Tam’s Birthday
Matt POV
The drive to the Shadowfang pack felt like it was taking forever. I kept my eyes on the road as my hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary. Tulip was sitting next to me, chattering away as usual about the grand wedding plans she had, but I could barely focus on what she was saying. My thoughts kept going back to the one thing I didn’t want to think–the fact that I was about to see Tam after seven long years.
Seven years felt like a lifetime ago when I had last seen her, when I thought it was good riddance. I had pushed her out of my mind as best as I could. After she had left, I was buried with confusion and… emptiness. But I knew the reason. It was mostly because she had spent eight years with us as a family. Maybe this time I would bid her a proper goodbye and move on. So yes, in a way I was looking forward to seeing her. I needed closure. However, the invitation from Alpha Lucien had opened a floodgate of memories.
“Matt?” Tulip touched my thigh. “What are you thinking about?”
I glanced over at her, wondering what she was saying. Dressed in a sleek blue dress that hugged her curves, her dark hair styles perfectly, she was the picture of elegance. I knew everyone would be fawning over her. “I-” I licked my lips. “What were you saying again?” Why was it that I felt disconnected?
She sighed. “I don’t know what is going on with you lately.” She crossed her arms and pouted. “I was wondering if I should wear a white gown or a red one at our wedding.”
“Whatever you like,” I replied nonchalantly.
She sighed again and pursed her lips. “You are of no use!” I chuckled. “When do you want to fix the marriage date?” she asked. “The Shaman said that the next full moon is auspicious.”
Taking a deep breath in, I ran my fingers through my hair. “That’s too early for me, Tulip. Let me think it over.”
“But how will it matter?” she whined. “You will go back to your day–to–day activities after the wedding.”
I replied as politely as I could. “I need some time.”
Though she didn’t argue, she seemed upset.
When we finally arrived, I let out a rough exhale in order to calm my racing heart. Tulip smiled, clearly excited. She took my arm and we both walked inside the venue. The moment I entered, my eyes searched for her, and there, standing in the middle of the room, was Tam. Stunned, my breath hitched. I felt like I was punched in the gut. Torben growled inside me, pushing me to go to her. ‘Down boy!‘ I hissed at him.
Tamara was no longer the girl I remembered. She had changed. Grown up, beautiful, graceful, mesmerizing, and radiating. She stood there like she owned the world. Her long curly golden hair shimmered in the light, and those same stormy gray eyes were full of life. Even at this distance, she was like a flame, attracting moths who wanted to burn.
Tulip nudged me to move. “Matt,” she chided me.
My throat had turned dry, but I swallowed down this confusing reaction, and moved forward. With every step I took toward Tamara, all my hatred for her seemed to wash away.
Our eyes locked. When she saw me, her face lit up with recognition.
Tamara was flanked by two twin boys, both standing close to her protectively. One with curly blond hair like hers and the other with dark hair, both with dark eyes. And they both looked distinctly like Alpha Lucien. Alpha Lucien and Luna Auren stood beside them, laughing and talking to others.
The hall looked like stars had descended on earth. There were tall chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Flowers adorned every surface along with scented candles. Elaborate meals were stacked on a long table on the right. Servers moved around carrying trays of champagne and other beverages. To ease down the storm inside my chest, I picked up a champagne glass as I walked toward them. Before I reached them, I had downed it. It did nothing to ease me down.
“Matt!” Tam exclaimed her voice high with excitement.
“Happy birthday,” I said as I gave her a bouquet.
She grinned. “Thank you!”
“Alpha Matt!” Alpha Lucien’s warm voice broke through my thoughts, making me realize that I was staring at Tam.
“Alpha Lucien,” I said and bowed to him.
He clapped my back. “It’s been too long. I’m glad
Successfully unlocked!
I shook his hand. “It’s good to see you, Alpha Lucien.” I glanced at Tam. “It’s been a while.”
Her lips curled up in a grin.
“Luna Auren,” I said and bowed to her. I glanced at the twins who were no more than six years as they stared at me with
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Tam’s Birthday
narrowed eyes. I chuckled. “And you both are…?”
Luna Auren laughed softly. “They are my sons, Oscar and Hans,” she said.
I jerked my head back in surprise. When did they have these two?
“It’s good to see you, Matt,” she added. “You know I keep telling everyone that you are the one who saved Tamara years ago.”
“Yes,” Lucien chimed in. “You remind me of your uncle, Magnus–loyal, strong, and willing to fight for everything right.”
My chest tightened at the mention of my uncle, and all the negative emotions slammed back. Before I could recoil and go back in a corner to drown my grief, Tam interrupted.
“I didn’t think you would come,” she said with amazement in her eyes–one she had whenever she looked at me when she was just a pup.
“I’ve been busy with my duties as an Alpha,” I said in a hoarse voice. The excuse didn’t feel like enough, but I didn’t care. “I get it,” she said quickly. “But you should have visited. I wanted to see you.”
I felt my chest tighten as the words I wanted to say stuck in my throat. Before I could answer, Tulip nudged me. I snapped out of my haze, and introduced her. “Do you remember Tulip?” I asked her.
Tam’s eyes snapped to Tulip. “Y–yes,” she said, her voice breaking when her eyes went to our joined hands.
“Tulip is my fiancée.”
Tulip grinned and bowed to Lucian and Auren, while I saw Tamara’s face change. Her excitement faded, and her expression became distant. “H–hi Tulip,” she said. Then her eyes dropped to the floor, and her lips pressed together in a tight line. “Happy birthday, Tam!” Tulip said.
“Th–thank you…”
I could feel the tension in the air. The twins came forward, glaring, and crossed their arms across their chest as if to ward
me away.
“Congratulations!” Luna Auren chirped. Alpha Lucien also congratulated me.
“Congrats,” Tam said in a small voice. I could feel the pain in her voice. It was clear that she didn’t know how to react to seeing me after all this time, especially now that I was engaged to someone else.
In an attempt to break the awkwardness, I asked, “Where’s Bradley? It must be his birthday as well.”
Alpha Lucien laughed. “That brat is over there,” he pointed at the corner. When I looked over there, I saw Brad with a bunch of his friends. He had turned out to be so handsome, just like his father but with the gray eyes of his mom. “You can go and meet him,” he encouraged me.
I nodded and walked away. Suddenly, Tulip froze. “What’s it, Tulip?” I asked.
She clenched her jaw and stood there, staring ahead.
“Tulip!” I said loudly.
With her eyes wide, she jerked her head at me, and blabbered, “M–Matt, I–I’ll be right back!” Saying that she hurried out of the room.
