{Briar's POV}
All of the packs began to arrive one by one and were checked off at the door by one of our soldiers. Thankfully it wasn't everyone from each pack joining us. A Beta and an Alpha from each one attended my party, if they were married or mated, they came as well. Once Cooper's parents arrived with his four year old sister, Ophelia, I checked the list to see who else we were missing. There were only four people left that hadn't shown yet: Alpha Cullen and his Beta from the Umbra Pack and Alpha Byrne and his Beta from the Misun Pack.
Ophelia reached her hand out to mine as a request for me to hold hers. Obliging to her request, she began by dragging me through the house, on some sort of mission. Finally realizing where she was taking me, Her eyes lit up when she saw the dessert table. Picking her up and placing her on my hip, I look around for the mysterious boy from the woods. Getting lost in my thoughts I figured I needed some kind of name for him - since I don't know who he is, I'll make up my own for now. But I wasn't sure what to call him.
"I knew I'd find you over here by the treats," My best friend Evie proclaimed. Evie and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We originally hated each other, we would do everything and anything to avoid each other. But one day, we found something to bond over and we've been inseparable ever since.
"You act like this is a new discovery," I smile turning to face her.
She shrugs and snags a cookie. "So what's going on over here?" She asks as she hands Ophelia a cookie, Ophelia happily takes it off her hands.
"I met this guy in the woods today-" she cuts me short.
"Wait...what?"
"Yeah you heard me, now quit interrupting" I side-eyed her. She held her hands up in defense and I continued. "I was out on a daily trip to my spot and we saw each other and he actually saved me from busting my ass. He said he was coming to this party, so I'm looking for him."
"Does he know you're the birthday girl?" She asked handing Ophelia another cookie.
"...No..." I said shyly.
"Why not?" she asked.
"I don't know, ugh. But I don't know his name. We didn't have time to exchange names since I was already running late for my own party." I exclaimed. Hearing Ophelia whine over my shoulder, I grabbed two more cookies for her to munch on. She took them, satisfying her for now.
"Girl, you can't run late for your OWN party. The party literally doesn't start until you walk in." Evie said shoving another cookie in her mouth.
"That's besides the point. Anyway, I need something to call him so when I see him I'm not just looking at you calling him 'Mysterious boy'," I mocked crossing my eyes, "so I need your creative brain," I continued to look around.
Straightening her outfit out, she smiled proudly. "Don't mind if I do," she began to look around with me. "What does he look like?" She asked me.
Vividly remembering what he looks like in my head, I gave a quick smile. "He's tall, at least 6 foot, with gorgeous dark chocolate skin and the sharpest jawline I've ever seen. He had a 5 o'clock shadow when I saw him but it was full so you know he'd look good with a beard. His teeth were porcelain white and pair that with his smile, he could make any dentist swoon. He has these thick lips and these deep brown eyes, You couldn't see where they stopped. His haircut was A1 with waves you could swim in. He had these diamond studs in followed by a gold cuban link chain. Oh, and his body, he wore this shirt that made his muscles pop and you'd think that he was about to burst out of that top in any minute...his broad shoulders and thick chest..." At this point I had slipped into another realm and Evie had to stop me before I went any further.
"Oh shit girl, you've got it bad." She shook her head at me as my cheeks and ears turned a bright cherry red.
"Help me," I begged her through my teeth as I tried to regain myself.
"Hmm..." she thought, "what about, Nemo?"
I shake my head, "no too obvious. Everyone uses that as a nickname for a guy."
"What about...Pineapple?" She questioned perking up when she found the pineapples at the end of the table and popping a few into her mouth.
"Ehhh, I'm not feeling it." Struggling with Ophelia as she tries to climb over my shoulder closer to the table. "Ophelia, what is going on baby girl?" I asked her finally attending to her needs.
"Cookie!" she yipped still reaching.
"THAT'S IT!" Evie screamed, scaring everyone around her. Apologizing she handed Ophelia a cookie and then looked at me, I looked at her with a look of utter confusion and if looks could speak, mine would've said "have you lost your damn mind?!" "You can call him Cookie! It's simple and easy to remember!"
I sat on it and decided I liked it. "Cookie it is then."
Evie, Ophelia and I slowly made our way around the house greeting everyone and casually looking for Cookie as well. We looked a little longer until Ophelia broke me from my trance by waving ten little stubby fingers in my face.
"Yes, my darling?" I question her.
"How old are you?"
"Well today I'm seventeen," I put all ten of her fingers and seven of mine.
She begins to count silently to herself the fingers in front of her. She gasped and I did the same. "You're as old as Boo!" Boo is her nickname for Cooper. She heard her mom call him that all the time while she was learning to speak. It's kind of stuck in the family.
"Yes I am," I giggle at her enthusiasm.
"Then why are you so small?" She asked. Evie and I glanced at each other before I responded.
"because I'm a Runt."
"Why?" Not knowing how to answer her curious question, I look to Evie. She shrugs at me and watches to see how I respond. Smiling, I adjust her on my hip and hand her my iPhone to play games. She types in my password, it unlocks leaving her to roam my phone.
We reach the stairs and Evie says she's going to run up to my room real quick, she had to take a phone call and she was going to grab the boys, who were in the game room after. Nodding at her, I continue on. Turning the corner to go into the Sun room, basically the Teen hangout spot because there's a mini bar and some other games for us to play, I see the person I was dreading to see tonight.
"Aw fuck," I mumbled, careful not to curse too loud. I tried to turn around before I could be seen but that didn't work. Hearing him sniffing the air, he then called my name in a sing song tone.
I slowly turned back around and grimaced at him as he walked closer to me. "Hey, Briar." He looked down at me. "What's going on, how are you?"
"I'm fine, Braxton, thanks for asking. Now I really have to-" I said quickly trying to back away.
"Hey, woah, where are you going? You and your...sexy ass..." he looked me up and down, side to side, taking every little bit of me in.
"I have to go find my parents before the Ceremony," I stated trying to get away.
"I'm sure they can wait a few minutes, I'm just trying to check on my mate," Swiftly, he grabbed my free arm and my waist, pulling me back in towards him.
Rolling my eyes, I scowl up at him. "I'm not your mate, Braxton. I thought we figured this out when your real mate walked in on you almost marking me at your seventeenth birthday about four months ago?" I spat.
Braxton is the son of my Father's Beta and once he heard about me being a runt, which meant I couldn't smell my mate in human form, he did everything he could to convince myself and everyone around us that he could sense that I was his true mate. He had a thing for me before he found out, these news just made it easier for him to "win" me over. He made an effort to get me to go out with him a few times and we ended up dating for a few months. But when his birthday came around and he could finally smell his mate, he made sure I believed that it was him.
I regret ever talking to him. He was my first boyfriend and that night he almost marked me. His teeth grazed my neck when his mate from a neighboring pack came in, obviously following his scent, and growled at me mumbling "mate". I looked at him and he had the look that every wolf has when they find their mate, the look of love. He also possessed the "oh shit" look. I slapped him so hard across the face it made my hand bleed. I was so mad at him, I stayed in my room for days living off junk food and only leaving my room to go to the bathroom. I wasn't mad that he lied, I was mad that I actually believed him. I was vulnerable to where I almost lost the ability to actually have my true mate. I was also mad at the fact that the Man in the Moon decided to make me a Runt. Mad that I couldn't be just like any other werewolf, I had to be challenged, to have the ability to sense my mate in human form stripped from me.
"Well, you would've been if I had succeeded in marking you. I know you enjoyed the feeling of my hands and kisses...everywhere." He licked his lips and ran his fingers over my lower half. I held Ophelia closer to my body, without disturbing her playing her games. I cringed at the feeling of his hands on my body.
"Goodbye, Braxton." I managed to pull out of his hold and walk off but he didn't agree. He pulled me to him and pressed his hand to my butt. Ophelia dropped my phone and started to scream at the feeling of being crushed. "Braxton if you don't let me the hell go. I have a child in my arms," I protested trying to stay strong for Ophelia.
He just smiled and stood there. I couldn't pull away because I couldn't just drop Ophelia. But before I could yell for help, Braxton's grip loosened and he growled.
Finally letting go of my poor butt, he turned around to face the reason he stopped. "Can I help you?" He asked someone. I checked to make sure Ophelia was okay and calming her down.
"Yeah, she said stop." a deep voice behind him bellowed. I had my back turned to them so I couldn't see who it was. Still calming Ophelia down, I listened.
"So?" Braxton growled in response.
"So, that means to do what the fuck she's been telling you to do." Braxton growled at him but was met with a thicker and deeper growl, one with way more authority, which was also sexy as hell. Braxton stiffened out and walked away cursing under his breath. I finally stood up and held Ophelia's hand in mine while sliding my phone in the pocket of my dress. Finally turning around, I finally see the man who scared Braxton off - Cookie.
"Cookie!" Ophelia said pointing at the deep brown eyed man standing before us. walking towards us. He had the same thing on this morning but he added a dark blue dress shirt on top with the sleeves rolled up a quarter of the way.
"Um...what did she just call me?" Cookie asked me chuckling.
"Um, ignore that, heh." Evie and the boys finally made it downstairs and we both looked at them. Ophelia spotted her big brother and she ran to Cooper, with my phone in hand, quickly checking my pocket and realising that she snaked it out of my pocket when I wasn't paying attention. Evie's jaw hit the floor as she looked at me. Since I can't use the pack bond yet, she mouthed "Cookie?" and I gave her a slight nod. She gave me a look of approval followed by a "not bad" thumbs up. The boys stared at us, confused at who was behind me. Evie smacked them both upside the head and dragged them back upstairs to get them to leave us alone.
"Haha, your friends are definitely animated," He snickered, as I watched them make their way up the stairs.
"Oh yeah," I laughed, "they're a group full of personality." finally turning back around to face him, I see that he's been looking at me the whole time. Shocked, I fix my dress quickly and nervously push my hair behind my ear.
"So, uh. What are you up to?" I asked nervously, as I played with my hands.
"Well A). I'm at this amazing party so far with my best friend and Alpha Cullen of the Umbra pack and B). I saw you needed help so I decided to step in, I hope that was okay?" He explained. Now it made since why his his growl was so much deeper and thicker than Braxton's.
"Oh yeah, it was perfectly okay. Thank you, again," I claimed playing with my fingers, getting lost in his eyes.
He smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I never got a chance to tell you my name. My name is Chase, Chase Murray." He stuck a hand out.
Taking his hand in mine, I replied. "Nice to meet you, Chase, my name is-" My introduction was cut short by my father.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, May I introduce my second and youngest daughter, and the birthday girl, Briar Stone!" My father announced. Chuckling and shaking my head, I smiled at him as I let go of his hand and started to back away.
"that's my cue, I'll see you later?" I asked walking backwards.
He nodded, smiling at me as he shook his head and headed a different direction.
I walked up the stage and passed Braxton in the process. He winked at me and I rolled my eyes. I stood in between my parents, with my sister, Sienna, on the right of my dad.
"now to answer any upcoming questions: yes she's seventeen, yes she's small and yes her hair is naturally this color." The crowd laughed. I didn't find it funny but eh.
Smiling and waving at the crowd, my sister handed me a pair of sweatpants and a sports bra. I went under the stage and changed while my dad entertained the party while I got dressed. Laying my party clothes out nicely, since I'd be changing back into them later, I walked out from under the stage.
A few teenage boy wolves howled at me, making my dad growl his deep, dark Alpha growl. Cookie- I mean Chase- wasn't one of them, though he was checking me out. I didn't mind, because I sure as hell was checking him out too.
As the clouds opened and the full moon shone through the sunroof, I sat at the floor of the stage. First it was my back, cracking in all directions. Then my arms and legs. I was screaming in horror, probably scaring everyone.
-Hey calm down,okay?-
-Tala?- I asked my wolf when i realized i stopped screaming.
-No, it's Santa Claus. Yes me, who else would be talking to you through your mind?-
-Bitch-
-I try. Do you smell that?-
Sniffing the air, the smell of roses, citrus and chocolate filled my nose. -Mate-
-Yup-
I sat as I scanned the crowd to see if I could find the source of the smell, not realizing the look on their faces. Concerned, I decided to shift back. Walking back under the stage, I shifted back to my human form, upset that I couldn't smell my mate anymore. I changed and made my way back up there and when I did the crowd uproared with commotion and conversing of what just happened. When everyone realized that I was back on stage they all just stared at me with the look of shock on their faces.
"What?" I asked looking between my mom and dad.
"Lupa Alba..." I heard someone say on the floor.
"Excuse me?" I demand. Half of the party got on their knees, bowing at me.
I looked my dad. "Daddy, what are they doing?" I whispered. The other half of the party followed the rests actions.
"You're a Lupa Alba, honey." He informed me looking at me.
"And what is that exactly?" I asked worried.
"A very strong wolf that can over power any Alpha at full strength. They also are hunted by hunters, that's why we haven't seen any. They've all been hunted into extinction and they are only seen genetically now." I looked at my mom horrified.
She embraced me tightly in her arms, while mine flew around her waist. "It all makes sense now," my dad claimed.
"What does?" Sienna asked.
"The reason she's a Runt. The reason she gets hurt easily, she couldn't heal as fast as we can because her wolf hadn't been triggered yet. That also explains why her hair is the grey-silver color it is." My dad answered staring into the crowd.
Once everything finally clicked about what I was born to be, I panicked. I didn't want to be hunted, I don't want to die. I left my mom's embrace and ran down the stairs. "Briar! Wait!" I heard someone call. I ignored them and continued to run to my special spot, still choking the tears down. I eventually kicked my heels off and ran the rest of the way with them in my hands.
Reaching the Sycamore Tree, I place my shoes behind the root of the tree and climb all the way to the top. When I made it safely to the highest point, I leaned against the trunk of the tree, silently sobbing.
I decided to trigger my wolf in human form, I had to ask her a few questions.
-Tala?-
-Yes?-
-So what's the deal with this mate thing?-
-So you can't smell him in human form because you're runt. But you can smell him in wolf form. Though it's not safe for you to shift because since you are a Lupa Alba and your kind is hunted for your skin. BUT your mate can smell you in both forms. In conclusion; the only sure fire way to know who your mate is, is in wolf form but that's dangerous so...-
-So how am I supposed to find my mate?-
-well...uh...faith?-
-you're no help, Tala.-
-I mean I'm only your conscious.-
-Then you tell me what I should do.-
-Did you see what he looked like?-
-No-
-Great-
-ugh! So frustrating!- I held my head in my hands and sobbed more.
-Heads up.-
-huh? what?-
-Just wait- then she dropped out of my thoughts and I came back to reality.
"Briar?" I wiped my eyes and recognising the voice as Chase's.
"Yeah?" I answer still sniffling.
"Can I come up?"
"I don't care," I claimed. I didn't realize how rude that sounded. "I'm so sorry. Yes you can." I apologized.
When he reached the top he sat in front of me leaning on a thick branch from another branch. I lifted my head up more, enough so I was making eye contact with him but my nose and mouth were covered by my arms.
"Hey," he said wiping my tears away. smiling at me, he lifted my chin up more.
Sniffling, I answered. "Hi," I smiled.
"Everyone's looking for you." He said holding my hands and unraveling me so he could hold me. His thumbs rubbed circles on my back.
"Well if this was a game, you'd win because you found me," I half smiled into his chest.
"Is it okay if i put you in my lap?" He asked softly.
"please," He picked me up and took my spot on the tree, holding me in his lap.
-Mate- Tala Whispered.
-What?- I asked.
-Nothing- and just like that she disappeared again.
"Can you please explain to me why every time I saw that little friend of yours she pointed at me and called me 'cookie'?" He asked me while rubbing my back. Laughing at the memory, I looked up at him.
"Well see, I was trying to figure out a nickname for you instead of calling you mystery boy before I knew your name. When we figured out a nickname, nickname credits go to the little girl that was on my hip, My friend and I decided that that's what we'd call you, but Ophelia doesn't realize that it's just a nickname and not your real name."
"How did you describe what I looked like?" He asked making me blush at his smirk and the memory.
"Don't worry about it," I giggled. "Just know that she was able to identify you."
"Uh huh," He smirked. Nodding, I blushed even more, if that was possible.
I yawned and he pulled me closer in his embrace. I started to say something but when I looked up, It looked like he was in a trance as if he was talking to his wolf.
I took the chance to admire his beauty. His eyes were this deep color that you couldn't miss and his body was perfect and his muscles could've made me melt right there. This man was fucking gorgeous.
I curled closer into him and fell into a deep sleep.
++++++++++++++
This took longer than I wanted it to...but here we are. I hope you enjoyed!
-Syd