Chapter 343 - 77: Birthday Shenanigans

Destiny stirred Dane the moment her lips brushed his jaw.

His eyes didn’t snap open; they dragged open slowly, dark with sleep and heavy with the lazy satisfaction of a man who knew he still had a little time before the rest of the world could get to him. His arm slipped around her waist, and his fingers dug into her hip as he pulled her closer. They were tangled in twisted sheets, completely bare beneath the blanket, and his palm moved lazily down her back before settling over her ass possessively. Then she felt the thick, hard press of his cock against her thigh.

She propped her chin on his chest and stared down at his sleep-muddled face.

"Seriously? You’ve been awake for four seconds."

A slow, crooked grin pulled at the corner of his mouth.

"You’re standing too close to the fire, love. Don’t complain when you get burned."

Destiny snorted and leaned down to kiss his cheek.

"Happy birthday, Dane."

His smile lasted another second before his eyes squeezed shut and his head dropped back against the pillow.

"Fuck. Don’t remind me."

"Hey." She nudged his ribs with her elbow. "Don’t look like someone just died. You’re twenty-three. You’ve got a wife who tolerates you, and you run the biggest territory in the region. Most guys your age are still trying to figure out how to do their own laundry."

"I’m thrilled about the wife part," he muttered, his mouth twitching despite himself.

"And the pack?"

His eyes opened again.

"I love the pack."

"But?"

"The blessing."

The answer wiped the last of the amusement from his face. He dragged a hand down it and stared toward the nightstand, where his leather-and-silver Alpha band rested in the morning light.

"Every birthday now, I have to go stand in that temple again." He paused, rubbing his thumb over his palm. "Last time, that stone split right in front of me, and this thing burned my wrist. I don’t know what today is going to bring."

Destiny reached over and rubbed the tight muscle at the back of his neck.

"Maybe the Moon Goddess was just having a bad day."

Dane turned his head and stared at her as though she had just suggested something completely ridiculous.

"She’s an immortal, incorporeal spirit deity."

"And?" Destiny shrugged, keeping her face straight. "You think being immortal means you never wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Maybe she had a migraine."

His mouth twitched. He tried to suppress it, but a dry laugh escaped him anyway.

"You’re ridiculous."

"I’m effective." Destiny pulled the sheet higher around herself and gave him a satisfied look. "Look at that. Mood handled."

"You’re weird."

"An active imagination is a sign of high intelligence, Alpha."

She rested her hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her palm. He was smiling again, so she decided to leave the temple alone for a moment.

"Speaking of strange things, though, have you noticed how quiet the borders have been?"

His expression shifted.

"The Heart Stone," she added. "Not a single zombie wolf has come looking for it since you got healed of your curse."

"They got their teeth kicked in." His mouth curved slightly. "Maybe they finally took the hint."

"Or they’re gathering enough numbers to flatten the front gate."

The amusement disappeared from his face.

Destiny immediately slapped his arm.

"I’m joking."

Dane pushed himself upright, the sheet gathering around his waist as he stared toward the window.

"No."

"Dane, I was joking."

"I know." He rubbed a hand through his hair. "But you’re right about one thing. I’ve been so focused on recovering and getting my strength back that I haven’t thought about our defenses properly."

Destiny caught his jaw and turned his face toward her.

"Then think about it tomorrow."

He looked at her.

"Today, you are allowed to just exist."

Before he could argue, a sharp double knock rattled the bedroom door.

"If you two are naked, put clothes on!" Hannah’s voice came through the heavy oak. "Everyone’s downstairs, Dane. The kitchen is full, the patio is full, and if you don’t come eat this food, your beta is going to finish it all."

Dane groaned and dropped back against the pillows.

"Tell them I died."

"Happy birthday, boss!" Hannah called through the door, already moving away. "Ten minutes!"

Destiny looked at Dane.

He looked at her.

They both knew ten minutes wasn’t happening.

Instead of rushing downstairs, they slipped into the bathroom and turned the shower on hot. Steam quickly clouded the mirror as they stepped beneath the water, stealing a few more quiet minutes before the house claimed them.

Destiny stood between his knees beneath the warm cascade, rubbing cedar-scented soap over his shoulders while he leaned his forehead against hers. His hands rested loosely on her hips, though he kept finding little ways to distract her whenever she tried to finish washing him. When she pointed out the few silver hairs near his temple, he gave her an offended look.

"I’m twenty-three."

"Exactly."

"You seem very pleased with yourself."

"I am."

He splashed water at her, and she gasped before pushing it right back at him. By the time they finished, they were both laughing, and the tightness that had settled across his shoulders that morning had eased considerably.

They dried off together and returned to the bedroom to dress. Dane was buttoning his shirt when he reached for the Alpha band on the dresser. He paused with it in his hand, turning it once between his fingers before fastening it around his wrist. His eyes remained on his reflection for a moment.

Destiny walked up behind him and adjusted his collar, meeting his gaze through the mirror.

"Ready?"

He took a slow breath and straightened his shirt.

"Let’s get it over with."

She slipped her hand into his.

"Come on."

They hadn’t even reached the bottom of the stairs before the birthday attack started.

"There he is!"

"Happy birthday!"

"Happy birthday, man!"

Ramon was already waiting with a steaming mug of coffee, which he shoved into Dane’s hand before Blane clapped him hard on the back. Dane barely caught the mug before Sonia reached for him, pulled him down by the neck, and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

"Mom."

"You’re twenty-three. Let me enjoy it."

Destiny leaned against the stair rail, laughing as Hannah, Ivy, Henrik, and Helena gathered around him. Everyone seemed determined to make sure Dane couldn’t escape the attention for even a second. He accepted the hugs and birthday wishes until Henrik finally stepped in and waved everyone back.

"All right, give the man some air."

Dane wiped his cheek and took a sip of coffee before looking toward the windows.

"How bad is it out there?"

Henrik raised an eyebrow.

"The estate?"

"The estate."

Henrik glanced outside.

"Three minibuses on the lower lawn, guards directing traffic at the main gate, and somebody has already started setting up at the pavilion."

Dane lowered his mug.

"At nine in the morning?"

"At nine in the morning."

Dane pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I thought we agreed family only until tonight."

Destiny couldn’t help laughing.

"You’re the Alpha, Dane. You don’t get to have a quiet birthday. Accept your fate."

"You can whine all night if you want," Hannah added, tossing an apple from one hand to the other, "but Dad wants us at the temple before the midday heat gets worse."

That brought the laughter down a notch.

Dane’s eyes went toward the door, and the hand holding his coffee tightened around the mug. He took a slow breath before setting it on the nearest table.

"Are we really doing this now?"

Sonia’s expression softened. She stepped closer and touched his arm.

"You’ll be fine."

Dane gave her a look.

"That’s what you said last time."

"Last time is over."

He glanced down at the Alpha band around his wrist, rubbing his thumb against its edge.

Henrik noticed and leaned against the archway.

"You’re making everyone nervous."

Dane looked at him.

"You’re not helping."

"I wasn’t trying to."

A few muffled laughs moved through the room, taking some of the weight out of the silence.

Sonia shook her head and turned toward Destiny.

"Destiny, make sure your hair is pinned back."

Destiny frowned.

"Why?"

"The oil stains."

"What oil?"

Sonia looked at her with a small smile.

"For the Luna blessing. You’re kneeling beside him."

Destiny stared at her, then slowly turned toward Dane.

"You didn’t mention that."

His guilty expression appeared immediately.

"Honestly? I was so busy dreading my own ritual that I completely forgot."

"Unbelievable."

He reached for her hand, his fingers slipping between hers.

"I’m sorry."

She tried to stay annoyed, but the smile pulling at her mouth betrayed her.

"Let’s go before you forget something else."

Ramon opened the front door, and the sounds of the busy estate drifted in from outside. Dane glanced once at the people waiting for him, then at Destiny. She squeezed his hand before they stepped out with the others and started toward the temple.