Chapter THREE-HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The Next Day: October 15th, Ace and Rachel's Birthday
Ace POV
I was dreaming about the mysterious she-wolf again. Apollo and the she-wolf were running around and playing in the forest.
"Hey! Wake up, buddy, it's our birthday!" I jolted awake as I heard a howl in my head.
"What the..." I groaned and heard him chuckle.
"Apollo?" I asked as he howled delightfully.
"The same, buddy. How are you?" he asked as I didn't know what to say. I was speechless.
"Uh, Okay, I guess," I said as he snorted.
"Well, I can tell by your lack of response that you are shocked," Apollo said.
"Well, get up and get to training. We have much to do today," he said.
I got out of bed and walked into my bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face.
"You're our Father's twin," he said as he pushed forward, and my greenish-blue eyes glowed.
"Just got the curly hair," he laughed as I shook my head.
He gave me back control, and I walked out of my bathroom and into my closet. I wore gray shorts, a black tank top, and sneakers.
"Oh, Father's up," he said as I left my bedroom. The scents of my parents filled my nose, and I walked into the kitchen as my Mother made breakfast.
"Good morning, my handsome son," she said, kissing my cheek.
"Good morning, Mother," I said, smiling. Apollo pushed forward again as my eyes glowed.
"Mom," he said with a much deeper voice as my Mother turned and gasped. We watched her eyes shine as her wolf, Solaris, came forward.
"My pup!" she howled. She hugged me as our wolves communicated and got to know each other.
"What's all the commotion?" my Father said as he walked into the kitchen with my little sister behind him.
"Dad," Apollo said. We watched his eyes glow as Ares came forward.
"Son! My boy!" Ares howled. He hugged me and messed up my hair.
"Dad," I sighed as he chuckled.
"I'm proud of you, son."
"I've been proud of you since the day you were born. I can't wait to see what your wolf looks like," he said, making me smile.
My dad was always my hero, and he taught me everything there is to know about being an Alpha. I hugged my Father again as he patted my back and heard Mom sniffle.
"Don't cry, Mom," I said as she shook her head.
"My baby boy is growing up," she said, wiping her tears. I hugged my Mother and kissed her cheek. She sighed happily.
"I must get to training, or I'll be late," I chuckled and grabbed a water bottle, granola bar, and a banana.
"See you guys later," I called out as I left the suite.
I took the elevator down to the first floor and stepped out, and Carlito and Julio walked over to me.
"Happy birthday, bro," they both said.
"Thanks, guys. Ready to get to training?" I asked as they nodded.
"I'm ready to party tonight. I hope you find your mate," Carlito said as Julio nodded. I sighed as we walked out of the castle and to the training field.
"I hope so too, guys," I said as Apollo paced inside my head.
Lotus Shadow Pack:
Rachel POV
I had the same dream about the white wolf. We ran through the forest again before he could pin me on the ground.
"Wake up, beautiful," I jolted awake and looked around my room.
"What in the..." I said as the voice snickered.
"Hello, Rachel," the melody and sweet voice spoke as my eyes widened.
"Who are you?" I asked as she chuckled.
"Well, a good morning would be appreciated."
"My name is Rayne."
"I'm your wolf," I gasped and squealed as she howled delightfully.
"Good morning, Rayne," I said, and she ran circles inside my head.
"I'm ready to meet my mate," she pranced and howled excitedly.
"He should be here in an hour," I giggled, but Rayne didn't share my enthusiasm. I got up and headed to my bathroom to shower and start my day.
"Happy birthday, Rachel," Rayne howled in my head as I smiled.
"Happy birthday, Rayne," I said.
After my shower, I walked into my closet and put on a nice white loose camisole shirt and dark blue skinny jeans with white heels. I did my makeup and put my hair into a high ponytail. I grabbed my cell, exited my bedroom, and headed down the stairs to the dining room.
"Mom?" I called out.
"In here, dear," she said as I entered the dining room.
I sat at the table as one of the omegas served me breakfast. My Mother was eating breakfast, sitting far from my Dad. Something was happening, but I didn't dwell on it too long.
"Morning, Mother and Father," I greeted my parents. My Dad had the usual scowl as he sipped his coffee, while my Mother smiled at me.
"Morning dear, happy birthday," she said, smiling as I thanked her as I looked at my Father, and he scoffed.
My Father had always wanted a son, and when they found out I was going to be a girl, he threw a fit and left my Mother alone in the hospital. I felt that he had resented me ever since. I sighed and began to eat my breakfast.
"Morning, all," I heard Silas's deep voice as he walked into the room.
I looked into those chocolate-brown eyes as he stared at me. Rayne was silent, and Silas's scent was still the same. I sighed.
"Good morning, Silas," I said as he gave me a strange look.
"Upset, we are not fated mates?" he asked, and I nodded.
"I told you I would still take you as my chosen Luna, baby," he said, smiling, and I smiled back. I finished my breakfast and got up.
"Where are you going?" my Father asked as I turned around and looked at him.
"To hang out with Chloe and Amber," I said as my Father's eyes widened.
"I don't like you hanging out with that Amber girl."
"She's a warrior's daughter and has no place with ranked members," he growled.
I looked at my Mother as she sat quietly, sighed, and nodded to my Father as I walked out of the dining room. I left the pack house and headed toward Chloe's house, where I knew Amber was, so that we could hang out.
Silas POV
I had arrived back at the Lotus Shadow pack to see Rachel. I knew she wasn't my mate, although she was still a nice fuck. I had to keep up the pretenses so she wouldn't suspect anything. My wolf Spike took a little liking to her, but he still pined for his fated mate, and it always gives me a goddess damn headache.
"I'm an Alpha, for goddess sake. I can't show weakness for a human woman," I thought as Spike growled.
"Be quiet, mutt," I told him as we entered the pack house, and I followed Rachel's scent to the dining room.
"Morning, all," I said to the ranked members and looked at Rachel.
She was upset we weren't fated mates, but I told her I would still take her as my chosen Luna. That made her smile as she got up and prepared to leave the packhouse. Her Father scolded her about hanging out with Amber.
I was the same way, although I wouldn't say that in front of Rachel. We are ranked members for a reason. After Rachel left, Alpha Blake invited me to his office to discuss merging the packs.
"Have you brought the contract?" he asked.
"The lawyer just finished it this morning."
"Once Rachel and I are mated and marked. Everything will be set," I told him as he nodded.
I passed the envelope to Blake, who opened it and pulled the papers out. He skimmed over everything before signing his name and daughter to me. I smiled proudly as Blake slid the papers over, and I signed my name. We shook hands and decided to go out to celebrate.
Blue Eclipse Pack:
Ace POV
After training, Carlito, Julio, Tobias, Adonis, and I all hung out in the game room. I played Call of Duty with my brother and Carlito while Julio and Tobias played pool. We were so into the game that we lost track of time.
"You boys have an hour to get ready for the party," my Dad said through the mind-link.
"Oh shit," I said, jumping up.
"Guys, we must go get ready, or we will be late," I said as we quickly cleaned up and scrambled out of the game room.
I quickly rushed to the elevator with my brother and the guys hot on my heels. We rode the elevator up to each floor as Carlito and Julio got off on their respective floors, and Adonis and I finally made it to the last floor. We rushed to our suite to get ready.
"See you in a bit, bro," Adonis said as he entered his bedroom.
After quickly showering and drying off, I rushed to my closet, pulled out my Gucci black three-piece suit, and dressed. I had finished buttoning my royal blue vest and adjusted my matching tie. I put on my stylish black loafers and ran my fingers through my curls, giving them a messy look. I looked in my mirror and smiled.
"Looking good, Alpha," Apollo said.
"Thanks, buddy," I smiled.
"Ace! Where are you?!" I heard my Mother shout through the link.
"Coming, Mom," I linked her back as I left my bedroom.
I ran into Adonis on the way out, and he was wearing a tailored dark gray suit with a royal blue vest and tie.
"Looking good, bro," I winked at him and ruffled his curls.
"Hey!"
"Knock off it, bro," he said, fixing his hair. I chuckled. We got into the elevator and rode it down to the first floor.
"Happy Birthday," he told me as we reached the first floor and walked outside toward the back patio area.
"Thanks, little brother," I said, patting his back.
"Ace!" my Father shouted through the link.
"I'm here. Geez!" I said, getting annoyed.
As we walked through the decorated arch, my mouth hung open, and my eyes widened. Mom and Dad had gone all out for my birthday. A six-tiered cake was decorated in the pack colors, various foods, a personal DJ, decorated tables, and pack members dancing.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ACE!" everyone shouted as I smiled.
I greeted the pack members and thanked them for their birthday wishes.
"Hey, kid," I heard a deep voice and saw my Uncle Acilio and Aunt Willow walking toward us with my cousins.
"Uncle, Acilio!" I shouted as he hugged me.
I greeted my Aunt Willow and my cousins Spencer, Wendy, and Waverly.
"Finally, 18, huh," I nodded as my Uncle patted my back.
"I'll say he grew a few inches, too," I heard a chuckle and turned to see my Uncle Seth and Aunt Rose with Samson and Sergio behind them. I hugged them as my Aunt kissed my cheek.
"So handsome, like his giant Father," I laughed as Dad turned and scowled at my Aunt Rose.
"You like the name giant."
"Don't be such a prude," she said, smacking his chest.
"Okay, Rosebud, you asked for it," she squealed as my Father chased her and made us all laugh.
Apollo was pacing and whimpering in my head a few hours into the party and many plates of food. My skin felt hot and itchy.
"What's with you?" I asked.
"It's time," he said.
"Dad?" my Father turned to me. I felt sweat on my brow and took off my jacket, vest, and tie. I unbuttoned the buttons on my shirt.
"Yeah," he looked at me.
"It's time," I said as my Mother started crying.
"Mom, please, enough with the tears," I told my Mother.
"She needs to be there," Apollo said.
"Dude, I can't have my Mom seeing me naked," I said as he rolled his eyes and growled.
"Get over it, cupcake."
"We need our Mother," he said, and I sighed.
"Mom, we need you, too," I said as her face lit up, and she smiled.
My Father, Mother, and I walked into the forest behind the castle. My Father went behind a tree and shifted to Ares. It constantly amazed me when Dad shifted into his massive all-black wolf.
"Wow, Dad, I will never get over how magnificent your wolf is," I said, touching his fur as he purred.
My Mother went next and shifted to Solaris. I always loved how snow-white her fur is. She came over, licked my face as I smiled, and ran my hands through her silk-soft fur.
"Get ready," Apollo said as I went behind a tree and stripped off the rest of my suit.
I walked back out as my Mother turned around.
"Thanks, Mom," I said as her wolf huffed out, and I chuckled.
My Dad stared at me as we waited. It wasn't long until I felt the first pop, and my knees buckled as I dropped to the ground, panting.
"Don't fight me, Ace," Apollo panted. I grunted as another bone popped out and was reshaped.
"Ah," I shouted as my limbs were reshaping and taking the form of my wolf. I closed my eyes tightly as the pain was too much.
"You're okay," I heard my Father's voice through the link.
After a few minutes, I felt fur sprout, and my limbs became my wolf. I heard a gasp and lifted my head.
"Oh, goddess Ace!" my Mother shouted through the link.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing, we shifted perfectly," Apollo said. I tried to stand and fell.
"Take your time," my Father encouraged me.
After a few tries, we mastered standing on four paws. Apollo scented the other members as everyone approached.
"Woah!" I looked at Adonis, and Apollo tilted his head.
"Bro! Geez, wow," he shouted. Anastasia was also stunned as she walked forward and ran her fingers through Apollo's fur, making him purr and lick her face.
"Ewe, Apollo," Ana giggled as my eyes widened.
"How did she know your name?" I asked curiously.
"Our sister is special."
"Just wait and see," Apollo said as our parents came forward and sniffed us.
"So, Apollo."
"Great name for the future Alpha," our Dad said as Mom rubbed against us and barked. I noticed everyone staring and looking like they were sweating.
"What's going on?" I asked my Dad. He chuckled.
"Maybe you should see for yourself," Dad said and tapped my head with his paw as a sign of tag.
Dad and Mom ran into the forest. Apollo howled and took off after them. We chased our parents and sniffed their scents with our noses. Playing chase and watching our parents be free and one with nature was fun. Once we caught up to our parents. It was a full-on game of tag and chasing wildlife.
We came before the lake and took a sip of water. When Apollo looked at our reflection, I gasped. Apollo's fur was pure white, and he was massive—the same size as Dad.
Apollo
"You're in for a special surprise," Apollo said.
"Why is that?" I asked curiously.
"Because we have powers like our Mother," Apollo howled as my eyes widened.
"Oh, fuck," I said.
Lotus Shadow Pack:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RACHEL!" the pack members shouted as I arrived at my party.
Mom had gone all out for me. I looked around and noticed my Father wasn't in attendance.
"He's not here, dear," my Mother mind-linked me, and I sighed.
I could hear the sadness in my Mother's voice. I knew my Father resented me because I wasn't the son he wanted, but to miss yet another birthday was taking a toll on my self-esteem.
"Everything will be okay, Rachel," Rayne said as a tear slipped from my eye, and I quickly wiped it away. Chloe and Amber ran up to me and hugged me.
"Hey, are you okay?" Amber asked, and I shook my head.
"My Dad missed another birthday," I said as they rolled their eyes and comforted me.
"Not to be a bitch, but your Dad is a real jerk," Chloe said as I sighed.
At least I had my wolf, Mother, and two best friends to make my unpleasant birthday more enjoyable. We danced, ate food and cake, and laughed. Tonight was not so bad.
I looked around for Silas, noticed he was missing, and sighed. I looked at Chloe and Amber, seeing they were whispering about something. They must have felt me staring because they looked at me and smiled.
"Hey, none of that, okay?"
"We are having fun," Chloe said.
"Are you ready to meet me, Rachel?" Rayne asked. I controlled my emotions and walked into the forest behind the packhouse with my Mom, Chloe, and Amber.
"You're my brave girl," my Mother said, holding my cheeks and looking into my eyes. I kissed her cheek and went behind a tree to strip off my dress.
"I'm ready, Rayne," I told my wolf as I stepped out and looked at my Mother and friends.
It wasn't long before my skin became hot and itchy. I screamed as I felt the first pop and dropped to my knees.
"Don't fight me, Rachel," Rayne panted. I felt the next pop and whimpered.
"Be strong, my daughter," my Mother told me.
I lay on the ground as my bones popped out of place and reshaped. I felt fur sprout, and my limbs became my wolf. After a few minutes, we lay on the ground, panting and whimpering.
"Oh!" I heard Chloe and Amber squeal. Rayne lifted her head and looked at everyone.
"Oh, Rachel, you are beautiful," my Mother told me. I tried to stand and fell.
"It's okay, baby, take your time," my Mother said in the link. After a few tries and wobbly steps, we got the hang of standing on four paws.
"This feels weird," I said to Rayne as she snickered.
"Let's look," she said as we walked to the lake.
Rayne looked into the water, and I gasped. Rayne was a light gray with deep forest green eyes.
Rayne
"Rayne. We are so beautiful," I said.
"Awe, thanks, babe," Rayne said, wagging her tail.
I chuckled, and we walked around for a while. Rayne was getting familiar with the territory as the various wildlife moved around the forest. I also noticed she was a bit large, but that was to be expected for an Alpha. Chloe and Amber couldn't shift yet, but Mom did as Sage walked forward and initiated a game of chase.
We played for a while as Chloe and Amber watched and giggled. After our Mother-daughter playtime, Mom and I shifted back and put on our clothes. We headed back to the party to enjoy the rest of the night.