The Supreme Alpha

Author's note: This is from Zoe's point of view

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Ash and Luca arrived after lunch.

"Is it me, or is your brother's handsomeness increasing exponentially?", Chiara asked, and Violet hummed in approval of her words.

I felt a mix of pride and annoyance.

Why did they talk about Luca like he is a piece of meat?

He is nice and caring and observant and a good listener and overall the best person I know, and I'm not saying that only because he is my brother.

Everyone who takes time to get to know Luca can confirm that he is a darling.

Luca is the best, except for this last week when he ditched me.

I was frustrated that Ash and Luca were in London instead of being here where I needed them.

I didn't need them to help with preparations for the party, that was all done by Mona and the staff, but their presence would help me deal with anxiousness because my wolf is not present.

Ash greeted me with a kiss on the cheek, a modest display of affection he adopted after he ended up in a fistfight with Luca during Luca's birthday party when Luca caught us getting handsy.

"Do you accept presents now or at some other time?", Ash asked with his lopsided smile that normally puts me in a daze, but now I was too irritated to care.

"If you were here, you would know.", I snapped.

Ash stepped away from me. "Alright. Later."

"Happy birthday, Zoe.", Luca wished me, and I saw that he kept a neatly wrapped box behind his back. Probably for later.

I felt like crap for acting like a brat.

Was I really upset because they were in London for the last week? We are not kids and it's normal that they have things they want to do instead of babysitting my insecurities.

"Sorry, guys. I'm just nervous. Thank you for coming. I am grateful that you managed to postpone things in your busy schedules to attend my birthday." I have no idea why I added this snarky remark at the end. What's wrong with me?

"Still nothing?", Luca asked in a low voice, obviously not bothered by my foul mood.

Luca always accepted me the way I was. Good and bad included.

I can't even make myself be angry at Luca because with only a few words he melts my hostility away, and that's exactly why I needed him nearby.

But I didn't want to make more fuss than I already made so I pressed my lips into a line.

"Don't give up. It will happen when it's supposed to happen.", Luca encouraged me.

"I will be fine.", I said with a forced smile while avoiding to meet their eyes. I didn't want to see pity. "Come and join the party. Now that you are here, the real fun can start."

The strange thing was that both Luca and Ash appeared to be nervous. Or maybe that was me, and they just reflected my emotions.

The crowd cheered when Luca and Ash appeared, with Hugo and Emilio being the loudest.

At this point, I gave up on wishing for a nice party and I lost hopes of maintaining my dignity. The only thing I wished for was that today passes as soon as possible, and I can disappear in the comfort of my bed and not come out of it ever again.

Pillows and blankets don't care if I have a wolf or not, they won't judge me or feel sorry for me. They are just there, and that's what I needed.

…

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Every minute passed slowly, and I had a feeling that even the time was making fun of me.

Since we had a sudden increase in the number of guests for dinner, the staff set up seating arrangements on the clearing behind the garden. The weather was nice, so it was perfect, and that setting will double as the area for the audience during the coming of age ceremony.

Maria and Mona decided on last-minute menu changes, so instead of roasting meat in the oven, the chef cut it into pieces and mixed it up with vegetables that will go on skewers to make kebobs. We already established that barbecue is the best way to feed a large number of werewolves.

Soups and salads were left on the menu, and they added more pork and beef for the grill.

Cristina, Chiara, and Violet volunteered to skip on some games in the garden in order to help with preparing the food. They are real friends. I wanted to help as well, but they shooed me out of the kitchen, saying that I'm the birthday girl and that I don't get to work today.

The initial list of about twenty people present for my birthday party swelled to more than sixty, and I was glad that all the noise was distracting people from the birthday girl (aka me).

At some point in the late afternoon, Calista appeared mysteriously, and I remembered Serina's warning to act like that's normal. It seems that there is something happening between Calista and Sergio, and we are all supposed to pretend not to see it. OK. I mean… whatever.

Pio and his men arrived on time, eager to talk to Fynn and Sergio (who showed up just before food was served).

The forty werewolves were also interested in teenage werewolves (aka my guests).

Chiara, Hugo, and Emilio are the chattiest ones, and they were happy to share information about their current packs and how they live, and Pio and his men soaked in every word hungrily while munching on the delicious food.

It all looked like a long-overdue reunion, with Serina and Mateo sitting at the head of the table and making sure everything is in order.

Part of me was relieved when the cake arrived. I blew the candles with Luca and Ash helping from the side, and I didn't wish for anything. I was out of wishes.

I don't remember how the cake tasted, but I know that Cristina took three servings, and she would probably go for the fourth one, but other girls teased her that she will get fat because even werewolves' increased metabolism can't work through so many calories.

The moment these official parts ended which required my involvement, I disappeared into the garden, far from the activity, yet still in sight so that no one wonders where I went.

"Nervous?", Luca asked when he took a seat next to me on the bench.

"No.", I lied.

Luca cocked an eyebrow at me. "Then, why are you hiding in the garden?"

Well, he got me there.

I let out a sharp breath. "The ceremony will happen soon, and I will make a total fool of myself."

"You won't."

I rolled my eyes. "Everyone will shift and go hunting and I… won't."

"You won't be the only one.", Luca said. "I will stay with you."

He really is a sweetheart, isn't he? But I knew that he loves running in his wolf form. They all do, and I would be the same, only if I could do that. "You don't need to sacrifice anything for me."

"Don't call it a sacrifice, Zoe…", he said almost pleadingly. "I've always had your back, and I always will."

Before I could thank him or say something sappy, Ash plopped on the bench, on my other side.

"I've got your back also, Zoe.", Ash said. He didn't try to conceal that he overheard our conversation.

I looked at Ash and forced a smile. In the last few months, we were growing distant by the day, and I have a feeling that after tonight's embarrassment when I show how big of a failure I am, he will dump me. Officially.

"Don't be like that.", Ash said, and he gave my left hand a squeeze.

I realized that I was a brat again. Why was I mean and distant toward Luca and Ash? We know each other for a long time and no matter what happens, our history will remain.

The three of us were stuck in a horrible pack, and we managed to escape when Serina took us under her wing, and Ash and Luca are my family.

I am aware that all other teens currently present here are envious of us because we live in a big house, and we have education, jobs, we travel, but my biggest wealth are these two guys. We have each other.

"I'm sorry for letting you feel the burn of my frustration.", I spoke to both Ash and Luca. "I know you have my back, and I'm grateful. I'm unhappy with myself, but I am happy that you are here for me."

Ash gave my hand another squeeze and I reached to hold Luca's hand. I was surprised when Luca moved to avoid me before I could even touch him.

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