Two years ago…

It was a normal morning in Osaka, with a clear blue sky with just a cloud or two and a cool morning breeze. Twilight was lying in bed, not bothering to get up. Today was her 16th birthday, not that she cared though. 

It wasn't always like this. She used to look forward to her birthday; it was her favourite day of the year. She'll never forget how her mom would always fill her room with balloons before she woke up, make a birthday present scavenger hunt, and plant hidden birthday cards with funny or cute messages. 

Just those memories and the fact that she'll never share such moments with her mom again created a sort of… emptiness. Thus, it’s been six years since she’s celebrated her birthday.

Her dad, on the other hand, has been a hot mess ever since. He used to brood over a portrait of his late mate. Whenever he feels as though he's failed as a father, he goes to it to apologise and ask for forgiveness.

“Since I've got nothing better to do, Imma just do some border patrol,”  She thought to herself. 

She dragged herself out of bed and headed downstairs, not caring enough to shower or change out of her pyjamas.

“Here comes the birthday girl!” She heard as she reached the bottom of the stairs. 

She saw that the kitchen was filled with birthday decorations, and on the table, there was a plate filled with 16 different flavoured cupcakes and next to it a triple chocolate cake with chocolate-covered strawberries on top. 

“C'mon, Papa Wolf...” 

“I know what you’re going to say, but I thought that since it's your Sweet 16, you might have had a change of heart.” 

“Nice try, but I'm not gonna change my mind,” She said while taking one of the cupcakes. “But I will eat the cake and cupcakes though.” 

“Of course, you will,” He sighed and ruffled her hair. “By the way, where are you going looking like that?” 

“I'm just going to do some border patrol. I'll shower and change when I get back, so it doesn't matter.” 

He got on his knee so she could peck his cheek before heading out.

The wind felt refreshing across Twilight's snow-white fur as she ran along the pack's board line, occasionally stopping to walk instead.

“You know, you are allowed to celebrate your birthday, right?” She heard Tis say.

Tis was her sweet, lovable wolf, but like any rose, she had her thorns. This was one of the things that made Tis and Twilight so similar.

“Where are you going this?” Twilight asked.

“I’m just saying that birthdays are super important and special, you know, because they mean you're a whole year closer to finding your mate. Just thinking about it makes me wanna jump around and annoy you to no end.”

“Do you ever think of anything besides finding a mate?”

“One of us has to, and since you don’t seem to care, guess who has to. And don't you dare give me that holier-than-thou-attitude. I bet you’ll be all over our mate when we find him and...”

“And that it's time to stop talking to you and get back home? What a great idea.”

“Hold on, I'm not done...”

“But I am, bye,” She said before shutting Tis out and racing back home.

Within minutes, she was finally home and got ready to take a bubble bath. Needless to say, she'd rather die than let anyone know that she still loved taking bubble baths.

Once she was in the warm water, she came to the realisation she had barely seen any of the other wolves while she was out. Which was very weird considering that the pack was always lively at this time of the day; she figured that her dad might have something to do with it.

After being satisfied with the amount of time she spent playing around with bubbles, she forced herself out. She sat on the edge of the tub, and used the other towel to dry her wavy white curls. As elegant as they looked, they were sometimes uncontrollable and frustrating, as if they wanted to be difficult whenever they felt like it.

Afterwards, she went to her room and got dressed in a pair of jeggings and a hoodie. She finished off the look with a pair of sneakers, as she always did, and her hair in her iconic ponytail with her bangs just above her turquoise-coloured eyes, partially covering her silvery brows.

She went downstairs to look for her dad and found him in the front yard. 

“Hey Papa Wolf, I noticed that the pack was emptier than usual today. Is there something going on?” She asked while walking towards him.

 “Alpha Jace of the Blood Moon pack said he wanted to come over to discuss some urgent business with me. The other wolves were just...” He was interrupted by a yellow Jeep pulling into the driveway. “Speak of the devil, here he comes.”

The moment the doors opened; Twilight's senses were overwhelmed by the most heavenly scent she'd ever smelt. She felt like she was on a sugar rush, and her eyes dilated and that emptiness she'd been feeling all these years completely vanished. Hell, she couldn't even remember what it felt like at that moment. She could feel herself breaking into a cold sweat and her heart skipping more than just a beat while it was pumping her body with adrenaline. The overwhelming emotions had her wanting to throw up the cupcake, but at the same time, they were soothing and made her feel safe.

“That's our mate!” Tis said excitedly while jumping around in Twilight’s head.