Chapter 2

Alexis’s POV

It is a normal tradition to celebrate the 18th birthday of any werewolf. There are quite a number of reasons why, but the most important one to me is that any wolf that turns 18 can now be considered an adult and is free to have a family and if they want to separate from their parents.

Maybe that was the reason why Alexandra left without looking back, my subconscious tells me for the thousandth time ever since Alexandra left the house.

I shake the thought out of my head and instead wish for something that might be near impossible at this point. It won’t happen, my subconscious tells me in my head, but I shut off her annoying voice and mutter a prayer to Selene…hopefully she’ll grant me my wish.

My reflection stares back at me and I blink and smile, showing little teeth to be sure that it’s really me. My hair is in smooth waves down my back almost reaching my waist and my plain brown eyes are lined with, black eyeliner to give my eyes this cute cat-shaped outline. Thanks to the help of little swabs of mascara, my eyelashes seem longer and fuller.

On my body is a dress I got three months ago on a random shopping spree with my friends. One glance at the shimmery blue dress and I knew that I was meant to wear it for this occasion.

“Oh honey…you look like an adult already!” my mum squealed from the doorway. I smiled and turned on my feet in time to see my Dad wipe a stray tear from his eye. They both walked forward and engulfed me in a hug. I sunk into their arms and breathed in their comforting scent, thinking about the one person that was missing.

If Alexandra was here he’d probably not agree to be hugged by our parents since he’d be 23 years old, or maybe he’d agree, and we’d have our first complete family hug.

They both pulled away from me, but they kept on holding on to each other’s hands.

“Come on honey…it’s almost time.” Said my mother, reaching out for my own hand. Her hand encloses around mine and I allow her to lead me out of the room, downstairs and then outside under the bright light of the moon.

“Here’s our celebrant." Dad announced, leading me through the back door into the garden which was where my mother and I had prepared for the short celebration. I heard a couple of wows and comments on my appearance, but I thought nothing of it or, rather, I couldn’t keep my thoughts in one place.

‘Relax, it’ll be fine’ a voice that I couldn’t recognize whispered, leaving my ear hot. I turned back to see no one behind me and let out a breath.

“There’s no need to be nervous, Alexis. It’s all right.” I mumbled to myself, mustering a smile at everyone.

The traditional rites started and as the minutes ticked towards midnight I felt the stir that my parents had been telling me about within me. I closed my eyes and let it consume me. A few minutes later, the feeling dissipated. It was for a short moment, but it felt like my entire system was rewired.

I opened my eyes in time to see the clock strike midnight. My parents, friends and the other guests gathered and burst happily into a birthday song and I sang along even though I was the celebrant.

A short while later, my mother took out the cake, and we took pictures until I was too tired to stand. It was only then I realized that I hadn’t taken any pictures with Drake, my crush and my supposed mate.

I bolted out of my seat like I sat on a pin and looked around the garden for him, but he was nowhere to be found. “Damn”, I muttered under my breath, and made eye contact with my father.

He seemed to understand my confusion and gestured towards the house. I nodded in response and dashed inside the house to look for Drake.

I suddenly felt stupid once he came into view, he was sitting all by himself by the kitchen counter looking like someone had stolen his puppy. How was I so sure that he was my mate? My parents warned me and I didn’t listen. I was adamant on the puppy love that we shared.

“Hey Lexi” he called out without looking up from the counter. “I didn’t get to wish you a happy birthday."

“Drake” I said without realizing his name slipped out of my mouth. “I’m sorry”

He laughed and got down from the stool. Although he was just a year older than me, he was very tall and had the features of a man in his middle twenties. “Happy Birthday Alexis, I hope your greatest wish comes through on your special day.”

I looked down at my feet clad in glass heels feeling guilty about the pain I must have caused him. He won’t take my apology because he knows it’s not my fault. The hand that I thought would make tingles crawl all over my body touches my chin, he raises my head with his fingers and says miles, reminding me of how much I liked him the first time I met him.

“This doesn’t change how I feel about you though. I perfectly understand the fact that you’re not my mate, but I won’t stop being your best friend.”

“I’d like that very much, Drake.” I sniffled, resting my forehead on his chest. We stay like that for a while, both of us trying to erase our past expectations.

Drake and I go back to the party all full of smiles that aren’t fully genuine. But we both relax and go back to normal as the night goes on.

I stay up the entire morning till the sky brightens, and it is then I realize, when everyone has gone home, that my wish didn’t come true.

Alexandra didn’t show up for my 18th birthday.