02. Eve of Adulthood

Five minutes. I just needed five minutes to myself. I felt like I hadn’t stopped all day. From the moment I woke up, I’d been pulled here, there and everywhere. I’d spent several hours with Father going over the names of all the attending Alphas and their Lunas, their pack names and brief history. Every error resulted in a disappointed look being cast my way, and more pressure heaped on.

I wandered over to the large window seat in my bedroom and sat, hugging my knees to my chest. The sky was dark and lanterns lit up the large circular driveway. I had always loved event nights. My room had the best view in the house to sit and watch the guests arrive.

People-watching was definitely helping ease my anxiety, and I began to relax a little. For all his faults as a mate and a parent, my father really was a good Alpha. He’d forged alliances with most of the surrounding packs, and had treaties with many other species, too. The way people greeted him with genuine smiles and vigorous handshakes was a testament to his work.

There was only one pack in the entire region that wouldn’t be making an appearance tonight, and that was Teal Valley. They were our closest neighbours, and at one time our closest allies. Friends, even. One of my earliest memories is a picnic in the Jade Willow Forest, a vast expanse of dense forest that separates our two packs. 

The forest used to be the most beautiful place with gorgeous colours, and all kinds of supernatural and fae species living harmoniously. The forest thrives on the energy that its occupants release, more good than evil, and the forest is happy, carefree, safe. Too much negativity, and the evil creatures come out to play. 

That day, my parents and I, along with my father’s former Beta, had met Alpha Leo and Luna Julie from Teal Valley. They had brought along their five sons, the youngest being the same age as me. My father spent a great deal of time making small comments to my mother about how wonderful it would be to have so many sons.

After lunch, the three men had gone off to discuss business, but not long after, we all heard their shouts. The sky darkened quickly, and swirling, angry-looking clouds had rolled over above us. The entire atmosphere of the forest changed, and creatures began slinking out from the undergrowth. I screamed, and I distinctly remember the youngest Teal Valley son stepping in front of me to shield it from my view.

My father and Alpha Leo returned, but Beta Jeremy did not. Alpha Leo’s face had been set in a hard line, his jaw clenched firmly. He rounded up his family and they left without a word. We never saw them again after that. My father rushed my mother and me out of the forest and back home, cursing Leo and Jeremy the whole way.

Father had made a proposition to Alpha Leo about a trade deal. Words became heated and Beta Jeremy had crossed a line. Alpha Leo had lashed out and killed Beta Jeremy, and the forest had turned on him. Even now, over twelve years later, the Jade Willow Forest remains in darkness, and the two packs have been enemies ever since.

I looked at the dark, eerie forest in the distance and sighed. I had this amazing playground right on my doorstep, and because of an Alpha with a bad temper, it was nothing more than a wasteland. No one who had ever gone into the forest had come out again.

The only one happy about it was Ellis. It was that set of unfortunate circumstances that led to his dad being chosen as the new Beta.

I caught sight of my reflection frowning in the glass and figured it was time to get dressed. The last thing I wanted was my bedroom full of people fussing over me and rushing me. My hair and makeup were already done, I just needed to get dressed.

I unzipped the dress bag and a sliver of excitement ran through me as I held the soft, billowing fabric in my hands. This dress was every little girl’s fantasy and was fit for a princess. Tonight, it was mine. 

Rich burgundy in colour, with an embroidered v-neck bodice that cinched at the waist, then flared out to the floor in soft waves with layer upon layer of flowing fabric. As I slipped it on, the train that was sewn into the top of each shoulder draped down my arms before trailing behind me. Scrap princess. I felt like a queen.

My long, blonde hair was pulled up in an elegant chignon, and I chose a teardrop shaped opal pendant and matching earrings. There was a knock at the door just as I was stepping into my red heels. I opened the door to find Ellis standing there dressed in a tuxedo.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“You look wonderful, Alina.”

“Thank you. But why are you here?”

“The Alpha asked me to escort you to the ballroom,” he replied, holding out an arm for me to take.

“That won’t be necessary. I can walk there myself.” I felt a tad guilty I was being so rude, but this was my night, it had nothing to do with Ellis. Why would my father even send him?

“Alpha’s orders, I’m afraid.” Was he for real?

I shoved past him and made my way through the corridors towards the ballroom with Ellis trailing behind. The sound of music and the dull roar of pleasant chatter reached my ears as I rounded the corner.

Thump!

My right shoulder burned with pain, and I felt a sharp sting in my tailbone. I looked up and realised I was on the floor, and my father’s cold, steely eyes were looking down at me. His face was set in a frown. I’d walked straight into him, and it was like I’d hit a brick wall.

“Alina! Here, let me help you up,” said Ellis, rushing to my side.

“You mind-linked him because I refused to take your arm?” I questioned, pushing his hand away and picking myself up off the floor. Ellis at least had the decency to look abashed this time.

“Ellis will escort you into the ballroom,” Father said, clearly emphasising the word will. He then turned and went back inside.

I had been trained to obey his word, but it didn’t mean I liked it. There was anger churning in my gut directed at both Ellis and my father. I pushed it down, burying it with the rest of my emotions, and dusted off my dress, smoothing out the wrinkles.

The huge double doors opened, and the emcee announced Ellis and me, inviting us to enter.

Here goes nothing.

I stepped through the ballroom doors to a round of applause. My legs shook with every step I took, but I remembered to keep my chin up, shoulders back, posture straight, and plastered a warm smile on my face. I could do this. Deep, even breaths. One foot in front of the other.

The large ballroom was at the rear of the packhouse on the ground floor, and was lined with enormous floor to ceiling windows on three sides. A stage had been set up along one wall, where I would shift for the first time.

“Alpha Kane, Luna Marie, it’s a pleasure to see you,” said Ellis, extending his hand to shake the Alpha’s. “Allow me to introduce Alina.”

“We’ve met,” I responded, shooting Ellis a scathing look before returning my focus to the Alpha and Luna. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

It irked me that Ellis had taken the lead on the introductions. Hovering behind the couple was their second son, Magnus. He was twenty now and still had no mate. Probably because he’s a horrible person. Alpha Kane refused to hand their pack over to him until he was mated, and I don’t blame him. Magnus needs a strong woman to keep him out of trouble. Hopefully, I would not be that woman.

“Look at you, all grown up,” said Magnus, his eyes roving up and down my body, giving me the ick.

“Magnus, good to see you,” I replied in a clipped but polite tone, but was unable to stop the scrunch of my nose as he lifted my hand and placed a disgusting wet kiss on the back of it. On purpose, no doubt.

I yanked my hand away by reflex and lifted my gaze to meet my father’s disapproving look. If only he knew how restrained I’d actually been.

Ellis led me around the ballroom as we mingled with the attendees, and I had to fight the almost constant urge to push him away from me. If his hand wasn’t holding mine, it was resting on the small of my back in an almost possessive way that had me bristling.

I wasn’t used to being in a room with this many people, and having the added sensation of being touched all the time–I didn’t like it at all.

“Ellis, would you mind getting me a drink, please?” I asked in my most pleasant tone. I wasn’t thirsty, I just needed a break from him.

“Sure, wait right here for me.”

I nodded in response, then the moment his back was turned, I walked off to try to lose him in the crowd.

“Want to sneak away?” whispered a light-hearted voice in my ear. I jumped, spinning around to find Alpha Alexander of the Bridgewater Pack. 

“That would be very inappropriate,” I responded, avoiding eye contact.

“Relax,” he replied with a small laugh. “It was just a joke. You looked like you were trying to escape.”

“Oh, right.” I never knew what to say in these sorts of situations. I’d never had much practice with small-talk. I awkwardly fumbled my way through the conversation until Ellis tracked me down and it was time for the main event.

As I climbed the stairs to the stage, I delicately shook my hand free of Ellis’, determined to complete the rest of this ceremony without him clinging to me like a tick on a dog. I glanced at the large clock on the back wall. Six minutes to go.

In six minutes, I would officially turn eighteen and meet my wolf. At the stroke of midnight, I would shift for the first time on stage in front of everyone, ripping this beautiful dress to shreds in the process. My wolf would then howl and bow before the Alpha, signalling its loyalty to the pack. 

Most people did this in their own backyard on their birthday and right now, that seemed incredibly appealing. My first shift was going to hurt. Not to mention, when I shifted back to human form I’d be buck naked on stage. I had told Mum and the event planner that if I didn’t have a robe thrown over me within two seconds of me shifting back, there would be hell to pay. They’d both laughed, but I was serious.

I would then go backstage and change into my second dress, and rejoin the party to mingle and socialise. And hopefully find my mate. Who would not be old, or creepy, or unkind, or Ellis.

“My dear friends and guests, it is now time we witness my daughter, Alina Louise Everett, take her first step into adulthood. Ten, nine…”

The crowd began counting down with my father. I felt every nervous emotion I’d hidden away churn in my stomach.

“Seven, six…”

My mother reached out and gave my hand a squeeze. She was in Luna mode next to my father, so her gentle touch surprised me. Ellis had somehow found his way back to me like the barnacle he was.

“Three, two…”

Oh wow. Am I going to vomit? I think I am. Wait, no. Hold it down, Alina. Is my face green? It feels green. Or maybe a deathly shade of white.

“One…”

I closed my eyes tightly, waiting to hear my wolf’s voice in my mind for the very first time. It was the only thought preventing me from splattering the people in the front row with puke.

“Happy Birthday Alina!”

I stood, my feet rooted to the spot as I waited. 

And waited.

‘Hello?’ I asked in my mind.

Nothing. Radio silence. My hands trembled.

“Alina, you need to shift,” whispered Ellis. “Everyone’s waiting.”

I wasn’t feeling what everyone described. There was no extra presence in my mind, there was no voice. Was it definitely after midnight? Was today really my birthday? Had my parents got the date wrong all these years? My Mum was a bit of an airhead at times. No, my father wouldn’t get it wrong.

“Alina, it’s time,” my father pressed, a sharp edge in his voice only my mother and I would pick up on.

I slowly opened my eyes. The crowd still wore happy, expectant smiles. My mother looked poised, but I saw the slight shake in her fingers and the fear that lay behind her eyes. My father, however, was the epitome of calm as he looked me in the eye.

“I have no wolf,” I said softly.