As soon as we return to the dining room, I grab a glass on a tray that one waitress holds. This soupe de champagne that I ordered from Sara is honestly delicious - I would even say it is one hell of a killer. I empty my glass in one gulp. When another waiter passes in front of me, I put my empty glass on his tray and take a full one. I am about to drink it as fast as the first one when Eli sends me a calming picture of a green field mentally. I should calm down to prevent myself from binge drinking at my birthday party with lots of Alphas or future Alphas and their mates. Oh, and one royal member, just in case you forgot this detail...

That's okay, Liv. I need you to calm down; you remember? Everything's gonna be alright. Breathe in and breathe out.

Eli comes closer to me. His hand nudges my shoulder. As soon as I sense his touch on my skin, I am automatically more tranquil. Without a doubt, a twin brother is more efficient than soupe de champagne.

Then Eli and Julie have to leave to join my parents in my Dad's office.

They have to get a word with my parents as they are about to become the new Alpha and Luna of our pack, and my parents will leave soon after the party to travel. They want to visit some friends, to different places around the map. Or at least that is what is scheduled if nothing goes wrong tonight.

They leave me alone with Kate and Nick, who had joined the girls as we were out with Eli.

I breathe the fresh air as we are out with Kate and Nick. But, the idea of a problem cannot leave my mind. I hear that Kate and Nick are talking, but I don't listen. I didn't enjoy the idea of turning twenty, but it is finally worse than I could imagine. I can't even have my twin sharing this night with me.

Thankfully, the sweet smell of blooming flowers gets to my nose - one flower makes me feel out of danger tonight. Better than nothing. The perfume of this flower lets me go into some fantasies. I imagine I am in a green and peaceful meadow. There is a little pond with crystal clear water. A beautiful weeping willow stands some feet away, and a beautiful silver wolf is asleep near it. I walk towards her. She wakes up, and her beautiful gray eyes stare at me.

Before I reach the wolf, Kate's voice takes me out of my little haven.

"What do you think, Liv?" Kate asks me. She looks at me with benevolence.

"What?" I answer.

I have no idea what they were discussing. Why the hell did I have to dream awake? I am supposed to do my best to make them believe everything is fine, and I just dream awake like some kind of weirdo.

"Who do you think the bigwig is? He must be important with all the lycans here. Did you hear anything?" She looks at me with her two blue eyes, longing for answers.

"Sorry Kate, I was with you the whole time of the meeting. I don't know the details," I answer with the most sincere voice I can fake. I make no promises here. I don't want to lie more than I already do to my best friend. I think I can hide the potential nightmare that could happen. That's the least I can do to let her spend the night of her life - just like she's been longing for days.

"Really?" she insists with a super kitty look. I hate when she does that. Kate is good at making me disclose my secrets. I have to be stronger than her super cute kitty eyes.

"Yes, I'm sorry," I reply with a smile, actually convincing this time.

For one time in her life, she should let it go. I don't want to hide things, but I have no words to sound comforting. So what am I supposed to say?

Hey guys, do you want to hear something hilarious? A Prince is here because this entire party could turn to blood at any moment if some psycho decided to attack our pack for some fucking unknown reason. But don't worry! Enjoy the party.

Nope, for sure, it is a terrible idea.

Thankfully, the air is so comforting with this enchanting blooming flowers scent, again. As I breathe, I feel calmer and calmer. I need to get these plants: they are real magic on me. Maybe I can get high with this scent, just to forget this mess.

"Maybe that is some noble heir. It would be nice to spend the night with them." I turn to Kate and see the sexy grin on her face. She pushes me with her elbow to tease me. Here she is. I need to do my best, so she has a great evening. She likes to think that we will have a super charming meeting with our mates. This is why she wanted us to look perfect tonight. Unfortunately, I doubt I will find any boy to fall in love with tonight. Threats of my potential imminent death kinda kill the mood.

"Be careful, Kate. You're drooling," Nick laughs at Kate's words. He gets closer to me. I can smell his breath: whiskey puff is not my favorite one. That is even more valid when the owner is a drunk Nick. And Nick is more than wasted at this precise moment.

I go away from him and sit on the stone stairs. I look blankly in front of me, right into the forest. It seems so peaceful. How could someone want to attack us? Then I see some of our fighters walking near the trees. It reminds me that this is not some poor joke.

Kate sits by my side on the steps of the terrace after some minutes as she sees that I'm drowning back in my own thoughts. She seems a little bit worried.

"Are you okay, sweetie? You look so...," Kate asks while she puts her hand on my back to comfort me. I am so happy she is with me tonight. Kate has this gift to ease people. Even if it is not enough to make me forget everything tonight, I am sure I would be worse without her.

"I'm fine. I just feel weird and sad at the idea that Eli is becoming the new Alpha tonight. He will be so busy. He will have to meet Alphas out of the pack more often. I will be alone in the pack. I did not realize until now. I don't think I am prepared enough," I explain it with a soft, almost sad voice.

I am not entirely lying: I just speak the part that serves me best.

I already miss all these years that we spent together with no other worries but to laugh and spend time together.

We are symbiotic twins. Julie got it and let us spend much time together as she quickly understood that it was vital for both Eli and me, despite the strength of their mating bond.

Now, everything is about to change because of Eli's new responsibilities.

"Lucky you, you could come with me to my pack. I would never leave you alone. You could be by my side any second." Nick sits next to me and hugs me. I feel so bad as he touches me, almost submerged by nausea. His hand on my skin is practically painful. I should not have drunk that much as it makes me react badly. I try to compose and hide my disgust.

"Thanks, but no, Nick. I've got my job already in the pack," I answer and try to push him back. He starts to caress my arm: I feel my guts tighten. I'm gonna vomit if he keeps on being so close. I wholeheartedly need to be out of his touch: my body is crying for help. We need to get out of this trap. I feel like a fox, ambushed by hunters.

I try to push him more strongly. The result is not the one expected: he tightens his grip on me, his arm slipping from my shoulder to my back and ribs. My heart fastens, but not with pleasure. Instead, I feel unsteady, about to break: anger grows inside me.

"Let go, Nick. You're wasted," I tell him, trying to free me. My voice is a mixture of authority and fear. I want him to respect me as the Alpha's daughter I am, but I also know that I can't compete against a future alpha wolf being human.

"Come on, Liv. Don't be so prudish! You know you need me. I know you want me. You'll end up falling for me: why do you resist your fate?" He lets go. Or not.

I feel his hand which goes to my cheek: he turns my head to his. We have never been this close. His eyes can be quite captivating. But, tonight, they show no kindness: they show the wolf inside him. He is a predator, and I am the prey.

Surprisingly, this is not fear that increases my heart's pulse. On the contrary, as soon as I meet Nick's eyes, I realize the true nature of the feeling growing in my guts: This is enmity. True fury.

"Nick, get the fuck back of me." I feel my brain is burning, just like I'm going to rip his hand. I feel like Elijah tries to mind-link me, but I am just getting mad. Who the hell does he think he is in the end? I am not his mate: I will never be.

"Come on, Liv...". He tries to kiss me; I push him away. It appears it was more fierce than I wanted: he was sent several feet away.

I get up, then climb the steps of the terrace to get back inside. I feel so enraged at him. Maybe that's good if some royals are here to stop a war if I rip Nick's head in the end.

"Liv. Are you okay? He is just wasted. He does not realize his behavior". Kate follows me and tries to calm me down. Finally, her touch succeeds: my anger seems to fade. Plus, this sweet smell that I can catch again.

Still, this comforting feeling is ruined by a crazy aura I identify as Nick. I probably would shake if I was a wolf, just like I feel Kate is doing right now.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? When are you making your mind up that we are meant to be together? You're so fuckin' special. And you're mine". I hear Nick is up, ready to grab my back. Then I feel another presence, strong enough to make Nick stop. That's a powerful aura for sure. Kate stops shaking, but does not move her hand from me.

"I guess the young lady told you to let go."

I don't know this voice: he is not someone of our pack, nor that I've met before. It sounds calm but authoritative at the same time. I turn over. A real tall man is facing Nick, catching his arm firmly to prevent him from getting me. He does not look at me, but I can see dark green eyes. This face is ecstatic, perfectly sculpted by the Moon Goddess. Nick's voice takes me out of my artistic analysis of this incredible piece of art of a man.

"What the..." Nick starts. But the stranger shuts him up with nothing but his glance.

"I said, the lady told you to let her go."

I can feel that the man becomes more commanding. Nick stops talking and lowers his head, even if his mouth reveals his fury.

Kate grabs my hand. I can feel some shivers down her spine: she just looks at her feet, frozen by the man's presence.

"You should go back inside. The Alpha ceremony is about to start."

His voice sounds so relaxing and warm. The man releases Nick's arm and goes inside the dining room.

Without a look.

*