Chapter 4 Her Birthday

• Aileen
• 2 days later, my birthday arrived on March 6th.
• I was sleeping quite cozily on my bed, but the knock on the door woke me up from my sleep.
• “Aileen, wake up, breakfast is ready!” I heard Dave yelling right outside my door.
• Why’s he here to wake me up today? Usually, the maids come to wake me.
• I sat up, and rushed over to the door, opening it.
• Only for Dave to greet me with a soft smile.
• “Happy birthday.”
• I was taken aback by his presence.
• “Uh…I…”.
• “Um…” I lowered my gaze, fixing my hair.
• “T-thank you….”.
• “Was I the first one to wish you?” he asked, leaning on the door.
• I nod at him. “Yeah.”
• “I see…”.
• “Anyway, come downstairs. Your mom made breakfast and is calling you.”
• “You…” he examined my face and clothes.
• “Just woke up, I guess.”
• “Take your time. We’ll be waiting.”
• He was about to leave but I asked, “Don’t you have to go to work today?”.
• He turned around shaking his head in disapproval.
• “I took a day off for the special occasion.”
• “Your mom also.”
• “Let’s enjoy the day together as a family.”
• I was a bit stunned at first but then, I gave a smile at him before he walked away.
• Family huh….that’s the reason why I can’t approach you like others.
• It’s because we are family, I’m not allowed to have these feelings for you.
• Sometimes, I wonder why we had to be a family in the first place.
• Maybe, then I could go up to you and say out all the things that I want to.
• I closed the door and stood in front of the mirror. My hair is in a mess, and my PJs have become loose, falling off my shoulder.
• He keeps seeing me in my vulnerable state all the time.
• I tried to put on a forced smile, forgetting all the thoughts in my head.
• It’s my freaking birthday after all. I’m supposed to be happy!
• When I went downstairs I saw Mom putting on the plates.
• Seeing that I rushed to her side.
• “Mom!” I yelled hugging her.
• “Good morning.”
• “Good morning, and Happy birthday.” She said, placing a kiss on my forehead.
• “You must be hungry, sit down.”
• I took a seat, and Dave came a second later. He also sat down together with us.
• “What’s for breakfast?” he asked, turning to mom.
• “Scrambled eggs, pancakes, and fried bacon with orange juice,” Mom replied. “Aileen’s favorite breakfast.”
• “We used to eat this together all the time, and yet she never got bored of it.”
• “You can’t get bored of your favorite foods!” I retorted, taking a bite of the fried bacon from my plate.
• “True,” Dave asserts with a laugh.
• During breakfast, they discussed the party that they’d be hosting in the evening.
• Everyone in the pack is invited, and his beta family will also be coming.
• I was quite nervous to meet new people, but Dave assured me that they were all good people.
• During the afternoon, the maids were decorating the whole house, and it took them till evening to finish everything on time.
• I went to the kitchen to see Mom making fruit tarts, so I went to take a bite.
• It was at that time, that I saw Dave coming from outside carrying a wrapped box in his hands.
• He was smiling and seemed to be in a good mood.
• What’s inside that box?
• When I was getting ready, I noticed that people were starting to arrive.
• I had put on a light pink dress with frills that reached up to my knees, along with matching pink heels.
• I kept my hair loose, after putting on a hairclip at the sides.
• I went out the door and saw Dave standing.
• I became puzzled.
• He seemed to be quite impressed by my looks, as he looked at me in awe, observing from head to toe.
• I was starting to feel embarrassed by the intense stare.
• Do I look bad? Is my make-up not done well?
• What is trying to say by that face?
• “You look beautiful,” he added, placing his hands inside his pockets and giving a smile at me.
• What?
• “That dress suits you well.”
• I felt my cheeks becoming hot at his compliment.
• “um….thank you….”.
• I sneaked a few glances at him. He wore a blue suit with a blue vest and it made him look like a model in real life.
• He turned 24 a month ago. I keep forgetting that he’s not that old.
• I love how he kept his messy brown hair neatly arranged to the side to look more polished.
• His hazel eyes seemed soft and sharp at the same time.
• “Y-you…you look good as well.” I stuttered, trying my best to keep the contact.
• He was taken aback by my compliment.
• But he narrowed his eyes, giving a smile at me.
• “Well…I’m flattered to hear it from you.”
• “Shall we get going? Your mom is waiting.” He added, holding out his hand towards me.
• I nod, taking his hand.
• We both walked downstairs together and saw the crowd of people that had gathered to attend my birthday.
• My mom was downstairs talking with some guests.
• When we arrived downstairs, people surrounded us.
• “Is this your daughter, Alpha David?” one of them asked.
• He nodded in agreement. “Yes, my daughter.” He placed an arm around my shoulder, keeping me close to him.
• “Emilia, come here!” he called towards Mom’s direction.
• “Yes, coming.”
• She came and joined us.
• They did introductions and I greeted them.
• Everyone wanted to talk to me, so I felt very tired after I was done.
• I took a seat on the couch feeling tired.
• “Not used to people, I see?” a voice comments, drawing my attention.
• I turned around to see a man standing right behind me.
• “Who are you?” I couldn’t help but ask.
• He smirked and came over to stand in front of me.
• He had golden ash hair in curls, and neon blue eyes with were quite attractive, matching his physique.
• A glass of wine in his one hand as he examined me from head to toe.
• “You are pretty, I have to admit,” he comments, licking his lips.
• “What’s your name by the way?”.
• “Um…Aileen,” I said pausing for a moment.
• “Aileen….sounds lovely.”
• “I’m Marshall, nice to meet you, Princess,” he said holding out his hand towards me.
• Why’s he calling me princess? I’m not used to hearing that.
• I looked into his face and reached out my hand for a shake.
• “Nice to “.
• He lifted me by the hand, making me stand right in front of me as he secured his arm around my back.
• He was quite tall. I had to stretch my neck to look into his face.
• His eyes peered into mine, and I started to notice how close I was to him.
• “Um…can you let go of me now?” I asked without feeling a bit hesitant.
• “Why? You don’t like being close to me?” he added in a seductive tone.
• “Do you know who I am?”.
• “Who?” I glared at them.
• “I’m your dad’s beta.”
• “You are?” I found it hard to believe that such a flirty person could be his beta.
• He nodded. “Yes.”
• “So, you are my uncle then?” I grunted.
• He seemed to be irritated to hear that but kept his composure.
• “Uh….if you put it that way, yes. But, I’m not that much older than you to be called uncle. I’m right around the same age as Alpha David.”
• “Still, it doesn’t change you are my uncle,” I added with a forced smile.
• “You can let go of your niece now.”
• “Or, I’ll be forced to call him here.”
• “Hey, that’s going too-“.
• “What are you doing with Aileen, Marshall?” a stern voice called behind us.
• Dave stood right behind us when Marshall was holding me close.
• He seemed to be astonished to see Dave standing.
• “Uh, I can explain-“ Marshall tried to speak but before that Dave came over to my side and grabbed me by the hand, pulling me close to him.
• I was so shocked and embarrassed that I couldn’t look up at him in the face.
• “Were you bothering her?” he asked, pointing at Marshall.
• “Uh, no, not at all. We were just talking and…”.
• “She seemed to be bothered by the way you held her up in your arms. Don’t do that if she doesn’t like that!” Dave reprimanded him.
• His face was serious. He wasn’t joking when he scolded Marshall.
• Marshall looked at us, then narrowed his eyes.
• “Uh….sorry about that. I won’t do that again,” he apologized with his head low.
• “Good to hear that,” Dave glanced down at me.
• “Are you alright?”.
• “Uh….yeah….”.
• “I’m glad.” He said with a smile.
• His smile is too bright, I’m blinded by it.
• “Aileen, let’s cut the cake!” Mom yelled amongst the crowd of people gathered at the hall.
• “Come here.”
• “Let’s go, your mom’s calling,” Dave said with a smile, dragging me away with him.
• I nod at him and walk past Marshall before glancing at him for the last time.
• He seemed to look a bit pissed by Dave’s actions.