A birthday surprise

Chapter 5

Lucia found her most tranquil while she was running through the woods. One of the most joyous things she had ever felt was the wind rustling her heavy silver coat and the moonlight gleaming on her wolf. Though she wasn't running for peace this time, she was running for victory. In order to outpace the white wolf in front of her, she pushed her own wolf.

The excitement coursing through her veins reminded her why she did this. When she was running against someone and competing. Being the sister of the future Luna or the daughter of Beta didn't always put hardship on her. Everything revolved around her and her alone. When she realized how close the finish line was, her mouth was practically watering. She gave her wolf one last shove, putting herself ahead of her opponent. Nearly there.

When her paws crossed the finish line. Victory is the sweet flavor. Sadly, it didn't last long since she soon missed the sensation of the wind against her fur, the rush of adrenaline in her veins, and the moonlight giving her the extra power she needed.

Her birthday was coming up, and she knew she would have to deal with the music sooner or later.

"This season's wolf race winner is Beta-Blood Lucia Lorenzo! She overcame Silver Crest Pack alpha-blood champion Gabriella Adams, who had won three straight years. Give the lady of the night a round of applause, please!"

The members of the Blood Moon pack let out loud applause as the announcer's voice faded away from the speakers, while the Silver Crest members bowed their heads.

Steve Lorenzo proudly glanced at his daughter. He knew she would grow into a powerful lady when she was sent home in the third grade for striking Blaine in the face. Then, like the wonderful father he was, he took her out for ice cream. No man, whether dominant or not, makes fun of his daughter.

At last, Lucia broke free from the crowd of people proudly yelling her name. A race between a wolf from Midnight and one from Gold Creek was about to start. It wasn't necessary for rival wolves to tramp all over her. As everyone knew Midnight would prevail, it's not like there would be much of a rivalry. They did it all the time.

The annual races between the wolves in North America were something Lucia always looked forward to. It was an effective means of defusing the tension between the packs, and it was unquestionably superior to the "Friday Night Knockouts" that took place for a short while. To cut a long story short, it was a bad idea to have werewolves battle.

Blaine noticed Lucia. His hatred for her had become even stronger. Although they were never close, he couldn't help but link the two now that he knew her fraternal twin had cheated on him. He now felt even more contempt for the brown-eyed Lorenzo because of his animosity toward the green-eyed one. He would never have suspected they were related, even though they were twin sisters, if it weren't for their last names. Their appearances and mannerisms were just too far from each other.

In spite of everything, he was positive about one thing: he detested her just as much, if not more, as he detested her sister. Her appearance that evening had persuaded him to dance with her.

Blaine, can you hear yourself? If you had truly wanted to, you could have exercised self-control like all those other men did.

Whatever. He thought as he averted his gaze from the woman who made him angry and made his penis tingle.

"Lucia! Lucia!"

Something was calling—no, shouting Lucia's name in an attempt to get her attention. Since Blood Moon generally sat toward the west of the grounds, she deduced that since the voice was coming from the west, it was probably a pack member.

But when the voice drew nearer, she recognized it. Anthony.

"Hi! I just wanted to congratulate you on your victory."

"Thanks, Tony," Lucia answered curtly, "I want to get away from you." Unfortunately, Anthony was oblivious to this social indication.

"So I just—"

"Look Anthony I really have to get going, so if you excuse me,"

"No, hold on! I apologize; that's what I intended to say."

"For what?"

"When we were dating, I shouldn't have cheated on you, but most importantly, I shouldn't have cut you off and abandoned our friendship."

"Uh..."

Lucia smiled, recalling the goofy "forgive and forget" ritual she and Anthony had established in first grade when he destroyed her sandcastle. Anthony began saying "Forgive and Forget."

"I can't say no to that, can I?"

Anthony threw his arms around her.

"I missed you."

She could hear the earnestness in his words.

"Me too, Tony, me too."

When she said such things, she wasn't lying. Lucia missed her best buddy, with whom she used to goof about and have lengthy conversations. It seemed at times that he was the only one who could relate to her.

After three weeks

LUCIA LORENZO

It's hardly the ideal way to start the day to hear your closest friends yell a happy birthday song to you as you wake up.

"Guys, come on, really?"

"Really, what do you mean? You're celebrating your birthday!" My best friend, Valerie, answered.

Though she was an unusual wolf, Remy Lisa, or Valerie, as she was more commonly known, was the most devoted person anyone could ever want to meet.

"Lucia, you might want to get up; your mom is already starting her shenanigans," Anthony remarked.

He wore cheerful birthday party supplies from Party City. What a fool!

"Lucia!"

If it weren't my birthday, hearing my mother's voice so early in the morning would just indicate that the devil's door had opened.

"Guys, if I don't make it, make sure there is tiramisu at my funeral!"

"Chill out, Lucia; you've made it through 17 birthdays; what's another going to do?"

Anthony, you are stupid! She turned eighteen today! She was going to meet her true love!"

In answer, Anthony simply rolled his eyes.

I detested the phrase "other half." It just suggested that I wasn't a complete person and required someone else to complete me, when in actuality, I am complete and doing just fine.

Our companion seems really attractive.

Really, Ava? This is not the right moment.

I would allow him to stoop down and—Ava!

She laughed and went out of my head. Foolish wolf.

After a demanding four hours, Lucia was prepared to make a spectacular entry at the celebration. Since Lucia was six minutes older than her sister, she had already descended, and her turn was about to come. Lucia had opted for a sparkling champagne-colored outfit, but Mirabel was looking stunning in a beautiful gold dress.

The members of Blood Moon were truly in disbelief as Lucia gracefully descended the steps. Seeing the younger Lorenzo so ostentatious was a rare thing. They couldn't even remember when she had worn a gown.

It was going to be 8:05 p.m., Mirabel's birthday, and also the moment the cake was supposed to be cut for her. As Mirabel blew out her candles, everyone gathered around the cake and sang Happy birthday.

Before long, it was 8:10 p.m., and it was time to give Lucia her cake. She was going to bite into the chocolate cake that her father was holding when she looked into the eyes of another brown pair.

"Mate."

The only issue was the eyes staring back at her were enamored with someone else.