“Thanks.”
I skim the room, wanting to hide away as I feel several pairs of eyes on us. Grandad Al is smirking as he winks at me. He’s in conversation with Uncle Liam. I met him earlier when he arrived. Aunty Raven is sitting with Jaddati and Grandma Red. Aunty Kiara is talking to Aunty Ri. Uncle Leo is talking to Royce.
Tatum is leaning against the far wall, eyes fixed on his phone, his face set in his usual broody expression. Dante isn’t here, neither is Ahren.
“Where’s Kaden?” Heaven asks, twirling around.
“Probably being naughty somewhere,” I answer. “Should we go grab a spot in the corner before-”
“That’s bloody mental, init?” Theo’s voice comes.
“I already told you that.” That’s Ares.
The sound of talking and several pairs of footsteps make me stop in my tracks, and I decide to forget the other two and quickly make my way over to the sofa in the corner. They’ll follow! I’m not standing in the middle of the room where they can see me.
I’m halfway across the room when I feel it, that intense sensation of being watched, and I feel the hair at the nape of my neck rise.
It’s him.
Remain calm. It’s not like this is school. He can’t judge me here. This ismyhome. I don’t turn to look at him, feeling the sensation ebb away just as Heaven and Allie catch up to me.
“Where are you running to?” Allie asks sceptically.
I shake my head, not speaking as Kaden runs over to me. “Senna!”
I’m not happy about the attention, but I can’t ignore my baby brother. He never got to meet Dad…
I open my arms and he runs straight into them, and I spin him around once before kissing his cheek.
“Where have you been?”
“Ahwen!” He points, and I look over my shoulder to see Ahren step into the room. His hair is pulled back messily, and some strands are already escaping. He’s filled out a lot, and he’s grown taller than he was two years ago. Ever since he shifted, he’s changed a lot.
I smile at Ahren; he made it on time. I watch as he meets everyone, and my eyes flicker to the Westwood Quints. Renji is the youngest, with blue eyes and black hair. He’s the nicest of the bunch and the only one I am not afraid of. Then the one older than him is Carter. Carter has the softest features, with sandy brown hair and green eyes, but don’t let that deceive you, he’s almost as cruel as his eldest quint.
Then the middle one is Ares. He’s quiet with dirty blond hair and hazel eyes, and somehow you can’t ever really make out what he’s thinking. Then, of course, the second eldest, Theo, whom we’ve met.
And then there’s Jayce.
I dare myself to look at him, hating how my throat feels dry. He’s absolutely gorgeous, with messy, black hair and sharp, green eyes. He’s muscular, just like his brothers, with a dusting of hair across his jaw and chin. He’s wearing black jeans, a leather jacket and a pair of grey Timberlands.
He and Ahren clasp each other’s hands as they lean in and exchange a manly hug. Ahren is taller, but then again, the only person I know taller than Ahren is Dante.
Jayce tilts his head slightly, turning towards me, and I quickly look away.
“Hungry anyone?” Jaddati calls, and I let out a little breath of relief.
I’m starved.
Dinner wasn’t toobad. I managed to find a spot far away from the boys. Some of them are playing charades, and I excuse myself. I still have a few presents I never finished wrapping up. I’m always so last-minute!
I look at my silver wrapping paper with white stars, thinking it’s really going to ruin Mama’s wrapping aesthetic.
I’ll put mine behind them.
I wrap the white organza sash around Allie’s present and pick up all five of the parcels before exiting my room and hurrying downstairs. I’ve long since abandoned my heels, and I stop, looking at the large frames that hang on the wall opposite the twin staircases.
Great Grandfather Ricardo, Grandfather Rafael, Dad and Uncle Chris.
