom lip pursed as she tried to contain its wobbling. "I-I do not think so," she said as she reached for the glass of champagne in front of her. It wouldn't be long before she was with him - forever.