Fire & Rain

Birthday Party

*Althea POV *

I woke up to a cacophony of shouting and clatter from outside. Blinking groggily, I squinted at the clock on my phone: 7 a.m. With a groan, I rolled out of bed, feeling the irritation prickling at my skin. I quickly went through my morning routine and headed toward the dining hall, curiosity mingling with annoyance.

"Why is there so much noise outside? What's going on?" I called out as I descended the staircase, my parents' voices reaching my ears from the dining hall. The room fell silent at the sound of my voice, and as I entered, a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' greeted me.

Caught off guard, I felt a swell of emotion in my chest. "Thank you, guys!" I said, my voice tinged with gratitude, and my mom rushed to embrace me.

"The noise is because the pack has already started decorating the yard; there's a lot to do," my dad explained, planting a kiss on my cheek. "Happy Birthday, Princess! I can't believe how fast you've grown up."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you!" I replied, hugging him tightly.

"Love you too, Princess," Dad said, chuckling softly as he kissed the top of my head. I could sense his underlying emotion, knowing today marked a pivotal change in my life. If I found my mate, I might have to leave with him. My dad, always the stoic Alpha, rarely showed his emotions except around Mom. His confidence and bravery made him a pillar for the pack, but we knew when he felt vulnerable. It was his duty to protect the pack, no matter what.

Eve and Noah came to wish me, teasing me with playful jabs about my future mate's patience. I had to admit, I could be stubborn, but I always stood by what I believed was right.

"Happy Birthday, Dove!" Noah greeted me, using his infuriating nickname for me.

"Thank you, big brother!" I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes as he chuckled. Annoying me was his way of showing affection, I guessed.

"Come on, Thea, stop daydreaming. We need to get you all beautiful, and that's going to take the whole day," Eve urged, pulling me away from my thoughts. I rolled my eyes again, diving into my croissant. The day had barely started, and I was already exhausted.

By six in the evening, I was almost ready. I wore a two-piece dress in a delicate baby pink, adorned with pearls. The skirt had a thigh-high slit, and the cropped blouse had long, elegant sleeves. Paired with baby pink stilettos, my outfit was complemented by nude makeup and my brown hair styled in wavy curls. I felt transformed, looking gorgeous compared to my usual baggy hoodies and jeans. Mom and Eve had helped dress me, and in the afternoon, Alaya and Sophia joined us. Sophia and I, nearly the same age, always got along well. We vibed together, doing things the same way. Despite the excitement, I hadn't seen Blaze all day—the ladies had kept me locked in the room.

As Althea stood in front of the mirror, she felt a mix of excitement and anxiety fluttering in her stomach. Her reflection stared back at her, transformed into a vision of elegance with her baby pink dress and styled curls. Despite the dazzling appearance, she couldn't shake the gnawing nerves. What if the night didn't go as planned? What if Blaze wasn't the mate she hoped for? She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She recalled her mom's soothing words earlier in the day: "Just be yourself, Thea. Tonight is about celebrating you."

When we were finally ready, we headed to the backyard, where the party was in full swing. I gasped upon seeing the decorations—a blush theme with countless pearls. My family knew my obsession with pearls and used it to create a magical setting for my 18th birthday. Everything was perfect.

The backyard was a sight to behold. Twinkling fairy lights draped over the trees created a canopy of stars above, casting a soft glow on the pearl-themed decorations. White and blush balloons floated gently in the evening breeze, while the large pearl-adorned cake sparkled under the soft lights. The scent of roses and freshly cut grass mingled in the air, adding to the magical atmosphere of the night. As I entered, pack members and children wished me 'Happy Birthday,' and I thanked them politely, chatting with a few. But I was searching for someone specific, and disappointment gnawed at me when I couldn't find him. Maybe he didn't come. Feeling let down, I wandered around like a Barbie doll, hanging out with Eve and Sophia.

"Happy Birthday, little doll!" Bryan said as he approached with my dad. I smiled at him; he had always treated me like his own daughter, and I saw him as a father figure.

"Thank you so much, Uncle Bry. I'm so happy you could make it tonight," I said, and he laughed heartily.

"I was threatened to be here tonight; otherwise, my friendship with your dad would have been at risk," he joked, pointing to my dad. I laughed, understanding the playful threat.

"Of course. You and Blaze were gone for two years, and you didn't visit us after that," Dad pointed out.

"I know, I know. There was a lot going on with Blaze taking over the Alpha position," Bryan explained. The mention of Blaze piqued my curiosity again.

"Did Blaze not come today?" I asked, trying to sound casual. Bryan looked at me, then around.

"No, dear, he's here. Maybe he's with Noah, discussing Alpha matters," he replied. I nodded, forcing a smile. Eve then dragged me to the stage to start the birthday celebration. Mom took the mic, asking everyone to gather around for the cake cutting. I blushed, smiling at the pearl-themed cake. My family had really gone all out. As I admired the cake, a refreshing musk and pinewood scent enveloped me, instantly soothing me. Rayn's voice echoed in my head, excitedly whispering 'mate.' My eyes widened. I hadn't heard from Rayn since yesterday morning, and now she was back, having found her mate. I scanned the crowd, and my gaze landed on Blaze.

Our eyes met, and my heart soared. The Moon Goddess had answered my wish. But Blaze's eyes widened in shock, then turned hard and cold. 'Was he not happy that I was his mate?'Blaze's face hardened as he took in the realization that I was his mate. He looked away quickly, his body tense and rigid. My heart sank at his reaction. I felt a wave of rejection wash over me, and I struggled to maintain my composure. The joyous occasion suddenly felt hollow, and the weight of unspoken words and emotions settled heavily between us.

Author's Note:

Hello, my lovelies, 

It's been a while since I wrote a book, I know. But stay tuned, because more books are coming. It might take some time, but they are coming. So it's my first time writing a werewolf story, and I hope you guys will like it. I have read lots of werewolf stories from amazing authors, and to be honest, this genre of story kind of raised the bar for me. It is my all-time favorite now. If you guys are having difficulties understanding the wolf terms that will be frequent in the book, please just ask me on my profile, and I will happily explain them to you. Now updates will be every Monday, but since you guys loved the first chapter and are curious, I'm posting an extra for you today. This is how much I appreciate you guys reading my story. Also, this story is not fully edited, so bear the mistakes, please. I hope you like this chapter, and let me know your opinions in the comments. I love you all.. XO