We park. I smooth my dress, check my hair, touch my marks to make sure they're visible.
"Ready?" Calder asks.
"Ready."
We approach the main entrance together, pack moving as one.
The butler opens the door before we knock.
"Mr. Ashford. Welcome home. And Miss Rowan, you look lovely."
"Thank you, Thomas."
"Your mother is in the drawing room. She asked that you join her there before dinner."
We move through the familiar halls. I can hear voices from the drawing room, more voices than I expected.
Calder's hand rests on my lower back. He opens the drawing room door.
And I freeze.
Becauseeveryoneis here.
Mira stands near the fireplace, elegant in a deep plum dress, silver hair swept up. She turns when we enter and her smile is filled with affection.
Catherine and Thomas Vale are by the windows, Catherine in soft blue, Thomas in a neat suit, Maya beside them, bouncing with excitement.
Rebecca Cross’s face is animated, eyes sparkling when they settle on us. Pen is beside her in a simple black dress, hair down instead of the usual gymnastics bun.
Seraphina and Lila are there too, near the back, both grinning.
My hand flies to my mouth.
"Happy birthday," Calder whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
"You—" I turn to look at him. "You planned this?"
"We planned this." Tyler steps closer. "All three of us."
"We wanted everyone who matters to celebrate with us properly," Julian adds. "Your birthday seemed like an appropriate time."
Mira crosses to me first, pullingme into a hug.
"Hello, little one." Her voice is warm against my ear. "Your alphas are wonderful event planners."
"How long have you known?" I pull back to look at her.
"They called two weeks ago." She touches my marks gently. "How could I say no?"
Catherine's next, wrapping me in a maternal hug. "We wouldn't miss this for anything."
"Miss what?" I'm still trying to understand. "Calder said?—"
"I may have downplayed it a little." Calder grins.
Rebecca approaches, pulls me close. "Hello, Elowen." She examines my marks, nods approval. "Beautiful. All three of them claimed you properly."
"I… yes,,, but why is everyone?—"
