"Que los cumplas feliz," I sang to Faustina to wake her up.

My sister rubbed her eyes with her small hands as she yawned. The mattress sank beneath her as she sat up, and letting out a sigh, she moved the sheets to uncover her torso.

"Pancakes!" Faustina exclaimed after her eyes fell on the tray I had in my hands.

"Breakfast in bed for the birthday girl," I said with a smile and sat next to her. "I hope you enjoy it."

"It's the best birthday ever. Thank you."

With the tray on her legs, Faustina attacked the food. Very few things were able to keep her quiet, one of those was breakfast. Demian had made sure to cook Faustina's favorite for her birthday, my plan to prepare her breakfast myself was ruined before I could even get to work.

"How is it?" I asked her, even though the answer was more than clear.

"Extra delicious." She didn't even bother to swallow before speaking.

It felt like a dream come true for me. Months ago I feared that my sister would not have the opportunity to celebrate another birthday, and yet she managed to do it. Seeing her smile on such a special day made me remember how lucky we had been to cross paths with Almec. The alpha that was considered a beast by most of the members of the pack was actually our savior.

Even though I would have liked our parents to be with us at that moment, that morning was perfect. After so long we had a reason to celebrate and people with whom we could share our joy. I closed my eyes and asked the Moon Goddess to let us stay with them for a long time.

"Aren't you going to eat anything?" Faustina asked me, offering me a slice of brownie.

"I already ate some when I woke up, but I can accept that portion."

Between laughter and stories from past birthdays we enjoyed breakfast. Faustina was so excited about the party that she didn't make any excuse to get out of bed. She was getting ready in the bathroom when someone knocked on the door.

I answered the call, meeting Khalia who had a large rectangular box in her hands.

"How's the birthday girl?" She asked, poking her head into the room. "I have a package from Almec. He asked me to deliver it to you before he left to patrol the forest."

"She's getting ready in the bathroom. I'll take care of the gift."

"Perfect." Khalia extended the box towards me. "I think there's something for you too."

I raised an eyebrow and received the gift but I didn't ask anything.

Without wasting time the young woman said goodbye explaining that she had a lot of work to do to prepare for the party and she disappeared down the hallway.

"Princesa, a gift has arrived for you," I shouted, placing the box on the bed.

I had to fight the desire to peek at the content. Khalia's words had ignited my curiosity, if there was really something for me I wanted to see it as soon as possible.

Faustina ran out of the bathroom and rushed against the box, she gave the side of it a little tap and listened carefully.

"What is it?" she asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, Khalia said Almec sent it, why don't you open it to find out?"

With total concentration Faustina untied the bow and moved the lid. When she saw the contents she let out a high-pitched scream as she did a little happy dance.

"It's a dress," she exclaimed, holding it up so I could see it. "Now I'm going to be a real princess."

Pink and filled with crystals, it was identical to the dress that Faustina had drawn when Almec showed her the art room. Somehow he had managed to have a copy of the dress made in such a short time.

Whatever he did was worth it, my sister's smile of total happiness was worth it.

"There's one more dress," she said, pointing to the box.

I looked down and found a card next to the gift. Under my sister's curious gaze I read the message aloud.

"Happy birthday Faustina, this is just a preview of your real gift. A dress for the princess of the home and another for the queen. I hope you like it and that you wear it during the party. Almec."

Without thinking I brought the card to my chest, I wanted to keep it with me forever so I could remember the beautiful moment in the future. Almec always knew how to take my breath away, every little act of service had the ability to light up my day.

The queen of the home, I didn't think that I was worthy of such a position.

"Hurry up! I want to see your dress," Faustina said, interrupting my thoughts.

"Easy there, it's not going anywhere."

I took it out of the bag, it was a ball gown dress, its red color reminded me of the alpha's eyes.

"Wow," Faustina said, reaching out to touch the tulle of the skirt. Then she looked down at the box. "There are also shoes!"

I sat on the bed. My hands folded the dress delicately, protecting what had just become my most prized possession.

While my sister tried on the shoes my mind traveled to Almec. Immediately a warm feeling spread through my chest and the desire to sing of joy grew inside me.

I let out a sigh, I was beginning to become like the princesses in fairy tales who blushed at the mention of their prince.

"Can I get ready now?" Faustina asked me. "It won't be long until the party."

I nodded. "I'll help you, but you're going to have to be careful not to get dirty before the party."

***

The garden had been transformed to welcome the princess. A rectangular table decorated with flowers waited near the river as it held the food that was requested by Faustina. Pink bows hung from the trees and pots of roses surrounded the makeshift dance floor.

Faustina's favorite song began to play as my sister and I approached along the stone path. She squeezed my hand and dragged me to walk faster.

The guests were waiting by the small gift table. Just as Feinid predicted, they all had pink tiaras on their heads. My breath hitched when I saw Almec, he was wearing a blue suit that fit his body perfectly and his loose hair fell to his shoulders, even the plastic tiara looked fantastic on him.

Faustina was greeted with a bouquet of flowers for each person, she thanked them with a hug while I followed behind her helping her hold her gifts.

When we got close to Almec I noticed that he had two bouquets hidden behind his back. I expected him to give them both to my sister but he gave one to Faustina and extended the other towards me.

"Is it for me?" I asked, not being able to believe what was happening.

"I couldn't leave the queen out," he said and winked at me.

"Thank you," is all I could say out loud as I accepted the roses with trembling hands.

"Let's open the presents!" Faustina shouted out of nowhere, saving me from saying something stupid.

"Isn't it a little early to open presents?" Demian asked, the tiara on his head about to fall.

"I'm the birthday girl so I choose when to open my presents," my sister answered, offended.

Feinid approached the cook and patted him on the back. "Let the poor girl open her presents, it doesn't affect you at all."

"I was just asking," Demian defended himself, raising his hands.

"Do you need any help with that?" Khalia offered her hand to Faustina with a smile.

"You and Valen can pass me the gifts so I can open them."

My sister's orders were sacred that day, since the morning everyone ran behind her and she was clearly enjoying being the boss.

Neither of us tried to object, we just followed her behind the table and passed her the gifts one by one. Jumps, screams and thanks filled the air as Faustina unwrapped her gifts. Soon she was surrounded by toys and art supplies. To no one's surprise, the biggest gift was from Almec, he gave her a dollhouse that was almost Faustina's height and six dolls to live in it.

I should have told her to open mine first, I thought. There was no way I could compete with the alpha.

"Petunia!" she screamed when she saw the stuffed wolf that I had given her, without letting it go she lunged at me to hug me. "Thank you."

I hugged her back with the same intensity. It made me happy that my idea worked. When I saw that wolf in the store it reminded me of the stuffed animal that Faustina had to leave behind when we escaped from the hunters. Fortunately for me, she thought the same thing.

The party officially started after that. We enjoyed the delicious food, played some games at Faustina's request, and even cut the cake.

I couldn't stop smiling during the entire party, just seeing my sister so cheerful was enough to make me happy.

I would have said that I was never so relaxed if it weren't for the gaze that followed me every step. I knew it was Almec, the first time I turned around to confirm the strange sensation my gaze met the alpha's. He didn't even try to pretend that he wasn't responsible, instead, he kept looking directly into my eyes with the same intensity as he would look at his prey.

My stomach didn't stop spinning and a blush constantly decorated my cheeks. Almec didn't get too close to me at any time, he always stayed away from the rest of the guests except for Faustina.

"I want to go to sleep," my sister announced, rubbing her eyes.

"Looks like the party has come to an end," Geldra commented as she handed a piece of cake to her mate.

Khalia insisted on walking Faustina to the room while the rest of us helped pick up the food and gifts. Feinid was about to dismantle the decoration when Almec interrupted him.

"Don't worry, we can clean up tomorrow, you've worked enough today, go rest."

"Are you kicking me out of your house?" Feinid joked.

"Yes, I can't stand seeing your face anymore," Almec replied, deadpan.

One by one the guests walked away. I, for some reason I couldn't explain, didn't move from my place. The need to be next to Almec grew inside me, as long as he stayed in the garden I would too.

Apparently the strange magnetic force also affected the alpha who did not move an inch from his position. He looked at me and started walking towards the music player. Seconds later a slow song spread through the air.

"Would you allow me this dance?" Almec asked me, extending his hand.

"I thought you'd never ask," I answered.

He guided me to the center of the dance floor and gently took me by the waist. For the first time in my life, I felt safe allowing someone else to take control. There was something about Almec's confidence and strength that reassured me.

Ignoring my racing heart, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Our bodies were pressed together as we moved to the music. I could feel his muscles flexing against me, starting a shiver to run down my spine.

"You look beautiful today, I couldn't take my eyes off you," he whispered in my ear after the first song finished. "When I bought the dress I knew you would look perfect in it but somehow you exceeded my expectations."

"You look very handsome too, the hairstyle fits you," I said.

"If you say so, then I should use it like that more often." Almec raised one of his hands to touch my back.

He tilted his head down, our noses almost touching.

"Don't let him walk away," my wolf's voice burst into my head.

I didn't have time to be surprised by hearing my wolf once again. My mind was invaded by Almec. All I could think about was the closeness of his lips to mine.

Falling into temptation, I closed my eyes and waited for the crash.

But the crash never came.

I felt his lips rest on my forehead for several seconds before he separated from me. His touch on my waist did not disappear and when I opened my eyes I discovered that he was still in front of me.

"It's getting dark," he said. "It's not safe for you to be out of your room at this hour."

"I'm safe with you," I replied. I still didn't want to let him go.

"It's not safe when I'm the threat." Almec let go of my waist. "I'll walk you to your room."

The seriousness of his expression told me there was no chance of convincing him otherwise. Every time it came to the Lycan side of him, Almec wouldn't budge, so I decided to do what he asked for the moment.

Perhaps next time I would be able to convince him.