"Fuck." Is the only thing I can manage to say.

They threw me a surprise party. Why would they do this? Especially Alexa and Layla. They know how I feel about my birthday.

I fucking hate it...

"Happy birthday." My father says with a smirk on his face.

He slowly drags the silver blade across my stomach. I feel my flesh burn and hear the sizzle of my skin. The smell makes me want to gag, but I know if I do it'll be worse.

I may be immune to silver, but it still hurts like a bitch. It won't leave a scar, but if it could I'd be covered in them from head to toe. I bite my tongue to keep from screaming out. If I show any sign of weakness he'll make it so much worse.

He pulls the blade away and turns to the table. He sits the blade down and grabs a syringe. He flick it a few times and squirts a little of the purple liquid out.

"I got you a present." He smiles at me like he really believes it's a gift and not another tool to torture me.

My eyes widen in fear for only a split second before I mask my face again. But that spilt second was enough, he seen it.

He shakes his head "Tsk tsk tsk, Nova what have I told you about showing weakness?"

"Weakness means death." I quote the mantra he's beat into me.

"Exactly." He brings up the needle and plunges it into my neck.

I shake my head slightly to clear it. When I do I see Zane staring at me with concern in his eyes. Alexa and Layla have come up to me too. Once I look at them they both hug me.

"We're sorry, we just thought we could make you some happy birthday memories." Alexa whispers in my ear.

"Yeah, if you want to leave we can. You don't have to do this." Layla tells me.

I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding. "No it's okay. Maybe y'all are right, I should try to enjoy this."

Both girls squeal in my ear and I squince from it. Zane pulls me in for a hug and kisses me before whispering in my ear.

"Are you okay love?" I can hear the concern in his voice.

I smile and nod "I'll be fine."

'What's wrong love? Do you not like it?' He links me thinking I'd rather have a private conversation.

'It's nothing, honestly. We'll talk about it later, I promise.' I link back.

I don't want him to think I don't appreciate this. He simply nods and gives me one more kiss. Layla grabs my hand and pulls me from Zane.

"Come on, let's get you a drink." Layla says as she starts dragging me towards the bar that's set up.

I could definitely use a drink...

This place does look amazing, I'll give them that. There are tables and chairs scattered around the outside of a dance floor that's in the middle of the yard. There's a stage with a band playing on one side of the dance floor, and a bar set up directly across from it. And of course a giant banner that says 'Happy Birthday Luna'.

The girls and I make our way to the bar, with Zane following close behind. I turn back to look at him and he flashes me a smile. I smile back at him and turns to the girls as we make it up to the bar.

"Six tequila shots please." Layla tells the bartender with a flirty smile.

"Sure thing." He winks at her.

Me and Alexa both giggle and Layla rolls her eyes at us. "Not all of us have a mate yet. I can still have some fun." She sticks her tongue out at us.

"Oh trust me, we have fun with our mates." Alexa laughs and nudges me with her elbow and I just blush.

Layla just rolls her eyes again "Whatever you say."

Once the bartender finishes pouring the shots, he hands us two each "Here ya go ladies." He winks at Layla again and she blushes.

"Ooo, I think you like him." I taunt her.

"Oh, shut up." She playfully pushes my shoulder.

"To Nova!" Alexa cheers.

"To Nova!" Layla repeats.

"To me!" I giggle and we down both shots.

I see Zane order a beer and holds it up to cheer me. KC, Felix and some other guys walk up to him and they start their own conversation. Meanwhile Zara and Talia join us. We order more shots and after about eight shots each Alexa is wanting to dance.

Here go nothing...

All the girls head out to the dance floor while the boys stay by the bar talking. Me and Layla are dancing together and Alexa is between Zara and Talia. I look around and notice it's more than just our pack here.

"Hey, who's all here?" I shout to Layla over the music.

"Oh ya know, just a few people from neighboring packs. Mainly just the ranked members and some unmated members." She shouts back.

"Oh, okay." I reply.

Well that makes sense. Allied packs are always going to each other's events. Ranked members go to show respect or strengthen alliances. Unmated members go in hopes of finding their mate. Looking around now I do notice a few people from my pack, with what I'm assuming to be their newly found mates.

At least they're acting like newly found mates... clingy... ha...

This means that either their mate will join our pack, or they'll join their mates pack. It usually depends on who's higher ranking. It isn't always the female leaving their pack for their mates pack. For instance, I see one of our warriors with a woman who seems to be of higher ranking. I can tell by the powerful aura surrounding her. I'd assume she's a Gamma or Beta. So he'll probably join her pack.

After dancing for what feels like hours with Layla, I decide to head for the bar to get another drink. I shout at Layla letting her know where I'm going. She just nods and gives me a thumbs up as a guy from another pack comes up and starts dancing with her. She turns her backside to him and starts grinding on him as he holds onto her hips. I shake my head and laugh as I head towards the bar.

I wonder how she'll act when she finds her mate?

What I see when I finally break through the crowd as I approach the bar however, has me ready to kill someone. I feel my eyes glow as my blood boils. I feel the shift wanting to take over, but I push it down.

Some skanky ass she-wolf has her palm firmly planted on Zanes chest, as her other hand has a finger trailing down his chest. Zane isn't touching her, but he isn't exactly stopping her which further enrages me. I can see a panicked look on his face though, like he isn't sure what to do.

Oh hell fucking no!!!