Page 59 of Talk Howly to Me

But it was the faces that caused her heart to swell to the point of bursting. Every single member of the Hale pack stood before her, from the youngest children to Elder Eli with his carved walking stick. Even Tasha stood near the front, her dark eyes bright with genuine happiness. And there, in the center of it all, were her mates.

Ronan stepped forward first, his usually composed expression softened by a bright smile. Kozue appeared at his side, practically radiating joy as he took in her stunned expression. Without a word, they moved toward her in perfect synchronization, their arms opening to envelop her in the warmth and strength she'd come to depend on.

"Happy birthday, beautiful," Ronan murmured against her ear.

Kozue's lips found her temple. "Did we surprise you?"

Sloane found herself laughing, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep in her chest. "I knew you two were up to something. You're terrible at keeping secrets."

Both men looked appropriately sheepish, but before they could respond, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.

"Happy birthday, dear! You look absolutely stunning."

Gerri Wilder materialized beside them as if she'd simply stepped out of thin air, her petite frame somehow commanding attention despite being surrounded by wolves who towered over her. She wore a vibrant yellow pantsuit that should have looked ridiculous but somehow managed to be perfectly elegant.

Sloane accepted the older woman's enthusiastic hug, breathing in the familiar scent of vanilla and ozone. "Gerri! I didn't expect to see you again."

"Oh, I just had to stop by and see how everything turned out." Gerri's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she stepped back to survey Sloane's face. "Although I had a very good feeling you would find your forever home here with these two handsome, protective men."

The words 'forever home' hit Sloane square in the chest, carrying weight that went far beyond simple sentiment. Three months ago, the concept had been foreign, impossible. Now it felt so right.

"Yes," Sloane said, her voice thick with emotion. "Everything turned out better than I could have ever hoped for."

Gerri's gaze dropped to Sloane's neck, where the twin mate marks from Ronan and Kozue were clearly visible above the neckline of her dress. The older woman's smile turned knowing.

"I certainly see that. Congratulations, my dear. I'm so glad everything worked out exactly as it should have."

Before Sloane could respond, Gerri melted back into the crowd with the same mysterious grace she'd used to approach. Within moments, pack members began surrounding Sloane, each offering birthday wishes and warm embraces that reinforced the sense of belonging she'd found here.

She recognized every face now—something that would have been impossible three months ago. There was Jarvis, the pack's head enforcer, with his wife Sarah and their twin toddlers. Elena, who ran the pack's small school, stood beside Augustine, their healer, both of them beaming as they wished her well. Even the teenagers had shown up, including Jared, who looked proud to be included in such an important pack celebration.

An hour soon dissolved into a blur of laughter, conversation, and great food from Kozue's talented hands. The ballroom buzzed with the easy camaraderie that defined the Hale pack, and Sloane found herself marveling at how natural it felt to be at the center of it all. This wasn't just a birthday party—it was an affirmation of her place in their community, a celebration of the family she'd never expected to find.

The music shifted from upbeat background melodies to something slower, more intimate. Ronan appeared at her elbow as if summoned, his hand extended in silent invitation.

"May I have this dance?"

Sloane placed her hand in his without hesitation, allowing him to guide her onto the makeshift dance floor. His arms came around her waist, pulling her close enough that she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her chest. Around them, other couples began swaying to the music, but Sloane's world narrowed to the man holding her.

"So," Ronan said softly. "How is this birthday? Did you get everything you wanted?"

Sloane looked up into his blue eyes, seeing her own contentment reflected there. Through the bond, she felt his genuine desire to make this day perfect for her, his quiet satisfaction at seeing her surrounded by people who cared about her.

She pressed closer, eliminating the last inch of space between them. "I got more than I ever wanted. I never needed this big party, although I appreciate all the love and warmth from our pack." She paused for a moment. "All I ever wanted was a home that was stable and safe, and a love that would never leave. And I got that three months ago."

Ronan's eyes darkened with an emotion too complex for words. "Well," he said, his voice dropping to that rough timber. "Is there anything else you might want?"

The question hung between them, loaded with possibility. Sloane felt her heart skip as an image formed in her mind—not just the three of them in their shared life, but something more. Something that would make their bond even deeper.

She smiled, letting her fingers trace the strong line of his jaw. "What about having our own little family?"

The effect was immediate and electric. Ronan's eyes went molten, desire and possessiveness and something deeper flooding across his features. His grip on her tightened as he pulled her impossibly closer, his lips finding the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder.

"I think that can be arranged," he growled against her skin, his voice thick with promise.

She was about to respond when another voice interrupted. "Can I cut in?"

Kozue stood beside them, his green eyes bright with barely contained emotion. There was something in his expression that suggested he'd heard at least part of their conversation.