Episode 2

The Calm Before the Storm

The sun illuminated my window, showing that a new day had arrived. It was today, my day was today.

Normally at this hour I would already be beside my mother helping in the pack. On weekends when there was no school, I would perform tasks that the beta of the pack would normally do. My mother, being the beta's wife, was in charge of supervising supplies, the sick, the elderly, etc. For me it was something like community service. Besides, my mother taught me part of the administration and I liked spending time with her, so it was not difficult for me.

Today was different. Today Mom had let me sleep in. I didn't say anything about it, because this is something that happens every year. Always, on my birthday, my mother lets me sleep in, even miss school.

No longer able to sleep, I stretch in my bed and then stand up. For some reason that I do not understand, I feel a pit in my stomach and it is not precisely from hunger.

Yes, I am nervous about whatever will happen from today onwards.

I get up and head to the bathroom, I need to be well to start the day with full attitude. I bathe calmly, letting the cold water seep into my bones. Once satisfied, I dress in short shorts and a t-shirt of my favorite band.

I slowly walk down the stairs, trying to hear what my mother and the moon are doing, but apparently, they don't want me to find out because they don't say anything about it. I imagine they are communicating through the link.

I smile, because if I'm not mistaken, they are baking the surprise cake for my party. I smile even more as I am sent to do tasks outside the house.

I go to the pack house, today I will work for a while with the children of the orphanage. I wish this place didn't exist, that all the children were in their homes with their parents, but unfortunately, it can't always be possible.

In the orphanage, we have children who lost their parents due to an attack by rogues or vampires, others because unfortunately their mother died in childbirth and their father could not bear the loss and, as in any other place, there is always someone who does not have that maternal love and abandons their pups. That was the case of twins who were rescued by alpha Alex and my brother.

"Mar!" a group of children shout when they see her arrive.

"Hello pups!" she responds to the enthusiasm of the little ones

"Mare, will you play with me?" asks a chubby boy

"No! It's my turn today, she will braid my hair, right, Mar?"

"No! Mar came to prepare us a chocolate dessert" a little one spoke, earning the cheerful look of everyone

I just smile, how easy it was for the pups to stop arguing with something so simple.

All the children began to jump for joy, while I went to the orphanage kitchen, to prepare crepes filled with chocolate and some fruits. Fortunately I had help, otherwise I would not finish so quickly.

An hour later, I left the kitchen with a large tray full of crepes, one for each person to be exact.

While the children ate, I braided Lesly's hair, the little girl who wanted her braids. When I finished with her, another little girl arrived and settled between my legs, but she only wanted two pigtails and so on. In total, the five girls who lived in the orphanage were styled. It wasn't long before the protest of the little one who wanted to play was heard.

When I realized, the afternoon had arrived in a flash.

"You know, little Mar! you will be a good mother" the voice of the elderly woman in charge of the orphanage is heard, when I was heading to the exit, after having left all the pups in the hands of the elderly woman.

"Thank you" I reply.

That will only be possible if I find my partner, I thought

••••

Hours later, I was sitting again around the campfire. I was sure that the pack had gathered to celebrate my birthday.

My parents were the beta couple and my brother would be the next beta of the pack. Everyone somehow appreciated my family and were here, to accompany us on a special day.

Again, old man Vincent was telling his stories and every time he told it, the number of vampires or rogues increased, it was fun to listen to him. Meanwhile, the couples were taking the time to go for a run.

It wasn't long before I saw my parents, the Alpha with the Luna, the delta and the gamma walking in my direction.

They were carrying a beautiful cake in their hands. I couldn't believe how big and beautiful it was and judging by its color, I'm sure it's chocolate, my favorite flavor.

"Happy birthday, darling!" "said my parents"

"Congratulations darling" said the Alpha and the Luna, followed by the others.

"I hope your partner comes into your life and that he is just what you need for your life" the moon tells me, as a good birthday wish.

"Thank you" I reply in gratitude

"It's time to cut the cake" my father mentions but I stop him

"No! Patrick is missing" I told them, for me it was important that my brother was by my side.

"Don't worry, darling, he will be here soon, he is finishing the tour with Alex and Cindy." spoke the Luna

"I can wait, Luna" I replied

I was just finishing speaking, when I saw my brother running in my direction, behind him Alex and a little further back Cindy.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I lost track of time, but you haven't blown out the candles yet, have you?"

To be honest, I had not paid attention to my brother's words, much less to my mother's answer. My sight was behind him.

The air brought with it an exquisite aroma of dark chocolate and a woody touch, it was the perfect mix, in the perfect man.