CHAPTER FORTY SIX - HAPPY BIRTHDAY(part one)

CHAPTER FORTY SIX - HAPPY BIRTHDAY(part one)
MONA’S POV

I woke up the next morning to the sound of loud trumpets blaring outside and the maids pushing open my door singing happy birthday.

“Happy birthday, dear Mona…” they sang as I sat up on my bed, feeling a mix of irritation that they had woken me up so early and excitement that they had thought to do this.

My father had probably put them up to this but still it was nice. It was nice to feel special on my birthday.

Back when I lived with my mom, we barely had enough money to do anything like this and my mom used to feel so bad that she couldn’t do anything for me so I stopped bringing up the fact that it was my birthday. 

But now, for the first time, I could truly enjoy myself without feeling like a pauper.

“How old are you now?” The maids continued to sing as I stood up happily, blushing like a fool. 

“I am eighteen years old,” I replied happily and they clapped. 

“We are truly happy for you Miss Mona,” One of the maids said, her eyes glinting sincerely. “We hope that you have an amazing day, especially today as you will pick the Alpha that will continue to lead our pack to greatness.”

My smile faded as I realised the depth of her words. She was right—today was the day.

The day I stopped being just Mona.

“Mona, my dear girl,” My father called out and I turned to find him standing in my door frame, with a proud smile on his face.

“Dad,” I replied, feeling emotional as he walked towards me, pulling me into his arms for a warm hug. 

“Happy eighteenth birthday,” he said, kissing my forehead “I hope you have the most amazing day.”

“I will,” I said, blinking back tears. My heart felt full. I never imagined that I had a father, but now I had found him and he was the best father a girl could hope for.

The past months I had spent here with him had been amazing. He had changed my story from grass to grace and I was always going to be grateful for him.

“Freshen up and come downstairs, the maids have prepared a fantastic breakfast filled with all your favorites.”

I nodded at him, feeling overcome with happiness. “Okay, I will be there in a moment.”

As my father and the maids left my room,  I turned towards my mother’s urn wishing she was here to see me this happy.

“I miss you, Mum,” I whispered, my eyes lingering on the urn. A gentle warmth bloomed in my chest—as if she were here beside me, silently reminding me that she never truly left.

I came downstairs to find the maids in the process of redecorating the house, even the stairs had been adorned with ornaments. 

I found my dad, staring disapprovingly at the decorations in the living room. “I don’t like it, redo the entire thing!!!” 

“Wow dad,” I commented with a smile. “I don’t think it looks that bad, besides it's just my birthday.” 

“No Mona,” My father replied. “It is not just your birthday. Today signifies a new dawn for the pack, the day a new leader would be crowned.”

Yeah I know, I wanted to yell at him. You have never let me forget it.

“You still haven’t told me something dad,” I said, stepping closer to him. “What happens to you after I choose, where will you live?”

He smiled at my question, pushing a strand of hair away from my face. “I will move to a private cabin behind the house, that is where I plan to spend the rest of my days.”

For some reason the idea that my father was going to die at some point terrified me, I didn’t think I could stand the idea of losing another parent.

Just then a guard dropped a flower vase, shattering it into pieces. 

“What the hell do you think you are doing?!” my father yelled at him. “If any other object breaks I would be taking it out of your salary.”

He turned back to me with a stressed smile. “Go and have your breakfast, I will see you later.”

“Try not to stress yourself too much,” I advised, leaving him with the servants.

Evening arrived quicker than I anticipated, and suddenly I was standing in front of a mirror, staring at the stunning person reflected back at me.

I was dressed in a long, body fitting emerald gown, with a slit that started from my upper thigh down to the end of the gown. My long brown hair had been curled and styled into an updo. My face was lightly made up, with red lipstick, that highlighted my green eyes.

I didn’t feel like Mona anymore, I felt like a real woman.

I wasn’t sure what I did to deserve this change in fortune, but here I was, finally getting a happy ending after my years of misery.

The door to my room creaked open and my father stepped in with a proud smile on his face. 

“You look absolutely lovely,” he complimented and I blushed, still staring at my reflection.

“I don’t know if I am really ready for tonight,” I confessed as he came up to my side. “I don’t think I am going to like it if things change around here. 

He placed a hand on my shoulder reassuringly. “Things are only going to change for the better, you will see, after you choose an Alpha and our pack is protected, you will be able to spend the rest of your life with the man you love.”

Love, that felt like too strong an emotion to describe what I felt for Aster. I mean, I liked him and I thought he would make an amazing Alpha, but did I really love him? 

Had I ever even been in love before? 

“Your mother would be so proud of you,” my father continued to gush. Suddenly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewellery box. 

I watched him unbox it and pull out a diamond necklace. “Dad, that is so beautiful.” I exclaimed.

He gave me a sad smile, “It belonged to your mother…” he turned to me, placing it on my neck and clasping it shut. “And now, it is yours.”

“What?!” I exclaimed in shock. “Really?”

“Yes Mona,” he smiled at me. “Now let’s go out there and show the pack their new Luna.”

Everywhere was stunning, the stairs were lined with flowers and golden lights, making me feel like a fairy as I descended down, looking around in excitement. 

My father had definitely gone above and beyond on the decorations. Gold and silver lights dipped from the chandelier, making the living room appear even more majestic than usual.

I walked into the ballroom hand in hand with my father and I couldn’t help but gasp as I took in the sight in front of me.

A live orchestra was playing a birthday song lightly. Guests were already seated around the edges of the room, all dressed elegantly in formal wear. I spotted Vera in the front row, with a bright smile on her face. “You look absolutely beautiful,” she mouthed, melting my heart. 

Everyone was watching me as I entered and I was watching everyone, especially Luka who sat beside his father Gamma Ethan, with a soft look on his face. I hadn’t seen him since the party and now, staring at the hopefulness in his eyes, I couldn’t bear to keep looking at him. 

Aster wasn’t too far away, he was also seated at the front with his father, Beta Isa. his blue eyes locked on mine, staring at me so intently that it felt like he could burn through my skin. 

This was it, my heart said.

I was finally going to make my choice.

My father walked me to the front of the room, where our chairs sat, facing the intimate audience in front of us.

“We are gathered here today, to celebrate two very special occasions. One is the birthday of my daughter, Mona Togarde and the second is the crowning of the next Alpha.” At the sound of his words, the crowd erupted in a loud cheer.

“But before we start, let’s have our pack performer….” 

The rest of my father’s words fizzled out as I suddenly felt a sharp pain on my wrist, where that golden symbol was. 

I held on to my wrist, unable to breathe properly through the pain. 

What the hell is happening now? 

I felt like I needed to get out of there and find somewhere I could distract myself from whatever was going on.

“I’m sorry dad,” I whispered. “But I need a minute.”

He gave me a concerned look, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I lied. “I just need a second.” 

With that I stood up and rushed out of the ballroom, heading to the nearest bathroom. I pushed the door, just about to enter when a firm hand gripped my wrist and pulled me into a corner.

I turned back to face the person in fright, only to find a lady dressed in the maids uniform. 

I had definitely never seen her in this house before. 

“Who are you?” I asked immediately, trying not to focus on the pain in my wrist.

“There is no time for that,” she replied quickly. “I came here to warn you.”

I jerked my hand free from her grasp, stepping back. “Who the hell are you?!”

“Listen to me Mona, you can’t choose any of those men tonight, you can’t make a choice. The truth would be revealed soon, but if you make a choice now, it will ruin everything,” she warned, panic reflected in her eyes.

“Mona?” Aster's voice suddenly called out. “Who is that?”