Chapter 5 The Dreamed Fifteen

5 years later...

Emy's Point of View

It's my fifteenth birthday. I'm so excited and happy. I mean, it's not every day a girl has her debutante ball. I spent the whole year preparing for everything, and now, finally, I was ready.

My dress was big and flowing, like a Disney princess's. My dark hair was styled in an elegant bun, with a tiara beautifully adorning it.

I could consider myself cute too, like Ezra - who at some point stopped being Uncle Ezra -l iked to call me. I mean, he and I are ridiculously close now.

I don't understand when this happened. One moment we were strangers, and then, he went to war. I always received photos and letters from him during the war, as did Kyle and my parents.

Kyle didn't care much about this. Actually, since he and Lindy turned eighteen and discovered they were destined mates, he's cared even less. I mean, he got married and built his own family, didn't he?

Sometimes, I found it strange how things turned out. Imagine if I dated Toby and suddenly, he discovered Dana was his mate? I think I would die, which is why I didn't think about relationships.

Toby was nice and clearly had a crush on me, but I was so afraid of the future and, well... Mom and Dad always made it clear that I shouldn't date or anything like that. The reason was that I should study and focus on my future.

Besides, my big dream of becoming a doctor also faded at some point, and now I was so lost and confused about what to do in the future. I felt in the dark.

"Come on, dear," Mom said, smiling at me.

She winked, holding my cheeks and kissed my forehead for a long time. I sighed, blinking slowly and holding back my tears.

"Do you think he'll come?" I asked, feeling my voice quiver.

"Of course he will," she sighed. "Ezra would never hurt you."

"I don't know how you can be so sure," I laughed, feeling my cheeks turn red. "I mean, do you think he'll bring someone with him? Will she like me?"

"Don't worry about that, dear," she sighed. "He promised, and that's everything. He'll be here."

"Yes, he will..." I sighed, feeling my heart tighten.

Well, it turns out I have a little teenage crush on Ezra. The photos he posts on Facebook show how handsome and well-built he is. Certainly quite the man, I must admit.

I know it's something that shouldn't happen, after all, he'll probably find his mate as soon as he stops giving his all to this war. He would never be mine, and my heart had to accept that, once and for all.

As soon as we arrived at the hall, I scanned everyone present, looking for him. I'm not going to lie. It's been five years since we only communicated through letters, then messages - when my parents finally agreed I could have a cellphone - and finally, a few video calls for him to help me with math.

I let my shoulders drop as I grabbed a glass of lemonade from a tray an omega was carrying and sipped it, trying to hide a bit from all the attention. Mom had forced me to greet everyone in this banquet hall and, for just ten minutes, the party I had planned so much seemed to lose its charm.

I felt hands cover my eyes and jumped in place, taking a clumsy step back and bumping my back against an unknown chest. "Guess who,"

His voice whispered in my ear, and a huge smile appeared on my lips. I quickly turned to him and jumped with joy, getting rid of my glass and throwing myself into his arms.

"You came," I screamed, hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek multiple times. "I can't believe you really came, Ezra."

"I promised I would, didn't I?" He said, smiling beautifully at me.

"Yes, but..." I sighed, pulling back a little, with my arms still wrapped around his neck while he held my waist. "Mom was right when she said you would never hurt me."

He looked at me with tenderness and even a bit of adoration, making my chest warm as he stepped back slightly. "I would never hurt you,"

Ezra reached into the front pocket of his dress pants and pulled out a small black velvet box. He turned it towards me and opened it, revealing a beautiful emerald green necklace. I placed my hand over my mouth, shocked.

"Oh, Ezra..." I whispered, staring at him. "It's the most beautiful thing in the world!"

"I'm glad you like it, my favorite debutante!" He laughed, holding it out to me.

"No, no!" I waved my hands, turning my back to him. "Put it on."

He handed me the box and carefully took out the necklace, slowly putting it on me. My heart was bursting with happiness. I hugged him again, showering his face with more kisses.

"I'm so happy you came." I laughed.

"Well, your prince couldn't miss this, could he?" He laughed.

At that moment, Kyle and an excited Lindsay appeared. They hugged Ezra, who caressed my sister-in-law's six-month belly while asking her as many questions as he could.

Lindy looked beautiful in the red sheath dress she was wearing. She and Kyle were about to have their first baby, and she was so radiant. I was also happy to be an aunt, of course, but even more than that, I was thrilled that she and my brother were so happy - and, of course, that Ezra didn't mind them being close.