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|| TWO WEEKS LATER ||

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RAIDEN ||

Today is Dylan's birthday. My baby turned 24 years old today and in about a week, we would also be celebrating our one year anniversary and my 26th birthday as well.

I loved the fact that I met Dylan only two days after my 25th birthday, everything just seemed so special and destined for us to fight through the trials and tribulations together, since the day we met.

There's been so much drama and heartache and pain throughout this past year, we didn't even get to celebrate any of the holidays that's passed, but once we get past our birthdays and anniversary, our family traditions in celebrating the cherished holidays will be strong.

I have a huge ordeal planned for our one year anniversary next week that involved the help of Eva, Maxx, Quiweeme and Weheil. I needed their magic to be able to accomplish all that I wanted, something I knew would be special for both Dylan and myself and it would definitely be something that we both would cherish for as long as we live.

However, today was a day to focus on my mate and only him. To pamper him, love him and shower him with the praise I knew he loved so much.

"Eva, Maxx." I whisper into the open space of the livingroom, knowing they would be able to hear me.

It didn't take long for them to appear into the room through their whole weird magic smoke thing.

"Raiden." Eva smiles before hugging me, I reciprocate her embrace, careful not to hurt her belly. I didn't know if witches were as vulnerable as wolves when they were pregnant, but I didn't want to take any chances.

Plus knowing her mate lived in the pack as well and the fact that his magic was stronger than hers, scared me to no end.

Only Goddess knows how powerful their little magical child will be.

"Maxx, how are you?" I shake his hand as he pulls Eva into his side.

"I'm doing great Raiden, thank you, how are you?"

"I'm good, thanks." I tell him before looking back at Eva. "I called you both here just to make sure Dylan's surprise is ready."

"Birthday surprise or Anniversary surprise?" Maxx asks.

"Birthday." I clarified.

"Oh yes, it's all ready and perfect if I do say so myself." Eva says as she does a little happy dance.

"Not as perfect as you, my Queen." Maxx whispers to his mate, who returns his kind words with a smile.

"Thank you both for everything you've done for tonight and for next week, I know you will be using a lot of magic for this and I'm so grateful."

"Of course, just remember the birthday surprise was a one time thing.. It took a ton of our magic to build and maintain, so unfortunately we can't do that again." Eva laughs before stopping just as quickly once we heard movement from upstairs.

"We're going to get out of here before we ruin the surprise. Have fun Raiden." Maxx tells me as they quite literally disappear into thin air with one snap of his fingers.

Taking a deep breath, I turn back around to make my way upstairs. Glancing at the hallway clock, it now read 4:16pm. The grandpas should be here any minute to watch the boys for us and Goddess help us all because every single one of those men are idiots.

Walking into our bedroom, I smile at my beauty as he stands in the bathroom, combing his hair. He had on white sneakers, blue jeans and a gray t shirt that in my opinion, perfectly brought out his ocean blue eyes.

While I wore black sneakers, black jeans and the orange t shirt that Dylan absolutely loved on me. I hated it, but this was his day and if a simple act of putting on a t shirt that he personally bought me, would make him happy, then I was going to wear it with pride.

Even if the color did contrast my amber colored eyes.

I definitely looked like a walking sunset.

Sighing over my mental anguish of this damn shirt I was wearing, I slowly walked into the bathroom, only to continue staring at my love.

He smiled at me through the mirror as he attempted to control his head of curly brown hair.

"I wish you would tell me what we're doing today." He groaned, as he slid his fingers through his hair for what I'm sure was the thousandth time.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise." I tell him as a chuckle leaves my lips from his annoyed expression.

"Can you at least tell me if I'm dressed ok? I feel so casual and I don't want to walk into a restaurant or somewhere super fancy in blue jeans."

"You look beautiful pups, you're dressed perfectly for what I have planned."

My love sighs before rolling his eyes. Setting the hair gel down on the counter, he walks over to me and wraps his arms around my neck. Leaning forward, he briefly presses his lips onto mine.

"Can I at least get a hint?" He whispers against my lips. Fully aware of what he was trying to do, I smile against his.

"Nope."

"Ugh." He groans before pulling away completely. "You're so frustrating."

"I know, now come on. Let's grab the boys and wait downstairs for the grandpas." I tell him, grabbing his hand and ignoring his pouty lip as I pull him towards our boys room.

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Liam, Emilio and my Dad showed up about 10 minutes after we brought our boys down to the livingroom.

Saying our goodbyes and kissing our sons, I drag Dylan towards the front door after grabbing the picnic basket from the kitchen, which he fully noticed.

"So we're having a picnic?" He asked with a huge smile, so I just shrug trying to keep him on his toes.

"Maybe, maybe not." I answer back as we walk through the pack lands.

"But you have a picnic basket, so it's clearly a picnic.. I've never been on a picnic before."

I could feel every ounce of his excitement through the bond and his reaction to one simple little gesture made me all giddy inside.

I may have planned a picnic for us, but that wasn't the gift that my beauty deserved on his special day.

The thing I've been planning and working so hard to build with Maxx and Eva's help over these last two weeks would surely bring tears to his eyes and hopefully it would be something that he would never forget for as long as we have breath.

Walking hand in hand with him throughout the pack lands until we reached the tree line, my heart rate picked up tremendously as we made our way through the forest within our territory.

I didn't miss the moment when Dylan picked up the scent of water and he frowned before looking at me. I tightened my grip on his hand and stared into his eyes.

"Why do I smell water? We don't have rivers or bodies of water in our territory babe."

I stayed completely silent as I watched his reaction to the new scents surrounding both of us.

Realizing he was going to ask more questions, I turn my attention to the sights in front of us and continue my pace, pulling him with me.

Noticing the tree that Eva and Maxx marked, I smile internally and brace myself for Dylan's reaction.

"Close your eyes, love."

"Why?" He asks, skeptically.

"Just do it."

Rolling his eyes before actually listening to my instructions, he finally closes them and once again, I pull him forward about 40 more feet until we finally reached the area that was made completely for him.

I let his hand go and walk behind him, wrapping my free arm around his waist then leaning into him, pulling his back flush against my chest.

"Open your eyes, love." I whisper into his ear as he does what I've asked of him.

"Oh my Goddess." He breaths out as he takes in the sights in front of him.

His own little paradise within our pack.

Today would be one of two surprises I have for my beauty.

I prayed he would accept the second.

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DYLAN ||

"Open your eyes, love." My leopard whispered into my ear, his breath fanning across my skin, caused a shiver to run up my spine before I actually was able to follow his instruction.

Cracking one eye open because I was expecting something crazy, I gasp, quickly opening both of my eyes as wide as I actually could.

"Oh my Goddess."

This is unreal...

When did this get here?

Who.. who built this?

Taking in my surroundings, there was three huge, beautiful waterfalls in front of us. The different levels of the green mossy mountainous terrain, supporting each stream of water so perfectly. The water of the falls cascading through huge square shaped stones and ending into a huge pool of bright blue water, which flowed into a smaller stream.

The bottom of the stream was lined with smaller, different colored stones and pebbles. Little fish, frogs and turtles inhabited the water. The sounds of the frogs were so awesome when mixed with the sounds of the water hitting the stones.

The area surrounding the stream was covered in these huge flat stones and the forest ground was covered in my favorite flower, the Calla Lilly. They were everywhere and smelled so freaking amazing. Moss grew so clear on the logs and some of the stones on the ground too.

My breath caught in my throat when I seen the crazy amount of Apple trees and white rose bushes. I smiled at that, knowing apples were my favorite fruit and roses were Raiden's favorite flower.

There was a perfect view of the sun above the mountainous terrain that would surely set and I would be able to see it all. The sky in this area of the forest was orange and yellow with hints of blue and purple, mimicking the sky when the sun actually does set, which brought tears to my eyes.

Trying to hold back my tears from falling, I turn in my mate's arms and stare into his eyes. He smiled softly before leaning down slightly to set his picnic basket on the ground.

I was totally expecting a picnic once I seen the basket, but not this... This was breathtaking.

"Did you do this?" I whisper, almost unable to speak any louder due to the shock that was fully taking over.

"Yes, with a ton of help from Maxx and Eva." He answers, causing me to frown. My tears threatening to spill over any freaking moment.

"H-how... why... when?"

"Maxx and Eva helped me create this place for you, this is your gift.. I remembered how much you loved the Stone Waterfall back in the Wolf's Claw pack, so I wanted to recreate it for you."

"But this is so much better." I chuckle through my overwhelming emotions.

"I'm glad you think so pups, everything here is for you... this is your own little piece of paradise.. " He says as he cups my face before kissing the tip of my nose. "Happy Birthday baby."

I couldn't hold my tears back anymore. They fell freely as I stared into the eyes of this freaking incredible man in front of me.

Like seriously, who gets their mate their own waterfall man? He's unreal and he's all mine.

"I designed every section of this place with you in mind.. Maxx and Eva built it from the descriptions I gave them."

"So this is what you've been doing for the last two weeks? All the time you've been gone?" I ask and he nods. "What's it called?"

"Silas Falls." Raiden tells me and I smile even wider. "It's a place designed for you, inspired by you and only meant for our family." He leans in to briefly kiss my lips before pulling back and smiling again.

"What do you mean?" I ask. "Meant for our family?"

"Do you remember when you told me that you feared a time that someone would try to hurt you and you couldn't get away? That there's no place you could run and just hide?" He asks and I nod, fully remembering that day.

The day of our tough conversation. The day we laid everything out on the table. The day I told him about my hearing.

"Well this place is surrounded by a protection spell. Maxx made that possible. The entire waterfall and any surrounding area for about 20 feet on all sides is only accessible to you, me and our little ones." He explains, causing my mouth to hang open in utter shock.

"Seriously?" I whisper in disbelief.

"Yes, the only way for anyone else to get in here would be if we allowed them to."

I smile at him before carefully looking around my new waterfall. Sure enough, I could sense the warmth of magic dwelling in the area and if I looked close enough, I could see the shimmer of Maxx's protective barrier.

"But that's not all I wanted to show you."

My mate's confession quickly pulls my attention back to him as I slightly tilt my head to the side. "There's more?"

I was shocked even more when he nodded.

Raiden's hands travel down to my own as he holds my gaze. "Do you also remember when you told me about your hearing?"

I nod.

"And when I just told you that this whole place was designed with you in mind?"

I nod again.

"Eva and Maxx said it works a lot like your hearing aids." He starts to explain before smiling and tightening his grip on my hands. "Something about electrical signals and receivers."

Raiden slowly starts to kneel, pulling me with him until we were damn near sitting on the ground.

"The ground acts as the receiver that sends the electrical signals through your body." Letting go of my hands, he gently touches both of my ears. "Then up to your eardrums, once there, the signals release the sounds so that you can hear them."

Tearing his gaze from mine, he looks around the surrounding area. "The sounds here are even more amplified for you, if you ever can't hear something, the magic here will pick that up and determine the right volume that works for you."

I swallow nervously as I listened to my mate's words.

"You told me once that you've always wanted to feel normal, never judged for your hearing, scared of what silence meant, but this place is safe for you... Here you will never know that silence that haunts you everytime you turn your hearing aids off."

He smiles softly as his fingers graze over my hearing aids, causing me to frown. "You don't need these here."

My breath caught in my throat once again.

What the hell did he just say?

"What do you mean? I'll always need my devices Raiden, there's no amount of magic that could help me hear."

Raiden bites his bottom lip nervously before speaking again. "Yes there is pups, this place was made specially for you and your hearing is apart of who you are."

"No, no that's not.." I go to argue with him, but stop immediately when his eyes widen. "What's wrong with you?" I ask, now confused by his sudden change in expression.

"You can hear me pups." He whispers, slowly standing upright and pulling me with him again.

"Of course I can hear you." I frown. "I'm not completely deaf, Raiden."

"I know that baby, but you can hear me clearly right now." He points out and I nod.

"Of course I can, why would you think I wouldn't be able to?" I ask, but Raiden smiles after that, causing my frown to deepen.

"Because I turned your hearing aids off, pups."

SHOCK.

My eyes widen now as my hands shoot up to my ears, feeling for my devices that were still there, but...

Click. Click.

Turning my devices back on and then off, the sounds around me never fade, the static and vibrations that I've grown accustomed to never once happening. I take a step back from Raiden as I look at him from head to toe and back up again.

Suddenly the sounds of the water and the frogs from earlier catch my attention and I whip my head in the direction they came from.

Click. Click.

Playing with my devices once again, my heart pounds even harder in my chest as I take in the sounds of the frogs. Their beautifully, annoying little froggy noises flood my ears, the sounds of the water sliding across the stones, the birds chirping in the trees, the squirrels munching on their food, even the sound of the centipede crawling by my shoe catches my attention.

Everything was so clear and perfect and I can hear it all.

I can hear it all.

I've always been terrified of what silence meant, everywhere I went, it followed me like the fucking plague.

Everything was so terrifying to me, my devices were the only things that kept me afloat in this damned world, but now...

Now I can hear everything around me and I'm not scared. For the first time in my life, I'm not scared and it's all because of Raiden and what he's given me. I have my own safe place, surrounded by protection and it's all mine.

Full of sounds, that I can hear!

Looking back at my mate, who was watching me through his own tear filled eyes, my lip begins to tremble as I take in all the sounds around me without my hearing aids.

For the first time since I could remember, I didn't need my hearing aids. I didn't need them and I could hear everything.

"Raiden." I whisper through my overwhelmed emotions as I watch him walk towards me.

Closing the gap between us with ease, he reaches up and wipes my tears away, only for more to take their place. "This is your safe place Dylan, you never need to feel scared of silence again." He leans forward to kiss me and I gasp around his lips before he slowly breaks our brief kiss.

I grab his wrists as he stares into my eyes with such power, I felt my knees weaken under his gaze.

"You once told me that you were scared that someone would hurt you because you wouldn't be able to hear them without your devices, you told me you wanted to feel safe, you told me that you wanted to be able to live without these."

I nod through a choked sob.

"This is your safe place Dylan, you never need to feel scared of silence again." He repeats his words as he leans his forehead against mine.

"I once told you I would always be your sound and I meant that puppy." His grip tightened on my face as we both sighed through our tears.

"I meant that."

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