Happy Birthday

ELARA

“Kiss?” I was taken aback, shocked.

“We're mates, right? A forehead kiss.”

Chloe blinked at me, pushing me to do it… “Right. We're true mates.”

I slowly leaned in, moving my lips closer to his forehead, and gently placed a kiss. It took me a second to pull away and step back.

“See you later.” I rushed out of the room, my cheeks flushed, burning red.

Three weeks passed by, and Chloe looked after him. During these weeks, I couldn't visit. Father was keeping me busy.

Calix’s body was healed but he was still under treatment. As I showed up again, his gaze fixed on me, and I felt a tingling sensation stirring in my stomach. “You finally came back.”

“Sorry. I couldn't…”

"You seem to be hiding a lot of things," he said, his voice deep and low.

I took a deep breath and sat down in the armchair across from him. "My father, Silas Sylvester, is the Alpha King of the Malvern Hills. My family rules the five packs. Tomorrow's my birthday, the pack is waiting for me to introduce my true mate."

Slowly, I explained everything to him about the birthday banquet.

He tilted his head, looking surprised. "The Alpha King's daughter. Why are you hiding me in a house in the woods? Shouldn't we inform my pack? My Alpha?”

“There's a lot you don't remember. The packs are complicated. You never know what exactly happened before the attack. I'm keeping you safe. You don't know who's your enemy. Chloe is here to take care of your wounds. You'll have everything you need."

Suddenly, my phone alarm started ringing. It was 12:00 AM, 6th December. My birthday.

The room felt like it was spinning. The countdown was over. I was twenty. My hands were trembling so much I had to hide them.

"Elara?" Chloe said softly. She came over. Put her arms around me. "It's okay. We have a plan. Everything will be fine." Her voice whispered against my ear.

I couldn't talk. I just looked at the floor, feeling the weight of what I was supposed to do.

Calix asked, "What's wrong?"

Of course, he noticed my pale face.

"If I don't show up with a mate, the Council might punish me. We must pass the bond test taken by the elders."

“A bond test?” He narrowed his eyes.

“I can't even feel my wolf. How are we supposed to pass the bond test?”

“We'll figure something out before the test.”

He nodded. No more questions.

"We need to go.” My lips mumbled. “If I'm not in my bed when the sun comes up, Father will send guards to look for me."

Chloe said, "I'll drop you off." She gave my hand a squeeze and went out the door to start the car. I stood up and put some painkillers and water on the table. "Take these if your wounds hurt much. I will come in the morning."

As I turned to leave, Calix clutched my wrist, his hand was hot. He held me tight, and I let out a soft gasp, looking into his eyes.

"How did we meet, Elara?" His questions were still not over. My heart was racing. I tried to sound calm. I had to lie again.

"We met at the Spring Festival last year " I said, trying to sound sweet. "You were visiting from the north. When we saw each other we felt a connection. I found out you're my true mate, our wolves felt the connection. We loved each other in secret, Calix."

He had no idea that we could only feel our true mates on our twenty birthdays.

Without warning, he pulled me closer, his gaze looking at my lips a little longer before moving up to my eyes. Surprisingly, he put his head on my stomach and held me tight. “I don't want to be alone. I don't remember anyone.” The warmth of his breathing brushed my lips.

He was a man without a past. I was the only one he had, yet I was using him. Chloe already informed a detective to inquire about Calix's past. We had to know. The cops were also investigating the case.

Slowly, I entangled my fingers in his dark hair.

"Sorry. I didn't want to leave you alone. But if I don't go, my father will punish me. I promise to come back tomorrow morning.”

His hands stayed on my waist for a second before he dropped them. "I'll be waiting, Elara."

My heart clenched with a strange feeling I didn't know. We drove back towards the MoonCedar Packhouse.

“Something's off about him.” Words came out of my mouth.

“What? He's a lost man.” Chloe said, rolling the steering wheel.

“I just feel scared because we don't know anything about him.”

“Relax. I'm sure he's good. He was acting like a lost puppy next to you. He trusts you.”

A breath escaped my lips. “Maybe you're right.”

After a long drive, Chloe dropped me off at the Packhouse and left. I went in through the side door where usually guards didn't stand. I sneaked to the main hall, moving quietly.

Just when I stood beneath the grand chandelier, my heart dropped to my stomach. Father was standing by the fireplace, waiting for me. I could tell from the dark expression on his face, his eyes were cold.

*Did he find out something?*