TBMA [Complete ✔️]

11. Party

Knox's P.O.V

Since he was busy with Rose, I was able to sneak out without being noticed. I was currently sitting on the cottage roof, a place I often visited when I needed to think. It was calm, quiet, and reminded me of the time when I could run from my problems, of a much simpler time, in which I didn't have to face my battles because there was someone to fight them for me.

I scooted closer to the edge, letting my feet dangle in the air. The cottage wasn't big or tall, so a fall would do nothing to a werewolf, especially one with Alpha blood, yet I liked the adrenaline rush. I liked the feeling of being close to falling, of knowing one wrong move could end it all.

I was in no way planning to harm myself, I could never leave this world before getting revenge on the one that killed my mother, on the murderer, who didn't kill only her that day, but also my ability to trust and feel.

I used to hate who I was becoming. I used to loathe the fact that I was starting to close in on myself, that my interactions with Rose weren't anything like they used to be, but then I lost the ability to feel altogether. I no longer care about myself, I no longer have it in me to hate anyone but him. I no longer wish to keep a relationship with anyone, even my own sister, as all it's ever brought me was pain. All it ever did was force me to take the blame, the pain, for someone else.

Perhaps, mom would be disappointed in me. Perhaps, she was expecting to see her son grieve in a normal way, maybe she expected him to keep the promise he made to her about always protecting her daughter. But when the one wolf you don't want disappointed in you isn't even amongst the living what do you have left but to accept the failure that you are and simply let go?

Rose told me mom was disappointed in me, so be it. She said she was too, but so be it to that too. Tonight, I looked her in the eyes as she pleaded with me to save her, and just walked away. I let her see exactly why she chose to be disappointed in me, I let her feel it, allowed her to settle it deep inside her heart, so she would remain disappointed. After all, it was simply just one wolf less that tries to fix me.

"And you don't care one bit that you let your sister be beaten?" My wolf growled. It appeared he didn't share the same thoughts I did, even if our minds were technically one. Kane loved his pack and his sister. He was the polar opposite of me - chatty, goofy, loud, and caring. I was sure there was a mistake in our pairing, but it wasn't like I could even return him. Sadly.

"No," I replied coolly.

"Yeah, right." He grumbled, a hint of a challenge in his tone. "Your pain is my pain and right now the pain in your chest you forget is called guilt is nipping at your conscious." I shut him off, balling my fists so tight my knuckles turned white.

"I'm not guilty. I don't care!" I mumbled into the cool October air. I pushed myself away from the edge and lay flat on my back, staring into the night sky. Perhaps, there was one reason to smile today, though it could be short-lived.

I didn't find my mate.

Ever since I decided I didn't want one years ago, I had been dreading my sixteenth birthday in case I found the poor she-wolf that got paired with me. I didn't want to have to reject her, but I knew that if I were to find her, I would. I could never kill a female, I could never become my father no matter what he said.

I wouldn't kill her simply because she wouldn't be here for me to kill her. Luckily, those thoughts were unneeded at the moment, as she was, thankfully, nowhere to be found.

I could feel Kane claw at my mind to be let out. He hated when I thought about mates in a negative way, once again proving my theory that he and I were the worst human-wolf match that was ever made in the history of werewolves.

Rosalie's P.O.V

I woke up to the sound of my alarm going off. Sunday was rest day for those that still didn't have their wolves, but I still had tons of schoolwork to do. Since I was busy with healing in the pack hospital during the week, most of it would get pushed off toward Sunday, when I would be glued to my desk the entire day.

Happily for me, today wasn't going to be all studying, though. It was Zane, my best friend's sixteenth birthday today. The day he would shift for the first time, the day he could potentially find his mate. He joked a lot about finding out, the two of us pitying the poor soul the Goddess would pair with him. Though, in reality, I think she'd be lucky.

Zane was funny and kind to me, as he was to everyone else. He also had a longing, dreamy look in his eyes at the thought of his soulmate and no matter how many jokes he made, I somehow knew he'd treat her well.

I shook my head to clear it from the thoughts and walked into my closet, where I put on a pair of comfortable blue jeans and a white oversized hoodie with a rose on the back of the sleeves. Ironically enough, my favorite flowers were roses and I loved items that had them.

After I was done getting dressed and had pulled my hair into a ponytail, I went downstairs for breakfast, knowing father would hit or yell at me if I didn't, based on his mood. He says healers must eat often, and have a special diet because they need strength to give to others.

I sighed as I walked into the kitchen and picked up a tray with my name on it, settling it on the islands and pulling a barstool to sit on. I had no desire to sit with the wolves who were too weak to fight without chaining their future Alpha first, no desire to sit with those that believe father's lies, so I decided to stay in the kitchen for breakfast today, hoping the Omegas wouldn't mind.

"Are you okay, Miss?" A young female soon came up to me and asked, making me force a smile.

"I'm fine, how about you?" Even though my father had no respect for those lower than him, I did and I liked to think I treated everyone as such, or at least those that deserved it.

"I'm great, thank you for asking." She blushed, watching me as I picked my food with the fork.

"Mind if I keep you company?" I smiled, this time, genuinely.

"Not at all."

The Omega, whose name turned out to be Veronica, and I ate breakfast together. For once, I enjoyed my meal. I hadn't really had nice company since I was very young as Zane and I weren't allowed to hang out together much. There was also no time between my work in the hospital and his help to his mother.

My chest tightened as I remembered he would be leaving tomorrow. Since he was turning sixteen and was going to be Beta, he has to undergo three years of training and studying with the elders. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't at all close to the pack, therefore I was losing the only friend I had tomorrow morning.

Veronica had just gotten up to get back to work when the thoughts consumed me. Once I pushed them away, I got up as well, hurrying upstairs to get as much done before I had to get ready.

The party was not only a birthday party but also a sending-off celebration, a tradition for all future Betas, no matter the pack. Obviously, every wolf from the pack was going to be there, so I had to look the part of being the Alpha's daughter and a healer.

I finally took my books out and set them on the desk, groaning as I opened the first one and began to skim through lessons.

***

I closed the notebook I was writing in, rubbing my eyes. I was exhausted and it was only five pm, nowhere near time for bed, especially with the upcoming party. I stretched my muscles as I got up, my back sore and my eyes burning.

I quickly put all of my schoolwork and supplies away, father's rules echoing in my ears. Having a messy room meant having a b****y lip, one, I no longer had anyone to save me from.

My fingers involuntarily moved to touch my split lip, making me wince. I was hoping it wouldn't hurt too bad, and that it wouldn't be easily noticeable, but unfortunately, it was both.

My gaze met the mirror, staring at the wound my fingers still lingered around. Tears gathered in my eyes, knowing it would most likely leave a scar. I wasn't worried about beauty, but about the constant reminder that scar would be of Knox's loveless grey eyes. They reminded me too much of father's as they stared at me while I got hit over and over again, though they never got closer.

I closed my eyes, for once loving that they were green and not grey. I used to think that grey eyes were much more unique and mysterious, that they, in a way, drew you in, but mine looked much more peaceful, much softer. I didn't want mysterious, only peace now that I was old enough to understand its value, therefore, having mom's eyes didn't make me jealous of Knox's anymore.

I pushed the thoughts away, time reminding me of its absence. I had less than an hour before I was expected in front of the pack house, so I needed to be fast unless I wanted a scolding, or worse, from father.

I quickly went through my clothes and settled on a form-fitting off-the-shoulder black dress. It left my shoulders uncovered, creating a bit of a bolder look, without making me improper, while the rest of the sleeves kept me warm. I paired it with a silver-looking crescent moon necklace and covered my face in way too much makeup in an attempt to hide what was happening at the house.

I guess life was all about hiding the wrongdoer from the others, rather than hiding the others from the wrongdoer. I was far from thinking life would change anytime soon, though I still clung to a fraction of hope as I imagined a bruise-less, scar-free face.

There were five minutes until I was expected downstairs, so I quickly put on a pair of short black heels and made my way over. Knox was already standing in front of the house, impatiently waiting for me and father.

He didn't acknowledge me, a small stab piercing my heart. I had hoped that after last night, he would apologize for not helping me, or at least say hello if nothing else, but he didn't. He simply averted his gaze. I wanted to feel angry, to hate him, and yet I only felt saddened by his behavior.

Though I could see where he came from. After all, the punishment was mine, he had no reason to help me yesterday, or any other day, especially not after what I said to him.

We walked in silence, none of us bothering to start, or hold, a conversation. Upon reaching the party, father went to greet aunt Zaria, Knox stood awkwardly to the side, while I looked around, searching for Zane.

When I finally spotted him, he was laughing, as usual, with a few friends, before he stiffened, his back tensing. He turned around, completely ignoring the others as they bombarded him with questions, his gaze traveling across the crowd until it landed on me.

His eyes flashed as he took long steps toward me, pushing everyone out of his way. Once he was a few feet away, his eyes darkened further, his nose sniffing the air as if his life depended on it.

"Mate!"

A/N

Hi, Treasures! Make sure you join my F-a-c-e-b-o-o-k group Teddy's Treasures for extra content and discussions! I wonder how Esteban would react to his thirteen-year-old daughter having a mate ?