Chapter 4: Jaden's 15th Birthday

**Edinburgh City, Scotland**

Off the main hallway, to the right, in a gigantic mansion, is a small sitting room. There's a fireplace, situated on the interior wall facing east. It has a tall mantel of birchwood with turned spindles, flanking a rectangular mirror, supporting a tapered hood.

The ceiling is painted pressed metal with a curved crown molding. The tall windows are of the best style, banded at the top by a panel of colored lights (gloomy, purple, red).

The height of the window is emphasized by a dado panel of wood with molded trim beneath each window. This style of window is repeated throughout the fenestration of the main block of the house.

On the south side of the hall is the large front parlor, where James Maxwell was seated, and ordering their staff around. James is fourteen years old, and the most powerful werewolf in the city of Edinburgh.

James Maxwell, the son of Austin Maxwell and Sonia Jackson, was never less than arrogant. If he could do half the stuff he thought he could, maybe "confidence" would have been a better word.

He was brought up by his mom with a belief that he is superior to everyone else, by his birth. Being the most powerful werewolf in their pack, he sees other werewolves as nothing, but a pest!

Perhaps without his arrogance, he could have been handsome, but that sneer made him the ugliest damn thing anyone could have ever seen.

The first day he transformed into a werewolf, was the day he left humanity for good, all that power with such little grace, utterly toxic.

"Hey, you! Come pick this book up for me!" James said with a commanding tone, as he points his finger at one of the staff, who stood at the entrance of the parlor.

The staff he called, ran over to his side and picked up the book, that was on the table beside James.

"This is it, your Highness!"

The young man gave him the book, with his head bowed down. James wanted to collect the book from him when he suddenly heard some footsteps.

"Your Highness?"

Austin who just walked in uttered with a smirk. Immediately Austin stepped inside, all the staff bowed their heads, to show respect.

"Hi Dad," James quickly got up, to greet Austin with a smile.

"What's going on here, James? Haven't I told you to treat all the staff equally as yourself? And no one should address you as, "your highness" anymore?" There is a hint of anger in Austin's voice, as he speaks.

"But Dad, I'm superior to them in all ways!" James felt embarrassed as he is being reprimanded in front of the staff.

"What about age? They are all far older than you, son. Being our staff doesn't mean we should take them for granted. We are all one in this house!" Austin replied calmly, as he sits.

"And, what gives you the right to compare my son with these low-lives?" Sonia barged in, angrily.

James felt on top of the world as soon as his mom walked in, to defend him. He let out a mischievous smile when he heard what his mom just said.

"You can all leave now..." Austin ordered, and all the staffs leave at once.

"How could you scold him in their presence, Austin? Don't you know you are bringing in more disrespect for our son by doing that?" Sonia sounds furious, as she sits beside Austin.

"I'm training him, to become a better person in the future Sonia! Are you okay with the way he talks to everyone anyhow? He would soon become an Alpha, so he needs to have the trait of a leader before then!"

Austin stroke his forehead lightly, as he explained with a calm voice. From his appearance, one could tell that he is an easy-going person, who doesn't have tolerance for bad attitudes. He is quite opposite of his son, James.

"My son already has what it takes to become an Alpha, Austin! He's intelligent, powerful, and most of all, very handsome. What else do we need to ask for?" Sonia bragged and drew James to her side.

"Arguing with you will only result in another argument, which I've been trying to avoid for the past few years. The best I can do right now is to continue talking to my son, and I hope he listens to me sooner than later!" Williams said.

"How I wished he wasn't my father! All fathers would have hoped to have a son like me in our pack, but he doesn't appreciate what he has! Grandpa is way better than him!" James mumbled to himself in a low tone, as he glares at his dad.

"What are you saying, James?" Austin suddenly asks, when he turned and saw how grumpy James was.

"It's nothing dad... I'm just speaking to myself!" James replied with a frown.

"No matter what son, I want you to have it at the back of your mind that, I love you, and will always wish the best for you, okay?" Austin said lovingly.

"Okay, dad!" James answered nonchalantly and rolled his eyes.

"What are you doing at home, at this time of the day?" Sonia asked, as she just realized that, Austin is back earlier than usual.

"That reminds me, James would be going to WAVA, starting from tomorrow morning!" Austin suddenly remembers why he came home, early.

"Wow, that's great news! I'm happy for you son..." Sonia jumped up in happiness and rubbed James' hair.

The happiness James felt at that moment couldn't be described. He has been longing to go to the Academy for a long time now, but the age restriction has been a barrier. And his dad refused to use his influence to get him in.

It was his Grandfather, Austin's dad, that later promised to do something about it, and he succeeded. The main reason James has been wanting to go to WAVA is to show his power and rule over the Vampires, and Werewolves at the Academy. He believes no one would be stronger, or powerful than him.

"Thanks, mom!" James hugged Sonia, with a heart filled with happiness.

"I hope you will behave yourself when you get to the Academy James... Always remember my advice all----"

Austin hasn't finished speaking yet, before Sonia cuts in abruptly;

"Please save the sermon for another time Austin! Our son is grown enough to do what is right!!" She gave him an unpleasant side look.

"Dad, mom is right! You have nothing to worry about. Just trust me this once!"

"Okay, son!"

Austin knew there's nothing he could say, that Sonia won't counter. So, the best thing he could think of was to have someone put a close eye on James, at the Academy.

"I will leave you two to talk to each other then..." Austin said, as he stood up and left.

After Austin left, Sonia turned to James; "Don't listen to your dad, son. make sure you show everyone at the Academy that, you are better than them, okay? Let them know you're the true Alpha of the Omega's pack!"

"You should trust me, mom, I will act more than you expected!" James assured her with a determined look.

"I know I have nothing to worry about!" Susan drew his head to her chest, and caress his hair...

**********************************

"H-how long have you b-been here, Jaden?" Williams stuttered immediately he saw Jaden at the door.

"I just got here..." Jaden was surprised with the look on Williams's face.

"Oh, good!" Williams let out a sigh of relief.

"Dad, what's going on? What was mom saying earlier?" Jaden threw questions at him.

"It's nothing Jaden, forget about it!"

"I can't do that dad! I saw how angry you were, for the first time! I'm so sure you both are hiding something from me. Tell me, what is it?"

"Let's go!" Williams suddenly grabbed his hand and heads to his room.

When they got into the room, Williams sat on the bed and asked Jaden to sit beside him. Jaden refused at first but later did after Williams persuade him.

"Believe me, what your mom said earlier, was truly nothing. She's just concerned about your well-being, that's all!" Williams explained to him, calmly.

"Concerned? I don't think that's the issue, dad! I know you would never get angry to whatever, that has to do with me!" Jaden put on a doubtful look.

"I was just angry because she never consulted me first, before saying anything to you! Believe me!" Williams sounds more convincing.

Jaden was quiet for a while after he heard his dad, and tries to process everything he just explained to him. After thorough thinking, he decided to believe him.

"Alright dad, I trust you! But, I hope you're telling me the truth, because It would hurt me if I later learn the truth from someone else, and not you."

"Thanks for trusting me son!"

Williams holds his hands and smiled at him. However, deep down, he is seriously disturbed by what Jaden just said.

He wished he could tell him the truth, but he can't bring himself to do so. All he prayed for, is for Jaden to live a normal life, and never have any sort of power...

--------------

After two days have passed, Jaden's fifteenth birthday party has arrived.

There were lots of colorful decorations in their sitting room, with Jaden's big frame, and a huge balloon of number 15, at the entrance of the house. Williams hired the best event planner in the city, to make the day a memorable one for Jaden. He made sure to spend a lot of cents on the meals also.

Jaden was brought to tears, and couldn't have asked for more when he saw all that Williams did. To him, there's no best dad in the world, aside from Williams.

In no time, all his friends at school, and neighborhood arrive, and the party started. Everyone was busy dancing and enjoying themselves at the party when three of Jaden's classmates walked over to him.

"Hi Jaden, your party is fabulous!" A young boy around Jaden's age said aloud, because of the loud music.

"Thanks, Jeffrey..." Jaden replies with a smile.

"But, where is your Mom?" Another boy asked with a confused look.

"She's busy with work!" Jaden answered, as he controlled his tears, that were about to stroll down his cheeks, after the mention of his mom.

"Work? Your dad is supposed to be doing that, but he's here! Then, why should your Mom miss your birthday because of work?" Jeffrey seems not to comprehend Jaden's excuse.

"Even, my mom is always the one doing everything about parties at home." Jeffrey continued.

"Same here too!!" The two boys said in unison, to back Jeffrey up.

"She will be here very soon! Talk to you later, guys!" Jaden quickly excused himself from them when tears were about to stride down his face.

He went over to the entrance, without anyone noticing him, and started pouring out his emotions. Different thoughts began crossing his mind, as he focuses on the door.

Williams that was at one corner, talking to his friends caught the glimpse of Jaden at the entrance, and he seems to be waiting for someone.

Williams walked to him, and tapped his shoulder; "Waiting for Roselyn?" He said jokingly.

"Dad, Roselyn has traveled yesterday!" Jaden wiped the tears on his face and smiled at Williams.

"I know, just pulling your legs! You are waiting for your mom, right?" Williams asked with all seriousness.

"Not really, because she might not come!" Jaden replies.

"What if she does?" Williams asked.

"I know she won't! All the birthdays have been celebrating, she has never attended even one... So, this one won't be an exemption!"

"Don't worry, she will be here any moment from now!" Williams said with Confidence.

Jaden was about to reply to his dad when his mom suddenly walks in. Williams instantly smiled, and gave him a side look like, "I told yah!"