Those same wings were moving more rapidly now, telling Arthur she was ready to fly. He was so thankful he’d spent decades learning to take his falcon shape because it meant he could soar with his pixie.
Focusing, he shrank to his bird shape and took flight, Beatrix was right behind him.
Pure joy radiated from her. Under them, Titan laughed with happiness as he hurried to follow them in his car.
This was what it meant to have a flock.
Chapter 11
Titan
Titan wasn’t surprised that Beatrix made it all the way to the Dapper Dog without a problem. She’d been practicing her flying every night with Arthur. She was much stronger than Arthur thought, but their vampire tended to worry.
Finding an open spot right in front of the bar, Titan parked the car almost at the same time that Beatrix and Arthur landed in the street behind him.
Laughing, they hurried to stand next to his door to properly greet him the moment he was clear of the vehicle.
“That was the best flight so far!” Beatrix exclaimed, hugging him. “I even got a few updrafts.”
“You flew very well,” Arthur agreed, pride radiating from him. “Soon you’ll be better and faster than me.”
If Titan wasn’t afraid of heights, he’d be tempted to buy some kind of levitation charm so he could join his mates high in the sky.
The few times he’d climbed a ladder clearly indicated that he didn’t even like to be a few yards off the ground, let alonehundreds of feet! No, he was content to stay on earth while feeling the thrill of flying through his bond.
“It’s about time you guys got here!” Imani announced from the open door. When all three of them looked over, she made an impatient get-over-here gesture and disappeared back inside.
“Lady Imani is demanding our presence,” Arthur said with a chuckle. Imani might be a young vampire, but she had been surprisingly powerful even before a hobgoblin covered her and her flock in void magic. Now she was untouchable.
Not only was she a force to be reckoned with, but she also cared deeply for their community and did her best to protect everyone. Historically, vampires didn’t spend much time near each other, especially if they had a flock to protect, but Imani refused to abide by that custom. She organized the original book club and threw parties all the time where everyone was invited.
And they all adored her for it.
“We better get in there or she might not let us drink,” Beatrix said, grabbing his hand to lead him up to the front door. He was so distracted by the happiness and excitement flowing from her that he didn’t question why book club would cause her this much emotion.
Then they walked through the door and everyone in the crowded bar cried out, “Happy Birthday!”
Titan went still, too shocked to move for a moment, trying to take it all in. The place was decorated with streamers, balloons, and a giant banner that saidHappy Birthday Titan.
“What…what’s going on?” he asked, not really comprehending everything his eyes were seeing.
“It’s your surprise birthday party,” Beatrix explained with a little jump up and down. “Were you surprised? I was worried you’d hear all our plans through the link, but Arthur said he could mute it. Are you happy? Do you like it?”
“All the food is vegetarian,” Imani said, rushing up to give him a hug.
“Really?” Titan said, returning Imani’s hug with one arm, then pulling away to look over at a table covered in large containers of food. “Why would you guys do that?”
“Because we love you, dude!” Pike shouted from the back. He stepped forward and thrust a potted plant at him with a bow balanced on the top. “This is catnip. I have several more pots of it if your rescue cats like it.”
No sooner did Titan accept the gift than someone else pushed forward to give him a box wrapped in bright blue paper. So many people pressed gifts into his arms that Arthur and Beatrix had to help him with the overflow.
The next hour went by in a whirl of happiness. Someone gave him a mug of beer, someone else pushed him to the table full of food. Briar asked if he had any enemies she could smite for a birthday present. Cora offered her services as an electrician, and Maddy asked if he liked his new home.
Even his parents were on their best behavior. They hadn’t mentioned New Mexico or being an alpha even once.
It was overwhelming in the best way.
“It’s all real,” Arthur said, coming up behind him and enveloping him in a hug.
