Author's note: this is from Cristina's point of view

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I was ecstatic when Zoe invited me to Luca's birthday party. I never went to France or spent time on the beach, and that sounded like a dream of every sixteen years-old girl (werewolves included).

I was feeling slightly reluctant when I remembered that I'm not really friends with Luca, but the lure of fun on a sandy beach and a blue sea was too strong and it overpowered everything else.

The only obstacles were my parents who are overprotective of me and my siblings. I am the second oldest out of five children, with an older brother, two younger sisters, and another brother as the youngest one. We are a tight family, sharing happiness and hardships, and always worrying about each other.

I can't blame them as after the war many of our people died and since then the situation is not the most stable one. My youngest brother was only a few months old when the Bluemoon pack fell apart, sending ripples of chaos through the werewolf communities.

Yes, we are part of one of the biggest packs in the area, the Dawnguards pack, and Alpha Jordan ensures we are a well-functioning group with our territory being guarded meticulously. But there are still incidents of people missing and hunters 'accidentally' killing one of our own.

Zoe helped me sway my parents into letting me come by giving them details on the plans, where we will be, and how they can reach me. However, the tipping point for them was the information that Lazarus will accompany us as a guardian.

My father repeated several times that I should do my best to impress Lazarus.

I never saw Lazarus before, so I had no idea what the big deal is, but when I met him I realized that his aura was more oppressive than Alpha Jordan's and he was not even trying. How come he doesn't have a pack?

Being on a first-name basis with an individual like Lazarus is something to be proud of. Too bad that I have no idea how to initiate a conversation with him without sounding stupid.

I am shy by nature and Lazarus makes me feel small and insignificant to the point that I don't dare look at him in the eyes. That's the power of an Alpha.

Lazarus aside, coming to France was a blast so far.

The villa, the pool, the beach, the food, the mood, everything was fantastic and way better than I imagined it to be.

No wonder Zoe is gushing how she wants to follow Seraphina. She can be a bodyguard and enjoy this life of luxury without an Alpha hanging over her head and issuing orders through the mind link.

I don't have anything against Alphas. They are at the top of our hierarchy, and they guarantee our lives are prosperous by making sure everyone is doing their part. But the idea of how I need to train and go patrolling and fighting rogues gives me goosebumps. I am not a fighter and as much as I admire seeing warriors train and clash while comparing their strength, I prefer staying on the bleachers and cheering them on.

Unfortunately, in the Dawnguards pack, everyone needs to be a warrior first and everything else comes second. Of course, I don't have a choice in that matter and if I object I will be seen as a rebel and someone who is challenging Alpha's authority.

I didn't feel this pressure before, but three months ago I shifted fully into my wolf form and since then I am required to attend daily trainings.

People are saying how werewolves are in decline in the last decade, and no one is addressing the fact that maybe we are declining because everyone is focusing only on building strength and military while neglecting other aspects of our lives.

This vacation was an opportunity for me to unplug and enjoy. Even Alpha Jordan approved my absence. I had to notify trainers about my upcoming absence and somehow that reached my Alpha's ears, probably because my father boasted how I'm going on a vacation with Lazarus.

I thought that this will be a few days of relaxing on the beach, collecting seashells, swimming, and dancing, and I didn't expect the treat of watching two powerhouses clashing.

It was my first time to see a fight between two Alphas and it was spellbinding even though it ended abruptly. It's not that I crave bloodshed, but I thought that they will keep going as long as one can still stand. Based on what I heard, that's how Alpha's fights usually end.

Zoe told us that Drago is human, and even though my wolf said the same, I had my doubts.

Most of the werewolves would have trouble keeping up with Lazarus in a fight, and there is no way that a mere human could accomplish such a feat. Besides, during the fight, Drago's aura was even more oppressive than Lazarus's and that says a lot.

However, other than that fight, I didn't sense anything unusual from Drago. He was just a regular guy with eyes only for Seraphina. I envied her for that, and I hope that one day I find a guy who looks at me like that.

After cake, a lot of dancing, and chilled drinks, our attention was drawn toward the beach where grills started releasing an irresistible aroma. None of us refused the silent invitation that promised us a treat to our taste buds, and we all trickled down to the beach that greeted us with a glistening water surface that shimmered in yellows and oranges under the colors of the descending sun.

Everyone was crowding around the food that the staff prepared for us, but the wide beach was inviting me, so I filled a plate with delicious meat and walked further away from the noise to eat in peace while watching the commotion from afar.

Zoe was comical.

She had to make a point that she gets first picks, even though everything was perfectly grilled and delicious.

If I didn't know better, I would think this was Zoe's party and not Luca's.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Zoe gave Luca the first plate she carefully filled with grilled meat. After this small act of caring for her brother (aka the birthday boy), Zoe returned to her usual self.

Zoe is such a slob. She was talking loudly and stuffing her face with food, letting the juices fall down her chin, but I love her for not caring about what others think.

Well, there is one person who can jolt Zoe, and that is Ash. She gushes over him, saying how they are mates, and she can't wait for her wolf to confirm it.

Last night, I asked Zoe if Ash's wolf told him that Zoe is his mate. In most cases, our wolves will tell us if we met our mate after our full shift and it's usually no later than the eighteenth birthday unless something is off. Considering that Ash can shift fully for nearly a year, I assumed that he should know that Zoe is his mate.

However, Zoe told me that she asked Ash not to confirm or deny it because she wants to find out herself. I thought that was odd, but there are many things about Zoe that are… different.

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