Chapter 3 Seren

Today was a day that the pack was making such a big deal over. Lachlan, one of my older brother’s best friends, had his birthday. Yes, it was an important birthday, because he was coming of age, but, because he was the pack’s soon-to-be-Beta, everyone appeared to be acting like the world needed to stop spinning. My Mum was friends with his mum, and had been involved in decorating the packhouse, like they so often did for birthdays, and I had been instructed to ensure I would be there for the ‘Birthday Breakfast Banquet’ or something along those lines, I believe my Mum had named it. So we could all blow smoke up Lachlan’s ass… I mean, wish him a happy birthday as a pack, and celebrate with him. Anyone would think the guy was royalty or something. As a whole, I loved pack celebrations. Being part of a pack was amazing. The community spirit and camaraderie was something that I don’t think you would get anywhere else. It was like an extended family. So, when it was someone’s birthday and there was a large pack celebration, I would usually be there without fail. But, when it came to Lachlan… well, he was different. Very, very different. He had an attitude big enough for three men. Mean. Moody. And arrogant as hell. And, for some reason, despite having grown up alongside one another, our parents all incredibly close, he seemed to hold a hatred for me that nobody could explain. Including myself. Ever since about the age of ten, he changed towards me. Acted like I was the spawn of the devil or something… like he was going to catch some form of deadly disease from being within an inch of me. And, he acted incredibly cruel when he did allow himself to be near to me. His words always had an unnecessary sting to them as he made his passing comments or insults. So, needless to say, I had chosen not to attend the Blockhead Beta’s Birthday Breakfast Banquet. I doubt once he arrived anyone would even notice I wasn't there. Once his ego stepped in the room, there would be little room for anybody else anyway. Instead, I chose to go for a run. I was a year out from meeting my wolf, so a run was still in human form, but it did not mean I did not love exploring the forests within pack, as well as liking keeping fit by going on long runs. Running and going to the gym were two of my favorite pastimes, alongside yoga. All of which I spent a lot of my spare time doing… As I had run my way through the beautiful forest at the northern tip of our pack, I could not help but allow my mind to wander back to Lachlan’s face as I had glanced through the window of the dining hall when I had walked past earlier. I could not help myself but divert my path that way as I headed for my run… I may not have wanted to go and wish him a happy birthday, but it did not mean I didn’t want to make sure he was enjoying himself. We were close once… But the look upon his face as he sat with his Mum, and the friends of both of our families, looked distant. Far from the happy expression you would expect to see of a birthday boy meeting his wolf for the first time, not to mention one who would now be being prepared to inherit his father’s title. I tried to shrug my thoughts away. I hated feeling bad for him. Lachlan had been an ass to me for so long, and I knew he did not deserve my sympathy. But, a soft spot for him would likely always remain within the pits of my soul… ‘Seren Bradshaw!’ my mother’s voice rang angrily through the mindlink. Something told me she may have noticed I was not at the grand gala banquet she had arranged for the Blockhead Beta… oh dear! ‘Yes Mummy!’ I joked lightly, knowing already I was about to get an earful, she hated me not doing as I was told. But I tended to do it anyway, and always had. You would think after 17 years of it, she may be used to that already… ‘Seren, I am not laughing.’ She snapped again. ‘I asked you to come to the breakfast. It does not look good when my own daughter does not do as she is asked. We are the Gamma family at the end of the day.’ ‘Well, technically, not anymore. Cole is the Gamma, so you aren’t quite in the family role anymore.’ I suggested lightly, again trying hard to ease the tension, knowing my lack of appearance for the celebration had seriously irritated her. What I said was not untrue; my brother had taken on my father's title as soon as he was old enough. ‘Seriously girl, do not push your luck.’ She snarled. ‘Get your behind back home. And you will be at the party later. Your absence was noted by the Alpha, which is not good. So you will be wishing Lach a happy birthday.’ As I continued pushing on with my run while we linked back and forth, I felt myself sigh heavily listening to her words. Wonderful. Truly wonderful. So, while I may have dodged his birthday breakfast, I was now being forced to attend his party extravaganza later. Oh, the fucking joy! ‘You know Lachlan will not care if I am there, or if I wish him a happy birthday.’ I offered. ‘Do as you are told.’ I received in response, and the link was ended, telling me I had no choice but to do as I was told, especially if the Alpha, who was also another of my brother’s best friends, had noticed my absence. Well, my day was only getting better and better. I would be forced to spend the evening watching my pack idolizing the Blockhead Beta, and acting like he was some sort of God. When in truth he was nothing but a jackass who treated me nothing better than a piece of dirt he had trodden in. I turned back toward the treeline, and ran downward back toward the pack, with a heavy heart. Only as I had got a little out of the forest did I notice my bracelet had slipped from my wrist. A bracelet from my Dad. I never took it off, and it was one of my most prized possessions. The clasp must have come undone when I was running. I turned back for the forest, knowing any meeting with my Mum would have to wait a while. This was by far the more important thing. I began to rush back in the direction I had come. In desperate need to find what I had lost. My heart pounded heavily, and tears prickled at the back of my eyes at the prospect of not being able to find my bracelet. This was a gift from my Dad. Something he could never do again… he had been gone 3 years this year, and that only made the bracelet all the more special. As I came around the trees, I heard footsteps, but I continued to move. Just as I did, a strong, muscular body came into sight. Lachlan. My eyes naturally rolled at the sight of him. While his jaw tightened at the sight of me. Had he been up here because his wolf had come? My mind ran with possibilities, but right now he was not my priority. I was about to look down again to begin searching the forest floor for my bracelet, when I noticed the bizarre way in which he was looking at me. “Lachlan.” I said curtly. “Happy Birthday. My Mum said to make sure I wished you a happy birthday, so there you go. I hope you enjoy your day.” His eyes widened a little, the nerves within his jaw seemed to be twitching, as he appeared to be grinding his teeth. “Seems a little ungenuine when you're being forced to say it, Ren.” He all but hissed at me, yet his eyes seemed unable to meet mine. I shrugged, let him believe what he wanted. I was not about to stand and argue with him. From past experience, I knew that Lachlan would argue that black is white simply to have a difference of opinion to me. “And considering you chose not to come and join the birthday celebrations this morning with the rest of the pack, I can only say it makes the birthday wishes even less genuine.” He adds coldly. “I figured I would be the last person you would want there.” I informed him, moving away, already having had enough of this odd aura that seemed to surround him today. Something had changed in him. Perhaps this was what happened with him having his wolf. I don’t know. But I think I like this Lachlan even less than the one before…