Chapter 57
EMMA.
Today is my birthday.
I’ve never celebrated my birthdays because of the unfortunate incident that occurred from my birth–apart from the times Violet forced me to have some fun with her at her place. My birthdays are more of a reminder of the sorrows my existence brought and is must be why there’s a sinking feeling inside me right now as I stare at the ceiling of my room
Each birthday before 1 left for the BlueStone pack, my father would spend the entire day at the graveyard of my mother and on each birthday. I usually wonder what it’d be like if things were different. If I didn’t lose them and they were alive. I usually ponder about how different my life would have been, but today, surprisingly. I’m not thinking about that. Perhaps because I’ve come to accept I can’t change what’s happened, or perhaps the Thoughts I have in mind weigh heavier than the other.
My eighteenth birthday means my transformation, and my transformation means I’m a step closer to finding out who my fated is. I try not to think about what remains at the back of my mind, but I find myself drawn to the thought, Will is unmated and I’m….
The sound of a knock pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn my head to the door. When the knock comes again, I climb out of bed and run a hand through my hair as 1 cross the distance to the door. I rub my eyes before turning the knob and I’m engulfed in a hug before I can even blink
twice.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” I chuckle as I use one hand to hold Ryan’s back and the other to shut the door before fully relaxing into his embrace. He strokes my head with one hand while the other rests on the small of my back and he holds me for what feels like long minutes before he pulls away, hands falling to my waist. “Did I wake you up?”
“I was already up. But coming to wish me ar. My eyes shift to the clock on the wall and when I look back at Ryan, I cock a brow. “At six thirty in the morning,”
ha
“Wanted to be the first to wish you” He shrugs and I smile. “Thank you. Not just for this, but for always being such a good friend to me. “You’re feeling lucky right about now, uh?” He wriggles his brows and 1 slap his arm playfully before falling back. His hands drop from my waist and he follows as I return to the bed. I sit on the edge while Ryan stands before me and he asks, “What are your plans?”
“Forl
He looks at me as though I’m dumb. “Your birthday!”
“Oh.” I mouth and lower my gaze. “I rarely celebrate it, so I don’t know. I don’t have any.”
“You should celebrate this one. You’re eighteen; finally crossed the important climacteric. Shall I call you a young woman now
My gaze lifts to his, and I scowl. “Shut up”
ow instead of a kid?
“Kid it remains” He winks and the sound of my laugh echoes across the room Ryan has a small smile on and when he remains silent, I lift a brow and he beams. “I have something for you.” My interest piques at his words and I wasch him slip his hand into his pocket. He brings out a small box and when he stretches it to me, I move off the bed before taking it from him.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.” He tips his chin and I look at him before fixing my gaze on the black box. When I open it, a gold dainty, sparkling necklace with the word “Em‘ carved boldly at the front stares at me and I gasp as I remove the necklace from the box. When I take a closer look, a small wolf is hanging off the edge of the e. It looks almost like a puppy, but I know it’s a wolf and tears pull to my eyes as I stare at iL
“I wasn’t sure what to give you and I’m not sure if you like it either but I want you to know- “Ryan doesn’t finish his words before I jump forward, throwing myself into his chest and he chuckles as he wraps his hand around my waist to keep my balance. “Thank you. I love it. It’s beautiful, and at’s the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me.”
“You deserve the most thoughtful gifts and more, sweetheart,” he whispers near my ear and I shut my eyes, gift, the words he utters, and the tenderness he continues to shower me with
unable to hold hack my tears from his
“Thank you” I mumble a second time before pulling away from the hug, and Ryan lifts his hand to wipe the tears staining my cheeks. “No tears today” His hands drop to my shoulders and be lowers his head so he’s leveling my gaze as he speaks. “Go out. Have some fun with your friends-
ura and Eddır.”
“It’s Elijah” I correct with a
a cackle, and Hyan jiggles his head. “Right. Elijali. That one. Don’t lock yourself in here, okay?”
“Okay” I nod and his hands leave my shoulders. “I’ll let you skip training today, but that’s the only break you get.”
2.49 PM c
Chapter 57
“Thank you.” I smile and he pulls my cheek. When I swat his hand, he raises it to ruffle my hair instead and I shake my head as I watch him turn. He walks to the door and before he disappears from my sight, he takes another peek at me and smiles, then he walks out
I let out a sigh before selling on the bed and my lips part in astonishment as I continue to gape at the necklace. I’m placing it back into the box. when my phone vibrates next to me and my heart skips a beat I drop the small box to grab my phone and I lick my mouth as I tap my screen with a shaky finger. My heart drops when I see Elijah’s name displayed across my screen instead of the one my heart was hoping for.
“Happy birthday, beautiful. You’ve turned the golden age of eighteen and I’m glad to have come to know you. Get ready for tonight because we’ll be partying hard and you can’t say no to it!
Bianca’s message comes in just as I finish reading Elijah’s
“My babe’s birthday. Yay! We’re turning up at the dancing floor tonight”
A smile rugs at the corner of my mouth as I swipe my screen, and my heart thumps when I see the text from the last person I was expecting
It’s an unknown number, but she leaves her acronym at the end and she’s the only one who calls me by the name.
“Happy birthday, Emmy. I hope you enjoy your day. V
It’s from Violet. I chew on my lips as I swipe at the screen again and it’s the end of my texts.
Nothing from the one person I’ve been silently wishing for since I went to bed last night. He’s probably too busy with his girlfriend and to be fiancée. I doubt he even remembers today is my birthday. It’s not like I’m anyone important
Anger bubbles inside me at the thought, and I tap on Bianca and Elijah’s texts.
Thank you guys. I love you both and I can’t wait for tonight. We re panying
And that’s exactly what I would do. I’d go out, and I’d have fun. I might even do something reckless I’d be sure to regret once I come back to my senses, but I’d do it, anyway. I’d drink till I forget the one who weighs heavily in my heart and I’d dance until my body can no longer take it. Just for tonight. I won’t worry about his engagement or what they’re doing each time I don’t see them while Rose’s words taunt me.
Tonight, I’d be wild and uncaring about the consequences. As a newly turned eighteen–year–old, should be.
-NIGHTFALL-
Bianca and Elijah take rne out of the borders again. The club we’re at differs from the ones I’ve been to and I fix the cleavage of the tight knee- length dress I have on before climbing out of the car. I hold on to Bianca’s shoulder for support as 1 almost trip in the heels I have on, and she laughs as she grabs my arm. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just not used to these.” 1 tell her, looking down at the stiletto heels, and she nods when I look back at her. “It gets easier, Just watch your steps for tonight. You can walk slowly if that makes it comfortable.” She tells me and I hum.
I remove the hold I have on her shoulder and a whistle turns both our heads. Elijah is out of the car and he stands a few feet away with eyes dragging down my body. As he walks to us, he says, “You look beautiful tonight: birthday girl.”
“Hot looking so bad yourself.” I compliment and he spreads his arms, “Well. You know m Bianca makes a gagging sound and Elijah glares at her. I Laugh at their mischief, and Elijah locks the car before he steps to my side. “Let’s go in,”
I take both their arms and we walk to the entrance. The faint sound of music reaches my ears as Elijah gives the guard our passes before we’re let in “Woo–hoo! Finally Goddess, it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been out.” Bianca shouts over the loud music booming across the room as we enter the club, and it’s crowded, just like every other
We walk to the dance floor and Elijah goes to get our drinks while Bianca sways in front of me. She leans in when she sees me unmoving. “What’s
“Hard to dance in them I respond, referring to the heels, and Blanca shouts, Try Hold on to me if you feel yourself stumbling” I nod and move my hips. It’s a rather awkward movement and Bianca laughs when our eyes meet.
She leans in again, but instead of selling me how bad my dance looks, she says. “There’s a guy behind checking you out. Don’t look, but he’s blond,
“He’s coming” Bianca draws back and only seconds after, a guy appears before us. Blond, like she said, and attractive. Ile towers over me and when he looks at me, he smiles. “Hello.”
Chapter 57
“Do you mind if 1-
Sorry. She’s taken” His words are interrupted as Elijah appears with our drinks and the unknown guy’s brow furrows. “I wasn’t speaking to you.” “I am. Are you deaf or something? She’s taken.”
“Elijah.” I place a hand on his arm when he starts getting close to the stranger. The guy’s gaze falls to the hand on Elijah’s arm and he nods before he walks away without a word,
Bianca hisses. “What the fuck is wrong with you? She’s here to have fun. Why are you chasing her fun?”
want onhe
“She can have fun without having to get it down with a guy. Trust me, darling Guys like that only want one thing, and that’s what’s between your legs”
“Yeah, and you know that so well.” Bianca scoffs as she grabs a glass from the drinks Elijah is holding and Elijah’s mouth moves near my ear. “Don’t be like that one.”
“I can hear you, asshole. Bianca slaps Elijah’s back and 1 laugh before grabbing a drink. When Bi
Bianca turns to me, she says. “There’s no pleasure greater than the one you’d find in sex. My brother is a virgin, so he wouldn’t know”
My eyes widen as my head turns to him. “He is?”
Yeah. He’s never known a woman. Untouched and inexperienced, so he’s the last person to
to advise you
“Stop it,” Elijah growls, and even with the dimmed lights shining down on us, I can tell how flustered he is. Especially when he downs two glasses. He wipes his mouth and says, “Tve kissed a girl and I’ve done some intimate stuff, so I’m not untouched.”
“He’s lying. Look at him turning all red.” Bianca laughs while Elijah scowls at her. “I’ll go get more drinks” The sister announces before she walks away, leaving me with her brother and 1 cock a brow at him “Untouched, uh?”
“Don’t mind her.”
“Why? I think it’s cute you’re a virgin.” I tell him and he stays silent for a while. He closes in on my space and tucks my hair behind my ears. His thumb rubs my car as he says, “Not for long.”
“Uhr
“Let’s dance. Tonight should be all about you” He grins and takes my hand before I can even respond. He twirls me and I laugh as he forces me forward before yanking me back. I gasp when my back slams into his front and Elijah’s hand wraps around my middle as he drops his chin on my shoulder. His face presses to mine and when he shifts his head, his breath caresses my neck.
“Emma.” The call of my name makes me turn my head and Elijah’s face is so close to mine, with barely any space between. If he speaks again, our hips will brush and I swallow as his eyes roam mine.
“More drinks!” Elijah pulls away as Bianca appears with more glasses in hand and I’m the first to grab two glasses. I tip my head back and pour the drink down my throat. I hiss at the taste of alcohol and grab one more to lose my nerves before continuing my dance.
My friends dance around me, screaming at the top of their lungs and 1 laugh as my body tightens the more the night ticks by.
“There. You’re okay.” Elijah’s hand is rubbing down my back as I bend over the sink and I splash water on my face before lifting my head.
“You good?” He asks, and I nod, using a hand to rub my mouth. I drank too much and partied too hard. Even right now, I can hardly stand on my fert, resting against the sink for support. Still, in my drowsy drunk state, all I can think about is him.
“My phone.” I murmur to Elijah and he takes it out of the purse he’s holding. The time reads 10:30pm on my screen–only an hour and a half till my birthday is over and there’s nothing from him still.
Fucking asshole. I hate lum so fucking much.
Trant
“Hey hey I mp over the stupid hech I have on and Elijah is quick to catch me. My head falls on his chest and when I lift my gaze, he’s staring dawn at me, though his features are somehow blurred.
“You’re really drunk I should have stopped you after that sixth glass.”
I shake my head and Elijah chuckles, the sound reverberating around me. “You look cute like this. Almost tempting Who am I kidding! You’re too gorgeous right now.”
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Chapter 57
“What?” I close my eyes and when I open them again, my vision is still obscured but I can feel it–his breath on my face, tickling my lips and I hear the change in his tone as he says. “You look so ravishing tonight I can’t take it.”
A hand wraps around my waist, and I blink several times. My vision clears this time, and Elijah is staring at my mouth. “F3” He’s edging in and the hand around my waist tightens
B
