Happy Birthday
I opened my eyes and realized that Sianna was no longer in her bed.
Another day, another year for me. My life changed in an instant after what happened in Wyverlight.
"Happy Birthday to me. " I whispered to myself.
Ever since my grandmother passed away, I stopped celebrating my birthday. But Aunt Dahlia and Aunt Lily insisted that I shouldn't deny myself the joy of marking another year of life. They said my grandmother would have wanted me to enjoy the my day and leave the nightmares of the past behind.
"Anna, are you not yet done? " I heard Sianna's voice outside my room.
" Just a minute, Sianna! " I shouted.
It's almost late so I didn't bother to comb my hair that much.
I stare at myself in the mirror. My reflection in the mirror revealed middle-length auburn hair, a pointy nose, and brown eyes. Grandma Marie used to say I resembled my mother, although I inherited my brown eyes from my father. Even the roundness of my eyes came from him. Unfortunately, there isn't a single photograph of them together.
One last look in the mirror and I opened the door.
"What took you so long? The food is getting cold. " Sianna complained, her expression annoyed. I smiled and playfully poked her nose.
She glared at me while rubbing her nose. Then her eyes widened as she realized something. "Oh my!" she exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hands.
"It's your birthday today, sis! I almost forgot. " she said and hug me, so clingy.
"Does it really matter? It's not like anything will change. It's just another year is added to my age. " I shrugged, taking her hand.
"But that's the thing! You're eighteen, yet you still look so young. It's like nothing has changed in your face since you arrived here. Meanwhile, I feel like I'm aging every single day. " she complained.
I couldn't help but chuckle as I watched her pout, arms crossed.
"Come on, Sianna. I'm hungry already. " I smiled at her sweetly.
I grabbed her hand, she's still mumbling while we're walking towards Aunt.
Sianna had a childlike quality about her, despite being a werewolf. Aunt Lily often scolded her for it, but Sianna's playfulness was endearing.
After our meal, we headed to the mansion to start our kitchen duties. As we walked, we saw other pack members making their way to the mansion too.
Humans like us had our designated area at the back of the pack house. Although we were allowed inside the main mansion, there were rules to follow. Pack members also resided in the mansion, along with any visitors.
I greeted everyone once I entered in the kitchen. I saw aunt Dahlia busying herself in the corner.
Cooking had always fascinated me since childhood. Grandma Marie was the one who taught me how to cook, and I often shared her recipes with others.
Memories of my parents were scarce since I lost them when I was young. But I remembered the warmth of my mother's embrace and my father's laughter as we play in the forest.
Grandma said they were both killed in the woods while hunting.
The town I once lived in was peaceful and we avoided pledging allegiance to wolf hunters. Not everyone accepted werewolves, though. There are some who formed groups to hunt the werewolves down. I couldn't fathom why rogues attacked us.
°°°°°°
As I busily chopped vegetables, Aunt Dahlia approached me. She was the oldest member of the pack house and served as the head housekeeper in the mansion.
"Anna, the supplies from town have arrived. Can you receive them? Alpha Primo had instructed me to do something so I couldn't do it. " she said.
Alpha Primo Alexus Von Monasterio.The mere sound of his name sends shivers down my spine. It's been three years and yet his impact on me remains unchanged. Despite living in the mansion, I rarely see him. Sometimes he's away, attending to pack matters.
When he is here, he's often in his study or calling meetings with other pack members. They say that Alpha Primo keeps himself busy to distract from missing Liliana. She is currently studying medicine in a nearby city.
Liliana is the girl the Alpha brought three years ago, she was introduced as the future Luna of the pack. But according to Sianna, they had disagreements before she left. The alpha even followed her to the city after a year but it seems like things didn't work out.
I gave Aunt Dahlia a small smile and nod.
"Of course, Aunt Dahlia. I'll handle the supplies."
"Uh, by the way, I also called for Alvin and Aivan to help you out. " she added.
"Thank you, Aunt."
I left the kitchen to find the twins.
Alvin and Aivan are twins and they are both Sentinels. They are two years younger than me so I consider them like siblings and they're also among of the sweetest people I've met here.
I've also met Theo. He is the Beta of our pack and the triplets Jayden, Braden, and Hayden who belong to the Gamma.
I smiled when I finally saw the twins.
"How are you, Anna? You look beautiful as always. " Alvin said while grinning.
I laughed at his remarks and playfully messed up his hair.
"Yep, Alvin is right. By the way, happy birthday, Anna" Aivan added.
They both handed me flowers with wide smiles.
"You don't have to, but thank you," I replied, appreciating their thoughtfulness. Together, we headed to the west gate where all the deliveries entered.
At the gate, a man with a top-knot hairstyle awaited us. He handled the town deliveries.
When he saw us, he immediately approached us.
"Good morning," he greeted. "Here are the supplies for the pack. I also brought the package the Alpha requested." He said and showed me the package.
I walked to wards him to inspect the deliveries. We thanked him before he returned to his carriage.
While the twins handled other deliveries, I double-checked the supplies.
"Did you bring the package, Mark?"
Theo arrived catching my attention.
Like Primo, Beta Theo James Obelia is fit and tall. At twenty-eseven, he have undercut tan hair, ear piercings, and tattoos. Intimidating, but not as intense as Primo.
The man named Mark handed Theo the package.
I was supposed to get back with my work when Theo called me.
"Anna?" His tone was cold.
"Yes, Theo?"
"Do you have plans afterward?" he asked, adjusting his cufflinks.
"Uh, not really. Just kitchen duties as usual," I replied. "Why?"
He took a deep breath, muttering something I couldn't quite catch.
"Would you mind doing me a favor?" he asked after a while.
"Of course. What is it?" I said, fidgeting with my hands.
"Could you deliver this package to Primo? I need to check on the trainees. Caiden hasn't returned yet." He showed me a modest-sized package.
My body froze. Uncertainties swirled but I still nodded in response.
"Where is he?" I asked.
"In his study." Theo answered flatly.
I am shock at what he said. I thought that we are not allowed there? Theo cleared his throat, noticing my silence.
"Yes, sorry. I will deliver it to the alpha. "
"You can take the package to the Alpha's floor. I given you permission." he said.
The people in the mansion can go to the top floor only if we have permission and if there's an emergency.
He handed me the package, then he left. I also bid farewell to the twins because I still needed to deliver the package to Alpha Primo.
As I approached the top floor, I gradually felt the chill. My hands trembled and they were getting sweaty.
This feeling I have whenever the Alpha is nearby isn't normal. The last time I felt this way was three years ago.
"Look for the room with the blue door. " Theo had said earlier.
I nervously knocked on the door when I found it. If only I could leave the package here. I sighed and waited for Alpha Primo's permission to enter.
I knocked again, but he didn't answer. Maybe the Alpha isn't even here.
But Theo had said he hadn't come down since this morning. I sighed and knocked the third time, this time calling his name.
"Alpha Primo? It's Kianna."
If he still didn't respond, I'd leave. But then I heard his voice from inside.
"Come in."
His voice sent shivers down my spine. I opened the door and saw him at his study table.
"Uh, Theo allowed me to come here. He asked me to give you this package. " I saie while showing him the package. This is the second time I'd spoken to him.
He lifted his face to look at me and our eyes locked. Being this close to him felt strange.
Why did Theo even give me this package? Usually, if he's busy, he'll assigns tasks to the triplets.
"Come closer. " he said while staring at me intently. His impatience was evident.
I tried to quicken my pace, fearing I might trip. The last time I was near him was three years ago when I gave him a cupcake in the kitchen. Since then, our paths hadn't crossed.
I took a deep breath, almost reaching his table. But Alpha Primo seemed to sense my discomfort.
So embarrassing!
My eyes widened when he rose from his seat. His lips pursed and his jaw clenched.
Maybe you've angered him, Anna. You know the Alpha has a lot on his plate, and you're wasting his time! I scolded myself internally.
I thought he'd step closer, but he stopped in front of his desk. Leaning on it, he crossed his arms and fixed his cold gaze on me. I wanted to speak but my throat felt dry. He extended his right arm, silently asking for the package.
I silently gasped as I handed it to him while my hands are trembling.
"Why are you shaking, hmm? " he asked. His voice is unexpectedly gentle.
His voice sounds so soft.
"Kianna?"
What is happening? Do my ears deceive me? Why did my name sound so sweet from his lips?
"Kianna, I'm talking to you."
I snapped out of my daze when I heard his voice once more. I couldn't believe I'd spaced out in front of him.
"Uh, I-I'm just a bit cold. " I stammered. I couldn't think of any other reason. I can't just admit that I am scared of him.
"Really?" he said, amused. "But it's not that cold, Kianna."
His voice was like a soothing caress. I mentally scolded myself because of that thought. And he was right; it wasn't that cold.
I blinked a couple of times, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me. I think I saw a ghost smile on the Alpha's lips? But, it's Impossible.
Maybe I needed to see the healer.
"You don't seem like yourself today. You can leave now and ask Hayden to come over." he said while walking back to his seat.
I bowed and made eye contact with him for the last last time before opening the door. As I stepped out, he spoke again.
"And, Kianna... happy birthday."