It was like a calm before a storm.

We all walked home in silence.

Luke's bloodied hand hanging loosely down the side of my chest as his arm laid over my shoulder while he held me close.

We had destroyed my past and buried it six feet under and hopefully it would stay exactly where we left it.

I glanced at Brian and Darcy, her body cradled closely to him as he wandered a few feet away.

I wondered what would happen to her.

She did dishonour her pack.

But she was still part of it nonetheless.

Just as the thought popped up, Luke gave my shoulder a small squeeze as if to say he would take care of it.

The rest of the way, we just continued to walk silently.

Not saying a word the whole way back home had nerves feeding on me like leaches and I hated every single second.

After a couple of hours of walking we decided to cut our trip short by shifting and taking a sprint back home.

Half an hour later we found ourselves back on our familiar grand pack territory.

I welcomed every single bit of the now familiar scents and smells attacking my senses before noticing Brian wander off towards where I knew the meadow was and the rest of my people disperse hastily.

The smell of vanilla and strawberries pulling through the familiarity immediately caught my attention, leading me towards the pack house, up the front porch and into the kitchen.

Rounding the corner that lead from the foyer I heard people whispering before someone scolded the voices with a "Shhh." causing me to have myself stifle a giggle.

Walking into the kitchen, I pretended that I didn't just hear a whole lot of people and decided on a snack before walking over to the fridge on the far side of the room across from the door.

"SURPRISE!" voices, young, old, male and female exclaimed before my mother's familiar scent latched itself onto me as she engulfed me in her embrace.

Her warm skin brought me comfort, just like it had done countless times as a child. Suddenly tears started running down my face as I held onto my mother for dear life.

Her palm rubbing circles on my aching back had the pain fading as her soft whispers filled my ears. It was in that moment that I realised just how much I have missed her in the weeks that have passed.

The clearing of someone's throat had me pulling away from my mother to wipe my tears away.

Right there stood Kristina.

Her face full of flour and an awkward smile playing at her lips.

"This is for you." she said while holding out a pink cake, the words 'Happy Birthday Lexi' messily piped in white onto the pink icing.

"Thank you." was all I could manage.

In the past few weeks I haven't seen much of Kristina but this gesture made my heart warm and caused a lump to form in my throat.

"I know it's not the best. But it's the best I've ever-" I placed my hand on her shoulder before looking at her as a smile played at my lips.

"It's beautiful... Thank you." I whispered.

She moved towards the dining table in the dining room, placing the cake on the table next to a stack of plates before lighting the candles then nodding for me to come closer.

And I did.

I walked over to the dining room table, pack members following shortly behind while Luke's hand now rested at the small of my back as he walked next to me in silence.

I wondered what to wish for as I stared at the glowing candles when suddenly I found clarity.

May the past stay where it is so I can be happy.

Making my wish, I blew out the candles as everyone cheered and sang a very high pitched version of a birthday song.

But not even the noise and the commotion could distract me from the happy look on Kristina's face. She was glowing.

I grabbed the knife next to the cake, holding it in the palms of my hands.

Once the cheering died down, all eyes were on me.

"Kristina?" I questioned.

"Yes, Alpha?"

"Would you do the honours?" a smile on my face as I motioned the knife towards the cake.

"Oh no! I can'-" she started, my words cutting through her polite words like the knife in my hands.

"You can." I kindly urged.

"But that would mean giving me your-"

"My portion?" I questioned.

"Yes." she whispered, her head down as she looked to the ground in embarrassment.

"That's okay, Kristina. I'm giving it to you... Please take it?" I smiled kindly.

In our world there were rules. The Alpha ate first. And I was an Alpha.

Giving my portion to someone in the lower levels of the pack would not only let jealousy blossom but make the person respected in a certain manner.

And in my eyes, Kristina deserved every ounce of respect one could give.

I grabbed her hand from her side, placing the knife in it before closing her hand around the handle.

Her head shot up, her face mirroring a mixture of horror and appreciation.

I motioned my hand towards the cake. The room around us so quiet; one could probably hear a pin drop.

She stepped forward with uncertainty. "No one has ever shown me such kindness." she whispered, her eyes growing teary as she gave us a hesitated look... Until she saw the grand smile on my face and the nod of Luke's head.

He understood the kind, richer meaning to the gesture I was making.

I was giving her a chance.

She slowly cut into the cake, the only sounds heard being her soft heartbeat and the unmissable gulp that sounded in her throat.

She stood back while slowly facing me as her hand neared her mouth with the cake.

Her teeth digging into the small corner of the cake had me giggling causing her to smile, her teeth covered in chocolate cake had my heart warming.

Then the room grew cold.

Suddenly her eyes flickered to the door and her mouth hung open slightly causing me to whip my body around.

Right there stood a shifters mortal enemy.

His body covered in old Victorian Era robes. His hair long and white hanging over his shoulders messily and moist as patches of boldness could be seen upon his crown. His skin was as pale and white as the moonlight. His hands coming from his sleeves like bear claws as the ends of his fingers bared long sharp nails, black filth underneath them. His face baring a set of icy white eyes and a set of razor sharp yellow teeth.

To say he was revolting was an understatement.

His stench had my stomach churning and turning causing bile to crawl up my throat.

"What do you want?" Luke spat.

"Well that's not a very nice way to welcome ones guests Master Jamison. Try again." he grinned.

"You are no guest of mine." Luke growled causing the vampire to swat away his words.

"Hello, my lady. How do you do?" he questioned curtsying before me.

"Uhm... Hello?" I said hesitantly smiling.

"My name's Duran. Yours is?" he questioned as he bowed before he greedily grabbed my hand and kissed it with his cold lips.

"Your business is with me. Leave her alone before I cut your tongue out!" Luke spat.

"Oh, I didn't come for you, you fool... I came for her." he said as he lifted his hand. His index finger pointing right at my face.