Isabella
Music blared through Derek’s parent’s windows for my birthday party. Mom and Dad stood behind me with a plate of meatloaf that smelt good for once. Dad ruffled my hair. “You ready to meet your mate?”
I rolled my eyes. “Mom has actually convinced you that Derek’s my mate?”
He gazed at her, then leaned toward me, smiling. “No, but we’ll keep that between me and you.”
Rachel opened the door, wearing a blue party hat. “Izzy! Happy birthday!” She pulled me into the room of sweaty bodies.
Nearly everyone in the pack was here, even Vanessa and Jane. Rachel swore that Derek didn’t invite either of them, and I was sure they just showed up without an invite anyway. That was kind of their thing.
Derek saw me from across the room, dancing his way around everyone. He handed me a drink and placed a big fat kiss on my cheek. “Eighteen never looked so good on you.”
Rachel hopped up in front of me. “Oh, I almost forgot! I have a surprise for you!” She disappeared into another room. “A special someone wanted to see you today!”
Roman.
A few moments later, she wheeled Mr. Beck into the room.
Oh.
“Hey, Hey, Hey! Happy birthday!” he yelled. He grabbed my hand, leaning in close, and nudged me. “I want to hear those details from the other night that you promised me.”
“I never promised you any details.”
“So, there are details!” He burst into a fit of laughter, his dentures nearly falling out again, and smacked his knee. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away from him.”
Throughout the night, I waited in the corner of the room with my parents and with Derek for Roman to walk through the front door. I didn’t know what I would say or do when I saw him. But I needed to tell him tonight that I had joined the Lycans, so I hoped that he would show up.
I promised myself that I wouldn’t tell anyone until the end of the night. I didn’t want to ruin everyone’s day. It was a shitty thing to keep this to myself until the very last moment, but a part of me couldn’t admit it out loud. This day was supposed to be happy, especially for my family.
At 9pm, Jane and Vanessa walked up to me. “Have you mated yet?” Vanessa asked, voice tense over the music.
“We’re not mates, Vanessa,” I said.
Jane grabbed my hand, intertwining my fingers like she did the other day. “My brother said that he couldn’t make it tonight. Something came up.”
“Oh.”
My heart sunk. Roman wasn’t coming? He wasn’t going to wish me a happy birthday? I thought maybe he’d come for one or two moments. Hell, out of everyone who Derek invited, I wanted him to come the most. I wanted to see him on my special day to make sure we weren’t mates.
After Jane broke the news to me, I walked out onto Derek’s porch and sat on a stair, gazing up at the stars. People left the party, wishing me a goodbye on the way out. I smiled as widely as I could, saying goodbye to them for the last time.
At midnight, Derek peeked his head out of the house, asking me if I wanted him to bring me home. I tugged him into a hug, a tear slipping from my eye, but pushed it away before he could see it. “No, thanks, Derek.” I needed time to think to myself.
When he pulled away and I saw the abundance of love in his eyes, I wanted to blurt out everything that was happening. But it wouldn’t come out. I tried really hard to tell him, but I couldn’t admit to it.
Vanessa pulled him back into the room, and I smiled at the closed door. I walked down the porch stairs, starting for my house and just simmering in a heap of sadness, when I smelt it.
Mint.
So strong.
So good.
So intoxicating.
My wolf howled and pulled me in the opposite direction. I gazed around the woods, my heart racing, trying to find the source of the smell. My mate was here.
