CHAPTER 2 The Moonlight Festival

Emma's POV

The Present

Chirp chirp!

The melodious song of the birds can be heard from outside as the early morning sun stones inside my room. Its rays reflect directly to my face, signaling that it is time to wake up.

I yawned and stretched out my arms tiredly, after the intense war and bloodthirsty battle that happened years ago, the Moonlight Festival is finally here!

We are celebrating it in remembrance of our freedom from slavery and lucky me it was also my birthday. And today being the day I will turn eighteen makes the possibility of finding my mate 100% because that is the average age where werewolves do find their mates... I giggled and slipped out of my bed. I stride forward and stop in front of my closet, a wave of excitement washing over me.

Oh! My gosh...

"What should I wear? What should I wear?" I pondered, eagerly going through my wardrobe in search of a perfect outfit when suddenly I heard my room door forcefully pushed open, causing my heart to flip out in fear.

I instantly turned around to see Ava burst into my room, exclaiming, "Happy birthday, Emma!" I couldn't help but scowl, caught off guard by her sudden presence. This is a goddamn morning! A mix of surprise and annoyance washed over me at the same time.

"Ava," I frowned, concealing my excitement.

"Happy birthday, best friend," she said, ignoring the playful glare I was sending her way. Staring at the wide grin spread across her face, I couldn't help but feel a warmth in my heart, appreciating her little effort.

"Who knocked down people's doors early in the morning for birthday wishes?" I teased, smiling back at her, finally revealing my emotions.

"Lolz," she laughed, "Count me as the first person to do that and I hope it enters the history of our pack, haha," she said the last word in a sing-song tone, earning a chuckle from me.

Ava has been my best friend since childhood despite her father being the gamma of our pack. We never hide anything from each other but there's this one secret that I am scared to let out of the bag - she's dating someone who happens to be my crush in this pack. It's a complicated situation, especially since neither of them knows about my feelings.

His name is Vincenzo Salvatore, the son of our pack's Alpha, Matteo Salvatore, and the next in line to become Alpha. He is the kind of guy every girl in this pack wants, and they still chase after him even after he has dumped them. It's been tough for me to watch my best friend Ava having Vincenzo, the guy I have a crush on, wrapped around her finger. It's like she can't decide if she loves him or his best friend, Colton. Every time she breaks Vincenzo's heart and runs to Colton, I feel his pain.

"You're still not dressed," Ava's sweet voice pulled me back to reality.

"Looking for what to wear?" She asked, and I nodded at her since I was at a loss for words. "Let me help you out," she stepped forward and started going through my wardrobe, searching for the perfect outfit for me to wear.

However, I stepped back and stood behind while looking at her. It shouldn't be that hard for her to choose one person instead of leaving them wondering who she's going to run to next. They all believed that she was their mate but I don't think so because there is no way an Alpha and a Beta can share the same mate, it has never been done or heard of. I think what she is doing is wrong, playing with the two hearts of grown-ass men.

But sadly, I couldn't help the fact that Ava is my best friend. I have loved her since our childhood and she is the closest friend that I have ever had. So I think I should be supporting her in all she does even in this, though I have been in love since the first day that I did set my eyes on Vincenzo.

Tick. Tick.

I remembered that day like it was yesterday.

Being the lowest rank in the pack, the Omega. It was our duty to clean and tidy the pack premises and do some small errands because we were actually viewed as the weakest rank in the pack. So having finished with my duties, I decided to help my mom clean the hallway that led to the Alpha's chamber that fateful morning. It was just an ordinary day, I went with my best friend Ava. The cleaning was going quite well until I clumsily bumped into him...Vincenzo Salvatore and I found myself sprawled on the cold tiles. But to my surprise, he squatted down and extended a helping hand. It was a small moment, but it made my heart race and left my heart throbbing very fast.

And as our skins touched when he was helping me up, I couldn't ignore the electrifying sparks that coursed through me. My legs trembled, and for a moment, I thought he felt the same way. But then to my disbelief, I noticed his gaze wasn't on me, but on Ava, my best friend who was standing quite not that long away from us. It was a bittersweet realization that left my heart conflicted. I felt a pang of disappointment as he didn't even spare a glance at me, the person who had bumped into him. It became clear that my chances of making him mine were low.