The Voice of the Dead

Celebrations

*Lea POV*

I walked into the living room and was immediately stunned to see what seemed to be a sea of people.

As soon as they saw me, a giant commotion started. Everyone tried to get to me first, only to be stopped by my father's whistle.

"Hey! Calm down!" He growled, his Alpha authority making almost everyone stop on their tracks. "Let's go with a seniority rule, Jonathan, you are going to the end of the line."

"Huh? Technically I'm older than Asteria. My soul was born couple thousand years ago." Uncle J whined, folding his arms.

"Your soul did, but your mortal ass is going to get kicked if you don't go back." Uncle Eli, the Beta, barked, baring his canines playfully. Mom's brother scoffed but walked away, muttering "rude" under his breath.

Granny Sally shook her head and got to me first, grabbing me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Hey, Granny isn't the oldest." Uncle Jonathan whined from the end of the line. He got quickly smacked in the back of his head by my mom.

"She is her great-grandmother, you i***t. Seniority as in a family role." She lectured him, making everyone giggle.

"Then why am I in the end? I'm Lea's favorite uncle." He whined back.

"Excuse me, what? Favorite uncle? You wish." Uncle Robert scoffed.

"Yeah, in your dreams." Uncle Eli snickered, high-fiving Robert.

"You were the one to cause the most commotion, so you are going to wait the longest." Dad huffed, looking at his brother-in-law with disapproval. Alaric, sitting in his arms, tried to make exactly the same expression as his father.

Jonathan opened and closed his mouth like a fish before rolling his eyes.

People may think that he is making everyone angry and irritated, but the truth is, every single person in this room would die for this goofball.

"Happy birthday, little Lea. I hope you will find your mate soon, and have the family you always wished for." Granny whispered in my ear, causing my dad to growl.

She turned back to him.

"Don't eavesdrop." Sally shook her head and focused back on me. "I've made you your favorite cake."

I squealed.

"Lemon cake?" I asked excitedly.

"Yup, three-story high." She winked and kissed my cheek.

Next, both set of my grandparents came to me. Mom's parents, Selene and Endymion, were the first ones to grab me into a hug.

"I can't believe you are already an adult. Time goes by so fast." Grandma smiled, wiping a tear.

"That's because you are so old." Jonathan chuckled.

I tried to stifle a laugh but failed miserably. Selene turned and looked at her son with squinted eyes. Grandpa Endymion chuckled and shook his head.

"Happy birthday, Lea. May the Fates always have you in their favor." He wished me and kissed my cheek.

Grandma leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"I know you are worried about your mate. He is safe and you'll meet him sooner than you may think." She winked and kissed my forehead.

I looked at her wide-eyed and mouthed a thank you with a smile.

Next up, Grandpa Adam and Grandma Kitty made their wishes, ruffling my hair.

"Don't you ever change. You are our little sparkle." Grand Kitty sobbed, pinching my cheek.

I assured her that I won't and told them how much I love them.

Next up was Uncle H and Darius! I didn't realize they came here from New York!

I squealed and jumped right into Horatio's arms.

"Happy birthday, Lea." Darius smiled, waiting for his turn to be hugged. And I did, right after I was able to untangle myself from the older vampyr.

"I didn't know you would come! Thank you guys."

"Of course, how could we not celebrate your coming of age." Horatio chuckled, patting my head.

"We wouldn't miss it." Darius chuckled, showing off his long, pointy fangs.

After a few more hugs, they stepped up to let others come to me.

First one was the little, dark haired, missile bullet known as Aida, who jumped on me, giving me Smoochies all over my face.

She is the daughter of Aunt Oriana, dad's sister and his Gamma, and Uncle Robert.

"Happy birthday!" She yelled, laughing.

"Come on, demon, let her breathe." Robert laughed, untangling his daughter from me.

Not without a fight.

"Lea, honey. Happy birthday, we love you so much." Auntie Ori said, hugging me with a force. And being a top female warrior, Gamma from a long Alpha bloodline, the girl has some strength.

I coughed, gigging.

"Thank you, Auntie Ori, Uncle Robert and you Aida of course." I laughed, pinching her cheeks. She squealed happily and ran away, jumping into Grandpa Adam's arms, followed by her chuckling parents.

"Finally, our turn. Happy birthday, Firefly." Uncle Elias grinned broadly, engulfing me in a veracious hug. He, as the Beta, was the biggest wolf in the pack. I'm obviously not counting dad as he technically isn't a werewolf anymore, but Lycan. Only Robert, who is of Beta blood, is close to his strength and size. Robert and Dora's father was a Beta in their previous pack, before he was killed during the siege that wiped everyone back home, except for them.

"You are strangling her, honey." His wonderful wife, Kira, the pack's head nurse and midwife, giggled, helping me out of his grasp and putting their 4year old son, Ethan, into his arms instead. "Lea, our little firefly, may your dreams come true. Remember we all will always be here to help you with whatever Fates have in store for you."

"Thank you." I smiled, hugging her, Ethan and Eli. "I know I can count on you always. I love you guys."

"Happy birthday Lee Lee!" Ethan sang, giggling.

Before I could answer, I was swept from the ground by Hurricane Jonathan, who spinned me around, accompanied by his wife Dora's and son Will's laughter.

"Lea, as your favorite uncle…" He started, causing Eli and Robert to growl. "... shush, I'm speaking now. Well, as your favorite uncle, I wish you the happiest 19th birthday one could have. When I was turning 19, I had no idea of the beautiful, supernatural world we live in. I didn't have such a supportive family like we all have now. Back when I was just entering this world, becoming a werewolf and finding out who I really am, those people took me in, showed me love and support that I couldn't believe existed. You are entering adulthood now, but your home, your place, would always be here, with us, with your family, no matter where you are. For us you will forever be our little Firefly Lea, our daughter, niece, granddaughter, you are part of our life."

Jonathan finished, cupping my face and looking me straight in the eyes. I felt tears going down my cheeks and I nodded, hugging him hard. Soon I felt another hand sneaking up my waist and saw Auntie Dora and Will, embracing me as well.

"Happy birthday, honey." She whispered and pecked my cheek.

"I'll be damned. Jonathan actually said something smart." Horatio snorted, making everyone laugh.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear it." Uncle J rolled his eyes, looking at the old Vampyr.

H grabbed him and hugged him as well, chuckling.

"There, there. We are joking, child." The Vampyr smirked, messing Jonathan's hair.

"The pack is waiting to see you. They can't start the celebration without the guest of honor." Dad laughed.

I looked at him with my eyes wide.

"Celebration?" I asked dumbfounded, making everyone laugh.

"You are Alpha's daughter. The whole pack wants to celebrate you on your special day. There is a banquet in a pack auditorium where any member can come and feast. I hope you will come there with us so they can give their wishes, and later, we all are meeting in Sally's Cabin, for a family dinner." Dad explained.

"But… I'm not a wolf, or your child by blood." I whispered shyly.

Grandpa Adam shook his head and lifted my chin to look at him.

"Our pack takes pride in celebrating the bonds that are more than blood. They know you are Alex's and Asteria's daughter and they treat you like an Alpha's child that you are." He said softly.

I looked at my family and smiled.

"Then let's not keep them waiting, if they want to start partying, then let's join them." I said cheerfully running towards doors, my family following.