Alexis’s POV
It is a normal tradition to celebrate the 18th birthday of any werewolf. There are quite a number of reasons why, but the most important one to me is that any wolf that turns 18 can now be considered an adult and is free to have a family and if they want to separate from their parents.
Maybe that was the reason why Alexandra left without looking back, my subconscious tells me for the thousandth time ever since Alexandra left the house.
I shake the thought out of my head and instead wish for something that might be near impossible at this point. It won’t happen, my subconscious tells me in my head, but I shut off her annoying voice and mutter a prayer to Selene…hopefully she’ll grant me my wish.
My reflection stares back at me and I blink and smile, showing little teeth to be sure that it’s really me. My hair is in smooth waves down my back almost reaching my waist and my plain brown eyes are lined with, black eyeliner to give my eyes this cute cat-shaped outline. Thanks to the help of little swabs of mascara, my eyelashes seem longer and fuller.
On my body is a dress I got three months ago on a random shopping spree with my friends. One glance at the shimmery blue dress and I knew that I was meant to wear it for this occasion.
“Oh honey…you look like an adult already!” my mum squealed from the doorway. I smiled and turned on my feet in time to see my Dad wipe a stray tear from his eye. They both walked forward and engulfed me in a hug. I sunk into their arms and breathed in their comforting scent, thinking about the one person that was missing.
If Alexandra was here he’d probably not agree to be hugged by our parents since he’d be 23 years old, or maybe he’d agree, and we’d have our first complete family hug.
They both pulled away from me, but they kept on holding on to each other’s hands.
“Come on honey…it’s almost time.” Said my mother, reaching out for my own hand. Her hand encloses around mine and I allow her to lead me out of the room, downstairs and then outside under the bright light of the moon.
“Here’s our celebrant." Dad announced, leading me through the back door into the garden which was where my mother and I had prepared for the short celebration. I heard a couple of wows and comments on my appearance, but I thought nothing of it or, rather, I couldn’t keep my thoughts in one place.
‘Relax, it’ll be fine’ a voice that I couldn’t recognize whispered, leaving my ear hot. I turned back to see no one behind me and let out a breath.
“There’s no need to be nervous, Alexis. It’s all right.” I mumbled to myself, mustering a smile at everyone.
The traditional rites started and as the minutes ticked towards midnight I felt the stir that my parents had been telling me about within me. I closed my eyes and let it consume me. A few minutes later, the feeling dissipated. It was for a short moment, but it felt like my entire system was rewired.
I opened my eyes in time to see the clock strike midnight. My parents, friends and the other guests gathered and burst happily into a birthday song and I sang along even though I was the celebrant.
A short while later, my mother took out the cake, and we took pictures until I was too tired to stand. It was only then I realized that I hadn’t taken any pictures with Drake, my crush and my supposed mate.
I bolted out of my seat like I sat on a pin and looked around the garden for him, but he was nowhere to be found. “Damn”, I muttered under my breath, and made eye contact with my father.
He seemed to understand my confusion and gestured towards the house. I nodded in response and dashed inside the house to look for Drake.
I suddenly felt stupid once he came into view, he was sitting all by himself by the kitchen counter looking like someone had stolen his puppy. How was I so sure that he was my mate? My parents warned me and I didn’t listen. I was adamant on the puppy love that we shared.
“Hey Lexi” he called out without looking up from the counter. “I didn’t get to wish you a happy birthday."
“Drake” I said without realizing his name slipped out of my mouth. “I’m sorry”
He laughed and got down from the stool. Although he was just a year older than me, he was very tall and had the features of a man in his middle twenties. “Happy Birthday Alexis, I hope your greatest wish comes through on your special day.”
I looked down at my feet clad in glass heels feeling guilty about the pain I must have caused him. He won’t take my apology because he knows it’s not my fault. The hand that I thought would make tingles crawl all over my body touches my chin, he raises my head with his fingers and says miles, reminding me of how much I liked him the first time I met him.
“This doesn’t change how I feel about you though. I perfectly understand the fact that you’re not my mate, but I won’t stop being your best friend.”
“I’d like that very much, Drake.” I sniffled, resting my forehead on his chest. We stay like that for a while, both of us trying to erase our past expectations.
Drake and I go back to the party all full of smiles that aren’t fully genuine. But we both relax and go back to normal as the night goes on.
I stay up the entire morning till the sky brightens, and it is then I realize, when everyone has gone home, that my wish didn’t come true.
Alexandra didn’t show up for my 18th birthday.
Alexis’s POVDon’t be deceived. The thrill of turning a new age disappears completely after that day. It’s been a full complete week since my birthday and, other than those few minutes of sensation last week, I don’t feel any different than I was when I was 17.My parents say it’s perfectly normal but that my werewolf would naturally want to bond with me in the coming months. I guess I’ll be waiting until then.“We’re heading to the pack house for a meeting with Alexis and your mother and I probably won't be back until late tonight. Will you be okay alone?”My mother butts into the conversation “Or should we call Tonia to stay with you until we’re back?”I resist the urge to yell that I’m now an adult and settle for a loud disappointed sigh. I groaned loudly and replied. “Yes, I’ll be okay on my own, I don’t need you to call me a babysitter.”Surprised by my outburst, they both keep quiet and go on about packing their things. About five minutes later, they leave the house after giving
Alexandra’s POVIt was a mistake to come back….a very big stupid one.What the hell was I thinking about coming back to this damn pack? Everything is the same as I left it! Hell my wolf still gets crazy at the sight of Alexis, my sister. And I cannot stand the sweet scent that’s rolling off her body in waves.Is this a prank by the moon goddess? Did she get a kick out of making two blood-related siblings mates?"Mate isn’t sister." My wolf sneered angrily, all he wanted was to connect and mate. But he didn’t get it…he couldn’t understand it.I had been outside for close to six hours and now the sky had darkened considerably. The thing is, I want to avoid Alexis because I’m not sure if I can subdue my wolf in her presence, and I’m only left with two options. One is to go back tonight with Gena, and the other is to be a man and subdue my wolf so that I can at least stay a day with my family.In the end, I picked option number two and walked back home sullenly wondering what excuse I was
Alexis’s POVThe rest of dinner is silent thanks to Alexandra’s speech about not being my brother or their son. It’s perfectly safe to say that my parents won’t be spending the night in this house because of the crackling tension in the atmosphere. I don’t know what’s more horrifying to them…the thought that Alexandra doesn’t see himself as their son for the mean time or the fact that I disobeyed them in a way I’ve never done before.Whatever it is, I think it’s going to take time for them to realize that we’re now adults, and we’re free to have our own say.The second our parents leave the table, I blurt out what has been on my mind since his little speech. “Five years older, and you’re still horrible at giving speeches.”Gena’s loud laughter rings through the dining room and I raise my cup of juice to my lips to hide my smile. Alexandra shakes his head and rubs his eyes like he’s in pain, when he looks up at me, he has a sad, longing smile on his face.“You know what? I’m going to
Alexis POVThe next morning, I trotted down the stairs, rubbing my sleepy eyes. I still felt sleepy, but at the same time, I couldn’t close my eyes without the image of my brother holding me flash through my mind.I didn’t want to think about it, but at the same time, I couldn’t help myself. I got into the kitchen to get water and the very image that perturbed my sleep last night was standing by the counter drinking water.Staring at where he stood. It reminded me of yesterday. He saw me and he almost choked on the water.He dropped the glass. I walked up to him bracing myself for what I was about to say. “Alex..” I began. As soon as I called his name, he walked out of the kitchen ensuring that our bodies did not touch even the slightest bit. I stared after his retreating figure in shock and annoyance. Why was the bloody hell of a brother ignoring me? Was it because of yesterday? Did he feel it too? I pondered.“No, I don’t think so. He’s been ignoring you since he came back from wh
Alexis’s POVI took a step back in shock at what my own brother had just said to me. How was I his problem?“You annoy me, Alexis. You irritate me!” He yelled, not stopping there. “Despite every time I try to avoid you, you still find way to stir up things and be in places you’re not supposed to be!”Be in places I was not supposed to be? What the bloody hell was he talking about now? Instead of questioning him, I mellowed. Saddened by his own anger. “If that’s how I make you feel, so be it,” I replied and ran out of his room.I went into mine and slammed the door as I blinked back the tears that threatened to break me. Why was my brother treating me this way? We’ve been so close since our childhood. Why did he suddenly change towards me? I pondered. There was no way I could ask him anything now. It was obvious. Alexander wanted me to stay away from him.*********Alexander’s POVMy wolf howled in anger for the way I had just treated his mate. I had lied to her just to get her off my
Alexis’s POV “Since when do you bother about our whereabouts?” Mom asked me.I stared at her. Was she for real right now? “It’s almost two days now and we’ve heard nothing from you both,” I replied.Dad sighed. “Look, Lexi. Your mom and I had to go cool off after the offending words your brother said to us. Let’s not start fighting.”“I’m not fighting. It was Mom who gave me an incredible answer,” I responded, staring at her. Why was everyone harsh today?“I hope you understand. We were hurt and had to go let off some steam. We’re better now and back home. Isn’t that all that matters?” Dad said. He seemed to be more calm and collected than Mom.I shrugged. “I guess,”“Is your brother still here?” Mom asked.I nodded and walked back to the kitchen. Gena was almost done with cooking. “I heard voices. Are your parents back?” She asked.“Yeah,” I replied. ***It was dinner time when Alexander finally got out of his room. He got closer to the dining table and when he saw me; he looked aw
Alexander’s POV My heart thumped against my chest as I realized that I just voiced out what I had been keeping inside of me for five years. I was so angry and frustrated. All the pent up emotions I concealed for a long time were finally revealed.Immediately, I saw her come out of the house, I knew I was in trouble. My wolf was threatening to surface, and I was doing my best to subdue it.When it felt like I was finally succeeding in keeping my wolf in check and stopping it from reacting or taking her in my arms, she broke down and said words that ignited all the emotions that raged inside of me.My wolf broke free from where I had him cornered and I couldn’t hold back as I told her she was my mate. Seeing the confusion and shock in her eyes had guilt sinking into my stomach.“How?” she finally spoke after a moment of intense silence.I kept quiet and looked away.“How, Alex?” she reiterated.“Look, I don’t know, okay?” I replied, raising my voice as I raked my fingers through my hair
Alexis’s POV“Hey, you. You seem so happy this morning,” Gena said to him.He grinned. “Yeah. It’s because of you,” he replied and leaned in to kiss her lips.I coughed, which broke them apart. “I had something in my throat,” I said when all eyes were in my direction.Alex let go of Gena, took the bottle of water he came for and left the kitchen without sparing me a glance. I had expected that he would treat me indifferently after his confession, but no. Foolish of me to have thought of that. The jerk! I fumed.“Alexis?” Gena jolted me out of my thoughts. “Uh?” I looked at her.“You wanted to see me,” she said.“Oh, yeah,” I remembered the sole reason why I had came down from my room.“What for, if I may ask?” Mom asked.“Don’t worry, mom. It’s nothing an old lady should hear,” I teased her as I held Gena’s hand, leading her out of the kitchen.“Are you calling your mother old?” Mom called after me.“Yeah!” I replied, laughing.“No breakfast for you!” She yelled jokingly.I chuckled