He stood back to look at the pumpkin placement, completely unbothered. “We need to get a better closet system for everyone’s clothes.”
I looked at my other two alphas. “Have you also moved in without telling me?”
Finn leaned over to Lars. “What answer will be least upsetting, do you think?”
“Oh my god!” I did my best to sound put out by their high-handedness, but it was futile since they could sense my excitement through the bond.
Before my alphas could respond, Lucy headed up the path towards us. “Oh my god, what?”
“Oh, just thetinydetail that they’ve apparently moved in without telling me.”
Lucy grinned. “Sounds about right. High-handed alphas. You can punish them later, but right now, I need to steal you for a second. Let’s go inside—I have something to show you.”
“You have something to show me inside my house?”
“Yes!” She opened the door and ushered me in, shutting the door on my alphas.
Before I could ask what was going on, she whirled around to face me, eyes bright. She pulled a large wrapped package from her oversized tote bag and thrust it at me.
“Open it!”
I carefully ripped open the tissue paper, revealing a pile of gorgeous fabric. I lifted it, trying to figure out what it was. Lucy took it from me and held it up correctly so I could see that it was a cream dress with a deep v in the front. But attached to the shoulders was the most incredible cape I’d ever seen. It was also cream, but starting at the top of the cape were beautifully stitched autumnal flowers in golds, pinks, and reds. They continued down the cape, growing thicker until the bottom looked like a field of wildflowers. I’d never seen anything like it.
I looked back at Lucy, my lips parted.
“It’s for you,” she said, almost shyly. “I wanted you to have something fancy to wear.”
My eyes filled with tears and I threw my arms around her, careful to avoid crushing the dress. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Are you sure you want me to have it?”
She squeezed me back. “Of course. I’ve waited my whole life to have a sister, so this is a dream come true.”
I held her a little tighter. “For me, too.” I’d believed I would never have a family again. I’d never been so happy to be wrong.
We broke apart and I wiped my eyes.
“Put it on now!” Lucy said.
“Now?” This was definitely not appropriate festival attire.
“Yes. You have to show it off for me and yourbonded.” She waggled her eyebrows.
I laughed. “Fine.”
Lucy had to help me put it on. It fit perfectly, and as I looked at myself in the mirror, I’d never felt so pretty. I twirled a little side to side. The cape made me look like a magical woodland fairy.
“I can’t believe you made this,” I breathed. “Lucy, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever worn.”
Her cheeks were pink as she beamed. “You look stunning. Your guys are going to flip. Let’s go show them!”
“Oh, okay.” I felt a little shy about going outside in this, but most people were in the field, not by the cottage. I could show my guys and then come back in and change.
Lucy held the front door for me and I followed her out.
“Happy birthday!”
I let out a small scream as what looked like the entire town gathered around the cottage, singing Happy Birthday to me. The crowd was filled with familiar faces—Ivy, Summer, and Lucy; Lars’s moms—Frida, Harper, Isla, and Jo; Marisol and Carmen; Char, Rosie, and Gavin; Stanley and Harry; and so many more. And, of course, my guys were front and center.
My cheeks flushed bright red, but for once, the experience of being perceived didn’t make my skin crawl. They weren’t here to judge me; they were inexplicably here tocelebrateme.
