"Live every day like it's your last."

Running through the woods was when Alessandra felt the most peaceful. The wind brushing against her thick silver coat and the moonlight shining against her wolf was one of the most jubilant things she has experienced. Though this time when she was running, it wasn't for peace, it was for victory. She pushed her wolf to go faster than the white wolf in front of her.

The adrenaline that was pumping through her veins reminded her why she did this. When she was competing and running against someone, she felt free. There wasn't the constant strain of being the beta's daughter or the sister of the future Luna. It was all about her and herself alone. Her mouth was practically salivating when she saw how close the finish line was. With one last push, she propelled her wolf forward which placed her in front of her competitor.

Almost there.

When her paws crossed over the finish line, she felt it. The sweet taste it victory. Sadly it didn't last long because she soon began to miss the feeling of the adrenaline in her blood, the wind against her fur, and the moonlight providing her with the extra dose of strength she needed.

Her birthday was approaching and she knew sooner or later she would have to face the music.

"Alessandra Romano of beta-blood is the victor of this season's wolf race! She successfully defeated 3-year champion Kacy Falls of alpha-blood from the Silver Crest Pack. Please give a round of applause for the lady of the night!"

As the announcer's voice disappeared from the speakers, loud cheers broke out from the Blood Moon pack members as the Silver Crest members held their heads low.

Antonio Romano looked at his daughter with pride. He knew she would be a strong woman when she was sent home for punching Zane in the face in the third grade. Like the great father he was, he took her out to get ice cream after. No male makes fun of his daughter, alpha or not.

Alessandra finally managed to escape from the throng of people shouting her name with pride. The next race was about to begin between a wolf from Gold Creek and a wolf from Midnight. She didn't need to be trampled by competitive wolves. Though it's not like it would be much of a competition since everyone knew Midnight would win. They always did.

Alessandra always looked forward to the seasonal races between the packs of North America. It was a good way to ease the tension between the packs and definitely better than the "Friday Night Knockouts" that occurred for a brief period of time. Long story short, having werewolves fight each other was not a good idea.

Zane spotted Alessia from his seat where he was watching the race. He hated her even more than he did before. They never got along, but now that her fraternal twin had cheated on him he couldn't help but associate the two together. Thus the hatred he had for the green-eyed Romano only amplified the hate he had for the brown-eyed one. Even though they were twin sisters, without their last names he would never have guessed them to be related. Their personalities were way too different as well as their looks. Despite all of that, he was certain of one thing, he hated her as much as he hated her sister, if not more. If she could have just not looked incredibly sexy that night he wouldn't have been tempted to dance with her.

Whatever. He thought as he turned away from the female that awakened his anger and his nether region with a simple look.

"Alessia! Alessia!"

Alessandra heard her name being called, no, shouted in the hopes of catching her attention. She concluded since the voice came from the west it was most likely a pack member since Blood Moon always sat in the West direction of the grounds.

Though as the voice got closer she realized who it was. Jaden.

"Hey! I just-uh wanted to say congrats on the win,"

"Thanks, Jay," Alessandra responded curtly with the tone of finality that screams I want to get away from you. Sadly, Jaden did not pick up on this social cue.

"So I just-uh I—"

"Look Jaden I really have to get going so if you excuse me,"

"No, wait! I'm sorry that's what I wanted to say, I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"When we were dating, I shouldn't have cheated on you, but most importantly I shouldn't have cut you off and abandoned our friendship."

"Uh..."

"F and F?"

A smile broke out on Alessandra's lips as she remembered the silly "forgive and forget" tradition she and Jaden had started in 1st grade after he ruined her sandcastle. Jaden couldn't pronounce his r's so he had started saying "F and F" instead.

"I can't say no to that can I?"

Jaden enveloped her in a hug.

"I missed you."

Even with her hair muffling his words, she could hear the sincerity in them.

"Me too Jay, me too."

She wasn't lying when she spoke those words. Alessandra missed her best friend who she used to pull pranks with and have long talks. Sometimes it felt like he was the only one who understood her.

3 weeks later

Waking up to your best friends singing, no, yelling the happy birthday song to you is not the best way to start your day.

"Guys, come on, really?"

"What do you mean really? It's your birthday!" My bestie Callie replied.

Candace Lillian (Callie for short) was a strange wolf but the most loyal one a person could have the blessing of meeting.

"Alessia you might wanna get up your mom is already starting her shenanigans," said Jaden.

He was decked out in happy birthday accessories you would find at Party City. What a goof.

"Alessandra! "

Hearing my mother's voice so early in the morning would be normal, but on my birthday it only meant that the devil's door has opened.

"Guys if I don't make it, make sure there is tiramisu at my funeral!"

"Chill out Alessia you've made it through 17 birthdays, what's another going to do?"

"Jaden you dummy! This is her 18th birthday! She could meet her other half!"

Jaden just rolled his eyes in response.

I hated the term "other half." It only implied that I am not a whole person and needed another person to make me whole, but in reality, I am perfectly fine and I am whole.

Really Leya? Now is not the time.

Leya!

She left my mind, chuckling. Stupid wolf.

After a grueling four hours, Alessandra was ready for her grand entrance at the party. Her sister had already descended since she was older by six minutes and Alessandra's turn was coming up next. Isabel was rocking a long gold gown while Alessandra had gone for a sparkly champagne-colored dress.

Isabel's Dress

Alessandra's Dress

Alessandra walked down the stairs with grace and the members of Blood Moon actually dropped their jaws. It was a rare occasion to see the youngest Romano dressed up so extravagantly. They could not even recall the last time she wore a gown.

The clock was about to reach 7:04 P.M. which was the time of birth for Isabel, and also the time the cake would be cut for her. Everyone gathered around the cake and sang happy birthday as Isabel blew out her candles.

Soon 7:10 P.M. had arrived and it was time to cut the cake for Alessandra. Just as she was about to take a bite out of the chocolate cake from her father's hands, her eyes locked with another pair of brown ones.

The only problem was that the eyes in front of her held love for another woman, her sister.