Wanted

Chapter 1: Decrease

" Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to Liam... " The words started to jumble together as I stared at the cake sitting on the table in front of me, the song becoming just a background noise.

I looked up from the disaster sitting in front of me, my ears ringing as I looked at my family with thin lips.

I noticed my siblings being their usual selves, my brother mumbling the words as he looked down at his phone which was hiding under the cracked wooden table. My baby sister was sitting in her high- chair, watching us all with wide eyes and parted lips. She looked perplexed as my mom sang to me, standing directly next to her baby girl with her hand on the back of the high chair.
My mom's voice sounded so ethereal, the tone to her words soft but the volume off the charts. She sang beautifully, leaning forward slightly as she sung like she couldn't wait for me to blow out the candles.

" Blow out the candles, Li " My mom spoke, her tone happy as I shook my head slightly to try and get rid of the ringing in my ears.

" Blow out da candles, LiLi " I heard my baby sister giggle as she spoke.

I looked down at the simple cake in front of me that had 'Happy 24th Birthday' written on it with red icing, the word happy almost unreadable and the B in Birthday slightly smudged.

I'll always find it a mystery as to why my mom always lets the youngest of the family write the words on birthday cakes.

I didn't even ask for a cake- or a party, but I should have known I'd be given one of each regardless of what I wanted.

I hated my birthday, I hated the parties my family threw for me, they just didn't care.

I hated having to pretend, having to place a smile on my face while deep inside I knew another useless year had passed without me finding my mate.

My wolf whined at the thought before curling up in the back of my mind.

I groaned as my head started to ache, my vision blurring as my wolf started to worm his way away from my thoughts.

I didn't even know they had planned a party until 30 minutes ago, which was when I got home from letting Elias run through the woods for a few hours, letting him have full control as I hid in the back of my mind. Completely and utterly detached from the world he loved so much.

I looked up from the cake, looking around the table to see my younger brother staring at me expectantly while my mom continued to smile at me.

Her smile fell slightly as she saw the distain for my aching mind spreading across my face, her hand immediately reaching over to press the back of her hand against my forehead.

My mom was standing on the opposite side of the table, a laughing baby girl sitting next to her as my mom pulled her hand back, looking at me with a confused expression.

My brother must have turned off his phone when he realized the candles weren't immediately blown out, now looking at me with an impatient expression.

" Do you want some help? " My mom asked, smiling softly once I leaned back in my chair and sighed softly. She picked Addison out of the chair she was once caged in, holding her tightly before leaning forward.

Aaron rolled his eyes before shoving his phone in his pocket and leaning forward. 16 was currently the age my brother was stuck at, the age of always thinking he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

I took a breath, leaning forward and letting out a small shaky breath, watching as the 24 candles that were placed way too closely together blew out.

" Yay, LiLi!!" I forced a smile as my littlest sister giggled, my brother once again just rolling his eyes.