I've been dancing for more than an hour. I have to admit that the band that Julie chose is quite good. They are playing classics and more modern stuff. This way, everyone is pleased.

They totally have to keep them in mind for future parties: they are hell good.

Eli and the others have not returned yet, but I try to enjoy the party as much as possible. At least I don't have to care about Nick. He hasn't shown up since the incident.

Caleb joined us after the ceremony. He and Kate instantly got close. Really, really close.

As soon as I saw their eyes turn yellow, I understood what Kate said earlier: "Mate." That also explains Caleb's weird attitude: he was fighting his wolf during the ceremony.

It seems like the moon decided to mate them after all, as Caleb just turned eighteen tonight.

I wonder if Kate knew Caleb was her mate or if she entirely discovered tonight. I will have to ask her later.

I can't be happier, as they both are like siblings to me. Plus, the two of them are so cute: I always hoped they would mate one day. They will have such cute blue-eyed puppies.

And today it is. Finally, today seems to be good in some aspects. My heart warms up a little. I try to imagine how Eli is going to react. Probably happy, just like I am.

After an hour of dancing, I just give Caleb and Kate some space. I go to the bar and take one more glass of champagne. I am watching Kate and Caleb. They look so happy. Then I realize that Eli has Julie. And there is just me. Shit.

It slaps me: I'll never get the chance to know love as purely as wolves can. I have known about this for years. Nevertheless, anytime I come to remember the truth, it hurts. I breathe deeply, drink my glass of champagne. I swallow my emotions as I empty my glass.

Suddenly Eli's mind gets into mine. I hope he didn't feel my short-lived sadness. I don't want to disturb him. Everything went fine until now.

Liv, I need you to come to the office.

Eli seems pretty nervous. People are dancing in the hall. I can't see a single thing. At least people are enjoying the moment: that is one major positive point right now as all the influential members of the pack are locked in the office.

Do you really need me? I mean, I'm supposed to make sure the party goes well. And your presence is quite missing.

Set aside my quickly gone nostalgia, I have to admit that I enjoy my night now. I'm less tense for some unknown reason. Or it could be alcohol...

Several people came to wish me a happy birthday. Some others tried to convince me to visit their pack and see other things. Some packs have humans living with them; these are good to persuade humans to join them. I promise I will consider coming to their place.

For some hours, I played the lead role. I was supposed to have the Alpha title, but Mother Moon gave it to my brother in the end. But, at least, preparing and enjoying this evening gave me that: recognition and opportunities.

Liv, please. Just come.

I realize that Elijah's emotion is not nervousness: he sounds sad. If it is his way of answering my feeling of happiness at the idea that I may have enjoyed getting the Alpha position, I find it a little extreme. He is not one guy to over-react like that. It's not like I would fight to get his position.

Eli? What's going on? Is there anything wrong? Did I do something wrong?

No answer. That's undeniably not normal. I drink another glass and put it back on the bar. I should go just as he asked and check on him. If I did something wrong, I want to apologize: I don't want us to be mad at one another because of some stupid thoughts.

I'm on my way, Eli. But, really, tell me what I did wrong. Is that about the mate thing? Or is that about the Alpha thoughts? It was just thoughts, Eli...

No answer: he is crazy good at having me worried. I have to make things clear. If I'm lucky enough, I could even take him out of his office.

I go through the dancers and join Kate. I grab her arms and speak in her ear.

"Kate, I need to go. Eli needs me," I say to Kate. I see she looks at me with some curious eyes. Then she turns to Caleb and back to me, his eyes interrogating me.

"He calls me and seems truly annoyed. He refused to answer back when I asked him what it was about. I need to go see him, but keep on enjoying the party. You deserve it. I will be back as soon as possible. That should not take long." I give her my most beautiful smile and kiss her on the cheek.

I am about to go when Caleb brushes my forearm. It makes me stop.

"I have to go, too. Elijah is asking for me. Back as soon as possible, babe," Caleb says as he takes Kate in his arms. He quickly kisses her. He lets her go, then puts his arm on my back to guide me to the stairs, without a look or a word.

"What the hell Caleb?" I look at Kate. She does not seem to understand either. It means he did not mind-link her about what it is all about. Suddenly, my whole body feels hesitant again. I don't want to leave Kate. I stop and stare right into her eyes. I need her. With me.

Then I turn to Caleb. I want him to look at me and explain things to me. He must know something: he is my brother's Beta. But he does nothing but avoids any eye contact.

"Caleb, what the fuck? Can you, please, look at me?" He does not act like he would in a normal situation. Instead, he keeps on pushing slowly on my back to make me go again.

At first, I weakly follow his lead.

Then, after a few seconds, my body regains some energy. All of this is just a pure charade. Nobody can act like this with me; this is crazy.

I stop despite him trying to push me.

I cross my arms on my torso and force him to look at me, right in the eyes. I won't move until further explanation. That's all my whole body says, and I intend to stand my ground.

Caleb sighs and finally dares to open his mouth.

"Liv, your brother asked me to take you upstairs. Alpha order. So, please, could we go upstairs?"

His voice is slow and soft. Truly reassuring. Nevertheless, his eyes are shiny, as if something was bothering him and that he was trying to hide it. As I don't move an inch of my body, Caleb takes one deep breath before opening his mouth.

"Here is the thing, Liv. We just go, or they will take you there by force," he almost murmurs. While doing so, he points at the stairs. Two massive royal guards in black tuxedos come to us. These guys are, without a doubt, lycans and not young and novice ones. They will probably enjoy grabbing me and forcing me to go upstairs. I don't want to give them this honor.

I nod at Caleb, and I start walking again. Instantly, the lycans stop. They look like they are waiting for us. Caleb puts his hand back on my lower back.

As the guards are coming for me, that must be about the Prince. Is the look on the platform related? Well, I didn't want to be rude. I was just intrigued by the Prince, his aura. Everything in him is so magnetic and mysterious. I am not responsible for him being so alluring.

That's the problem when you live surrounded by wolves, and you have none: you have some trouble fitting in. This Prince needs to relax: it is no big deal, just miscommunication. I can probably explain things. He may understand.

I may be a little drunk, so I have to act carefully. Royals can be lunatics, according to people's talks. I have to try to get my mind clear to give my best apologies to Your Highness. I would like not to die at twenty. Having the same birth and death day was not part of my plan for today.

I suddenly start to feel dizzy. My stomach tightens: I changed my mind.

I don't want to go there anymore. Something makes me panic - something does not seem promising. A part of me wants to know what is going on while the others feel so trapped.

Maybe if I run, well... I can reach the parking lot and try to escape. Not like the house was full of lycans and werewolves.

I know the place, that's undoubtedly an advantage. But I could put my family and friends in danger if I tried something that stupid.

I climb the stairs with Caleb's hand on my back as if supporting me. And the two big lycans on each of our sides. Why are they here? Why does the Prince have to send two guards? What does he expect? That I escape in my own house? Well, I thought about it, true. But I am aware that I do not stand a chance as a human.

Or he wants to have me kicked out as I am not a wolf, and he felt it? He is just going to frighten me, and his two gori-lycans are going to kick my ass out of here.

Shit. My stomach tightens more and more. I feel like I'm gonna vomit. And this is not about the champagne this time. I am not ready to leave right now. Yes, I thought about it, but nothing has been decided yet. I don't want someone to make decisions for me.

Relax Liv. That's probably nothing. This is just a big misunderstanding. And anyway, you can't hide: once it's begun, it's begun.

Ready or not, here we come.