“Are you okay?” I looked up at him.
“Of course, gorgeous,” he said quickly. “Let’s go inside and check the back.”
I peered at him, trying to figure out what he was hiding. “Okay,” I said slowly.
He took my hand and pulled me to the front door, waiting behind me as I pulled out the key. I glanced back at him before I unlocked the door and pushed it open. My hand ran against the wall as I searched for the switch. I finally found it and shrieked as the light illuminated the large main room, which was currently packed with people.
“Happy birthday!” they all shouted.
I stumbled back into Henry, my heart pounding. My mates and friends filled the space, and a large banner reading “Happy Birthday, Westin!” hung from the ceiling.
Henry laughed as he pushed me further into the room. My mouth was open as I tried to take it all in. Then Bear was in front of me, twirling me around. “Happy early birthday, baby,”he said, capturing my mouth in a hard kiss. We parted with a gasp, and I was still too stunned to speak as Liam swept me into his arms.
“You liar,” I finally said, smiling as he kissed me. “You said you were working.”
“I don’t even have privileges at the hospital anymore since I quit,” he chuckled. “I was terrified you would figure it out.”
“Yeah, well, Henry almost ruined it,” I said, glancing back at my beta, who was now wearing an outraged expression.
“Did not,” he protested.
“You were acting super cagey,” I said.
“Fuck, we figured he’d be the best one since his scent is more mellow,” Bear said.
“True,” I said, leaning into his side. “Your scent would have been so fucking giddy it would have given you away in a heartbeat.”
“Happy birthday, Westin!” Josie said, squeezing her way between my guys and giving me a hug. I looked over her shoulder and saw a massive cake in the shape of a disco ball.
My jaw dropped. “Is that real? Did you make that?”
“It was mostly Ben,” Josie said. “But I did a lot of the decorations.”
“It’s amazing,” I said.
“Come see up close,” she said, grabbing my hand.
I waved at Clementine and Charlie as Josie dragged me to the dessert table. The disco ball sat in the center, perfectly matching the many disco balls hanging from the ceiling. I leaned down to get a closer look at the other desserts—there were cookies in the shape of roller skates and mini strawberry shortcakes with devil horns sticking out the top. My heart clenched at how perfect they were, and I blinked quickly. I wasnotgoing to cry.
“Thank you, they’re amazing.” I gave Josie another hug.
I squealed as I saw Anne, Rose, and Lilah coming towards me. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
“We wouldn’t miss this,” Rose said, throwing her arms around me. “Gray insisted we come. He arranged it all.”
A lump formed in my throat as I looked around for my alpha.
“Happy birthday, honey,” Anne said. I melted into her hug, squeezing her tight. She’d visited us multiple times in the past year, and of course I saw her whenever I had my follow-up medical appointments with Dr. Ash.
“Where’s George?” I asked, looking around. Henry’s dad was quiet, but I’d learned over the months that he had a dry sense of humor. When he realized I didn’t know how to drive, he took it upon himself to teach me, insisting that I had to learn to drive stick. We’d lurched and laughed around the neighborhood during my last visit.
“He was right here,” Anne said, looking around with an exasperated expression.
Lilah laughed, grabbing my hand. “We’re going to have so much fun tonight,” she said, the sequins in her jumpsuit reflecting the colorful disco lights. “Dancing Queen” was playing and my mind was brought back to our disco night at Skatetown.
“You look amazing,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I just wish I was wearing something more festive.” I wrinkled my nose at my jeans and plain black t-shirt.
“We’ve got you covered,” Rose said with a wink. “There’s something in the bathroom for you.”
