"Josh, mum asked me to tell you to take..." The words died on my lips as I stopped dead in my tracks as I entered my brother's room and found him shirtless. Beside him on his bed was a blondie who stirred because of my sudden intrusion, a faint flicker of surprise crossing her face as my voice pierced the stillness.
My heart sank like a stone as the realization hit me. Josh hadn't bothered to come and wish me a happy birthday because he was preoccupied with someone else.
The sting of betrayal cut deep, slicing through the air like a knife.
Joshua, seemingly unfazed by my presence, interrupted my thoughts with a dismissive command. "Get out, I am coming". He grunted, hurling a pillow in my direction with careless disregard.
As I walked out of the door, my heart sank with a heavy weight of sadness. I could feel my footsteps getting slower and heavier as I retreated to the sanctuary of my room.
As I entered my room, I took a deep breath and let my body collapse onto the chair. The soft cushion of the chair welcomed me, and I felt my muscles relax as I sank into it.
The silence of the room was only interrupted by the sound of my breath, which seemed to be the only thing keeping me company.
The sense of betrayal lingered like a bitter taste in my mouth, a stark reminder of how much my brother had changed since his 21st birthday.
His once carefree demeanor had been replaced by a different attitude, his pursuit of a mate abandoned in favor of a hedonistic lifestyle.
He was to be paired with another mateless woman. The park termed those without mates at 20 years 'Mateless'.
The sound of my mother's gentle knock echoed through the room, suddenly disrupting my line of thoughts and crying.
I hastily wiped away the remnants of tears on my face. With a deep breath, I composed myself before opening the door to face her.
"I told him, Mom," I declared quietly, meeting her gaze with a smile on my face, a silent promise to myself not to let my brother's indifference destroy the significance of the day.
Exiting my room, I entered the dining room where my father was busily arranging colorful birthday balloons, a gesture that warmed my heart despite the lingering disappointment.
The twins, engrossed in their morning routine, sat at the table munching on their breakfast cereals.
With a sense of resolve, I embraced my father tightly, gratitude flooding my soul for his unwavering support.
Grabbing my backpack, I made my way toward the door, determined not to let my brother's stupid behavior cast a shadow over my special day.
Today was my birthday, and I refused to let anything or anyone dampen its joy. With a final glance back at my family, I stepped out of the house.
My best friend's car sputtered to a halt. She came out smiling at me and gave me a warm embrace that conveyed more than mere words ever could as she wished me a heartfelt happy birthday.
"Happy Birthday and Mate day girl," she began, her voice tinged with excitement, "I know you have everything planned but you do not know what your mate looks like.
Trust me I didn't know Tom was my mate till his sweet scent..." She suddenly stopped and stared at my face.
"Your brother, he didn't wish you again, did he?" She inquired softly, already sensing the answer before the words had even left her lips.
"Yes, Salem. He keeps spoiling my mood on my birthdays". I said and I entered her car and she zoomed off.
"Today is your very special day," Salem insisted, her voice infused with warmth and encouragement. "Be happy. Your mate is going to be thrilled to have you. Now we are going to forget your brother and his moods." She said and she played one of her songs.
With Salem's infectious optimism lifting my spirits, we embarked on our journey to school, the rhythmic beats of her music filling the car with energy. Lost in the moment, we sang.
I knew my wolf was going to show when the time came. I was so prepared to meet my wolf and my mate too.
Arriving at school, I was greeted by a chorus of birthday wishes from friends and classmates, their genuine expressions of joy adding to my happiness and raising my spirits.
After classes concluded, Salem and I eagerly made our way to my house, anticipation bubbling within me as I prepared to usher in the festivities of my birthday party.
As the hours passed and the excitement of the celebration mounted, I found myself eagerly anticipating the moment when my wolf would reveal herself, I was told that It wasn't going to be a painful process.
I couldn't also wait for my mate and I knew he was going to love me and I was going to have what my parents had.
The sudden intrusion of a new voice caught me off guard, a subtle tug at the back of my mind before a new voice joined me.
"Finally, I couldn't wait any longer". A voice said. A voice? Was I going mad?
With a mixture of confusion and curiosity, I turned around, searching for the source of the unexpected sound.
"I am in you, Idiot. I am Britt your Wolf". The voice said with so much sass and intertwining with my thoughts in a way that felt both strange and fun.
"Oh, Hi Britt". I said, feeling so relieved, happy and excited for what was to come.
"We need to search for our mate and I feel him close". She said.
The world seemed to sharpen into focus, I suddenly felt like my senses had heightened and a woody scent clouded my senses.
I excused myself from my group of friends and I followed the tantalizing trail of scent, each breath drawing me closer to the source.
I climbed the stairs and as I passed my room, the scent grew very strong easing me to my brother's closed door.
I was so confused and wondered. What the hell was my mate doing in my brother's room? Was it one of his friends?
I couldn't think of any of his friends because he had a lot. It could be his best friend.
The door was swung open and My wolf suddenly whispered the words "Mate". The words were filled with recognition and desire.
A rush of tingling sensation swept through my body, igniting a primal instinct deep within me as I stood before my mate.
I looked up to see his face and a gasp left my lips as the face registered.
"Bella?"