And...well...it's finally my birthday.

on the bedside table

e since she's always wakes up early from everyone else. There was even a time that I thought I woke up earlier than her, it was probably around 3:am

chen expecting her, but to

deeper inside, reaching for the switch on the wall. That'

ut softly, but th

the lights flicker on and a loud chorus of

e light, and I see three people in front of me. Cassie, her mate Mark, an

sie says warmly, walking to

me grin. Cassie gives me a new set of clothes, and I hug her

rest of the pack. It's a small celebration, but it means the world to me. I thank them all, truly grateful for th

laptop, chatting with my Uncle over web

n the first day and he sighs on the other end, troubled, but I guess

tell him. If anyone in the pack finds out I spoke up, the cruelty will only double. They'll make sure of it. Uncle

lore the world, find my place, maybe even find someone who tr

furrowed with worry, "are you eating prope

t tired from school a

you. We leave you alone so often. We barely have time

h a soft smile. "You both have res

the screen for a long mo

thing-anything at all-you tel

no

ay?" he asks, trying

begin, my voice low. "Especially not without Mom and Dad. I didn't even

b's face

he quickly turns away. Aunt Reyna appears

" I whisper. "I'

ace. "I wish I could turn back time and b

peful smile. "When your work's done, you'l

cle. "Next weekend. We're coming home. One whole

eally? I'll wait f

We actually bought you a gift.

. "You guys always get me exp

Then came the iPad, camera, and latest laptop

xpensive. Promise," Un

"You're lying. I

kay. It's less expensive. B

says. "He's turning eighteen. He'll be Alpha soon. I heard A

't kno

meone knocks

t skipping. "Someone's here. I'll see

Sophia. T

mbling slightly. I take a de

smiling gently. I instantly

s. "Come with me, we ne

econd. Did I do

ks, turning back when

stammer, then

turning my brain upside down to think of possible mi

do for you,

anything wrong. I just wanted to ask, are you

ks on me. He's one of the few

I lie. "Nothing bad

tell he wasn't entirely convinced. "If any

ker. Instead of helping me, he'll p

continues, smiling now. "Happy

a cabinet and pul

like it. And... this is something I

greetings are already more than enough th

nse. O

s, and cards. Weird habit, maybe, but they mean something to me

lid of the box,

photo, of...

my head on my mother's stomach, laughing while trying to lis

ach passing second as

day they told me I was going to be a big si

ppiness...

brother away from me. They said they were gonna name him Timothy, and I was laughing at the th

Alpha." I chok

e to see you smile instead on your birthday. Their

efully at him. Even though others said that I was the c

a knock came to the door and R

sion quickly turned black. I immediately low

ed to my bed, burying my head under

omise to live my life from now on. Once I find my mate, I will exp