Easton bounded to my side and kissed the top of my head. “Happy birthday, baby.”
Finn gripped my chin and gave me a firm kiss. “Just so you know, I’m spanking that ass later tonight for you hiding this from us.”
“How did you even find out?” I asked.
Lars wrapped his arms around me. “Stanley asked Lucy if she was planning anything for your birthday. She was furious we hadn’t told her.” He gave me a pointed look, but I was trying to figure out how Stanley had known it was my birthday.
“He had your birthday from your job application,” Finn said, reading the question on my face.
My chest ached when I caught sight of the mayor next to his husband, both of them wearing party hats. He was meddlesome and way too tenacious about town spirit, but I was touched he’d thought about my birthday.
The crowd parted, revealing Summer carrying a slightly lopsided but still adorable birthday cake in the shape of a cat. At that exact moment, Felix butted his head against my leg. I laughed and picked him up, and the two of us blew out the birthday candles together.
“It’s vanilla cake with maple frosting,” Summer said. “I wasn’t sure what your favorite flavors were.”
I leaned my head on Finn’s shoulder. “I love maple.”
The next few minutes were filled with the townspeople coming up to me, wishing me a happy birthday, and adding to a pile of presents forming by the door. My guys grounded me through the bond, keeping me from becoming overstimulated by everything.
“Alright people, listen up!” Stanley said. A hush fell over the crowd. “Each year at the Harvest Festival, we crown the Historic Starlight Grove Autumnal Harvest Celebration’s Harvest Queen, and this year, the choice was clear. I am pleased to announce that our Harvest Queen is none other than our lighthouse keeper, Olive Autumn Harvest.”
Lucy and Ivy pushed me forward to allow Stanley to place a crown on my head to much cheers and applause.
There were more congratulations and hugs, and Stanley launched into a lecture on how being Harvest Queen came withmany responsibilities and he hoped I’d be prepared to take them on. Harry finally pulled him away, giving me a little wave over his shoulder.
As people started to disperse, returning to the booths to enjoy the final hours of the festival, my eyes caught on a massive alpha moving towards me.
“Oh my god, Gunnar!” I jogged a few steps and threw my arms around the man who had been like an uncle to me.
He caught me in his arms. He smelled like the sea, and it brought a lump to my throat. “Little Olive, all grown up,” he said in a rough voice.
When we separated, I saw his bonded—Sarah and Anna—behind him. I let out an excited shout and hugged them, too.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, wiping at the tears in my eyes.
“Well, we needed to come check on you after meeting those idiots.” He jutted his chin at my alphas who were standing back to give us some space. “I heard they wrecked your boat.” Gunnar crossed his arms and looked distinctly unimpressed.
I pursed my lip. “Yeah, well, maybe not their finest moment.”
The alpha shook his head. “Are you sure about them? Because I can get rid of them for you. Just say the word.”
Sarah elbowed her alpha. “Do you not see those bond marks?” She gestured at the marks on my neck. They were still red and blotchy but would heal into silvery scars.
“I’m trying not to,” Gunnar responded, making me laugh.
Sarah rolled her eyes before putting her arm around my shoulder. “He’s feeling very protective of our little Olive,” she said conspiratorially. “To him, I think you’ll always be that little seven-year-old girl giving orders on your dad’s boat.”
“Probably.” But I wasn’t upset by it. I welcomed Gunnar’s protectiveness, especially since I’d been the one to shut out Pack Christensen these past few years because I was so afraid to have any reminders of my parents. I’d ignored their invitations to come over for dinner, all their attempts to be there for me. But they were still here.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m sorry I disappeared.”
Sarah wrapped me in her arms. “You never have to apologize, honey. You had just gone through the absolute worst thing, and we knew how much you were hurting.” She sniffed. “I wish we had done more.”
“You couldn’t have done more. I was determined to be alone.”
I sank into her embrace. She had been my mom’s best friend, and hugging her felt like having my mom back, even if just for a moment. We pulled apart, giving each other watery smiles.
“Well, you’re not alone anymore, Ms. Harvest Queen,” she said, regaining her no-nonsense fisherwoman voice. “Make those guys drive you up the coast to visit us. We’ll take you out on the boat so they can learn some basic life skills.”
