THE BIG DAY

IT was still early but Cassandra's guests had already started to arrive in their mansion. It's her birthday. The day that his family and the whole Black Forest territory, together with their friends had been waiting for. Everyone seemed to be happy and excited for her.

Except for Cassandra. Despite the smiles she displayed in front of the crowd, the inexplicable emotion hidden inside her leveled up for she could not fathom whether she was scared, nervous, or excited. 

"Cass!"

Cassandra turned her head to the source of the voice. It was her cousin; Eowyn. She is one of her Aunt Cristina's triplets who barely arrived from Gray Shadow a little earlier. Behind Eowyn were her two brothers, Paris and Lee. All three were smiling at her and she couldn't help but force a smile to avoid being questioned. She knew them so well. They would not stop until she give them a proper explanation, especially Eowyn. 

"Hi, cousin!" she greeted them merrily. "Paris and Lee, hello," she mumbled to the two men as she turned her head to them. 

Lee instantly pinched her nose and the gesture was followed by Paris's soft flip on her forehead. 

"In just a few hours, you will finally become a full-fledged werewolf already." Paris said as he drew a cheerful smile on his lips. His eyes were also twinkling in delight as he stared at her. 

"Exactly!" Lee agreed with a nod. "We've been waiting for this to happen. I'm excited, Cassandra," he added. 

Cassandra mentally winced. She grew even edgier from what she heard. It seemed like everyone was having a high hope towards her and, that’s not pretty good. They're all giving her so much pressure. What if... 

"Hey, don't be scared," Eowyn said holding her arm. Perhaps, she noticed the sudden flicker of doubt on Cassandra's face. They were currently on the terrace outside her room. "It's only natural to be uneasy because this is your first transformation. We feel you, okay. We've been there. And, it will be a little painful too but you'll surely get used to it once you've already learned how to transform. You can do it... "she told with an encouraging smile while looking at her.

Instead of helping, what they said made her nervousness worse. She feared that their high expectations from her might lead to disappointment. Goodness! She couldn't afford to dishearten her adoptive family. 

Disappointment— that was the last thing she would want to give to a family who did not treat her differently. And, because of that she couldn’t help but feel sad. 

"Thank you," she announced with a forced smile on her lips. 

"And remember, Cassandra...great ability comes with great responsibility too." Paris reminded her in a serious manner. 

"Yes, of course. I will always remember that."

Cassandra was not sure which of the triplets would replace his Uncle Shade as the next Alpha of Gray Shadow. The three are both in training to be the possible next leader of the territory. Unlike her Daddy who has already chosen the next Alpha which is Liam. When her elder brother was still young, their Dad trained him to be a good and responsible leader. And at that point, his older brother is prepared to take over. Their Dad already started to introduce Liam to his allies. 

A few moments later, the three bid goodbyes to her and, before they left, Eowyn advised her to rest well so that she would have enough strength for that night. It would be a tiresome evening, she knew it. 

When the three finally left, Cassandra breathed a sigh of relief. She had been barely able to breathe properly while talking to the triplets. She blew a bit of air as she leaned her back to the wooden chair she was sitting on. She bent down and squeezed her right hand over her face out of nervousness. When she looked up, he was almost stunned to see Cristen on the windowsill, crouching with furrowed brows. 

'Seriously? Is she planning to kill her in a panic?'

"What the heck, Princess Cristen Del Franco! You freakin' scare the hell out of me!" she shouted. "Are you trying to kill me?" she continued out of annoyance. 

'This goddamn vampire!'

"Oh, did I?"  Cristen talked back who didn't seem bothered before she popped the bubble gum that was inside her mouth. 

Cassandra's face frowned even more at what she heard. Sometimes she's wondering how they became best friends. Surely, Cristen is her total opposite. Her good cousin here is not even afraid that she would be a disappointment to her family, it didn't matter to her even though she would anger her father because of her stubbornness. She'd literally and would do everything that she likes no matter what it takes. 

"Yes, you just did, you crazy, little vampire!" 

"Oh..." Cristen whispered annoyingly. 

Goodness, but how in the world could she stand this woman? 

"Talk to the hand!" 

Cassandra chose to focus on the trees across the terrace in her room. If she continues to pay attention to her well-mannered cousin, she'd surely be even more annoyed. 

Moments later, Cristen and Cassandra were both got drowned in silence. She distracted herself by watching the birds moving around on the branches of the tree. She didn’t know why but she felt like they were as sad as she was. 

Cassandra sighed. She must have gone crazy from overthinking. How the heck would these birds be aware of how she felt? 

"You aren't ready yet, are you?"

Cassandra was stunned to hear that kind of question from Cristen. She looked at her but immediately took her gaze back when she saw Cristen staring straight at her. She knew that she had nothing to hide from Cristen. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why they get along even though they have different personalities. 

"I don't know..." she unconsciously whispered. 

"Don't stress yourself so much. Loosen up!" Cristen said in a jovial tenor "Sometimes, the things that we want don't occur just like what we planned. What comes along, will come along so cheer up, Cass!" she added as a soft smile cracked at the corner of her lips. 

Cassandra couldn't help but smile. It was so rare that Cristen turned serious as she was at that moment. More often than not, she would rather annoy everyone around her and, she could not deny that somehow, she felt relieved because of what her cousin said. 

"Thank you!"

Cristen is right. Why is she overthinking what's going to happen? Whatever will be, will be. Whatever happens, then let it be. It's her big day so she should be happy. 

Yeah, what comes along, will surely come along!