TESSA’S POV
“You look so gorgeous, sweetheart.”
Hearing my Aunt Alice’s compliment made my lips curl up into a smile. Looking at my own reflection in the mirror, I could not help but feel amazed at how my aunt transformed me into someone so pretty and presentable,
I was wearing an almost turquoise-colored gown with an off-shouldered strap hanging gracefully on my arms that reminded me of glacier ice I’d seen in the magazine, and with my brunette hair hanging perfectly that complimented the simple makeup my aunt applied to my face, I felt like a completely different girl… not the typical Tessa who gets bullied at school back in White Bridge.
Aunt Alice held my arms, smiling as she looked at my reflection in the mirror, totally in awe and satisfied with the outcome of our last-minute preparation.
“If Vera was still alive, I am sure that she would cry once she saw you, Tess. You’ve grown up into a fine young lady,” Aunt Alice commented softly. Her amber eyes were teary.
“Oh, please… we’ll just go to a birthday party, Aunt Alice,” I said, trying hard not to cry when I heard the name of my late mother. “Thank you for making me presentable.”
“Anything for you, my love,” she said, smiling and caressing my hair. “I want you to look so perfect when we go to the future Alpha’s birthday celebration.”
“Are my girls ready?” Uncle Harry stood at the door and smiled after seeing us in nice dresses.
Aunt Alice looked so young in her black tube dress. Even though her skin was as white as snow, her makeup complimented it perfectly. She was like Snow White… with fangs and a pair of orbs that could turn gold whenever she transformed.
Uncle Harry walked toward us and was sporting bachelor vibes. I guess vampires are really charismatic, more than I expected from the books I’ve read. Seeing them in flesh makes me want to become a vampire too, but no, I didn’t need another headache.
I think I should focus on being a werewolf for now and survive the schoolwork and the shifters around me. If all else fails, I will beg my aunt to turn me into their kind.
“I thought I saw two Goddesses in this room. You both look perfect,” Uncle Harry commented, then wrapped his arm around Aunt Alice’s waist and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.
“You look stunning as ever, my love,” Aunt Alice told her mate.
I sometimes wonder how it feels to have a mate. According to my aunt, there was a yearly tradition held within the land to assist werewolves who reached the age of eighteen in finding mates-the mating season. Apparently, the Moon Goddess Selene was the one who picked up our mates. We would never know who it was, not until we came of age and joined the mating season.
I am already eighteen years old, and the mating season will happen in a few weeks from now. I would lie if I said that I’m not looking forward to it, but I have doubts since my wolf is still locked and inactive. Is it possible to find my mate in this state?
My thoughts were ripped out when I heard the knock from the main door. I could smell the powerful yet refreshing scent of someone. It was familiar, but I couldn’t tell where and when I smelled it.
“I will get it,” I volunteered, and then walked out of the room.
I straightened my gown as I approached the main door. As soon as I opened it and saw the familiar face of the man waiting outside, my heart skipped a beat.
It was him…
His bright blue eyes sparked, dropping his gaze to my gown, lips slightly parted. Oh shit! My heart rate picked up, sweating palms, knowing that he was checking me out.
My eyes feasted on him. His Viking-gold hair was slicked back, complementing his handsome face. He wore a black suit for tonight’s event, and I bet any woman would die to get his attention.
He was like a prince charming whowas waiting for his princess… but who could it be?
What is he doing here?
“Ooh! I wonder why the future Beta is here,” I heard my aunt commenting behind me.
“Future Beta?” I turned to her with a shocked face. “H-He is the…”
Aunt Alice smirked as she crossed her arms against her chest. Seconds later, her eyes narrowed as if she had already found out something based on how my voice shook.
“Good evening, Alice, Harry,” the future Beta greeted them, which made me turn back to him. Our gaze met, and I could see the ghost of a smile on his lips. “Good evening, Tessa. You look amazing.”
“T-Thanks….”
I fought the urge to smile. All I could do was swallow the excitement coursing through my lungs. The only reason I wanted to go to the party was to see him again, and tonight must have been my lucky night.
“Good evening, Cohen. Do you want to come in? What brings the future Beta here?” Uncle Harry asked.
So his name was Cohen! What a beautiful name… It suits him!
“That’s fine. I’m here because my sister asked me to pick up Tessa.” Then he glanced at me. “It seems that Mikhaela is getting fond of you.”
“Uhm, she might want to make sure that I’ll attend the party,” I responded shyly.
“Everyone in the house will attend Atlas’s birthday. We’re actually about to leave,” Aunt Alice remarked.
Cohen chuckled. “That’s a relief. I brought my Wrangler in case you need a ride.”
“You might want to ride in his car, Tess. He came here for you,” Uncle suggested.
I cleared my throat and looked at the couple behind me. They were both grinning, exchanging glances as if they already knew that my heart was acting crazy because of Cohen. These mischievous vampires!
“Your uncle is right. Time to make a friend, little wolf.” Aunt Alice pushed me slightly. “Go.”
“F-Fine,” was all I could say.
I mustered the courage to walk to the porch and approached Cohen, who was wearing a smile that I would never forget.
He turned his mesmerizing gaze on me. “You’re all set?”
Swallowing so hard, I nodded my head. “I am.”
He offered his arm to me. “Then shall we go?”
I bit my bottom lip, trying to hide my smile. I whipped around to look at my aunt, who was still grinning like a kid at the door. “Go now,” she said.
“O… Okay,” I uttered, looping my hand around Cohen’s arm.
My heart never stopped beating fast while we were on our way to the event’s place. I was so quiet and could only hear the loud reaction of my heart. Deep down, I couldn’t help but thank the Moon Goddess that no one could mind link or read my mind except for my vampire guardians. It would be a shame if Cohen found out that my heart reacts this way because of his presence.
“So you came from White Bridge, right?” he started.
I glanced his way and nodded. “Y-Yeah…”
“Is it nice to live with humans?”
“The family who took care of me was distant by default, so, I guess it’s just uhmm, fine,” I said and lowered my head. “I… I’m sorry for the trouble. I already told Mikhaela I’d come to pay my respects. I didn’t know she’d asked you to pick me up. You might be busy.”
“That’s alright, Tessa. I have nothing else to do, anyway.” He glanced at me for a brief second, wearing such an adorable smile, before his gaze went back to the road. “And we’re here.”
The Wrangler stopped in front of what seemed to be a white house. It was enormous and filled with luxurious lights that brightened the whole area.
“Is this where the Alpha and his family live?” I asked curiously as we got out of the vehicle.
“Yeah, you’re going to meet them later.”
I turned to him. The way he ran his fingers through his hair was so intense. I mean, everything about him was so intense, and surreal.
The air made a loud whoosh. Before I could even process what happened, my aunt and her husband were already in front of us.
“We’re just in time,” Aunt Alice announced, and then giggled.
“I will never get used to your powers, vampires.” Cohen chuckled.
“I’d love to show you some more if we have a little time,” Aunt Alice uttered, and then showed her fangs to Cohen.
I was shocked when she did that, but the three of them just laughed like it was nothing. All I did was shake my head. It seemed like it was me who would never get used to being around werewolves and vampires…
Minutes later, we went into the big White House. There were a lot of families entering the place, and the more I realized that it was an extravagant party, the more my anxiety kicked in. I’ve never been to parties before, so this was new to me.
The inside of the house was like a palace. I could feel that we were at a royal event as most of the shifters were dressed like nobles. Aunt Alice said it was a tradition whenever a member of the Alpha family was celebrating a birthday. The future Alpha was the only child of the current leaders, and so they made sure that his every birthday would turn out great.
Cohen excused himself as he needed to talk to some important members of the pack. I couldn’t help but crane my neck, trying to find Mikhaela in the crowd. As I whipped around, my guardians were already talking to some families… and now, I was out of place.
“Where is she?” I asked softly and then walked upstairs.
Compared to the first floor, the second floor only had a few shifters holding drinks and having a good time. As I looked around trying to find Mikhaela, my feet guided me into the hallway where no one was around. There was a door at the end of it.
Thinking that Mikhaela might be there, I went ahead to check it only to find the door slightly opened. As I peeped through the door, my eyes widened in shame.
A man, all naked, was sitting on a couch with his arms spread on the armrest, his head leaning against the wall, while a woman on her bended knees was doing something in between his legs. They were both moaning… and my cheeks flushed as I realized what they were doing.
The man bit his lower lip, groaning in pleasure, and when he opened his tantalizing marble gray eyes, his gaze met mine.
I swallowed hard, seeing a god-like man giving me a deadly glare.