Page 62 of The Healer and the Wolf: Part Two

There were six long folding tables set up in the yard, the kind that reminded me of church potlucks. A combination of folding chairs and camping seats surrounded them, while yet another two long tables were laden with tinfoil-covered containers. Someone had pulled up a grill, which was smoking pleasantly on the far side of the garden, and the kitchen windows were open, so another bouquet of mouthwatering smells drifted out from it.

“Holy shit,” I said, well and truly shocked that they’d managed to do all this in a few hours. It hadn’t even felt like we were gone that long.

“Do you like it?” America asked, bounding up to me out of nowhere. I had to admit, the girl moved fast.

“It’s definitely impressive.” I didn’t mean to sound cagey, but I was truly surprised by the lavish display and the fact that everyone present seemed so excited. My birthday wasn’t a big deal to me, but clearly the little slice of normalcy was a huge deal to everyone else. I wouldn’t be a wet blanket about it. If people wanted to celebrate, then I would celebrate.

“But do youlikeit?”

“I love it. It’s really amazing what you guys have done so far.”

America beamed at me, and I got swept up a bit in the festive spirit. It was hard not to when everyone looked so eager. “This ain’t nothing. If you ever want to see a real party, you should come down to one of my nieces’quinceañeras. We’ll show you how we really throw down. Although, you’ll have to bring your rhythm. Dancing is obligatory.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Have you seen Ven around? I want to steal her for a minute.”

“Actually, I have to call ixnay on that. She’s busy in the kitchen and gave me orders not to allow you in there until she gives the word.”

“Really? I’ve been banished from the kitchen?”

“Effective immediately.”

I laughed. I was alpha, so I could order her to stand aside and march right into the kitchen, but I didn’t even have the faintest compunction to do that. My father always told me that being the best alpha wasn’t about how much you could order your people around, but how well you listened and provided for your people. Instead of arguing, I shook my head and looked at Ricky.

“I guess we’re a bunch of kitchen fugitives now.”

“Sorry, boss, but from what I’m hearing, you’re the only one who’s been banished, not the rest of us. I’m going to head inside and see if there’s any morsels I can sneak a taste of.” He clapped my shoulder. “Have fun being social with all our lovely guests.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, glowering. “Traitor.”

“Blame your mate’s excellent cooking.” He gave a jaunty little salute, then strode toward the kitchen like the cocky beta he was.

It turnedout that time flew quickly with loved ones, even with Ven locked away from me in the kitchen. Before I knew it, two hours had passed, and it was suddenly time for the punch and everyone to enjoy some appetizers.

And, boy, were there a lot of appetizers.

Even though all the mains were still cooking, the food tables were practically overflowing with finger food. Granted, we were all shifters, so a lot of food was necessary. Honestly, if a dozen orso of our pack weren’t still recovering and on a simple diet, the dishes would have been empty within minutes.

I was worried Ven would stay locked in the kitchen and miss the entire first spread, but she finally emerged, dressed in denim shorts and a ruby-red tank top that made me want to ditch the party and carry her up to her bedroom like a caveman.

I wasn’t an idiot, though, and I knew she had put a lot of work into the party. So, I strode forward and kissed her stupid before offering her my arm and guiding her over to the appetizers.

“Happy birthday, my love,” she said, grinning up at me. The sparkle in her dark eyes made my heart thunder.

“Thank you for making it the best one I’ve ever had.”

She laughed and playfully jostled my arm. “Wait until you taste my cooking before you get all sappy.”

“I don’t need to. It’s the best birthday because I get to spend it with you.”

And there it was, the blush I loved so much rushing up her neck and spilling across those cherubic cheeks of hers. She really was pretty in pink in every way possible.

“That’s notfair,babe,” she murmured.

From anyone else, that was a bad statement, but with my beautiful Ven, I knew exactly what she meant. After a life of so much detraction and people trying to chip away at her confidence, genuine compliments disconcerted her. I kissed the top of her head as we loaded our plates up with the delicious fare.

We sat at the head of the table and dug in, chatting idly with everyone around us. I was going with the flow, but when Ricky handed me an ice-cold beer, I was struck with how incredible this was.

Not too long ago, we’d all been wild animals. Mindless and completely disconnected from our humanity. Lost. But thanks to one woman giving me a simple kiss on my snout, we werealive and restored to our natural way of being. Just a couple of months ago, we were a tragic story. A tale of caution for going up against the powerful. But now? Now the men who had hurt us and so many others were dead, and we were thriving. We were celebratinglifetogether when the brothers had meant to strip it from us forever.

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