Chapter 159: Birth Day
Zara
As soon as we finished breakfast, Sophia insisted on going through her wardrobe to find me the perfect outfit for the day. I wondered what lengths Kane had gone to for my birthday and how big the party would be.
Sophia missed no detail, declaring that I could use a pleasant surprise after everything that had happened. She managed to find me a little black dress with short sleeves that revealed my shoulders.
It was completely different from the dress Sophia had given me when I was stabbed. This dress was longer, much more suitable for a birthday.
Sophia managed to distract me until the evening. She applied a thin layer of makeup to my face, lining my eyes with black shadow. She generously applied concealer and loose powder to the scarlet mark on my shoulder, successfully concealing it.
Although the mark was no longer visible, I could still feel its weight on my skin. She also curled my jet-black hair into large curls, combing them so that they framed my face perfectly.
My pleas to leave the house went unheeded. She dismissed my idea of visiting Govinda, knowing I’d use the opportunity to spy on Kane and my family. We were both worried about the future and how the pack would react to Govinda.
"If Kane is my mate, their Luna will be a half-blood." I shrugged, though that didn’t reassure me.
"Maybe... maybe Govinda and I should just leave." Sophia frowned, hiding the pain burning in her eyes.
"No," I shook my head, my voice firm. "I won’t let anyone drive you away. If Govinda is truly on our side, he’s part of this pack. Anyone with a problem with that can come to me."
I wasn’t ready to voice what Marcus had told me: that he was truly on our side. Marcus’s loyalty came with strings attached, but he was willing to stand up for his motive.
Most in the pack would follow Alpha’s word as law, but there would be those who would seek revenge. People like Alpha Bran had long been at odds with allies and would never accept them into their lives.
If I became Luna, would I be able to do what I had to? Those who rebelled against Kane would have to be destroyed. I couldn’t expect Kane to react to betrayal with mercy.
We left the house around six in the evening. Sophia promised to stay at the party as long as possible. Kane was polite as he questioned Govinda, though he still didn’t trust him.
Confusion crossed my face as we approached the pack house. The large yard in front looked the same. The flowerbeds along the porch were well-tended, with bright gardenias and poppies swaying in the afternoon breeze.
As we stepped out of the car, a myriad of scents greeted me. Upbeat music drifted through the open windows of the pack house, and the breeze carried the aroma of fried chicken, sweet glazes, and various grilled dishes. If you listened closely, you could faintly hear the chatter and laughter of people.
Sophia led me through the pack house with a smile on her face, shielding my eyes with her hands at the last moment. With a mocking grin, I allowed her to lead me through the house. She opened the back door slightly, and my nose and ears revealed what my eyes couldn’t see.
The conversations died down as the door opened, giving way to hushed whispers. Now, as I approached, I could distinguish the aromas of each meal. My stomach growled in response as she removed her hands.
The large back garden had been completely renovated. It was obvious I hadn’t noticed it from the window as the group wandered away from the house. The sun was slowly setting, casting an oily light on the plush clouds.
Twinkling lights wove through the rose bushes and treetops. Fountains were scattered throughout the garden, each surrounded by stone benches. Several large grills, which my father had been repairing, were scattered around.
One of them. Grilled meats were served on large platters and set on long tables, reminiscent of a buffet. Although it wasn’t yet dark outside, torches burned in the garden. The party was neither elegant nor formal, which made it absolutely perfect.
Something strange stirred within me as I looked at the crowd of people who had come to the party. Pain.
Most people came for the celebration, needing a little happiness in the midst of all this horror, but Alpha and my family organized this party for me. I blinked back the tears that stung my eyes and smiled at the crowd.
"Happy birthday, Zara!" Sophia smiled, looking at the plates of steaming food.
"Where’s Kane?" I couldn’t help but ask. I was literally shaking at the thought of seeing him, of finding my mate. For a moment, sympathy flickered in her eyes, and my heart sank.
"He’ll be here." Sophia smiled softly, understanding the anxiety gripping me. "He’s stationing the rest of his men and Alpha Bran’s men along the borders. We don’t need any surprises tonight. Go and enjoy the party; I know you’re as hungry as I am."
I walked down the porch steps with her and headed toward the grill where my father was cooking. His eyes narrowed when he saw me, and he hugged me before I could say anything.
"Your mother would be so proud of you, Zara," Dad grumbled, wiping away the tears that had welled up in his eyes. "You are mine. I’ve seen you grow and learn. I was there when you first turned and nearly tore Ryan’s head off. You’ll always be my daughter."
"And you’ll always be my father." I chuckled softly.
I inhaled his familiar scent, mingling with the smell of fried food. Whoever my father was, I already had one. The man who raised me could never be replaced. I grabbed a piece of fried chicken from my father’s large plate, gave him a sly smile, and popped it into my mouth.
"Hey, Zara!" Ryan shouted, pushing his way through the crowd toward me. "Happy birthday!"
A head of black hair with a silvery sheen pulled me off the dance floor, and I stepped into my brother’s arms. Even among the million different scents in the air, I easily detected my his lavender scent.
"I would have said otherwise." Dad chuckled. "Alpha Kane and your brother seemed to think I worked too much. They didn’t let me lift a finger while they were arranging all this."
"Alpha didn’t let you help?" I chuckled, giving him an innocent smile.
"He didn’t even let me bake the cake." He smirked. "Guys. Can you believe it?"
"Are you telling me I’ll have to endure all night without your baking?" I gasped in horror. The horror wasn’t entirely feigned, since his baking was quite addictive.
"Of course not." He grinned like a sly teenager. "Since when do I let a man tell me what to do? You’ll find a few containers in my car."
"Have you baked your lavender brownies?" I asked, glancing at Dad.
"Of course, and you’ll have enough coconut macarons to last you the whole weekend," he chuckled. "Now tell me what’s bothering you."
"Bothering me?" I asked, frowning.
"You can’t hide the worry in your eyes from me." He shook his head. "Even your dad hasn’t mastered this art. It’s better to get it off my chest so you can continue enjoying your birthday."
"Last night, I visited Marcus, who marked me." I sighed, letting him lead me away from prying ears to one of the fountains. "He brought me this time. He was trying to warn me, Dad."
Tiny lights glowed at the bottom of the fountain, making the water seem to glow. This fountain had three tiers, spewing water from each level.
"Warn you?" He frowned, his worried expression matching mine. "Do you believe this asshole cares for you?"
"I think he does, but in his own way, he thinks. The feeling isn’t mutual." I sighed. "Something he said worried me. He said that he has a backup plan in case I abdicate the throne. He said I would bitterly regret it. How could he have a backup plan?
"This Marcus could have been lying to you, perhaps to force you to take the throne. Do you believe he was sincere?"
"I only know that for the first time, he didn’t try to hit on me." I shook my head, trying to control the storm of emotions. "He seemed genuinely worried."
"I think you’d better tread carefully. Don’t take his words for granted, but I wouldn’t write him off just yet." He nodded, looking strangely serene. "If what he says is true, he could prove a valuable ally."
"His loyalty comes at a price. He wants me." I winced.
"It seems Marcus is playing a dangerous game. In any case, if he truly cares for you, your happiness comes first." He shrugged, but smiled reassuringly. "I’m too old for such things, but I will help you as best I can."
