by Rua Hasan
I put my hand under her chin and raised her head so she could look at me.
“Listen, sweetie, and listen clearly. Your mother wouldn’t want you to be suffering and living in misery all alone. I’m pretty sure she would have wanted you to have a family and grow happily,” I told her.
“Because if I were your mother, I would have wanted the same thing,” I whispered the last part.
She smiled softly at me.
“You will become a great mother, Stel,” Sarah said.
I smiled at her and hugged her tightly, knowing that the pain she’s feeling about her mother’s death may never leave.
It never leaves.
Because to this day, I’m still mourning Alice’s death.
I walked into the pack house to see Marie running toward me. She looked excited for some reason. Once she approached me, she pulled my arm and dragged me upstairs.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“We are going to the mall,” she said cheerfully as she pushed me into the room.
“Why?” I asked.
“Aiden’s birthday is in three days, and he’s turning twenty-five. We need to get him a present now,” she answered.
His birthday in three days? God, what am I supposed to get him?
“Well, if you want, I could just go buy him a present while you give him something else, huh?”
She smiled at me smugly while wiggling her eyebrows.
I blushed at her comments knowing exactly what she meant but hid it with an eye roll. I then grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at her.
“No way!” I shouted.
She laughed as the pillow hit her face.
“Fine, fine, we’ll just have to get him something else. Get dressed and meet me downstairs,” she told me as she walked to the door.
But before she closed it, she popped her head back in and spoke, “Oh, and don’t tell Aiden about this. It’s a surprise.”
I nodded my head and walked into the closet. I grabbed a dark blue dress with a pair of sandals and got dressed. I put on just mascara and left my hair down.
As I walked downstairs, I thought I bumped into a wall.
Wait. Since when was there a wall in the middle of the staircase?
I looked up to see that the wall was actually Aiden.
What does he take? Steroids?
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To the mall with Marie,” I answered.
“Why?” he asked.
“Oh, you know, the usual, to hunt down elephants,” I said.
He only raised an eyebrow.
“Geez, we’re only going to hang out. I’ll be here around seven,” I told him.
As I walked by him, he turned around and said, “Scott’s going with you.”
I sighed. Can’t Marie and I just go and have some time to ourselves? But I knew Aiden wouldn’t let me go if he didn’t come, so I only nodded.
I walked into the living room to see Marie putting on her shoes.
“Good you’re ready, immo. Let’s get going,” she said once she saw me.
I nodded and walked to the front door.
We got into the car as Scott got into his and followed right behind us. Twenty minutes later, Marie parked the car in front of the mall. We got out and walked to the entry while Scott followed not too far behind us. I was trying to figure out what Aiden would like.
Maybe Marie would know what to get him? She did know him since they were children.
“What would Aiden want?” I asked as we walked each store.
“I don’t really know. He never really liked us getting him presents on his birthday. I would just buy him a t-shirt or sometimes a pair of shoes,” she told me.
I sighed.
Well, I guess I’ll just have to find something he’d like from out of my mind.
Two hours later, Marie and I were seated in the food court drinking from our sodas.
I felt satisfied! Like I’ve accomplished something.
It took me forever to find Aiden’s present. I literally had to visit so many stores. I bet Scott was mentally begging me to go home.
It didn’t take that long for Marie to buy Aiden a present which was a wristwatch.
I had the bag that contained his present next to me on the floor.
Marie was talking to Liam on the phone, discussing the party that will be held for Aiden. Marie told me that we couldn’t do a surprise party because he would already be expecting one. They held a ceremony every year. I let my eyes wonder around. Scott was a couple tables away looking as serious as ever. I bet every human that passed by would think of him as a creep just standing there looking for any harm to come. When Marie got off the phone, I felt mine vibrate in my back pocket. I took it out and saw that it was my mom. I answered her call and put the phone on my ear.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hey sweetie, how are you doing?” my mom asked.
“I’m doing fine. What about you? How’s Uncle Robert?” I asked.
“He’s getting better. We have a therapist come every three days to check up on him. Maybe by the end of the month, we will be back,” she said cheerfully.
I smiled at her good news.
“Well, I can’t wait to see you and Dad,” I told her.
“I can’t wait either, sweetie,” my mom said.
We said our goodbyes and hung up.
I looked at Marie to see her texting then look up at me.
“Liam said Aiden is getting suspicious. Let’s go home,” she said as she picked up Aiden’s present from the ground.
I got up, picked my bag up, and followed Marie out the food court with Scott following behind us.
I was really anxious for his birthday. I just hoped Aiden would like his present.
Chapter 17
Marie was decorating the place while I placed all the cupcakes on the table with some other pack members. She-wolves displayed a lot of yummy stuff they made for the party while Liam went to get the cake. Marie told me it was no ordinary cake. I heard it was going to be huge. This was April 24, Aiden’s twenty-fifth birthday, and the whole pack had been busy since yesterday.
I hadn’t seen Aiden since this morning. He woke up and went straight to his office to get some work done while I came here and helped the other pack wolves. The time was seven thirty, and Liam was late. Marie was getting really nervous, thinking something happened to the cake. I tried to assure her that Liam was probably just late because of traffic.
And you know what?
I was right.
Liam came in through the door with two men carrying a very huge cake.
“Why are you late you, nincompoop?” Marie asked Liam.
Wait. Did she just call him a nincompoop?
“My grandma is faster than you,” she said.
Liam rolled his eyes.
“Relax, grumpy pants. We only got stuck in traffic,” Liam said.
I looked at Marie with an I-told-you-so face.
Everyone stacked their presents on a table. There were many. I think it was useless to get him so much—I mean, he was the Alpha; he already had everything.
I held the small bag in my hand, wanting to give it to Aiden myself.
I was really nervous about giving it to him.
What if he doesn’t like it?
I pushed the thought to the back of my mind, not wanting to think about it now. I turned my head to the side to see the doors open, and there came Aiden walking with his parents beside him. It looked like he was searching for something. Make that someone because once his eyes found me, it never left. He walked to the center of the stage, and his parents followed behind him. His dad came forward and took the microphone.
“Hello, everyone. Today is a very important day. We are here to celebrate my son and your Alpha’s twenty-fifth birthday,” he said then gave the microphone to Aiden.
“Hello, everybody. I want to thank you for the gifts and food. Also,
thank you for coming and celebrating this day with me. Enjoy the party.”
The crowd cheered and clapped.
I lost sight of Aiden for a couple of minutes. He was greeting a special guest. I heard that one of his best friends from an outside pack was there, but I didn’t know the name.
Aiden soon made his way toward me, Marie, and Liam. We were standing near the food court because of Liam’s big appetite.
I still don’t know how he can stay in shape if he eats that much.
I wore a tight red dress, and my hair was curled. Meanwhile, Marie wore a white crop top and a black skirt, and her hair was braided.
Marie came to me three hours before the party. Three hours!
She said that she needed all the time to fix me up to look—I quote—presentable. I had to remind her to fix herself too because she was too distracted with me.
When Aiden reached us, he wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed my forehead.
“Aren’t you going to wish me a happy birthday?” he teased.
I looked up at him and feigned confusion.
“Oh wait. It’s your birthday today?” I asked.
“Ha, ha, very funny. Do I at least get a happy birthday kiss?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“You got so many presents today. I’m sure you won’t need it,” I teased.
He frowned, then swooped down and stole a kiss on my lip. His lips were sweet and warm. As his lips moved with mine, I felt the sparks return.
Someone coughing brought me back to reality. I put my hand on Aiden’s chest and pushed him away. I looked around to see Liam giving me a smug look and Marie smiling at me teasingly.
The attention from other pack members made my cheeks heat up.
Stupid mate of mine!
An hour later, Aiden finished opening all his presents. I was reluctant to give him his present.
He got all kind of things from one million dollars to a new phone. The gift I got was nothing compared to those. I didn’t think he would like it. I hid the bag behind my back, hoping Aiden wouldn’t ask for it.
I walked away farther from the crowd and into the food court. I filled my cup with some juice and was going to take a sip of it when I saw the blonde bimbo that was in the bathroom the other day. She stuck her foot out and tripped me.
Oh no she didn’t!
I closed my eyes, bracing for the fall, when strong arms wrapped around me. I knew that it wasn’t Aiden because of the missing sparks. It was a really hot guy with blue eyes. He looked down at me with a smile on his face.
“Easy there. Are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded. That’s when I saw that I spilled all my juice all over his suit.
“Thank you, but now I’ve spilled juice over your suit. I’m so sorry,” I said embarrassed. I looked around for the bimbo who did this, but she was gone. The next time, I will not let her get away with this.
He chuckled.
“Don’t worry about it. All it takes is to wash it off, and it’s gone,” he said.
“Then let’s go wash it off before it dries,” I said.
We walked to the nearest bathroom.
“This isn’t necessary,” he said.
I shook my head.
“My name’s Stella. What’s your name?” I asked.
“The name’s Nate, and I know all about you,” he said as we got to the bathroom door.
Okay? That’s not creepy at all.
He must have noticed my uneasiness because he spoke.
“Relax. I’m not some kind of serial killer. I’m Aiden’s best friend, and he tends to talk about you a lot,” he said, reassuring me.
Oh.
I smiled at him as I opened the door and walked into the empty bathroom.
“You’re best friends with Aiden? What pack are you from?” I asked Nate.
“I’m from Blue Moon pack,” he said proudly.
My eyes widened in surprise. Blue Moon pack is known for their large territory. They are well-known.
Nate began to take off the top of his suit. My jaw dropped—well, not literally, but you get what I mean.
“Uh? W–what are you doing?” I stuttered. I felt myself blush.
Nate had a really nice body, not as nice as Aiden’s but one to drool for. He had very muscular arms and a six-pack.
“Well, how do you expect me to wash off the stain while wearing it?” he said pointing to his suit.
He had a point.
“Okay, let me wash it. I’m the one who caused it anyway,” I said.
I reached to take the piece of cloth, but he raised it high in the air, out of my reach.
“It’s not your fault. I saw what the blonde did,” he said and smiled teasingly.
“I don’t know what’s her problem. I never did anything to her,” I said as I leaned against a sink while he began to wash his suit.
“It’s obvious! She’s jealous,” he said as he glanced at me.
“What? Why would she be jealous of me?” I asked.
“You’re so naïve. She’s jealous because you’re the Luna and Aiden’s mate,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.
But before I could reply, the door slammed open, and a very angry Aiden walked in.
What happened now?
“Nate!” he growled once he noticed his best friend was half-naked.
Oh. That’s why. It doesn’t help that we are in an empty bathroom.
He stomped over to Nate and pushed him against the bathroom tile.
“Woah, woah, man, this isn’t what you think,” he said as he put his hands up in surrender. I ran toward them and tried to push Aiden before he hit his best friend.
“Not what I think?” he growled. “My best friend is in a bathroom half-naked with my mate! Can you tell me what I’m supposed to think of that?”
I noticed he was starting to shake, so I rubbed his arm to calm him down.
And it was working.
He let Nate go and pulled me to his chest. I grabbed the piece of clothing from the sink and showed it to Aiden.
“Relax. We weren’t doing anything. I accidentally spilled juice over his suit, and we’re washing it off before it dries,” I told him.
What I said must have clicked in his mind because he was now calm and pensive. He looked at Nate and pointed a finger at his bare chest.
“Even though you’re my best friend, I don’t want you so close to my mate, especially if you’re half naked,” he said but didn’t seem angry.
Nate smirked.
“Oh come on, she’s really pretty,” he teased.
Is he trying to get on Aiden’s bad side?
“Nate!” he growled.
Nate’s laughter was heard throughout the bathroom.
“Relax, bro, I was just kidding. I mean, yeah, she’s pretty, but I know not to mess with you,” he said and smiled as he patted Aiden’s shoulder.
Aiden cracked a smile.
“Of course, you do. Don’t you remember what happened the last time you messed with me?”
Aiden said.
It looked like Nate remembered something because I saw him cringe.
“Please don’t remind me,” Nate said.
Aiden looked down at me then at his watch.
“It’s getting late. Let’s go back to our room,” he said.
I nodded and said goodbye to Nate and walked out of the bathroom.
When I got into the room, I put the bag on the counter and walked to the bathroom to change. I got into a baggy shirt and a pair of shorts then walked out of the bathroom to find Aiden checking the bag.
I gasped in surprise and rushed over to him, took the bag from his hands, and hid it behind my back.
“What’s that? My birthday present?” he asked and grinned as he took a step closer. I took a step backward and shook my head.
“Then what is it?” he asked as he got closer.
“Nothing,” I told him as my back hit the wall.
“If it’s nothing, then let me se
e it,” he said as he took the bag from my hand.
“No!” I shouted.
He ignored me and took out a wrapped box. He read the paper attached to it which said ‘Happy birthday, Aiden,’ and smirked.
“If this isn’t for me, then why does it have my name on it?” he asked and grinned.
I didn’t say anything, just stood there quietly, not knowing what to say.
He started to unwrap the box, and I grew more anxious.
He is going to hate it. Compared to all the other presents he got, this is nothing.
He opened it and stared into what I got him.
“Is this...”
Chapter 18
“Is this a necklace?” he asked.
I mentally slapped myself.
“No, it isn’t.
“It’s called a bronze custom map key ring,” I told him.
“You collect these. In each place you visit or go to, you get the map of its country and put it on a chain. I’m not sure if you like it, but I thought it was a nice gift because I’ve traveled everywhere and that’s something useful to help you keep track of where you went,” I whispered feeling embarrassed.
I looked at the ground, not wanting to see Aiden’s reaction. This was definitely a bad idea! Why on earth did I think he would like a chain that goes around the neck? I must have been out of my mind when buying it. It’s just I wanted something different and special so bad. After a few moments of silence, I was starting to ask myself why he wasn’t saying anything. I tilted my head up to look at him and saw he was expressionless. He only stared at me.
Does he not like it?
I knew I shouldn’t have gotten him that.
I took a step forward and snatched the chain from his hand.
“If you don’t like it, then I’ll just return it,” I said.
It took him a moment to realize what I just did before he could react. I saw the corner of his lips twitch upward before he smiled smugly at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Why wouldn’t I like it? Give it back,” he said teasingly.
I shook my head.
“Why would you want it? You got a lot of great things today,” I said.
“Because it’s from you. I was waiting for your present the whole day. Now give it to me,” he said as he snatched the chain from my hand.
He held it up to his face and was looking at it with awe.