Chapter 0047

The morning of my birthday arrives with golden sunlight streaming through my curtains. I'm up before dawn, determined to make this day entirely mine. And what better way to start than watching Evelyn dominate my warriors in training?

I press against the windowsill, anticipation humming through me. Minutes tick by. No sign of her. My stomach knots. Evelyn never misses training.

A cold thought slithers in—what if something happened? What if Sebastian showed up early to finish what he started last night?

Just as I grab my jacket to check on her, a flash of silver darts from the treeline. Selene. Evelyn's wolf. The tension in my shoulders unravels.

She bursts onto the field to a chorus of teasing from the warriors. My father makes her run laps before sparring—probably hoping to tire her out. Joke's on them. Within minutes, she's wiping the floor with every challenger.

Then she does something unexpected. She challenges my father. Again.

My eyebrows shoot up. When did they spar before? His muttered comment about being "old but not stupid" takes on new meaning. If Evelyn bested him... pride swells in my chest. Of course she could.

Next week can't come soon enough. I've waited months to train with her properly, to feel her strength matched against mine. After tonight, she'll know everything. Monday morning, I'll finally get my answer—can Evelyn Sinclair take me down?

The thought sends a thrill down my spine.

——

Post-training, I shower quickly. The scent of maple bacon leads me downstairs where my family waits. The dining room erupts in cheers as I enter.

"Happy birthday, my beautiful boy," Mother says, hands clasped like she's holding back from pinching my cheeks.

I kiss her forehead. "I stopped being a boy when I hit six feet, Mom."

"Never to me," she counters, eyes glistening.

Father embraces me next. "Happy birthday, son." His whisper tickles my ear: "Catch any... tempting scents this morning?"

I shake my head with a wry smile. "Just breakfast."

The omegas parade in with heaping platters. Every unmated she-wolf in the pack seems to have turned up, yet none stir my wolf.

Donovan slides beside me with a wrapped box. "Happy birthday, Alpha. Open it with our future mates or I'm taking it back."

Inside rests a bottle of WhistlePig Boss Hog VII. My whistle echoes through the hall. "Damn, Donovan! This deserves a proper occasion—mating ceremonies, pups' births..." I grip his shoulder. "Maybe we'll crack it tonight if things go well."

He grins. "So what's the plan?"

"Killing time until the main event. Everything's set."

"Let's run the perimeter then. Maybe your nose will catch something interesting."

——

For two glorious hours, we race through the territory. At a secluded lake, we let our wolves drink while Orion nudges Theron.

Ready for tonight? Donovan links.

Born ready. Just hope she doesn't bolt when she realizes it's a setup.

On your birthday? She'd have to be heartless.

Exactly why it'll work. At least at first... after that, I'll need every ounce of charm I possess.

Orion bumps against Theron. Whatever happens, I've got your back.

The water ripples as our wolves lift their heads, ears pricked toward home. Time to prepare for the most important night of my life.