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“Thank you.” She took extra care to make sure it was audible this time. “All of you. This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
All five of them beamed at her.
“It’s not over yet,” Aiden said softly, his lips brushing against her ear. “I have one more present for you.”
Olivia groaned. “Oh, fuck me. Please say you’re joking. I will literally die if you’re not joking.”
“Don’t worry,” Aiden said, rubbing soothing circles on her back. “That part of the night is over. I promise. This is something else.”
Camden reached behind him, then handed Aiden a present wrapped in bright paper, an elaborate yellow bow on top. She almost asked for permission to open it in the morning. All she wanted to do was sleep. But everyone was watching her so intently, and she couldn’t disappoint them.
Forcing her lips into a smile, she took the present, carefully removing the pretty paper and setting it aside. It was a wooden box, about the size of a hardcover book, carved with images of nature—leaves, flowers, and even several perfectly detailed little mushrooms.
Her smile came naturally after that. “It reminds me of our hike,” she said, running her fingertip over the carvings. “It’s beautif—”
Olivia forgot what she was saying. Aiden had reached down and opened the box.
Inside, nestled in a bed of black silk, was a thin circlet of white gold.
A collar.
She couldn’t take her eyes off it.
“Olivia Adams,” Aiden said, plucking the collar from its box, undoing the tiny clasp, “I love you more than I’m ever going to be able to say. But I’d very much love to spend the rest of my life trying. There’s not a thing in my life that matters without you, and not a single thing you don’t make better by being mine. I only hope you’ll consent to be mine forever. Will you marry me?”
Tears slid down her cheeks as she looked up into his eyes. “Yes.” It was the easiest answer she’d ever given. “You’re everything to me, Aiden. There’s nothing in this world I want more than to be bound to you forever.” The others clapped and wolf whistled as he fastened the stiff metal collar around her neck.
Reaching up, she ran a fingertip along the cool metal. The feel of it against her throat—a constant reminder of who she belonged to—was like the final piece of a puzzle, clicking perfectly into place.
For the first time in her life, she felt truly whole.
The End
