Chapter 8: Chapter 8

MEL:

I was about to respond when a light comes on from a place that I identify as the stage. A beautiful woman and a well-preserved man walk to the center of the stage and are the focus of attention.

She had light brown hair and wore a turquoise dress and a mask in the same shade with silver details. I couldn't see her eyes because of the mask and the distance.

He had blond hair, an unshaven beard, was tall and seemed to be about 1.89, and was quite strong. He was wearing a smart black suit.

- I would like to thank everyone here on this very special date - began the woman who I assumed was the Luna from the Collins kingdom. Her voice was delicate and welcoming, which strangely caused me a feeling of tranquility - it's not every day that one turns twenty-one, right?

- We wish our daughter was here to hear some words that we would say to her, but since unfortunately she is not here we will just hope that one day she will come back - the alpha smiles faintly and I believe he did it more out of politeness.

- For obvious reasons, we are not going to make a speech and we hope you understand - Luna finishes receiving the affection and respect from the people around her - We will be cutting the cake soon so please go to the table - she approaches her companion and with his help comes down from the stage.

I move restlessly, feeling a certain anguish in my chest, as well as a great discomfort. Having seen the scene that happened earlier has surprisingly affected me.

Kath turns to me trying to hide some traces of tears in her eyes and I notice a man holding her possessively by the waist as he comforts her.

- Darling this is my mate, Robert, love this is Mel the young lady who found the toothpick.... Henry when he disappeared- I smile in greeting and receive a polite nod in return.

- Thank you in advance for what you did, this little wolf always gets into trouble- he messes up the hair of the toothpick that was in his lap and we laugh as we watch him pout in irritation that his gallant hairdo had been undone.

I couldn't help but notice that his eyes were also very familiar to me or maybe I was just going crazy trying to place the man from my dream on every face I saw.

- Now that you have been properly introduced I think we can go to the bathroom and powder our nose, shall we, Mel?

As she opens the small bag she is carrying to look for her makeup, I head towards one of the booths where I go to take a leak and wash my hands immediately afterward.

- I'm done dear, are you going to touch yours up?- she asks, putting her things away.

- Just the lipstick, if you want to go there is no problem I finish quickly and meet you outside - I was needing to fix the contact lenses because they were already bothering me.

- Don't you mind? It's just that I'd like to have a talk with Elisabeth before the cake is cut, to be supportive of her- I smile, trying to comfort her as I notice her guilty look.

- Of course, I don't mind, Kath, you can go quietly- I blink and we laugh together.

- Just don't forget that in a little while the signal will ring alerting you that the cake will be cut, I'll be waiting for you there- she says finally leaving the bathroom.

I take advantage of the moment to remove my mask when I realize that there is no one there but me, probably everyone was already gathered waiting for the signal.

I take out the lenses and sigh relieved to feel my eyes free of that thing. I look in the mirror and spend a little time observing them, smiling, this is me. I am so distracted that I hardly notice when one of them falls to the ground.

Damn, Mel!

I look desperately around the floor to see if I can find her, but soon give up wondering how full of bacteria she must be at this point.

To make matters worse comes the sign Kath had told me about. I wonder if anyone can be more unlucky than me. With no alternative, I put the mask back on and snort when I realize that it will only make my eyes stand out even more. I will have to keep my head down.

I leave the bathroom and immediately try to infiltrate the people in the room, but before I do I am pulled by the arm by a very agitated Kath who didn't even look at me and dragged me to where the cake table was.

When we arrive I see Alpha and Luna, who were looking distractedly at the cake where was written "Happy Birthday Princess".

I try to shrink a little to try to go unnoticed, but as soon as everyone starts singing the traditional birthday song I join them. It would be tremendously rude not to do so.

The melancholic mood is even worse and I notice that most of them are already letting themselves be overcome by tears; I can already feel my eyes watering. Luna was barely able to stand up, now leaning on her companion as if at any moment she would collapse.

The chips were falling, making it clear that Elisa wasn't there.

When the music ends as if she were getting herself together, Luna comes out of her trance and begins to look around, giving a smile, as faint as it was beautiful, to everyone present.

When her eyes meet mine her smile gradually closes and her eyes widen as if she were amazed. Her gaze locks onto mine and it seems that she is in a trance, something that draws everyone's attention.

I can't think coherently at that moment, because all I see are that woman's eyes.

They are identical to mine.

She takes a step forward stopping when she bumps into the large table between us.

- Elisa... - her trembling voice is heard and not only me but everyone there is surprised by her reaction. I hear everyone babbling among themselves, but I didn't dare move a single muscle.

I'm so confused...

I barely had time to think when a loud bang is heard causing a general uproar.

- MY- says a hoarse, thick voice behind me causing an instant shiver to run through my body. I turn slowly finding the owner of that voice...