Chapter 17
Ariana
I’m really too old to still be getting excited about my birthday.
I think I’m permanently soured on the concept of being too old for things. It gives me flashbacks to sitting in Ian’s office, hearing him share the truth of Amy’s arrival.
But maybe, just maybe, this may be the one day where my pack’s focus is just on me. Things might be different today. Perhaps this loneliness and exhaustion in my bones will relent its hold on me.
I’m not a fan of parties, so it’ll be a small affair. Just me and my pack, cutting a cake in our apartment. It’s the one time of year Ian and Liam let Cole dig up the cheap decorations from their box in storage.
The balloons and “Happy Birthday” banner we keep hidden away are undeniably tacky, nothing like the holiday decor they hire interior designers for every season in anticipation of hosting. They’re my favorite.
It reminds me of home, back with my parents. Of the birthday party from right before I moved to the city, with Costco pizzas and bottles of pop instead of catering and expensive liquor. Since it’s a small and intimate affair with no one to impress, I’m allowed the garish decorations.
Well, intimate aside from our new addition. I’m not sure how I feel about her being here. Amy can’t exactly be uninvited, though. She lives here.
It is what it is. It has to be, considering I can’t change that fact.
If I close my eyes, it’s almost like she hasn’t moved in yet.
Liam’s sleeping with his arm across me, its weight heavy atop my body.
My forehead is pressed into Cole’s back, feeling it slowly rise and falls with his breathing.
Ian may not be here, but if I strain hard enough I can almost imagine he’s in his office instead of someone else’s bed.
Rain lightly hits the floor to ceiling windows of my bedroom, drumming against the glass. I lay still, blanketed in a mix of apple and sage. I’m not sure if it’s the gray storm clouds or the hour’s just that early, but the room remains dark.
Maybe if I fall back asleep, I’ll wake up and this will all have been a dream.
It’s too similar to the Sunday before they dropped the second omega bomb on me.
I’d been between the same two men, and it occurs to me now that was the last time I’d been somewhat excited for a weekend the way I am today.
It was the calm before the storm, in hindsight. I thought I had it rough then, calling myself a dog. That was nothing compared to the way my bond aches now.
But that was then. Today’s a new day. I’ve been looking forward to it since my pack came home yesterday, giving me extra affection. Even Liam kissed me before Amy for once.
As I anticipated, we’re going to celebrate it on a Sunday, since everyone’s home. Then I’ll really turn twenty eight tomorrow, on Monday. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since I left home alone.
Almost a decade has gone by since I joined my pack as well. It feels like the time has passed slowly, but the days all blur together. I suppose that’s what happens when you spend almost all of them the same way, sitting inside and waiting for your alphas to return.
Even though I laid awake for hours after my two alphas fell asleep, sleep doesn’t return to me now. Eventually Cole stirs, turning over to face me.
“Morning,” he says, eyes still closed.
“Morning,” I whisper back, leaning forward to kiss him. It’s a mix of excitement for the day and lingering guilt for fantasizing about someone else those nights ago that draws the affection out of me.
Liam shifts behind me, and when I turn my head, his green eyes are already open, watching me.
“Happy birthday, babe.”
My throat constricts. “Thank you.” He looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn’t continue, offering me a small smile instead. It’s not his usual ear to ear dazzling one full of teeth, but it’s better than nothing.
I don’t return it with a kiss or cuddle, like I did on that Sunday that feels like a lifetime ago. Instead, I offer him a similar polite, small curve of my lips. It makes his smile falter. If we weren’t sleeping next to each other, it would seem like we were acquaintances, not lovers.
Cole, unaware of our expressions, speaks cheerily. “Breakfast, then?”
It’s my face’s turn to fall. I should’ve pretended to be asleep for longer. Lost in thought, I’d forgotten my habit of avoiding breakfast.
“Shower first,” it’ll either be a way to prolong heading out to the table or give me time to think of an excuse to skip it.
Cole accepts it. “You’ve got to be prettied up for your big day.” That didn’t cross my mind, but why not? Whatever Liam thinks, he doesn’t voice it. Neither slips into the bathroom behind me, nor do they remain in my bedroom when I reemerge dolled up.
Ian sits on the edge of my bed instead, filling the room with his heavy whiskey scent. His eyes flicker over my figure, making me squirm.
I’m suddenly embarrassed by the effort I put in. In my head, it made sense. If after so long, their attention is going to be on me, I may as well try to look my best. The way he studies my appearance makes me feel like it screams desperation instead.
“Happy birthday, Ariana.” Ian wishes me, voice serious but not cold. “I wanted to be the first.”
“Thank you.” I clasp my hands together, holding them in front of myself. “You’re a little late. Liam said it already.”
His pale eyes focus on me, face unreadable. “What a shame.” He doesn’t sound or smell disappointed. “We ordered brunch for you. I didn’t expect you’d be up this early.” The pack lead stands, holding a hand out towards me.
It dawns on me that he came to my room specifically to ensure I’d come to the meal. A minor effort, but the gesture makes my heart swell regardless. And I won’t have to do so many dishes if there’s no one cooking.
The way the three alphas wish me a happy birthday when we arrive at the dining table arm in arm makes my omega preen at their attention. Amy may deliver hers with less enthusiasm, but she manages a strained smile.
The hideous pink Party City banner hangs on the wall, and I even get Ian’s seat at the head of the table. Cole shifts down, giving him his spot instead.
“In honor of almost ten years.” The pack lead states in explanation when I hesitate to take his chair.
Uncertainly, I perch at the very edge of it.
Ian doesn’t even like me or Amy entering his bedroom.
It defies the pack hierarchy for an omega to encroach on the pack lead’s space.
I’ve barely gone in there since the day I was marked.
Regardless of my trepidation, he encourages us to start our brunch.
“Twenty eight? It’s still weird to me. You were just a baby when we met.” Liam pipes up as Amy serves the food. “You barely looked sixteen.”
“Did I?” I try to remember my past self, but I don’t recall looking that young. Liam’s brought it up like a fond memory, but the thought makes my stomach churn uncomfortably.
Ian scoffs at the question. “Someone asked me if I was your father once.”
That earns a laugh around the table, including from me. I still remember it as the first and only time I’ve seen the stern alpha look downright horrified. The poor waitress had scurried away and we never spoke of it again, until now. Enough time has passed to laugh about it, I suppose.
“Remember when we first met?” The other omega asks, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table. The movement makes the deep neckline of her dress dip lower.
“Of course. You should have seen Ariana, though. I’ll have to find a picture and show you. She looked nothing like she does now,” Cole catches my eye and grins. “She was still cute though.”
If he had been sitting at my seat, he might have seen Amy’s face scrunch up with displeasure. Taking a shot in the dark, I’m going to guess she isn’t exactly interested in that picture.
“So cute,” Liam reminisces sadly. “You used to follow us around like a lost puppy back then.”
“Woof.” Some things never change, apparently. The puppy just got older.
“Wasn’t that annoying?” Amy asks, leaning her head on Liam’s shoulder.
“A bit,” he shrugs, bumping her head up. The alpha reaches for his coffee and sets it back down before he can take a sip, chortling. “Remember the swimming lessons?”
The question makes me wince. It was a rare moment where they weren’t working during a vacation. Of course I had to use that precious time to make a fool out of myself.
“You nearly took us and the instructor down with you.” Even Ian’s smiling now, shaking his head.
Cole raises his arms, making a motion that looks less like a backstroke and more like a windmill.
“It was not that bad,” I grab his arms, pushing them back down to his sides.
“It was worse. Ian had to carry you back to shore.” He wraps his arms around me, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
“Well, I’m a great swimmer. There’s a trick to it-” Amy starts, only to be interrupted by Liam recounting his next anecdote.
The alphas don’t exactly ignore her as they continue reminiscing, but it’s hard to compete with almost ten years of memories. A part of me feels bad for her and the failed attempts to grab their attention. Selfishly, a bigger part of me is too busy enjoying being at the center of it to care.
The legs of her chair scrape against the floor as she stands, muttering something before she disappears into the kitchen. The pack doesn’t pay her any mind, continuing the conversation until she reemerges carrying a white box.
Cole pulls away my plate as Amy sets it down in front of me. She doesn’t exactly place it gently, but it’s not harsh enough to raise eyebrows. Her scent’s sweeter than before, even if she doesn’t seem any happier. Compensating for something, maybe?
Not from spitting on the cake, hopefully. It’s different from our usual type, an elaborate heart shape with pink frosting and candy pearls.
“Pretty,” I comment as Cole sets a candle in the center of it.
“It’s vintage.” Liam points out proudly. “Amy suggested it.”