"I don't think I want anyone to see you like this." Wes frowned and looked straight ahead with a determined glare.

"We should lock her up in a tower, I swear," Zion said with conviction and I gaped at him.

"Maybe we should trap her in a magical pendant for 41 years until Sofia is found," Ben joined in and the other three laughed at him.

"Yes, or isolate her in a forest and let the apes or something take care of her," Sam suggested and we stared it him weirdly.

"What? Weren't we all referring to Disney movies? It was all I could think up."

"You're stupid, Sam," Zion deadpanned and I chuckled.

"But seriously, you're too beautiful to be showcased to everyone tonight. We don't want you to get snatched away from us," Ben's comment made my other brothers growl and glare and I facepalmed.

"Brothers, I will be fine." I assured them.

"No, you would not. You might crash into a tree."

"Or get snatched away from us."

"You might not handle the drinks to be served tonight. Its alcohol level is off the charts."

"I don't want any males standing within a mile near you."

"I wasn't informed I had multi-mothers. Seriously I will be fine." I gave each of them a playful glare.

"But princess," they whined altogether.

"I am now 18. I can face the world!" I twirled and ran away from them like a madman but stopped at the huge double doors.

"You shouldn't run like that from us, Yzav. You might trip and rip your dress in the process." Sam glanced at me worriedly and I snickered.

"I'll still be marvelous out there, Sammy."

"You look like a cupcake, princess."

"Wes, are you even sure that's a compliment?"

"Can you all stop talking nonsense and let's just go in the premises now?" We were all hushed to a silence to stare at Ben.

"Big words from Big Ben," Sam whistled lowly. We all burst into hysterical fits of laughter at the pun.

"Excuse me, but the birthday girl is needed now." I nod and turn to look at the idiots I call 'brothers.'

"We should get going."

"No need princess, we're already at the door."

"Wes, I think what she meant was to go meet the guests." Zion rolled his eyes at Wes before linking our arms together.

"Ready?"

I took a deep breath and stared at the door with intent, "I was born to never be ready." Zion just laughed it away.

______________
"I can't do this anymore." I slumped on a nearby couch, forgetting the grace my mother etched into my brain.

"Oh shush, Julianna, and will you please sit properly and hide your discomfort?" Mom scolded and sat beside me.

"I'm so tired," I groaned out, further shrinking on my seat. She tried to smooth out any stray hair with her hand, but I dodged it and glared at her, "Mom!"

She raised an ignorant brow, "What?"

"Nothing, I love you!" I smiled sweetly, with her rolling her eyes at me.

I turned to take a glimpse at the scene around me- people dancing without a care in the world, those who didn't were at the sidelines, a glass of champagne in their hand, talking with their friends and colleagues as if they were just reunited, children running and playing around, and then there're my four brothers.

"Where's Papa?" I asked Mom, and she huffed, "He's out at the balcony with other Alphas. Probably talking again about boring stuff." I laughed at my mother's humor.

"You're mean." An arm snakes around Mom's waist and I giggled.

"Hi Papa." I waved, getting a wink from him.

"For your information, it wasn't boring. We were congratulating Conrad for being able to produce triplets. Can you believe that? Triplets, Ara!" Mom just rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't expect me to conceive any more freaking pups, Xav. Let alone, triplets. You already have five. I'm done dying for a few hours. You wanna try?" Papa pouted childishly at her. I slowly sneaked away from them before they start getting hearts on their eyes.

I greeted guests here and there, with the ocassional clumsy bumping into others and a glass falling and being broken, before deciding to head on to the garden for some needed fresh air.

The castle didn't have a maze, but it did have a gazebo at the center of the garden. It was one of my favorite places to go to, when I needed a great read. Away from the duties confining me.

It was dark out, the moon painting the sky with its ominous yet captivating shade of light. Others would think the trees were rather creepy with the way they danced to the wind's song, but it brought nothing but comfort and familiarity to my shivering self, as I continue the path down to the gazebo.

I didn't need to turn on the lights, for the moon was providing a lot tonight. Nights like this, thoughts would cloud your mind- mindless or not, deep or shallow.

I shook my head, it was already an emotional day, and I seem to be making it worse by overthinking.

I stared back at the moon, silently thanking the goddess for blessing me a great eighteen years of living and breathing, and I pause, snorting at what I was doing.

"I just turned eighteen and I'm already talking to the goddess as if I'm gonna die any second now. The hell." Figuring that I needed to go back now or else they might send out search teams, I step out of the gazebo and head back to the castle.

While entering on one of the side doors, I noticed everyone frozen to their spots and whispering violently to those beside them with frightened eyes.

I approached a nearby woman and tapped her shoulder. "What's going on?"

She turned to look at me and released a shaky sigh, "Alpha Zakharov just joined the party."

• •
He's coming! *gushes*

This is Alpha Xavier and Luna Arabella, the parents of Yzavel and the brothers :)