Chapter 9

Bella's POV

I had just stepped out of the shower, my hair dripping wet and a towel hastily wrapped around me when the world erupted into a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" I froze, my heart leaping in my chest as my friends swarmed around me.

"Surprise, Bella!" Sarah, my closest friend, held a cake adorned with candle lights. The room was filled with laughter and warmth, and I was taken aback by their efforts to make my birthday special.

I blinked, not quite believing the scene before me. "You guys..." I began, my voice a mix of gratitude and surprise. "I can't believe you did all this."

Sarah beamed and gestured to the cake. "Well, go on, Bella. Make a wish before you blow out the candles."

My eyes flickered to the cake, the candlelight dancing in my gaze. The room seemed to hold its breath as I closed my eyes and made a silent wish. Deep down in my heart, I wished for one thing – that I'd find my mate, and that he would be none other than Jace. But it was a secret I kept locked away, a yearning that had recently started growing inside me, as I leaned in and blew out the candles. The room was filled with joyful cheers as the flames went off. The voices of my friends, laughing and clapping, surrounded me.

Sarah, with a sly grin, leaned in and asked, "So, Bella, are you going to Jace's party tonight?"

I sighed, smiling excitedly. "Off course I will Sarah, what do you expect."

The rest of my friends took their leave, leaving Sarah and I behind. Sarah stayed back to help me get dressed for the occasion, she had borrowed me a beautiful dress for the night, and she helped me with my makeup.

Just as I was beginning to feel the anticipation build, the pack mistress angrily burst into the room, her eyes blazing with disapproval. "Bella, what on earth are you doing? You should be at your duty post, attending to your chores, not getting dressed up like a fancy doll!"

I stammered, trying to find the right words as I looked at Sarah, who offered a reassuring glance. The pack mistress's harsh words reminded me that my place was in the daily grind of pack life, not at a lavish party.

With a sigh and a sense of defiance, I replied, "Today is my birthday, Mrs Elselhdar."

The room was heavy with tension as the pack mistress glared at me, her lips a thin line of displeasure.

I felt the room tense up as her gaze shifted from me to my birthday cake Sarah had placed on the table nearby. She reached over, grabbed it, and with a triumphant grin, she smashed it right into my face.

The sugary mess splattered all over me, completely ruining the borrowed dress, the carefully applied makeup, and my already fragile mood. I stood there in shock, cake dripping down my face, as Mrs Elselhdar laughed heartily.

"Look at you," she sneered. "Thinking you can dance off to a party when you should be scrubbing the toilets!"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I was determined not to show weakness in front of her. But when she yelled at me to get back to work, something inside me snapped. I broke down into sobs, the weight of the humiliation and disappointment too much to bear.

Sarah tried to defend me. "That's enough, Mrs Elselhdar! Have some compassion, Bella deserves a break on her birthday."

The pack mistress turned on Sarah with a furious rage in her eyes. Without hesitation, she gave Sarah a brutal slap across the face that echoed through the room.

"Stay out of this, or you'll suffer the same fate, Sarah," she warned, her voice filled with venom.

I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. Tears continued to stream down my cheeks as I solemnly opened the door to leave for my chores.

Just as I stepped out, I was carried away trying to wipe away the tears in my eyes, when I ran into Fredo, who was whistling a cheerful tune. He held a small box in his hands, the contents concealed. He handed it to me, he said, "Happy birthday, Bella. I was on my way to your room. This is a present from Jace. He's looking forward to seeing you at the party tonight."

I forced a weak smile, the mention of Jace's name stirring a mix of emotions within me. Fredo and I had never gotten along, but since the present was from Jace, I couldn't refuse it. I took the box and muttered my thanks. "I appreciate it, Fredo."

He arched an eyebrow, clearly sensing my distress. "Is something wrong, Bella? You don't seem too thrilled about the party."

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I... I won't be able to attend the party," I confessed. "The pack mistress won't allow it, and I have to head out to do my daily chores, of scrubbing toilets, thanks anyway though and tell jace I wish him a happy birthday. "

Fredo's eyes narrowed, and he glanced past me to where the pack mistress stood. "Mind if I have a word with the pack mistress in private, Bella?"

"It's pointless, but if you insist then do your thing," I replied, stepping aside, allowing Fredo to speak with her. The moments stretched into what felt like an eternity as they talked in hushed voices.

After a while, the pack mistress returned alone, and she had an uncharacteristically wide smile on her face. She turned to me and said, "Bella, you're free to take the day off and enjoy your birthday. Consider it a gift from me."

My eyes widened in surprise. I couldn't fathom how this change of heart had occurred so suddenly, but I wasn't one to question a stroke of good luck. With a thankful nod, I headed back into my room. I couldn't wait to share the news with Sarah.

"Sarah!" I exclaimed as I entered the room, my voice filled with excitement. "Guess what? The pack mistress gave me the day off, and I can go to Jace's party!"

Sarah's eyes widened in shock as she processed the information. "What? Bella, that's impossible. That lady is more stiff than a frozen corpse; there's no way she'll do such a thing," Sarah argued in disbelief.

"But it's true, Sarah. Fredo talked her into it," I replied.

"Wow, that's incredible news! I can't believe she changed her mind."

I nodded enthusiastically, but then a wave of disappointment washed over me. "I'm thrilled, Sarah, but there's one problem. The dress I had in mind to wear was ruined by the cake earlier."

Sarah's eyes filled with sympathy, and she placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Bella, don't worry about the dress. I can always lend you another one. The most important thing is that you're going to the party."

I couldn't help but feel grateful for Sarah's kindness. She had always been there for me, a true friend in every sense.

As I contemplated my options for an outfit, Sarah's curiosity got the best of her. She eyed the mysterious box from Jace, which I had placed on the table. "So, what's in the box? I'm dying to know."

I hesitated for a moment, my fingers gently tracing the box's lid. "I'm not sure, Sarah. Jace sent it as a birthday present. I'm a bit nervous to open it."

Sarah's face lit up with excitement, and she nudged me playfully. "Come on, Bella, you have to open it. It's part of the fun. Let's see what's inside."

With her encouragement, I carefully opened the box. Inside, I found the most breathtaking gown and a pair of high heels I had ever seen in my life. The fabric shimmered, and the dress seemed to have been tailored just for me. I was left speechless.

Sarah, too, was bewildered by the dress. "Bella, that's incredible! It's like something out of a fairy tale. You have to wear it to the party."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. "It's so beautiful, Sarah, but it's also so... extravagant. I'm not used to wearing something like this."

Sarah's eyes sparkled with determination as she held up the gown. "Bella, tonight is a special occasion, it's your birthday. You deserve to feel like a queen. You have to wear this dress to the party. Trust me, you'll look stunning."

Her words were filled with conviction, and I couldn't help but smile. Sarah had a way of making me feel more confident. With her encouragement, I decided to try on the dress with Sarah's help.

The fabric felt like a dream against my skin, and the dress hugged my figure perfectly. Sarah also took the time to reapply my makeup, enhancing my features in a way I had never experienced before.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. "Sarah," I said, my voice filled with wonder, "I can't believe how amazing I look in this dress. I look like a million bucks."

Sarah grinned with pride. "Bella, you've always been beautiful. This dress just emphasizes it. You're going to turn heads at the party."

I blushed at the compliment, feeling more confident than ever. "Thanks, Sarah. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sarah chuckled and linked her arm with mine. "Come on, Bella. Let's not keep everyone waiting. We should leave before the pack mistress has another change of heart."

I chuckled, and with that, we hurried out of the room.