The rest of the week was rather boring. I continued my same routine every day. I would meet Titus in his office and we would work separately.

Today was Saturday and my birthday. Which meant no more work, thank goddess. Titus had yet to make an appearance. If I'm being honest, I don't think he even slept in the house last night. After dinner, he just...disappeared. His scent was very faint. Alex was the one who woke me up this morning. And when I went into his room his bed was perfectly made. Showing no trace of him sleeping there the previous night.

He was acting strange. I was definitely going to call him out on it later.

The pack was throwing a little party for me today. So, I decided to look halfway decent. I straightened my hair until it was pin straight. I wore a pair of black ripped jeans and a white shirt with a black leather jacket. I paired the outfit with my favorite pair of black heeled boots, that stopped at my ankles. I applied bright red lipstick and mascara.

I walked to the pack house with my head held high. I couldn't let it show that Titus's disappearance played an effect on me. Alex was the first person to pull me into a hug when I entered the dining hall. "Happy Birthday Brinn! You feel old yet?"

I smiled. "Thanks Alex. And no, I don't feel old." I got several more 'Happy Birthday's' as I sat in my usual seat.

Everyone slowly directed their attention towards Titus's empty seat. I was anxiously awaiting his arrival. But something deep down told me he wasn't coming. When Ryan entered the room with a straight face my suspicions were confirmed. "You may all start eating. Alpha Titus will not be joining us this morning." Everyone stared at each other as whispers begin to erupt throughout the room.

I stared down at my untouched breakfast. At that point I knew, Titus was ignoring me. He made that quite obvious.

Alex placed a hand on my back. "Hey, you okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah." I grabbed my fork and begin eating my pancakes.

***

The rest of the day I spent watching movies on Netflix with Alex and Ryan. It was fine for a while but eventually, the third wheeling made things awkward. So I left. I was on my way back to Titus's house when my phone started ringing. I smiled when a picture of Carter displays across the screen. "Hey."

"Happy Birthday!" I chuckled as I entered the house.

"Thank you Carter. I was starting to think you forgot." I closed the front door then walk towards my room.

"Of course not." He scoffed in disbelief.

Somehow, my feet lead me to Titus's door. I was standing directly in front of it, when his scent hit me. I knew he was here or at least had been here recently. "Brinn?"

I looked down at my phone and realized I was still on the line with Carter. "Yeah uh, I'll call you back."

"Um...ok. Bye."

"Bye." I hung up the phone and shoved it into my pocket. Before I could have a second thought I swung the door open. I let out a sigh as I was met with an empty bedroom. "I love you Titus but sometimes you are such an asśhole!" I shouted at the air. slamming the door shut, I walked into my room.

I got a couple more calls from my friends back home wishing me happy birthday. Along with my brother and my parents. I was having a pretty chill day. Aside from the whole Titus thing. But I wasn't going to let that ruin my day.

Alex walked into my room holding a white rectangular box with a ribbon on the top. I shook my head. "Alex no, I said no gifts." I loved getting gifts when I was little, but now that I was older I much preferred money.

She smiled then sat next to me. "Oh trust me, you're going to want this one."

I eyed her suspiciously. "Fine." I grabbed the box and open it, curiosity getting the best of me.

My mouth dropped open. "What the hell?" Inside was a full set of laced thongs and matching bras. "Explain yourself." I demanded.

She shrugged her shoulders with a mischevious smile on her face. "Just in case you find your mate. He won't be able to keep his hands off-"

I held a hand up, stopping her from finishing her sentence. "Okay, I'm going to stop you right there." I placed the top back on the box. "Thanks for the gift Alex. It was very...thoughtful."

She smiled with a wink. "Anytime."

I stood then placed the box in my duffle bag. "We should get going. The party has already started." I looked down at my watch and saw that it was already eight o'clock.

Where has the day gone?

"Okay." Alex linked her arm with mine before we left the house.

The party was in full swing when we got to the backyard of the pack house. People were dancing along to the music while others were striking up conversations. It was a typical Saturday night for me. Minus the alcohol I usually find myself getting into.

I was making my way through a crowd when a long manicured hand pulled me to the side. When we were finally out of the crowd I turned to face the culprit. "Lily?"

She smiled, her whole aura changing excitedly. "You remember me?"

I shrugged. "Of course. You did bring me breakfast every day this week."

My memory wasn't that bad.

Her eyes lit up. "Yeah! I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday!" She said excitedly.

"Thank you." She pulled me into a tight hug, which caught me off guard. I patted her back awkwardly. Getting the message, she pulled away, but still kept the smile plastered on her face. "Sorry."

I waved my hand. "It's fine."

A few seconds later Rachel came up behind me. "Brinn!" She said as she engulfed me in a hug. The second we pulled away she shot a sour look towards Lily. "Luna."

Rachel scoffed. "Oh please child, you know I am no longer the Luna. But uh...thanks."

She nodded. "Well, it was nice talking to you Brinn."

"Likewise." She quickly turned around and left.

As soon as she's out of our view, Rachel turned me around so I was facing her. She stared at me with a straight face. "Stay away from her. She might seem like she's nice and friendly, but that girl is evil."

I nodded. "Okay."

She relaxed and placed a smile on her face. "Now, how is your day going?"

"Pretty good. But your son is a douche." She chuckled. "Why is that?"

I waved my hands in the air. "Uh hello. I haven't seen him all day!"

Her smile dropped, as she got lost in her thoughts. "Well, he has been very busy today." I rolled my eyes. "Sure, whatever." I knew something was up. No matter how busy Titus got, he always made time for me. Especially on my birthday.

Before Rachel could defend her as*hole son anymore. Alex came running towards us. "Brinn your present is here!" She said excitedly.

"Calm down girl. You would think the gift is for you." Rachel said.

I ignored Rachel's comment and focused my attention on Alex. "Alex I said no gifts."

"It's not from me. It's from Titus."

My eyes went wide.

Oh, this should be good.

Everyone made their way towards the front of the pack house. Alex dragged me along while Rachel placed a blindfold over my eyes. For someone who hates physical activity, Alex was moving fast. "Guys I really don't like surprises." I groaned in annoyance.

"Oh shush." Rachel said.

I could hear faint whispers but only saw darkness. "What did he get me a sign that says 'sorry I'm an asświ- "

Before I could finish the blindfold was ripped off me. My mouth drops open at the sight in front of me.

Titus was leaning against a white Range Rover that had a huge red bow on the top.

This car better be mine.

I started jumping up and down. "You didn't!"

He chuckled before I ran towards him. "Move!" I said as I pushed people out of the way.

I stopped midway when I was hit by an unknown scent that had my core heating and by heart rate increasing. I furrowed my eyebrows and search the crowd as they all shot me confused looks. "Brinn? Everything okay" Titus asked, searching my eyes.

I shrugged, not wanting to cause a scene. "Uh yeah, sorry that was weird." I continue walking towards him as my hands shook on their own accord.

When we were face to face, I grabbed the keys from him and wrap my arms around his neck. The moment our skin came in contact. I was shocked by an overwhelming tingling sensation that had me biting my lip to hold back a moan.

I gasped and took a big step back. My hands were shaking vigorously as my heart rate increased. I instantly dropped the keys to the ground, as my wolf finally said the one word that made everything go south.

'MATE!'

He knew, they all knew.

***

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