Page 74 of Outnumbered

“Present time!” Caleb announced.

I frowned. “You didn’t need to get me presents. You’ve all given me so much already.”

“Nonsense,” Leona said. “Everyone gets presents on their birthday. Mine first!”

Silverowl carried over a large rectangular box with a red ribbon around it. He smiled, set the box on the table before me, and said, “Happy birthday, Rubyhare Ember.”

I untied the ribbon and lifted the lid, gasping at the gorgeous ruby red dress inside. “Oh, wow. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” Leona said. “I saw it and knew it was meant for you.”

“Mine next!” Jolie shouted and waved at Rhys.

Rhys grabbed a small white bag with silver tissue paper inside. He set it down on the table.

“This is from my pack,” Jolie said. “We hope you like it.”

“I’ll love anything you give me,” I said. “Even a shiny rock, as long as it doesn’t explode.”

Everyone laughed.

Pulling the tissue paper out carefully, I gasped when I saw a car key fob inside. “What … what is this?”

“Your new car!” Jolie shouted. “It’s in the garage. We didn’t want you stumbling upon it when you were outside. We’ll take you to see it after all the gifts are opened.”

“Thank you!” I yelled, though my heart beat erratically and my brain whirred from being so stunned. I wasn’t sure I’d ever been so stunned by a present.

“My turn,” Triston said and put a wrapped box in front of me.

I opened it and found the pretty jewelry box I’d pointed out at the werewolf den. “Triston,” I gasped, “thank you.”

“Now you have a place to put the bracelet and other things we’ve bought you,” he said.

“Me next,” Riddick said.

His gift was a pair of ruby earrings.

He smiled. “I may have caught wind about Leona’s gift.”

“They’re lovely,” I said and stroked a finger down them.

“Okay, my turn,” Caleb said and set a bag in front of me.

His smile looked a bit teasing and it made me worry as I opened it. My face grew hot and I groaned when I saw the wooden wolf sculpture.

Pulling it out, Triston and Riddick started laughing.

Dan asked, “You bought her a carving of yourself?”

“She picked it out when we were at the Den,” Caleb said with a smug smile. “Said it was her favorite carving.”

“It is really well done,” I said and put it back in the bag. “Thank you, even if I am embarrassed.”

He kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “It was just confirmation that you’re meant to be mine.”

Now my entire face was on fire.

“Here’s mine,” Kieran said and set a small bag in front of me.

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