.5. Birthday girl.

Waking up the next day felt more as a punishment than a blessing for Zane. His whole body ached, but that wasn't only because of the intense training he decided to have after the party.

He couldn't stop thinking about the scent at the party. It was the type of scent that invited him to come closer, but it faded away too fast for Zane to see what or who caused it. And the worst part of it all was that he couldn't recall anyone in the pack carrying that particular scent- the owner might have been just a guest.

Zane knew that it might belong to his mate, and after overthinking everything- he found himself being ready actually to commit to someone.

On top of all of that- he couldn't stop thinking about the note, which was left by Omega. The young Alpha-to-be finally understood that not everyone lived for money or fame. That stubborn woman rejected a gift that cost a couple of hundred dollars. How would Zane explain to his mother what he did and why the Omega didn't accept her gift? He had no idea was he guilty for her to reject it in the first place.

"Fuck this shit, get yourself together, man!" Zane growled, aggressively kicking the sheets off of his body.

As usual, he did his morning routine and headed downstairs for breakfast with his parents. Alpha and Luna left him a message, which was presented by one of the Omegas.

The pair had left the pack territory for two days to meet some other leaders so that Zane could have the house for himself- the Alpha even allowed his son to have a party there.

Zane grinned, thinking about yet another party. But how could he not? Soon enough, he will have nothing but responsibilities and work- no fun after the title gets handed to him.

Kaiden didn't call or show up today, but Zane didn't seem to care. He gladly headed to the school alone. On his way, the young man thought about ways to make Omega accept his mother's gift. Despite all disagreements and little arguments- Zane truly loved his mother more than anyone else.

The first place where he headed after parking his car was the lockers. Of course, she stood there, her back turned to Zane. Next to her stood the same man, which Zane noticed hugging her the morning she quit.

"Morning, loser," Zane grinned, grabbing onto Omega's shoulder.

She yelped in surprise, turning around to face him. She wasn't anywhere close to a person Zane thought she would be. This Omega was the first woman to roll her eyes at him and have the audacity to ignore the Alpha-to-be.

His eyes left her lips, and Zane scanned the uncomfortable looking man next to her. That's when he came up with an idea.

Does she want to play games? So it be.

With one swift move, Zane threw his arms around her shoulders and pulled the Omega in, holding her tight against his body. He leaned to her neck, eyes still dead set on the man, and slid his hand into his leather jacket pocket.

Zane grabbed the small gift box and held it in front of her face.

The male gasped, watching his Alpha-to-be being touchy with Camilla.

"You left this in my car, princess," Zane spoke loudly, showing off a mischievous grin as he did.

She might keep on defying him, but now, if the other man was anything for her- Zane had destroyed all her chances to be with him.

That will give her some lesson- don't play with someone, who's out of your league.

"I-" Camilla tried to talk, but Zane cut her off.

"Yeah, you did. Thanks for the evening. I enjoyed the little things you did, princess. We should repeat that sometime," not even once Zane's eyes left the shocked man. He enjoyed watching how anger made the Omega's face look red as a tomato.

"I'm hosting a party tonight; you should totally come. Wear red; it looks so hot on you," Zane added, tracing his fingertips against her jawline. It must have been the last drop for Omega because the man decided that growling at his future Alpha would be a good idea.

"Got something to say, boy?" Zane questioned him, pushing words through gritted teeth. For some odd reasons- he pulled Camilla closer, almost shielding her from everyone.

"Yes, I do, actually. I wouldn't have to if you'd pay a little more attention to Camilla's face!" the Omega splat in anger.

At first, Zane seemed to be confused, thinking about who this Camilla was. Then, like a brick wall- it hit him. Camilla is the Omega he was playing with now. Slowly, he turned his attention to her face and gasped in surprise. She had an enormous hickey all around her eye. Zane grabbed her chin and forced Camilla to face him.

"Who?" he growled out the question.

"It doesn't matter. Stop making Blake feel uncomfortable and cut your fucking act," Camilla suddenly pushed Zane aside, turning around and rushing away from the lockers.

He watched how she left within the crowd of students and sighed.

"I'm sorry for growling at you, Alpha, but I couldn't help myself. She is my best friend, always had been, and I'm trying to look after her. It's her birthday today- the first one without her parents around. We were planning to have dinner together and see some movies later on," Omega scratched the back of his neck nervously, switching his weight from leg to leg.

"Who did that?" Zane wouldn't give up. He felt like he had to look after that girl. He wasn't sure why, but even the beast in him kept urging the human to take care of that girl.

"I don't know," the man shrugged his shoulders.

"Last chance- who did that?" Zane stepped closer, giving a little more control to his wolf.

"Fine, but if anything, I wasn't the one to snitch. Yesterday some dude punched Camilla as she was leaving the party. Someone noticed that you supposedly gave her something. We suspect a woman is behind that- a little, violent act of jealousy."

"Wasn't her birthday yesterday?" Zane suddenly changed the topic.

"No, but she keeps on telling everyone, who cares, that it was," The Omega didn't seem to feel bothered by talking to Alpha-to-be. All of his answers were sincere.

"And why is that so?" Zane raised an eyebrow, lazily leaning against the lockers.

"Because she fears that her mate might be in this pack- that's why. Listen, I do respect you, and all, but she is my best friend, and I don't want to see her hurting. Camilla is planning to leave before she gets a chance to meet her mate if he's here."

"At what time exactly does she turns seventeen?" Zane couldn't help himself but keep on asking questions.

He felt genuinely interested in the woman. But not like a woman whom he would fuck and dump after. He noticed that there was a fire in her, the stubborn nature and need to defy him lured the Alpha-to-be closer.

"Around eight, I think. Camilla mentioned something about asking Alpha to let her move, so I assume that she will leave around six."

"Yeah, it won't happen. My parents are out of town to take care of some business. Nobody's getting in or out of the pack until they're back. However, I did mean that thing about the party. You should come too; everyone's invited. Get her to come," Zane scanned his surroundings, ignoring most curious looks, trying to notice the Omega girl.

"Wait, is this a prank or something? What's the catch?" Camilla's friend didn't give up- Zane could quickly notice why both were friends.

"Not a prank. The catch is to get her there," he spoke silently, his face expressionless- Zane meant business.

"Okay, but why?"

"Because I was a fucking dick towards your friend, and I want to apologize, okay?" Zane groaned.

"Just get her to my fucking house around five. Don't be late," he added and left the male standing alone.

After hearing everything, Zane felt even worse. He was so used to playing with people that the thought of someone getting hurt because of him never crossed his mind. Instead of attending classes- he left the school and headed home, calling his father on the way.

"Son?" Alpha sounded a little worried, Zane had never been one to call him.

"Yeah, listen- I'm throwing a party since you guys are out. It turns out Camilla's birthday is today, and I want to do something nice for her. you guys don't mind?" Zane sped down the road, thinking of surprises he might come up to cheer her up.

Somehow he has to say that he's sorry, especially after acting like the biggest dick in the universe.

"Your mom says she loves daisies. You can take my card and buy a couple of dozens from our family. Just don't trash the house," Alpha signed, afraid to imagine the mess they might come back to.

"Deal. I got to go, a lot of things to do until the evening. Have fun, guys!" he ended the call and threw the phone on the passenger seat. After a couple of minutes, he was home, already telling Omegas what he wanted to do with decorations, and what must be brought in. When they spoke over the details- Zane changed and rushed to the flower store.

Time flies when you're having fun, right? Wrong! It flies when you have way too many things to do, and it's nearly time for the special guest to arrive. Zane neared the road, which led to his house and didn't make a turn.

He decided to pick up the birthday girl and surprise her.