Chapter 7: Chapter 7

ATLAS:

It came out of my thoughts when something closes my eyes, kissing my mouth right away. Instantly, I pull away from the person that I see is Valkyrie.

- Who do you think you are to come in here and do this?- I growl, trying to control my temper, this female can make me mad.

Valkyrie is a year older than Elisa, they are cousins on their mother's side. Since she turned eighteen, she has shown an unhealthy obsession with me that I do nothing but push away.

After learning of Elisa's existence I have not been in a relationship with any other, and I know that many males get involved with others until theirs comes of age, but I would not feel like I was being a good male if I did that with my Elisa.

- Don't talk to me like that, baby, where else would I be?-he runs one of his nails across my chest-you need to stop this feeling of pity and guilt that you feel for that rest of the abortion- I feel my wolf come out as soon as she completes the sentence, I grab her by the neck and push her body against the wall feeling the hatred strongly present.

- Never refer to her that way again and don't you dare open your mouth to talk about her, or I swear I'll kill you mercilessly.

- I asked if you understood," I proffer, looking deep into his eyes.

- Yes, you-know-what, I let her go and lean on the sink trying to regain my control, my wolf asks for blood, the blood of the one who dared to disrespect her companion.

- I growl, and it doesn't take a second to hear her footsteps getting farther and farther away.

I take a deep breath, staring at my eyes as red as blood in the mirror. Valkyrie has awakened the side that only comes out when Elisa is put in the middle.

After all, as I said, she is my weak point.

MEL:

I stand in front of the mirror, my legs trembling and shaking as I stare at my reflection. I barely recognize the woman reflected there.

Today is my birthday and the long-awaited coming of age is finally here, but the funny thing is that I don't feel the happiness I'm supposed to feel. On the contrary, loneliness consumes me like never before.

This time, not even Aunt Maria would be with me.

She had called me by video call as soon as I woke up, she was with all the other aunts gathered around and holding a cupcake that had a candle with the number twenty-one on top. I was very moved by the gesture and after shedding a few tears we spent the rest of the morning talking and laughing.

"Get your fat ass out of that bed and go have some fun.

Those were his last words before he hung up on me.

Now here I am doing exactly what that crazy lady lovingly recommended. Strangely enough, I felt quite beautiful. I was dressed in a long black dress that had delicate details, as well as an elegant slit up my right leg, nothing too extravagant.

On my feet, I wore a pair of golden heels that also made a very nice contrast with the mask that, like the dress, was black but with some golden details.

I choose to let my long hair loose since I don't have the patience to do elaborate hairstyles with it, I just make a few waves at the ends and use a repairing oil that leaves it with a really beautiful look.

I come out of my reveries as I concentrate on the arduous task I am about to begin.

I just hope I don't smudge this thing.

I think as I start to put the damn eyeliner on my eyes. Before I couldn't even start because I would smudge, but now I'm at least a little more presentable. When I finish I see the result and I am happy with it, my eyes were only with a simple shadow and eyeliner, but my mouth had blood-red lipstick.

Today, I will allow myself the feeling of being beautiful.

I've spent too much time giving importance to other people's opinions, and now all I want is to stop worrying about how I should behave. Of course taking one step at a time, after all, I still didn't feel secure enough about being without my inseparable lenses, so I put them on before I even leave the house.

As soon as I get out of the cab I come across a huge castle, it was very well decorated and the lights gave it a charming look, I wonder what it would be like to live in one.

I laugh at my foolishness and walk towards the entrance not failing to notice that some people are watching me with great attention, something that makes me a little uncomfortable and causes me some embarrassment.

I force myself to keep my head up, for I had done nothing wrong, so as I said before I would not let myself be taken in by other people's opinions.

No more!

- Miss?...- I hear the voice of the young man who seems to be the security guard, he was looking bored at a clipboard where he was writing something down.

- Williams, Mel Williams- I try to be polite even though I notice that at no time did he even look at me.

How rude.

- Mrs. Jackson said she could let you in, so make yourself at home- makes room and I promptly enter already wanting to hit him with that clipboard.

The place was dark but had some colored lights that made the environment in a festive mood. I walk around the place and notice that there is a kind of small bar there where I decide to have a drink.

- A Martini, please - I ask the barman not failing to notice how handsome the boy is most of the werewolves there are.

- Here you are miss - his tone is seductive and I find myself just smiling in appreciation, I don't want to give the impression that I am interested since I am not.

I decide to leave quickly and go towards one of the tables where I sit and observe everything around me, people laugh and talk, but it is inevitable not to notice the melancholy in the environment.

This leads me to wonder why to throw a party for a person who, unfortunately, will not be there. I know they don't want to let the date pass, but why hurt themselves anymore?

I am brought out of my thoughts by an extremely excited little voice.

- MEL- I feel a warm body throw itself into my arms and mentally thank myself for having left the glass with the drink on the table or else we would both be wet already.

- How are you, toothpick?" I ask, squeezing him in my arms and smelling his baby smell.

- Very well Mel- he comes close to my ear as if to tell me a secret- Mommy said something about if you don't come to your house she might tell you by your hair. Don't tell her I told you," I laugh at her worried manner.

So cute.

- And speaking of which, where is she? As soon as I finish speaking I see her coming toward us with a half-closed look in the direction of the toothpick.

- You little gossip, you shouldn't go telling my plans so easily - I am amused by his failed attempt to appear angry - remember that next time I'm the one controlling your dessert - we laugh as he throws himself into her arms apologizing.

- I'm going to keep eating dessert, right Mommy?

- Yes you will, little one," she says at last, and he jumps up and down happily.

As soon as he is free from the grasp of the toothpick we hug and I can't help but feel the affection coming from her that even though I have known her for a short time I already consider her a friend.

- You look simply magnificent, Mel, gosh, you look so much like...-she huffs uncomfortably- my cousin, that's right, you look so much alike- I notice her attempt to change the subject and decide not to give it much importance.

- You also look beautiful Kath - she was wearing a long pink dress with delicate lace details and her hair was tied in a tight bun on top of her head - and the birthday girl's parents?

- They are probably at this moment in the room they made sure to keep for their daughter. Elisabeth is always devastated on Elisa's birthdays and Christian tries to stay strong for his partner, but I know that it hurts his soul to miss her - my heart squeezes, and a cake forms in my throat.

Now I understand the reason for the party, it is not just a remembrance, but a way to tell their daughter that they are waiting for her no matter how much time passes.

- Elisa seems to be very loved- I say after a while.

- And she is dear, her parents would do anything for her, Atlas then, my son would give the world to this female if she asked him to I smile imagining what it would be like to have such a man in my life, but I quickly shake my head trying to dispel these thoughts.

- Won't he come?- I ask as naturally as possible, not wanting to imply that I'm interested in your son.

Even though I inevitably am.