AVA

I quietly sat at the back sit in trigonometry class as I carefully listened to the teacher. I was always an A student although I always sit at the back of the class, I didn't have to sit in front and pretend to be engrossed just to make an A. Although, It's really odd to find an A student sitting at the back of the class but I didn't care. I couldn't wait for today's class to end. I really didn't like calculations. I prefer those subjects where I would only explain my self through words and arts not calculations. I couldn't wait to get done with my senior year of highschool and move over to college. I've gone through all the courses to be studied in college but I think I really want to focus on Arts as my major, I really love drawing. It has been a hobby that I got too attached to but recently I haven't drawn anything yet, thinking about it now, I think I'll go back to it. At least to prepare myself for college.

A small smile crept on my face as I giggled.

“Miss Reed, mind sharing with the class your reason for smiling cause I believe there's nothing funny in what I'm teaching or is there?” The trigonometry teacher said jotting me out of my thoughts causing the whole class to erupt with laughter.

“I'm sorry ma'am.” I muttered and silently bowing my head in embarrassment.

One thing I really hate is getting embarrassed in public, it always comes with this awkward stares from people and my classmates are really good at giving those annoying stares.

______________________

I didn't wait for the second ringing indicating that it was time for lunch break, I quietly walked out of the class through the back door.

“Hey.” Caleb said smacking my head as he stood before me.

“Really?” I shot him a glare.

“This would make a really nice sales, don't you think?” he giggled.

“What?”

He handed his phone over to me, I almost tripped as I saw a video of me smiling in class. I really looked stupid.

“How did you get this?” I whispered.

“It's on the school website and trust me it's really making headlines.”

“Fuck.” I cursed, biting on my fingers. That's a weird habit of mine to always bite on my fingers whenever I'm scared or nervous. But it surprises me how I still had long nails.

“So... Guess who's in New York?” Caleb asked sitting down on the bench at the cafeteria.

“How would I know who's in New York, people do come to the city.” I snarled at him.

“Okay.” he shrugged but I saw the smirk on his face.

“Hi Caleb.” some group of girls waved at him as they walked by. I couldn't help but glare at them.

“Sluty bitches.” I cursed silently.

“I heard it.”

“Don't care.”

______________________

The rest of the class went by, Caleb drove me to get some few things. He said it was part of my birthday gifts, I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the birthday packages were.

We strolled through the mall as I picked stuffs, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched. I had earlier felt the stares at school but brushed it off but right now they were beginning to prick at me again.

“Weird.” I muttered.

“What?”

“I just kinda have this weird feeling that someone's watching me.”

“Ava, I'm gonna be real with you,” he placed his hands over my shoulder.

“You've been acting weird lately, first it was the mystery box, then smiling in class and now a weird person is staring at you. Really Ava, you're technically going nuts. Just try and relax, it's your fucking birthday Ava Reed.”

“Okay, fine I'll try and calm down.” he silently chuckled as we strolled away.

“Mom we're back.” I yelled, dropping the stuffs on the couch.

“Hi dear.” Mom greeted walking down the stairs.

“Hi Mrs Reed.”

“Caleb, staying over for dinner?”

“Oh no, just came to inform you that I'll be taking Ava out tonight. Got a huge surprise for her tonight.”

“Oh really, well then, you've got my permission.” mom said and he giggled.

I couldn't be more confused than I already was. What other suprise was he talking about.

“But be sure to bring her back home early, I've got something to talk to her.” mom chipped.

Okay, something must really be going on.

I waved at Caleb before running upto my room. I needed to rest a bit before Caleb would come to take me away.

As I lay on my bed, my head darted it's way to the pile of letters and boxes on my desk. My curiosity picked the best of me as I walked over to it.

I picked the black box, imagining what could be inside it. A gun, scorpion, what if, a witches portion. I gasped and chuckled at my weird imagination.

Slowly, my hands unwrapped the box, I could hear the throbbing sound of my heart, as it rose and fell back in rhythm.____A cupcake.

I furrowed my brow, I got a cupcake as a birthday gift. I wasn't surprised that I got a cupcake as a gift but I felt why would a person wrap it in a black box.

I noticed that it had also come with a letter, my hands didn't tremble, neither did my heart beat so fast anymore.

“Happy birthday Ava Reed. It is finally nice to see you fully grown, I suppose this is now a sign that we would meet very soon. Be prepared, when the moon shines brightly in the sky, the clock ticks. The sound of the Alpha will be heard.

I await your return Ava.”

I read out, now my heart was beating so fast, I held the letter in my hand, unsure of what it meant.

I searched the box, looking for who had sent the package, but there was no name, no address, nothing.

I stood transfixed on the floor, unable to move. I pondered on the letter as I stared at it. Again, I noticed the last line of the letter.

“Eat the cake, this could be your last.”

AVA

Caleb honked loudly, enough to startle the entire neighborhood.

“Ava, your ride's here.” mom screamed from downstairs.

“Coming.” I called out, tying my shoe laces properly.

I was dressed in a black white crop top over a red flannel shirt and a denim baggy pants. I stared at my reflection on the mirror and smiled.

“Good.” I commented and rushed downstairs.

Mom was already decorating the sitting room.

“Be home before eight, your cousins are coming over for your party.” she warned.

“sure thing mom. What's a birthday party without the birthday girl.” I grinned. “I'll be home early. I promise.”

I darted out of the house and met Caleb leaning over his car.

“And here I thought, you were getting dressed in a dinner gown.”

“Shut up.” I glared and entered into the car.

I had other stuffs to think about and not Caleb's teasing.

“Where are we going?”

“It won't be a suprise if I told you, will it?” he winked at me.

I groaned as I eagerly anticipated for my suprise.

“You'll love it. I promise.” he grinned.

I hummed at his response as I stared out the window.

The thought about the strange birthday present and letter ravaged through my mind. The last line of the letter crept up to my head.

“Eat your cake, this could be your last.”

What message was the sender trying to rely, how will my birthday cake be the last cake I would eat.

“Are you okay?” Caleb glanced over me.

“You seem off, you're more quiet than usual.” he asked with concern written over his face.

“I’m good.”

“If I hadn't known whom Ava Reed was, I would have accepted your excuse but I'm not believing you Ava. I'm your best friend, you can tell me. Is there a problem?”

“Thanks for looking out Caleb but I'm fine.” I replied, unsure on whether or not I should tell Caleb about the strange letter.

“So, are you still going to play dumb on not knowing who's in New York today?”

“Seriously Caleb, I thought we've been over this stuff.” I said getting pissed off with his consistent teasing.

“How would I know.”

“Alright, seems you've been out of internet life for a while.” He said moving into a parking lot.

“Caleb.” I suspiciously called out as we stepped out of the car.

“Yes?” He hummed a response with a huge smile plastered on his face.

“Where is this?” I asked staring at the long line of people.

“Happy birthday,Ava.” He said bringing out two tickets to a fan signing event of Xavier Blackwood.

“You've got to be joking Caleb.” I muttered on the verge of tears as I held the tickets.

“Does this looks like a joke?” He said pointing towards a black Lamborghini that drove into the building.

My breath hitched as I held tightly into Caleb.___Xavier Blackwood.

His walking was so elegant like he had the entire world beneath those black leather boots. His dressing was so perfect, a pure dark loose cardigan and a denim baggy pants. It was similar to mine and I couldn't help but giggle. His dark shades blocked his eye but even with the shades, he looked glorious. He walked past through the screaming fans with a cute smile plastered on his face, he had a dominating aura as he walked through the rowdy crowd

“Down to earth, Ava.” Caleb snapped his fingers at my face.

“Caleb, I love you so much.” I screamed, throwing my arms around him and jumping on him.

“People are staring Ava.” He whispered into my ears but I didn't care less. I must have been a good person in my past life for me to be gifted with a best friend like Caleb.

“It's your birthday Ava.” he whispered softly, holding my hands.

“I had to do something special for you.” He said wiping the tears that were about to fall off my eyes.

“Thank you.” I sniffed silently and admired my very own best friend. I smiled like a proud mom.

I stood in line as I eagerly waited for my turn. While I waited for my turn, I imagined how it would feel like talking to Xavier. Xavier Blackwood was a well known big time Actor and billionaire CEO. He was the clear definition of being rich. He was wealth itself.

I've always had a huge crush on him but it was just a mere fan crush, but I just didn't care, I was about to meet the Almighty Xavier.

“Ava, we're next.” Caleb whispered.

I straightened up myself awaiting for my turn, then it struck me.

I had nothing for him to sign on.

My face dropped as I suddenly turned towards Caleb. He smiled at me like as though he understood me.

He excused himself and walked out, a while later, he came back with a portrait, my portrait. It was one of the drawings made by me some months ago.

“I figured you'd need something like this.” I smiled at him and murmured a thanks.

Finally, it got to my turn, I smiled widely as I walked towards him.

“Hi.” I greeted.

He smiled back as he stared at me.

“What's the name?” He asked.

“Ava, Ava Reed.” He nodded and stretched his hand.

I gave my artwork to him and he let out a gasp.

“You drew this?”

“Yes.” I nodded shyly.

He stared at the painting with so much curiosity, he stirred from his chair as he held the painting like as though it had awakened something in him. He stared at it with so much intensity.

“What's behind the inspiration?”

“Nothing in particular, I just sat down and... drew.” I explained.

I collectively remembered the day I drew the portrait. I had just finished having little fall out with mom, I walked towards my pencil, as I held the pencil, so many emotions began to flow through. Carefully, I began to draw. The drawing took five hours to complete, I had lost track of time. When I was done, I was surprised to see what I had done. It was a well sculptured drawing of a bleeding girl, standing next to a huge creature, more like a huge dog with blazing eyes that could kill its prey. They were both surrounded by the forest, brown tree branches and green leaves. I couldn't explain how I had ended up drawing such.

He hummed in response and signed on the portrait.

“And here we go.” He said handing it back to me and just as I was about to collect it, my hands brushed his and I suddenly felt a jolt of electricity.

I couldn't fathom what it meant but I looked up at his face and caught a glimpse of shock but he immediately covered it up with a smile. I shrugged over it and walked out.

Caleb walked out some minutes later, he couldn't stop teasing me. I let him have his fun just for tonight.

I felt really fulfilled tonight, meeting Xavier was already an accomplishments.

________________

A figure stood just like every other fan, it stared at the retreating figure of Ava as she hoped into the car. A small smile crept unto it's face.

“Alas, she is real.”

AVA

“Happy Birthday!”

The voices hit me immediately I walked into the house with Caleb, for a moment I just stood with my eyes wide open as I stared at all the glittering balloons and the pair of eyes boring into my skin.

“Woah!” I mouthed. “Hey guys.”

“Happy birthday sweetheart.” Mom said as a drop of tears fell from her eyes.

“Thank you so much mom.”

The party began, I greeted most of my cousins specifically from my mother's side, of course, no one from dad's family was here. I've never had any relationship from people from my father's side. Mom wasn't the type to always tell me stuffs about dad. So I didn't bother her.

I gave out my best smiles as I talked and answered everyone's greetings. It was really nice bonding with my family.

“Ava!” Aunt Maya called off out walking towards me with open arms.

“Aunt maya.” I responded with a smile as she engulfed me in a tight hug. Aunt Maya was mom's immediate elder sister, she was this type of family member you could always rely on when there's a problem. But she's a huge talker, once Aunt Maya sees you, you are in for huge hours of talks and advices.

“You’ve grown so much. I could remember how little you were the last time I came over.” she grinned and I could only let out a forced laugh.

I prayed for her session of disturbance to end and just like a miracle, I heard mom's voice call for me. “Excuse me, Aunt Maya, I think I heard mom calling.” I seized the excuse and moved out of her embrace.

“Mom did you call me?”

“No dear, is there a problem?” she answered as she laughed at one of the dry jokes and uncle of mine was telling her.

Weird, I thought I heard her call.

“Ava.” I heard the tiny voice again, I looked around but everyone seemed to be busy. I shrugged it off, maybe I was beginning to go crazy just like Caleb said earlier.

Finally, the party was over. I stood by the door as I thanked everyone as they left. Tradition.

“See you at school tomorrow, I've got soccer practice so I have to be early. I might not pick you up.” Caleb said.

“Way to go caleb.” I scoffed.

“I promise I'll make it be to you.”

“You better.” he said grinning.

Finally, people were gone and it was time to clean the whole house, it looked messy.

“Ava?” mom silently called. “We've got to talk.” This time with a stern voice.

I sat down as I faced her, giving her my full attention as she began, her hands strongly clasped together and when she looked up, her eyes had a glint of tears in them.

“You know,” she began softly, “when I look back at time, I smile and congratulate myself. It hadn't been easy raising a kid alone but here she is eighteen years old.”

“i've never told you a lot of things about your father,” she said, her voice trembling. “but I think it is best you know them now cause I can feel that time is almost up.”

“Mom.” I drawled, “I'm kinda confused here, what are you talking about, what time is almost up?” I asked with a furrowed brow.

Mom was beginning to give me the chills, she was acting like the letter I had received earlier.

She sniffed as she continued, “When I met your dad, my thoughts about a lot of things changed, and that is, about the supernatural. I got to find out that there are special breed of beings that have certain powers and your father Ava, was a part of it.” She took a huge breath as she continued, “Your father was a werewolf.”

I didn't know what was funny but I suddenly bursted out laughing.

“Mom, really? Dad, a werewolf. Mom, those things don’t exist, I think you've been watching so much movie and it has gotten the best of you.” I chuckled but mom remained still, she only stared at me.

My laugh died down, she can't be serious right?

“Ava, you are a half wolf and you have been fated to the Alpha of the Dark moon park. I didn't believe your father and his people, not until I saw them turn before my very eyes. But everything always had a consequence. Your father had slept with a human and that caused him his life.” Mom broke down in tears. I found all this so hard to believe, who would wake up and believe when you're being told that you're a werewolf.

I tried speaking but no words came out of my mouth. It was like as though a huge lump got stuck in my throat.

“I took you away from them and went into hiding for eighteen years. I thought they wouldn't find us but guess I was wrong.” she chuckled silently, “I was visited by a member of the pack about a week ago, I was warned to tell you the truth about yourself or I'll suffer the same fate as my husband. Their Alpha needs you. I am so sorry for hiding this from you, I thought I had saved us. I'm truly sorry.” Hot tears trailed down her cheeks as her voice cracked.

I finally found my voice but I just couldn't say anything. I imagined how hard it would have been for mom to take care of me all this while, I moved closer to mom and engulfed her into a hug. This was my best way of telling her that I love her. The hug held so much emotions.

After a few moments of quietness, we disengaged, I stared at mom, I had so much to ask.

__________________________

I fell on my bed as I recall everything I and mom had just finished discussing. This was like as if it was a movie, it sounded something similar to the movie Underworld. I was a half wolf and I was the mate to the Alpha of my park. It sounded all funny but it's just the real truth.

And just like the speed of lightening, I rushed towards the letter, it explains everything. This could have been sent by my Alpha, I chuckled silently as I called out “My Alpha.”

He had sent me the message but why write it in a weird manner.

I picked up my phone and dialed Caleb's number but immediately stopped, I had to ask mom before I could tell Caleb.

I growled and fell back on my bed with the letter on my hand, I silently drifted off to sleep, the words still whispering in my ears.

“You are a half wolf and you have been fated to the Alpha.”