A Birthday Party
Heaven
“So does he know you’re coming?” Allie asks me as we sit in the back of Ahren’s car.
“No, I wanted to surprise him,” I reply, smoothing the skirt of my dress. I knew he was having a party, and with a little digging on the internet, thanks to Leo’s secure provider for the supernatural, I saw some people tagging him regarding the party this evening.
“You don’t look sure,” Allie remarks, glancing at Ahren in the front.
I whisper a spell, and Ahren chuckles, knowing exactly what I’m doing, so he can’t hear what is being said.
“You know what Jaddati says, right? When there are only three people in a room, it’s bad manners to whisper?” he asks.
I do, but I’m ok with being bad-mannered. I turn to Allie.
“I’m not. Although I like Holden, and we have chemistry, I’m not ready to take it further. I don’t trust him enough to let him in so quickly. I’ve always been a composed person, and it just… makes me perhaps a little doubtful that he’ll be able to understand me for who I am.”
Allie nods. “So, you think turning up today, he might think you’re ready for more?”
“Kind of?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe he’ll just realise that there is something between you, and it might even make him more patient towards you wanting to take things slow, while at the same time, realising you do care. The words are yuck, but I might be onto something.”
“No, you’re right. That puts it perfectly. This is the right thing.”
“Yeah, so don’t overthink it,” she says.
“Did you talk to Dante?” I ask her.
She nods. “Yes, last night. There’s something weighing on him, and I just can’t figure out what it is. That prophecy, something is going on — it came to be, and I know he knows.”
“Well, we know he can’t say many things, but we are witches, and as witches, it is our duty to meddle. We are the ones who guide the path, the ones who hold wisdom and knowledge.”
“You sound like an old lady, but you’re right. So, you really think I’ll have a witch name?”
“Yes, I know you do,” I answer without missing a beat.
She tilts her head, her face emotionless. “Well, yours and Sienna’s are pretty epic, Mordana and Aldona.”
“Of course they are,” I reply just as Ahren’s phone rings. I remove the spell as Ahren answers it, and Tatum’s voice fills the car.
“Did you know the oldies are all going to Blood Moon Pack?”
We all turn, and I sit forward to listen.
Ahren glances at us. “Now I wish I could use that spell.”
“You mean my dad?” Allie asks.
“Why would you answer the phone on speaker, Ahren?” Tatum sighs. “And yes, your dad.”
“Do you think they’re going to try to fix things?” I ask.
“Maybe that prophecy?” Ahren says.
“Who knows. Apparently, it was preplanned from before, but we just weren’t told,” Tatum scoffs. “Leo was down, though. He came just after you guys, but he wasn’t here for long.”
“Oh no, I had to discuss my design with him.” I resist huffing in irritation.
Tatum snickers. “Well, he got lucky then. He was asking Mom about something having to do with the veils, probably linked to Si.”
“Most likely,” Allie agrees.
“So is Mama going to the Blood Moon Pack?” I ask.
“Na, Uncle did try to persuade her. He said she should fix things with Liam, but she’s stubborn too, saying he’s the one who doesn’t want to work with her anymore, and she’s okay with that.”
Allie rolls her eyes. “That is true. Men are dumbasses.”
“Agreed.” Another dumb man comes to mind, too.
Ahren chuckles. “So, everyone but Aunty Ri?”
“Yeah, so we’re staying home.”
“Mama should go; tell her it’ll be good for her and Uncle Liam to talk,” I say quickly. “I think it’ll really help overall, too. I mean, I hope Grandpa Alejandro doesn’t mess it up, but if he doesn’t, then it’s just Mama who needs to fix things with Uncle Liam.”
“Or Liam makes amends with Mama,” Tatum says.
“I wouldn’t mind being there for the details, can’t you go, Tatum?” Allie asks.
“No, I was told we can’t. I mean, even Granddad Marcel and his family have left.”
And Skyla and Royce left this morning…
Ahren asks Tatum a few questions, and I whisper a spell. “I want to go to the Blood Moon Pack.”
Allie looks at me, raising her eyebrows. “And what about Holden?”
I look down, but Sienna and the prophecy…
“You can’t stop living, Heaven,” Allie says quietly. “We can go to Holden’s for a few hours and then head to the Blood Moon Pack?”
“You’re right. Let’s do that.”
“I do hate parties, though.”
I chuckle slightly. “And you just persuaded me to go to one.”
“Yeah,” she grumbles gloomily.
It’s no small party as Holden had told me; it is a full-blown party when we get there. The music is loud, and the lights can be seen before we even reach the Alpha’s house. The pack recognised who we were, and we were let in after getting through security.
“How old did this kid turn again?” Ahren asks.
“Kid? He’s seventeen.”
“But this looks like he just turned eighteen, so let’s go and see,” Ahren says, leading the way to the mansion. The party is outdoors, and many couples are making out or dancing.
I spot Holden sitting at the bar, drinking an alcoholic drink, his eyes fixed on the dancefloor, but he does look lonely.
I did the right thing in coming here. As if sensing me watching him, he looks up suddenly, and the moment a smile lights up his face, I know I did the right thing.
“Heaven!” he shouts as he slides off his stool and comes over to us, slowing down when he looks at Ahren. “Alpha Ahren, welcome to my pack. It’s an honour.”
“Thank you, happy birthday,” Ahren says as they shake hands. Holden’s eyes are on me as he lets go of Ahren’s hand and walks over to me. He wraps his arms around me tightly, his head nuzzling against my shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he murmurs softly, placing a soft kiss on my shoulder.
“Happy birthday, again,” I say as we part. “I got you a little something.” I motion to the bags that Ahren is carrying, and Holden looks surprised.
“You shouldn’t have. You being here is the best gift I could have asked for.
Come on, I’ll introduce you to some friends.
They’ve heard a lot about you. Alessandra, come on.
Alpha Ahren, would you like a room, or… would you like to hang here?
” Holden seems unsure as he glances at Ahren, who holds out the bags.
“I’ll make myself scarce. I’ll be around, don’t worry about me,” Ahren says before he turns and walks away. He’s the tallest one here, so he doesn’t really disappear, but he sure does blend into the night.
Smiling slightly, I look at Holden, who’s checking me out. “You look insanely gorgeous, by the way.”
“I know, but thank you,” I reply with a toss of my head, making him chuckle.
“Travis, take these to my room. They’re from my girl, so take care of them, alright?”
“Yes, boss. Got it,” Travis says, taking them, smiling at me politely. “Welcome to our pack.”
“Thanks,” I say before Holden pulls me into the crowd to introduce me.
“Guys, I want you to officially meet my girlfriend, Heaven Somers.” He kisses my cheek as his friends all begin talking and greeting me, and I see Allie hanging back, not enjoying this at all, as I seamlessly blend into the role, confident and smooth as I memorise each of their names.
This will be a long night…
So, I just throw myself fully into it, planning to enjoy my boyfriend’s party.
It’s much later when Allie motions to the time, and I turn to Holden. “I wish I could stay longer, but we have to go,” I explain.
“No, honestly, I didn’t even think you’d be here at all, so… thank you for coming.”
“I’m glad I came,” I reply honestly.
“I would have liked you to stay longer… but maybe next time,” he says as he leans in, brushing his lips against mine. I kiss him softly before someone clears their throat, and I don’t need to look up to see who it is, sensing Ahren’s presence.
“We’re ready to leave,” I declare, looking at the frowning Ahren. He’s so dramatic. What does he think? That I should never kiss a man?
“Good,” Ahren replies, giving Holden a nod. “I’ll see you around.”
“Thank you for bringing her,” Holden replies as Allie also gets up, and Holden accompanies the three of us to Ahren’s car. “Drive safe, babe. I’ll message you.”
“I’ll wait for it,” I reply, smiling at him before he opens the door for me and I get into the back.
“Bye, Alessandra,” Holden says.
“Bye,” she replies, unblinking, before she gets in the car and shuts the door with a sharp snap.
Holden chuckles as he bends down and looks at me. “Really, I’m glad you came tonight; it made the night so much better.”
“I’m glad I came, too. I think your friends half believed you didn’t have a girlfriend,” I remark lightly.
Especially among the girls, the jealousy wasn’t completely masked. Holden smirks. “Well, you are Aldona; they definitely didn’t believe me entirely.”
I smile as I take hold of his shirt and kiss him before settling back. “Well, now they do.”
“Yeah, for sure.” Ahren strums his fingers on the steering wheel, and Holden gets the hint, moving back. “Bye, have a safe trip.”
Once he shuts the door, I look at Ahren. “You didn’t need to be rude.”
“He talks far too much; I was getting bored.”
“Well, you can’t sleep yet; we need to go to the Blood Moon Pack,” Allie says bluntly.
“That was not part of the plan,” Ahren says sharply, now looking at us.
“Well, it is now, so chop-chop. Drive, chauffeur,” I command.
Ahren tuts, before he starts the engine. “Well, I was planning on going after dropping you two off.”
“Asshole,” Allie frowns at the back of his head.
“So, why do you two want to go there, anyway?” Ahren asks, and although his tone is as light as ever, I can sense him watching us intently through the rearview mirror.
“Well, my prophecy is not one that can be brushed under the carpet, and the ‘tearing of kin’, I’m sure that applied to all. We all need to fix things, and I want to be there,” I reply smoothly, even though I’m not being entirely honest.
I have my own reasons for needing to go there, but Ahren doesn’t need to know that.
“Right, then you better hold on tight,” Ahren says as he speeds up, and then there’s a puff, and he’s slamming the brakes, throwing both Allie and me into the seats in front.
“Idiot!” Allie growls, massaging her nose.
I place a hand to my own forehead where I had bumped it and glance out of the window, realising where we are.
Ahren has just teleported us right outside the entrance to the Blood Moon Pack.