My sister and her mate stand up, holding hands, smiling at each other. “We have an announcement to make.” He kisses her hand.
“We’re going to have a pup.” I knew she went into her heat, but I didn’t want to ask because the last few times weren’t very successful.
Getting out of my chair, I hug her to me. “I am so happy for you.” My mother starts crying–her first grandchild. Even my father’s eyes are watering. Everyone sheds happy tears, grateful tears. I send a prayer of thanks to the moon. They have been trying for years and years.
Dallas is sitting there looking slightly uncomfortable, but maintaining appearances.
Once the excitement has calmed down, plates are cleared into the sink. Fresh tea is put out with dessert plates.
My mother goes to the fridge and pulls out my cake. I can’t help the stupid smile that spreads wide across my face. Nothing is better than this: my family happy, enjoying themselves. It’s like the past never happened and the future is just so full of hope.
“Happy birthday, Rya.” Excited, everyone is cheering. Dallas looks at me in question but says nothing.
All of them join singing happy birthday to me. This is
the first time I have someone other than my family sing happy birthday to me since I shifted. His voice is masculine and deep against my ears. Mom places the cake in front of me with all twenty–three candles lit. Looking out the window, I see him, just the shadow of him watching us…my family celebrating another year of my life. Their voices are raised loudly, so I know he hears. He knows it’s my special day, yethe’s not sitting at my table with me.
“Make a wish.” I look at everyone’s expectant faces and wish for my own happiness. I’m selfish, but that’s what I ask for.
I blow out the candles in one go. Dallas leans toward my ear and whispers, “You should have told me it was your birthday.‘
“It’s not a big deal.” I glance at him with a shrug of my shoulder.
>>
H
“You’re wrong! It is a big deal.” He pulls his mouth away from
Handing my family slices of cake, I ask, “Dallas,
ear. I need to get up to cut the cake.
would you a piece?”
Eyes of Caribbean blue sea bore into me. “Yes, I’d like a piece.” I hand him the plate, and he takes it, letting his fingers touch mine. We make eye contact just a moment longer than it should, and it’s my turn to start blushing. He notices while I try to look
k some place other than his eve
eyes.
He’s growing out his hair. I can almost fist it with my hand and pull his mouth on mine if I wanted to. He’s starting to cloud my mind. It’s unfamiliar to me, thinking about this male wolf who almost kissed me. I can still sense the way his lips almost brushed
inside me, fantasizing about his lips on mine. Instead of all my nighttime dreaming of Clayton, Dallas jagainst mine. That thought sends such images
my daytime thoughts are starting to include him.
now stalking his way inside my thoughts. Even
The tension between the two of us is like a string, pulling tight at the ends, ready to snap at any minute. It’s taunting us, having a good laugh on our
behalf.
At work, we try to pretend it doesn’t exist. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me, looking at my lips. I have to pretend I don’t notice the wolf’s eyes. that have a dominance now in his stare. He tries his best to suppress his nature, at times having to leave the room flushed an excuse of needing to check something in his office. Nothing has happened between us since that night.
I can see the way his head turns, mouth slightly parting in an easy smile. It gives me feelings deep down in my stomach that makes me want to reach out and touch him.
Even though my stomach is full, I hunger for something else. My chest rumbles inside; it’s sudden, without warning. I look back up; his eyes haven’t left mine. The table is hushed. I’m mortified now. Getting up, I go to the sink and start to do the dishes.
“I’m sorry,” I mumble to everyone.
It’s like I’m so malnourished from being so alone for so long, he has something that can satisfy me. I want to let myself indulge in him…
My father gets up, grumbling that he needs some air. Dallas is right behind him. The mates of my sisters practically run out. I can see them through the kitchen window, standing by the fire. Dallas, with his hands by his side, eyes my father, my sisters‘ mates surrounding him. Shoulder back, head held high. I try to turn my ears their way to listen in on what they’re saying to each other.
Book Chapter23
