CHAPTER 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

I OPENED MY eyes and found out that Ayla is no longer in her bed. 

Another day and another year for me. My life changed in an instant after what happened in Assura.

"Happy Birthday, to me," I greeted myself. 

Ever since my grandmother died I stopped celebrating my birthday but Nana and Mama Melly said that I should not forbid myself from celebrating another year of my life. And they said that my grandmother would have wanted me to enjoy my day and forget about the nightmares in the past.

"Bella? Are you done fixing yourself?" I heard Ayla's voice from outside our room

"Just a minute!" I half yelled. 

I looked at the mirror and observed my reflection. I have middle-length auburn hair, a pointy nose, and brown eyes. Grandma Esmey said that I look a lot like my mother but my round brown eyes are inherited from my father. It's just painful that I lost them at an early age and I don't even have a single photo of them. 

"Bella?" It was Ayla, calling me once more.

"I'm coming!" 

It's almost late so I didn't bother combing my hair that much. 

I glance at the mirror one last time before opening the door.

"What took you so long? The food is almost cold," she said, frowning. I just smiled at her and poked her nose. 

She glared at me while stroking her nose. I grinned to tease her more but then her expression suddenly changes. Her eyes widened as if she remembers something. 

"Bella!" she exclaimed. "I almost forgot that today is your birthday!" This time she's smiling, showing off her perfect teeth. She then proceeded to hug me by the waist like a kid.

"Does it matter? It's not like something's going to change." I shrugged my shoulder and grabbed her hand. 

Ayla gasped like she couldn't believe what I just said. "Of course, it matters, Bella! It's your birthday, it means another year for you. And look at you, you still look like you haven't changed at all. Unlike me." Ayla grimaced. "I feel like every day, I aged. 

I couldn't hold my laugh upon listening to her complain. Her arms then crossed and her lips pouting. 

"Let's just go, Ayla. Let's not waste a fine breakfast from your mother." 

She sighed and let me grab her hand. I secretly smiled when I heard her murmuring words from behind. It looks like she isn't yet done complaining. 

Ayla is mostly childish and stubborn. The reasons why her mother sometimes pinches her or scolds her even. But despite these attributes, Ayla is actually sweet and thoughtful and I have witnessed how much love she has for her mother.

After enjoying our breakfast with Nana and Mama Melly, we headed to the mansion to start our daily chores. We also saw some of the human servants heading in the same direction.

The human servants, like us, do not really stay in the pack house. We have our own quarters we live in. But the pack members stay in the mansion since it is big enough to accommodate them all, including the visitors. 

As soon as we entered the kitchen, we started to exchange greetings with one another before proceeding with our chores. 

Since I was a child, I've always been fascinated with cooking. It was my grandmother who used to teach me how to cook. She also mentioned before that my mother is fond of cooking as well. 

Sometimes, if we are not too busy, I taught others the recipe that my Lola Esmey taught me. It was fun and it helps me to cope with pain from the past. 

I have no memories of my parents since I was young when I lost them. But I remember the warmth of my mother's arms as she envelopes me with her tight embrace and my father's laughter as we play in the woods. 

Grandma Esmey said they were both killed in the woods while hunting.

The town I lived in was a peaceful one. We never pledge allegiance to wolf hunters because we want to live in peace. So I can't think of any reason why the rogues attacked our town.

Here in the realm of Aldemore, both unnatural and normal beings co-exist but some normal beings still believe that this world is better off without unnatural beings. 

Some of them even formed a group, like the wolf hunters. 

*****

I WAS BUSY chopping vegetables when Nana Selma approached me. Nana Selma is the oldest human servant in the pack house. 

"Bella, the supplies from the town have already arrived. Will you be kind enough to check it for me?" she asked. 

"Of course, Nana. Leave the supplies to me," I said, smiling. 

"Thank you, Bella. I can't do it myself because Lucien has given me another task to do," she said, shaking her head. 

Alpha Lucien Hellion Salvatorri. Even the sound of his name sends shivers to my body. It has been three years and his effect on me still hasn't changed. Not even a bit. 

But even if I am always at the mansion I seldom see him. He mostly stays in his studies and he's always busy. Sometimes he calls for a meeting together with his pack members. 

But I remember Ayla mentioned before that the Alpha is making himself busier to lessen the longing for Clarrise since she's not staying here because she's studying medicine in the city. 

But then, Ayla also mentioned that the two argued before Clarrise left and Alpha Lucien followed her in the city a year after. 

I snapped in my thoughts when I felt Nana tap my shoulder. "I called Kaleb and Kael to assist you with the supplies." 

"Thank you, Nana."

I hurriedly left the kitchen after saying my thanks. 

Later on, I spotted two young men a couple of steps ahead of me, the twins Kaleb and Kael. 

I met the twins a week after I gained consciousness. The two of them are members of the pack and they are both Sentinels. They both are a year younger than I am and I treated them closely as brothers.

As soon as I got closer to them, they started to greet me with a fine morning.  

"How are you, Bella? You look beautiful as always," Kaleb said, smiling.

I laughed with his words and playfully tousled his hair.

"I couldn't agree more, brother. And oh! Happy birthday, Bella!" Kael greeted. 

My head is then filled with confusion when both of them exchanged glances as if they were communicating. But my confusion suddenly vanished and is replaced with surprise when they both handed me flowers. 

I felt joy with their simple gesture. It's not every day a woman receives such sweet gestures from fine gentlemen like them. And I never really received flowers before so I am truly overwhelmed with happiness. 

"You both are the sweetest. Thank you," I gently told them. 

"No worries, Bella." Kael shrugs. "Now let's head to the East gate.  

The three of us marched to the East gate, where the deliveries are being received. Upon arriving at the place, we spotted a man with top knot hair, sitting on a bench with his arms crossed. 

Kaleb then informed me that the man is in charge of the deliveries. The twins then called his attention and the man then quickly rose from the bench to approach us. 

"Good morning," he greeted, "the supplies for the pack are ready. I also brought the package the Alpha asked me," he said while showing us a package. 

We uttered our thanks before we checked the neatly piled boxes on the ground. The man then went back to where his carriage is. 

I busied myself with the supplies while the twins are busy with the other deliveries. We need to thoroughly double-check them before we bring them inside the mansion. 

"Did you bring his package, Polo?" 

My attention shifted to the sudden arrival of a certain man. The Beta of the Crescent Moon Pack.

Like Alpha Lucien, Beta Markus Cain Lenxfort is fit and tall. He's twenty-eight like Lucien. He has tan skin and undercut hair. Markus looks like a badass with his ear piercing and tattoos. He looks intimidating but not as intense as Alpha Lucien. 

The man Polo handed him the package from earlier. As soon as Markus got the package, his eyes then darted to me. 

"Bella?" he uttered coldly.

"Yes, Markus?" I blink my eyes due to nervousness. 

"Do you have anything else to do after this?" he asked while shoving both hands into his pocket. 

"Uh, just the usual kitchen chores. Why?"

He took a deep breath then he muttered something under his breath but I couldn't clearly understand. 

"Is it okay if I ask you a favor?" he asked after a while. 

His words took me by surprise. "O-Of course, what is it?"

"Can you give this package to Lucien? I have something else I need to do and I need to check the trainees because Raven hasn't returned yet."

He wants me to give the... package? I don't think that is wise. Just thinking about seeing the Alpha makes my body shiver with nervousness. 

Markus must have noticed my uneasiness so I quickly changed my expression and forcedly smile at him.

"Of course, where is he?" I asked, still smiling. 

"In his study," Markus answered flatly. 

My mouth formed an 'O'. If I remember it right, the servants are not allowed to wander around that floor, well unless it's urgent. 

"You can go to the Alpha's floor since I gave you permission," he said, snapping me back from my trance. 

As I said, we can go to the last floor if it's urgent or we are given permission.  

Markus handed me the package then he left without even saying a word. I pouted and informed the twins about Markus' favor. 

My heart hammered and sweats started to appear on my forehead when I realized that I am almost at my destination.

This feeling I have whenever the Alpha is close is not normal. The last time I felt this way was three years ago.

"The room with the blue door." That was what Markus told me. 

When I finally found the door, I nervously knocked. If only I could just leave it here. I sighed and waited for the Alpha to give me his permission to enter. 

I knocked again for the second time but he's still not answering. Maybe he's not inside. I sighed and knocked again for the third time but this time I tried knocking while calling his name.

"Alpha, Lucien? This is, Bella. Are you in there?"

The hallway is filled with deafening silence. Not even a muffled sound is heard. Maybe the Alpha is not really inside so I decided to leave. But just as I was about to turn my heels I familiar deep baritone voice broke the silence. 

"Come in." 

My breathing hitched and my hand instantly flew to my chest. I took a couple of deep breaths before I opened the door. 

As soon as I set foot in the room, I felt a sudden chill in my body. The silence inside the room is more deafening. My eyes then found the Alpha, sitting in his chair while reading something. 

He seems to be waiting for me to speak so I cleared my throat to break the silence. "Uh, Markus permitted me to come here. And I... uh... I have your p-package." 

I mentally castigated myself for stuttering. But I can't really put myself to blame. And also, this is the second time I talked to him. My first was three years ago, in the kitchen. 

My body stiffened when he finally lifts his face. As soon as our eyes locked, I saw no one else but him, as if the entire room turned white and it was just me and him, in an empty room. 

I tried to bring my senses back by mentally slapping my face. If only Markus didn't asked me the favor, I wouldn't have to be this nervous. But it's odd because normally, he asks one of the triplets to do his job. 

I was awakened from my reverie when I heard him speak for the second time. 

"Come closer," he ordered, with his eyes intently looking at me. When I began to walk, I noticed his jaw clenched and there is a faint expression of impatience on his face causing me to double my pace.

Now that I am a few steps away from his table I have to hold myself together to prevent myself from falling to my knees. His cold eyes still linger on me and it's honestly making me uncomfortable. The last time we were this close was three years ago when I gave him a cupcake. 

I lowered my gaze and bit my lower to prevent the smile that is about to form on my lips. But after our encounter in the kitchen, our paths never crossed again. 

"Uh, the package, Alpha Lucien," I said as I raised my head. 

My eyes then widened in shock when he rose from his seat. His lips pursed and I noticed him gritting his teeth. 

Maybe you angered him, Bella. You know how much he values his time and you did a very good job of wasting it! I inwardly scolded myself. 

I thought he will come near me so I braced myself but I was wrong. I honestly felt no dismay, in fact, I felt relieved. 

Alpha Lucien stopped in front of his table and then he leaned half of his body on the edge. He crosses his arms on his chest as he focuses his cold eyes on me. I want to talk but I felt my throat go dry. Seconds later, he stretched his right arm to me, indicating that he wants the package.

With my shaking hand, I handed him the package. 

"Why are you shaking, hmmm?" he asked.

His voice sounds so soft. 

"Ysobella?" 

What is happening to me? Do my ears deceive me? Why does my name sound so sweet in his mouth? 

"Ysobella, I'm talking to you."

I snap when I heard his voice once more. I can't believe I just space out in front of him!

Quick, Bella! Think of a not-so-lame excuse!

"I... uh, I'm cold!" I swear I heard voices whining after I said those. But I can't just tell him I am afraid of his presence!

"Really?" he asked with amusement. "But it's not that cold, Ysobella."

His voice sounds like a lullaby. I eyed him and I had to blink my eyes a couple of times when I thought I saw a faint smile on his lips. But when I liked at him again, I see no trace of humor in his eyes. I think I need to see a healer. My eyes are starting to deceive me. 

"It seems like you are not yourself today. You can leave now and please ask Lorkan to come over," he uttered dismissively.

"I'm sorry, Alpha Lucien. I'll go ahead." 

For the last time, I made eye contact with him. I gave him a bow but before I open the door he spoke.

"Ysobella... happy birthday."

*****

Ed_Dianthe | Ms. Ed