Kora was dragged out of her room by Dana when she found out that the girl was budding and didn’t want to be seen because of her look. Dana didn’t think there was anything wrong with the way Kora look even if she hadn’t seen the girl since she woke up. She had heard from Ezra about the change in Kora and she was rather excited to see it than think it weird.

But Kora seems to think otherwise. Even after she spoke with Lazarus she still wasn’t satisfied with it and chose to stay indoors avoiding everyone, perhaps by tomorrow it will go away and she will be herself again.

Dana just could not understand why Kora was suddenly conscious about her looks when she had never cared about them before. The moment Dana entered the room which was now dark because Kora had pulled down the curtains and shut the windows and then turned off the lights, she was awestruck by the sight before her. Kora’s hair and eyes were glowing in the dark, seeing the reflection of her eyes in the mirror.

She approached Kora who had her back facing the door and touched her shoulder. "Kora!" Dana called and sat beside her on the bed.

"I want to be left alone," Kora said without looking up at Dana.

"You look beautiful," Dana said ignoring her words.

"You are lying," Kora said raising her head as she looked at Dana. "There is something wrong with me and Lazarus won’t tell me even when he knows about what is happening to me," she said in almost a whisper.

"Nothing is wrong with you, honey," Dana said caressing her cheek. "You are special."

"Lazarus said that too." Kora pointed out. "He knew and you know too."

"It’s your birthday today, let’s go down and celebrate, don’t keep yourself cooped up in here," Dana said changing the conversation.

"I don’t want to go," Kora said with a small frown knowing that Dana intentionally changed the subject of discussion.

Dana didn’t give heed to her refusal and dragged her outside of her room and down the stairs which left Kora wondering why she was so enthusiastic about her birthday when she, herself was not as spirited as for her birthday.

Begrudgingly, Kora walked down the stairs, the lights suddenly went off before she could see what was down there properly. Soon her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she was able to what was down there. She shook her head and asked herself why there bothered turning off the lights when they all could perfectly fine in the dark.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Everyone yelled except for Raven. They turned the lights on as soon as they shouted happy birthday. Kora felt like running inside her room but was stopped by an energetic Emily who ran into her arms and engulfed her in a hug.

"Happy birthday, Kora!" Emily said cheerfully with a bright smile on her face. "I brought this for you," Emily said and handed Kora a small box wrapped in gift wrap. "I hope you like it."

Kora took the box and smiled at her friend before opening it to see what was inside. Inside the box was a bracelet made out of beads.

"It’s a friendship bracelet," Emily said happily and pulled her out to Kora showing her her wrist, "I have mine, I made them myself." She said looking expectantly at Kora and asked, "Do you like it?"

"Mmm, I do, thank you," Kira said as she puts on the bracelet. "What happens when you shift, won’t it cut?" Kora asked as she looked at the bracelet. It was beautiful but it will be a waste sooner than later on Emily. She did not bother about herself because she still could not shift but her friend could already shift but they were the same age.

Her question seem to have reminded Emily of the tiny detail that she had forgotten. "I didn’t think about that," Emily said and scratched her head awkwardly. "I forgot."

Kora shook her head at her friend but gave a mile to her. "Look at you two being friends," Ezra spoke and the smile on Kora’s face disappeared. "What did I say?" Ezra asked when he saw how quickly the smile on her fave left after he spoke.

"Don’t talk again," Kora said turning around and leaving a pouting gamma behind her to fave Lazarus who was also there sitting in a corner. Next to him was Raven and they both looked like they were being forced to be there.

*******

Shadow Moon pack,

"It’s her birthday today, Alpha," Leo said to Darren. He was put in charge of watching over Kora and the affairs of the Blood moon pack. At first, when Lazarus found out he was completely against it but Darren said as they were allies, he needed to know what happens with his ally. After much talk and argument, they concluded that whoever it was that would report will stick to a certain boundary and not cross it. Darren agreed and Lazarus did the sale as Darren. So here they were.

"She is ten today?" Darren asked. Over the years he had kept a close eye on her even though Lazarus did not let him meet her in person. He was still looking out for her but he did not stop looking for his mate. He wanted to be sure that she was the one and if she wasn’t then he would not have wasted his time by waiting for her to come of age.

"Yes, Alpha, do you want to see her?" Leo asked with a smile.

"Do you think Lazarus will allow me?" Darren asked. They both know that there was no way he would be allowed to see her, at least not without a fight and he did not want to fight the father figure of the one who was possibly his mate. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Well... I am not so about that." Leo said a scary thing in the back of his head. "Would like me to wish her a happy birthday on your behalf when I return there to get the report for the month? He asked." And do you have anything you would like to give her? I could deliver it."

"Don’t bother. I have more important things to do right now. " Darren said and stride away.