6

I find myself in front of the mirror with my legs trembling and wobbly as I stare at my reflection. I barely recognize the woman reflected there.

Today is my birthday and the long-awaited coming of age is finally here, but the funny thing is that I don't feel the happiness I'm supposed to feel. Quite the contrary, loneliness consumes me like never before.

This time, not even Aunt Maria would be with me.

She had called me via video call as soon as I woke up, she was with all the other aunts together and was holding a cupcake that had a candle with the number twenty-one on top. I was very moved by the gesture and after shedding a few tears we spent the rest of the morning talking and laughing.

"Get your fat ass out of that bed and go have some fun."

Those were his last words before hanging up on me.

Now I'm here doing exactly what that crazy lady so lovingly recommended. Strangely, I felt pretty. She was dressed in a long black dress that had delicate details, as well as an elegant slit on the right leg, nothing too fancy.

On my feet I wore a pair of golden heels that even made a very beautiful contrast with the mask, which, like the dress, was black but with some details in gold.

I choose to let my long hair down since I don't have the patience to be doing elaborate hairstyles on it, I just make some waves on the ends and apply a repairing oil that leaves them looking really beautiful.

I snapped out of my daydreams as I focused on the arduous task I'm about to begin.

I just hope I don't blur this business.

I think as I start putting the blessed eyeliner on my eyes. Before, she couldn't even start because it was already smudging, but now she was at least a little more presentable. At the end I see the result and I'm happy with it, my eyes were just with a simple shadow and eyeliner, but the mouth contained a blood red lipstick.

Today I will allow myself the feeling of being beautiful.

I spent a lot of time caring about other people's opinions and now all I want is to stop worrying about how I should behave. Of course, taking it one step at a time, after all, I still didn't feel confident enough about being without my inseparable lenses so I put them on before leaving home.

✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦

As soon as I get out of the taxi I see a huge castle, it was very well decorated and the lights gave it a really charming look, I imagine what it would be like to live in one.

I laugh at my own foolishness and walk towards the entrance, not forgetting to notice that some people are watching me very carefully, something that makes me a little uncomfortable causing me some embarrassment.

I force myself to keep my head up, because I hadn't done anything wrong, so as I said earlier, I wouldn't let myself be carried away by other people's opinions.

No more!

-Miss?...- I hear the voice of the boy who seems to be the security guard, he was looking boredly at a clipboard where he wrote something down.

-Williams, Scarlet Williams- I try to be polite even though I notice that he never even looked at me.

How rude.

-Mrs. Jackson let her know that she could let the lady in, so feel free - make room and I promptly go in already wanting to hit him with that clipboard.

The place was dark, but it had some colored lights that made the environment stay in a party mood. I walk through the place and notice that there is a kind of bar there where I decide to have a drink.

-A martini, please - I ask the bartender not forgetting how handsome the boy is, in fact most of the werewolves present there are.

-Here you are Miss- her tone is seductive and I find myself only flashing a smile of thanks, I don't mean to imply I'm interested as I really am not.

I decide to leave quickly and go towards one of the tables where I sit and watch everything around me, people laugh and talk, but it is inevitable not to notice the melancholy in the environment.

Which makes me think about why throw a party for someone who, unfortunately, won't be there? I know you don't want to miss the date, but why hurt yourself more?

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by an extremely excited little voice.

-SCALET- I feel a warm little body throw itself into my arms and I mentally thank you for having left the glass with the drink on the table or else we would both be wet by now.

-How are you, little stick?- I ask squeezing him in my arms and smelling his baby smell.

-Very well, Scalet- he comes close to my ear as if he wanted to tell a secret- my mother said something about if you didn't come she would go to your house and grab you by the hair. Don't tell her I told you- I laugh at her worried way.

So cute.

-You can keep your secret with me - I wink at him - and speaking of which, where is she? - as soon as I finish talking I see her coming towards us with a half-closed look in the direction of the chopstick.

-You little gossip, you shouldn't go out telling my plans so easily - I am amused at his failed attempt to appear angry - remember next time I'm the one who controls your dessert - we laugh when he throws himself in his arms apologizing.

-I'm going to continue eating dessert, right, Mom?- he asks before letting go, the smart guy wants to make sure first.

-Yes, go, little one - he finally says and he jumps happily.

As soon as she frees herself from the stick's hold, we hug and I can't help but feel the affection coming from her, which even though I've only known her for a short time, I already consider her a friend.

-You are simply magnificent Scarlet, my God, you look so much like a pr...-uncomfortable clearing of the throat- my cousin, yes, you are very similar- I notice her attempt to change the subject and decide not to give it too much importance.

-You also look beautiful Kath- she was wearing a long pink dress with delicate lace details and her hair was tied in a tight bun on top of her head- and the birthday girl's parents?- I find myself suddenly interested in knowing what they look like.

-Probably at that moment they must be in the room that they insisted on keeping for their daughter. Elisabeth is always devastated on Elisa's birthdays and Christian tries to stay strong for his mate, but I know it hurts his soul to miss her - my heart sinks and a lump forms in my throat.

Now I understand why the party is not just a memory, but a way of saying to the daughter that they are waiting for her no matter how much time passes.

-Elisa seems to be very loved- I say after a while.

-And he really is dear, his parents would do anything for her, Deniel then, my son would give the world to that female if she asked him to- I smile imagining what it would be like to have such a man in my life, but then I shake my head trying to dispel these thoughts .

-Won't he come?” I ask as matter-of-factly as possible, not wanting to imply that I'm interested about his son.

Even if it inevitably is.

I was about to answer myself when a light comes on from a place that I identify as the stage. A beautiful woman and a well-preserved man walk to the center and are the focus of attention.

She had light brown hair, wore a turquoise blue dress and a mask in the same tone with silver details. She couldn't see her eyes because of the mask and the distance.

He already had blond hair, stubble, was tall looking like he was 1.89, in addition to apparently being quite strong. He was wearing an elegant black suit.

-I would like to thank everyone present here on this very special date - began the woman I assumed was the luna of the Collins kingdom. Her voice was delicate and welcoming, which strangely caused me a feeling of tranquility - it's not every day you turn twenty-one, right? - She tries to lighten the mood causing restrained smiles.

-We wanted our daughter to be here to hear some words we would say to her, but since unfortunately she is not, we will just hope that one day she will come back- the alpha smiles weakly and I believe it was more out of politeness.

-For obvious reasons we are not going to make a speech and we hope you understand - luna ends up receiving the affection and respect of the people around - we will cut the cake soon so please go to the table - approaches her companion and with his help gets down from the stage.

I move restlessly, feeling a certain anguish in my chest, as well as a great deal of discomfort. Having seen the scene that took place earlier affected me in a surprising way.

Kath turns to me trying to hide some traces of tears in her eyes and I notice a man holding her possessively around the waist as he comforts her.

-Darling this is my mate Robert, love this is Scarlet the young lady who found the toothpick... Henrique when he is gone- I smile in greeting and receive a polite wave back.

-Thank you in advance for what you've done, this little wolf is always getting into trouble - he messes up the hair of the stick that was in his lap and we laugh when we see him pouting irritably that his flirtatious hairstyle had been undone.

I couldn't help but notice that his eyes were also very familiar to me or maybe I was just going crazy trying to put the man of my dream in every face I saw.

-Since you're properly introduced, I think we can go to the bathroom to touch up our makeup, shall we Scarlet?- barely waits for my answer and pulls me away while babbling something about loving my lipstick.

While she opens the small bag she carries in search of her makeup, I head towards one of the booths where I do my business, washing my hands right after.

-I'm done dear, are you going to retouch yours?- He asks putting his things away.

-Just the lipstick, if you want to get going, no problem, I'll finish quickly and I'll meet you outside - I needed to pack my contact lenses, because they were already bothering me.

-You do not care? It's just that I'd like to have a chat with Elisabeth before the cake is cut, pass support to her - I smile trying to comfort her when I notice her guilty look.

-Of course I don't mind Kath, don't worry- I wink and we laugh together.

-Just don't forget that in a little while the bell will ring alerting you that the cake will be cut, I'll be waiting for you there - he finally says leaving the bathroom.

I take the moment to remove the mask when I realize that there was no one but me there, probably everyone was already gathered waiting for that signal.

I take the lenses off and sigh relieved to feel my eyes clear of that thing. I look in the mirror and spend a little time watching them, smile, that's me. I'm so distracted I barely notice when one of them lands on the floor.

Damn Scarlet!

I look desperately across the floor to see if I can find it, but I quickly give up imagining how full of bacteria it must be by now.

To make matters worse soon comes the sign that Kath had said. I wonder if anyone can be more unlucky than me. With no alternative, I put the mask back on and huff when I realize that it would only highlight my eyes even more. I'll have to keep my head down.

She left the bathroom and I immediately tried to infiltrate myself among the people in the hall, but before that I was pulled by the arm by a very agitated Kath who didn't even look at me properly and already left dragging me to where the cake table was.

When we arrived, I saw alpha and luna, who were looking distractedly at the cake with "Happy Birthday Princess" written on it.

I try to shrink a little to try to go unnoticed, but as soon as everyone starts singing the traditional birthday song, I join them. It would be tremendously impolite if you didn't.

The melancholic atmosphere is even worse and I notice that most of them were already letting themselves be carried away by tears, I myself already felt my eyes teary. Luna barely contained herself on her feet, now she was leaning on her companion as if she was going to collapse at any moment.

The penny was sinking in making it clear that Elisa really wasn't here.

When the music ends, as if she was composing herself, Luna comes out of her trance and starts looking around, giving a smile, which, however weak it was, was beautiful, for everyone present.

When her eyes meet mine, her smile slowly fades and her eyes widen as if she's startled. Her gaze locks onto mine and it looks like she keeps herself in a trance, something that ends up getting everyone's attention.

I can't think coherently at that moment, because all I see are that woman's eyes.

They are identical to mine.

He takes a step forward, stopping when he bumps into the large table that was between us.

-Elisa...- her trembling voice is heard and not only me but everyone there was surprised by her reaction. I hear everyone babbling among themselves, but I don't dare move a muscle.

I'm so confused...

I barely had time to think when a crash is heard causing a general uproar.

-MINE," said a husky, thick voice behind me that sends an instant shiver through my body. I turn around slowly finding the owner of that voice...