008

Rosie POV 

Today is my birthday...

I'm supposed to be happy, right? So I pretend-fake smiles, giggle unnecessarily-my own escape from the depressing emptiness.

The calls are answered dutifully, and I even manage to fool my brother into thinking I'm okay. Some gifts arrive at my doorstep before I even wake up. Ashton's gift-a new set of headphones-comes first. Then Luna Sarah's tray of chocolate cookies and a hand-knitted scarf, followed by others. Xylus says his gift is a surprise, and I'm dying to see it.

As for Dominic, he hasn't spoken to me since the day we met in my room. Maybe he's just avoiding problems with my brother. Or maybe... he's avoiding me. From what I saw during dinner at Luna Sarah's, he and Xylus are back to being buddies, but it's clear that whatever we had will never go back to the way it was.

Ashton, on the other hand, stayed mad at me. But after a day of his silent treatment, I bullied him into talking to me again, so I guess we're cool. Cassie, though, has been a bolder bitch than ever, and only the moon goddess knows what she's been telling everyone since I've...

I sigh, nibbling on my lower lip as I stare vacantly at the floorboards. I'm turning eighteen, which means I'll finally have my wolf. I'll be a legal adult. I should be happy about that. After all, today marks a milestone in my life.

"Rosie!" Xylus calls out, breaking into my thoughts.

"Argh!" I groan, dragging my hands along my face in frustration before slumping onto my bed. If I stay quiet, maybe he'll think I'm busy and go away. So I don't respond, fingers crossed that it's not urgent.

"Rosie!" His voice is louder this time, which means two things: it is urgent, and he's closer to my door.

"Coming!" I holler back, slipping into my flip-flops and shuffling lazily past our hardly-ever-used parlor. The sound of Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" blares from the speakers as I make my way to the kitchen, which is fast becoming our new parlor.

Ashton and Xylus are preparing breakfast, a white apron tied securely around Xylus' waist and a matching chef's cap-which I hate-perched on his head. Ashton hands him ingredients as requested. I can't help but smile at the sight.

"You two would make a great couple, don't you think?" I blow them a kiss.

They just roll their eyes. Ashton gives me a thumbs-down, and I stick out my tongue.

"I heard you plan on staying inside all day. Is age already taking its toll on you?" Ashton slides onto the stool beside me.

"Hardly. I just don't feel like it," I say truthfully with a shrug, then clear my throat. I can't meet his eyes-if I do, he'll know I'm thinking about Dominic, and then I'll have to relive another guilt session, not just with him but with my brother too.

"You wish," he snorts. "Not on my watch, though. Apart from helping Xylus in the kitchen-which-" he raises his hands in mock surrender and lets out a heavy sigh of relief, "I won't be doing again-I came here to whisk you off to Sunset." He winks.

"Whisk me to what Sunset? You mean force me to attend an alcohol party just because I'm legal?" I cock my head to the side and raise my left brow knowingly.

"Nope. It's way better. Hell, you won't forget today in a hurry." A smug smirk lifts the corners of his lips before he chuckles.

Suddenly, everyone wants to surprise me-which is cute, if I weren't dying to see what they'd planned. My wishful thinking makes my thoughts drift to a car, but even I know that's a bit over the top.

"I'll come collect you around twelve-ish-one-ish. Wear your best dress and don't leave the house."

"It better be worth it." I beam like an excited toddler, even hopping on my seat. And for a moment, I forget about Dominic. All I can think about is this surprise-so big that I have to remain under house arrest all day.

"I'll just head over to your house to check-"

I barely complete my sentence when they shout, "No!" in unison, then exchange a knowing glance that makes me want to snort.

"Fine, fine," I agree on the spot, slowly making my way out of the kitchen. "Got it, not stepping a foot out. Jesus." I shake my head in amazement.

It had better be a cat, though.

---

They definitely had plans bigger than the imaginary car I'd been dreaming of. They not only surprised me with all my friends and my dream car, but now Ashton is kneeling in front of me... with a ring in his hands?

My throat tightens, and I can hardly blink. I just gawk, too stunned to form a single word.

Ashton... is in love with me?

That's one plot twist I did not see coming.

"I've known you all my life, Rosie. We've been friends probably since we were in the womb." A quiet laughter follows, and despite my confusion, I find myself smiling too.

"I know this was the last thing you expected. I know you're still young, so we can always wait until you're ready. But for now, I'm offering this ring as a sign of commitment to you."

My gaze flickers to Ashton's face, searching his brown eyes for any hint of humor-some joke, some trick. But it's not there.

I've never seen Ashton this serious. Ever.

He looks at me expectantly, and my gaze travels to my brother. There's a grin on his face. The instant our eyes meet, he nods encouragingly at me.

This... isn't a prank. My brother would never take part in something like this.

No.

It's real.

The words I fear most come next.

"I've loved you for as long as I can remember. I wanted to wait for the right moment, but I know now-there's no perfect moment but this one." He smiles at me, and I force myself to smile back.

If I take that ring, I will never forgive myself.

I would spend every single day lying to Ashton, telling him I love him-when the truth is, it's Dominic I love.

"Will you spend forever with me, Rosie? Will you be my wife?"

The box snaps open, revealing a diamond-crusted ring with a heart-shaped stone at the center. It's beautiful. It shimmers.

I lift my eyes slowly to meet Ashton's... and that's when I feel it.

Someone. Something.

A strong force-like a magnetic pull, an electric current-yanks me around to face Dominic.

MATE!

The word is loud and clear in my head.

My wolf sneers and howls.

MINE.

Her possessive declaration rings through my mind. I take a step forward.

The room is silent now. Everyone is looking at Dominic and me, but that's the least of my problems. I clutch the sides of my dress so tightly, I can feel my nails dig into my flesh.

Dominic is my mate.

The Moon Goddess just made this birthday the most remarkable one yet.

I'll always remember this day. That's a fact.

And then, his words slice through me.

"You can't be my Luna."