Alessia woke up to the sound of Odessa giggling. The room was so bright that she had to instinctively shut her eyes as a response to the brightness causing a momentary disorientation. Finally adjusting to the sudden brightness, Alessia sat up.
"Good morning" Irene was the first to greet. "Good morning Irene, how have you been?" She asked her. She didn't even know Irene was in the room until she greeted. "I've been good" Irene responded. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE" Odessa said as she pounced on Alessia. Smiling, she hugged her friend back "thank you" Alessia said. "You came early" Alessia told her. "Of course, it's your big day and also I got your text" she said waving the phone in her hand. "So what's my reward for coming early" Odessa asked jokingly. "You get to dress me up" Alessia said laughing out loud. 'Knock knock' just then they heard a knock on the door. Before Alessia could ask who it was, Odessa said "it's your mom". "Oh" Alessia replied. "Come in". Ophelia walked in with a large box in her hand.
"Good morning mom" Alessia said as she rushed towards her and delivered a bone crushing hug. "Good morning dear" Ophelia said using her free hand to rub Alessia's head. "Happy birthday* Ophelia told her. "Thank you so much mom" Alessia said to her. "Good morning Luna" Irene greeted Ophelia. Ophelia smiled at her and responded "Good morning".
Odessa pounced on Ophelia "Good morning mama". "Good morning Odessa, how are you?" she asked. "I'm good".
Odessa took the box from Ophelia's hand "Oh My! another present for you Lessia" she said excitedly "hurry, come and unbox it, Quick!" She urged Alessia. "Why don't you do me the honors? Unbox it" Alessia said to her. She knows how much her friend enjoys unboxing presents. "Oh My!!! are you serious?" She asked happily. "Yes, go on" Alessia replied. "Alright" and with that Odessa fixed her gaze on the box "let's see what do we have here". When she was done unboxing, she was stunned in place. Alessia was also surprised with what she saw inside the box. Inside the box was a beautiful white pair of heel with a set of matching jewelry. It was so beautiful. "Do you like it?" Ophelia asked anxiously. "Are you kidding? I love it" Alessia said excitedly. She had her breakfast, brushed her teeth and took her bath. With Ophelia's and Odessa's help she got dressed. Odessa arranged her hair. She let loose Alessia's full waist length thick wavy hair and curled it. Irene worked on Alessia's make up. She did light makeup on her as Alessia wasn't a fan of makeup. Irene did a nude no makeup-makeup look on her. Alessia was asked to close her eyes throughout the entire process. Ophelia placed a tiara on her head and with that she was asked to open her eyes. She opened her eyes and saw her own reflection in the dressing mirror, creating a moment of self-awareness. Stunned, she was unable to speak 'I'm I really the one?' She asked herself. Meanwhile Odessa, Irene and Ophelia couldn't help but shower her with endless praises and compliments, expressing their admiration for her.
They heard a knock outside, Odessa happily opened the door. "Good morning babe" she said hugging the man at the door. "Good morning my love" Meher greeted back smiling at her and he kissed her. "Alright, alright, alright now that's enough" Alessia said rolling her eyes at them. "Happy birthday baby girl, you know I love you" he said going over to hug her. "I know" Alessia said hugging him back with a smile on her face. "Hey mom" he said to Ophelia. She just nodded smiling at him. "You look really beautiful Lessia. So tell me, how did you get all of this" he asked pointing to the things on Alessia. "Mom got them for me" Alessia said excitedly. "Mom?" Meher, Said and Richard asked simultaneously. Said and Richard had just arrived at the door of her room which was left ajar all thanks to Odessa. "Yes, mom" she said laughing. "That's good" Meher said with a bright smile on his face. "Wow Alex, you look...you look really beautiful. Happy birthday and I love you" Said told her as he walked over to hug her. "Aww, I love you too and you look good yourself". "Yes, you all look good obviously you're carrying my genes" Ophelia said playfully rolling her eyes at them. They laughed. Irene had left the room before Richard and Said came in. She announced at the entrance to Alessia's bedroom "it will soon be time" and she left. Richard had this uneasy feeling for some reasons unknown to him. He had to shake this feeling out. "You look beautiful Alessia. And oh, Happy birthday" he said smiling gently at her. "Thank you Richard. Come here" she said to him opening her arms. They hugged.
"Okay I'll be heading out first" Meher declared. I'm coming with you Said told him. And they left with Richard. "I'll need to join your dad. We will be waiting for you at the ball room". Ophelia told Alessia, hugged her and left the room. "Seems like it's just you and me" Odessa said to her. "Thank you so much" Alessia told her. "Anything for you. How are you feeling?" Odessa asked seriously seeing the expression on Alessia's face. "To be honest, I'm anxious, scared and I think I'm having a cold feet". "You'll be alright, I'll be there with you". With that Odessa hugged Alessia.
Few minutes later, Irene came in to call Alessia, it was time for her to make her debut, time for her to walk into the ball room. A walk that will determine her fate because her every move will be monitored by many and different people any mistake will likely solidify her place as a pathetic being. She left her room with Odessa by her side and they stood at the entrance of the door. Odessa went behind her and picked up her gown. Alessia understood Odessa's plan immediately. She was afraid of doing the walk-in alone and Odessa knew this but walk-in's are meant to be done alone. You can only be escorted by someone if there are plausible reasons. So Odessa picking up her gown from behind was a way of giving the on lookers an excuse for escorting her throughout the walk-in. The gown was actually very long but she could move freely in it. She felt moved by Odessa's action that she was almost at the verge of tears. "Thank you" she whispered to Odessa. "I'll accompany you through it all. Don't cry you'll ruin your makeup". 'That's right, I can't be crying now' with that she forced back her tears and a beautiful smile graced her face. Just then she heard her dad calling her name and the door before her opened. She placed both hands at the side of her dress lightly picking it up. She squared her shoulders and the look in her eyes became fiercer. Still with a beautiful and gentle smile on her face, she started her walk-in. She walked into the ballroom under the speculating eyes of many people around but she still walked in elegantly carrying herself like a queen. She didn't falter at all. She appeared calm and unfazed on the surface but she was a nervous wreck on the inside. Alessia walked all the way to the stage where Dominic and Ophelia stood with Odessa behind her. Looking at Ophelia her smile deepened. Getting to the stage, Dominic took Alessia's hand and whispered "you look lovely". She mouthed a 'thank you' to him. Taking her hands he put the microphone back on his mouth and he declared "this is my daughter, Alessia Alexander Arthur and you're welcome to her eighteenth birthday ball celebration". He continued "the party can now fully begin" he said finally and they left the stage to greet the guests.
Starlette was present and was besides herself with anger.
Just then Dylan arrived. Starlette's mood improved. She went over to strike a conversation. "Alpha Midnight pack, you came" She said to him. He turned to face her because he was discussing with his gamma and personal assistant. "I did" he responded. "You look good". she complimented expecting to hear him compliment her back but instead he responded with a dry "okay". Before she could speak further Meher and Said came to welcome him they shook hands and spoke. Richard came over towards Said's side. He didn't look well at all. "You don't look good" Said declared. "I'm not. I've been feeling uneasy for sometime now". "Then go take a rest, I'm sure Alessia would understand". "I can't leave. For some weird reasons I feel like something I've been searching for is here, something really important. If I go I might regret. My wolf is really restless" he said sweating profusely and feeling frustrated. "You're feeling it to?" Dylan asked Richard. "Your description is similar to mine the day I met my mate. My wolf was restless to the point where I couldn't keep him in he came out and I saw her in my wolf form" Meher replied. "It can't be right?" Richard questioned no one in particular. "Well you never can tell" Meher replied. Richard was feeling really nervous and frustrated. "Wait a minute, you said you were feeling samething" Meher said turning to face Dylan. "Yes,ever since I arrived".
At exactly twelve noon both Dylan and Richard declare "mate" with darker eyes facing Irene. The hall instantly fell silent. 'What was happening?' Obviously the men had located their mate but what was even more terrifying was the fact that they where both looking at one direction, at one person. 'How can it be?' That was the question on everyone's mind. Irene looked guilty.
Meanwhile Dylan was utterly confused. He's whole life he has craved for a mate and now he has seen her, he will be sharing her with someone else. 'No, impossible.I can't take it' he growled inwardly. And with that he walked towards her. Grabbing her hand he noticed something. Richard seen this wasn't happy at all, 'why was another man touching his mate?' He asked himself. Just then the cup in Alessia's hands fell to the ground and broke into pieces and started holding her head in serious pain. 'What is happening' she asked herself. Odessa held onto her worry written all over her face. Meher, Said, Dominic and Ophelia all had same expressions looking at her. "Alessia what's wrong?" Odessa asked. Although she whispered, everyone present were wolves so they all heard her. "I'm fine" Alessia said gasping for air. Richard was about to walk over to Dylan and snatch Irene's hand but Dylan let go of her hand before he could. Dylan turned to face Meher "I didn't feel any spark.The scent and connection isn't coming from her but..." He paused and said absentmindedly looking behind Irene "it's coming behind her. 'What? Behind her' everyone was stunned because the person behind Irene was Alessia. Odessa held her breath.
Almost immediately, Alessia lifted her head and "MATE" she growled looking at Dylan. Starlette almost passed out. So Dylan mistook Alessia for Irene all along. So all this while when he thought the scent and pull was coming from Irene, it was actually coming from Alessia. Coming back to their senses both Alessia and Dylan asked simultaneously "How Can It Be?"
Is Irene guilty of something? Oh yes, she is . "How Can It Be?" what do they mean by that? Look out for chapter 9 lovelies. Don't forget to drop your opinion in the comment section and follow AOprahh1 on Facebook to see Alessia's ball gown, shoe and Jewelry. Pls rate my work. Thank you for making this young girl's dream come alive, I'm grateful.