CHAPTER 1 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VALERIE!
1044 Words
VALERIE
It was the morning of my eighteenth birthday – the most important day in the life of any werewolf. It was the day I was expected to find my fated mate. I had not been able to sleep all through the night, as all my thoughts had been centered on him – my knight in shining armor, the handsome gentleman, who was finally going to save me from the hellhole I had been living in for a few years.
“Valerie!”
The sound of my name from downstairs jolted me back to the harsh reality of my life now – I was a slave, and worse still, a slave for the pack’s royal family that included the most annoying male triplets in the world – Chris, Kyle and Evans. There was not a single day that they failed to remind me of my status as a lowly slave who had to depend on their father, the Alpha for my survival, and it didn’t make matters any better that we all had to attend the same school.
“Valerie!”
I knew it was Kyle calling and I grumbled as I got down from my bed and trudged down the stairs that led to the living room. Kyle was the second of the triplets and he was by far, the most annoying. He was the tallest by a few inches, and he also had long black hair that curled across his forehead. Kyle had a sharp tongue that could get him out of trouble with anyone and I knew very well that he had only one goal today – to make my life miserable on my birthday.
“What took you so long?” He queried, as soon as I got to the living room.
I stared him down for a few seconds, as I thought of the best reply I could give to avoid an early morning quarrel, but my silence seemed to anger him even more.
He walked up to me - so close that I could feel his warm and minty breath on my face.
“You answer me when I speak to you, four eyes,” He snarled.
I removed my glasses at that exact moment, not because he had called me four eyes, but because my eyes itched. Kyle however, took it as an act of impudence and all hell would have broken loose if not that Alpha Marion walked in.
The Alpha walked up to where I stood with his son and patted me across the back.
“Happy birthday, Valerie,” He said with a sincere smile on his face.
The whole world seemed to pause at that moment. Kyle’s jaws drooped open in shock. Chris and Evans who were munching away on burgers at the dining spun around to take a glance at me, and even their mother, Luna Beatrice who barely acknowledged my presence in the pack house managed to spare me a look.
“Wow – " Chris broke the silence.
“It’s her birthday?” Evans asked no one in particular.
“She even has a birthday?” Kyle murmured.
“So you’re like fourteen now?” Luna Beatrice turned to face me.
"Yes, she has a birthday, Kyle," Alpha Marion frowned. "Everyone has a birthday."
And turning to face Luna Beatrice, he added: "She's eighteen today, and that's why I've prepared the best surprise in the world for her."
I adjusted my glasses as Alpha Marion spoke. What surprise did he have planned out for me?
"Unfortunately, I have a meeting with the council of Alphas today so I won't be available," He grunted. "The triplets would make sure you have a fun day."
He slipped his hand into his breast pocket and brought out a credit card which he handed over to Chris, the first of the triplets.
"I want you three with Valerie at Central mall today," He ordered. "Make sure she gets whatever she wants and - "
"But I've got hockey practice after school," Kyle cut in.
"Guess you'll have to skip today's practice for Valerie," Alpha Marion shrugged.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see that Kyle was fuming and I knew that things were going to get worse for me if he missed that practice.
"It's fine," I muttered. "I could get my stuff from a regular store, so there's no need for anyone to miss anything just to follow me to the mall."
"Nonsense," Alpha Marion growled. "The triplets would take good care of you today and that's final. Enjoy the rest of your day."
He spun around and after pecking Luna Beatrice across her cheek, walked out of the pack house.
I knew Alpha Marion had a good heart, but I wished he could see how much trouble he was putting me in.
Surprisingly, not one of the triplets said a word about what had transpired throughout breakfast that morning. We ate in uncomfortable silence, and for the first time in my life, I was dying to hear a word from one of them - something to calm my nerves at least, and assure me that I was not in trouble.
The drive to school was relatively silent as well. Chris was behind the wheel while Kyle who was just beside him, stole a few glances at me through the rear mirror. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the look in his eyes. I knew Kyle all too well. He was waiting for the right time to get his revenge.
The car screeched to a halt at the parking lot and the four of us came down with our bags.
"So I guess we'll see you after school?" Chris turned to me.
"I don't think there's any need," I muttered. "I don't want you guys missing out on your practice."
"It's nothing we can't sacrifice for you," Kyle said.
The sarcasm was all over his voice, and I knew he was still angry at me.
"So don't worry about our practice," He added. "We'll miss it for you, and be rest assured that you would never forget your eighteenth birthday."
He adjusted my glasses carefully, with an evil grin on his face before making a beeline for the classroom.
- Writer
