Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Surprise Party

Astrid’s POV “Surprise!” My heart melted when Nova removed the blindfold from my eyes and revealed a surprise party for me.

I closed my mouth in shock and my eyes teared up when I saw what they had prepared for me.

“What is this?” I asked Nova with an overjoyed look in my eyes.

I thought Nova had just personally prepared something little to lift my spirits when she told me that she was going to show me something.

I knew it was something special when she had to put a blindfold around my eyes, but I didn’t expect that she had gathered all the members of the Pack together and prepared a huge party for me.

“It was Drystan’s idea to surprise you,” Nova smiled at me making my mouth fall open.

My eyes blinked as I thought of Drystan preparing all of these. I couldn’t believe that he’d been planning something like this behind my back.

“Drystan,” I muttered his name breathlessly when I finally noticed him coming towards me from the crowd. “You don’t have to do this, it’s not even my birthday,” I told him.

I’m starting to feel uncomfortable with all of the things that he has done for me. All of these felt too much.

Drystan just smiled at me. “This is a celebration party, Astrid. We deserve to celebrate your divorce and the success of your plans.”

“There’s no need to,” I answered with my eyes looking among the crowd seeing how many there were and how much food they had prepared for this celebration to feed everyone.

“Consider this as your welcome ceremony in the Pack, Astrid. Since everyone thought you were dead, we couldn’t officially hold a welcome ceremony for you as an added member of the Pack,”

Drystan argued.

My eyes widened. “You are officially adding me as a member of your Pack?”

“Of course, Astrid,” Drystan looked glad upon seeing the joy in my face. You don’t have to live as a pack less werewolf anymore. You and your child are now official members of the Nightsong Pack.”

My lips quivered in happiness when I heard his words. Even though I’m just a burden, he fully accepted me into his Pack so willingly.

“We can now all start!” Drystan announced to the crowd. “Our guest of honor has finally arrived!”

Everyone applauded and cheered at Drystan’s announcement. Everyone looked so happy. They had smiles on their faces as they welcomed me even though we did not know each other.

“Come, Astrid!” Nova suddenly pulled me by the arm surprising me. Before I could recover from my shock, she was already introducing me to the members of the Pack.

I forced a smile on my face and made handshakes with everyone as Nova introduced all their Pack members to me. As an introvert, I felt awkward meeting and talking to multiple strangers at once.

Thankfully, Nova never left my side and did most of the talking. Drystan wasn’t wrong to trust his Pack members. He was right when he said that we are all going to love each other.

All of the Nightsong Pack members are nice and friendly. None of them were as judgmental as I had thought. In just a short time, Nova’s friends had become my friends too.

“Alpha Drystan made a good choice to choose this night for your party,” one of the pack members told us with a smile on her face.

“That’s right!” one of them agreed. “I heard there’s going to be a full moon tonight, I can’t wait to see it.”

It’s been so long since the last full moon happened. I didn’t know that the full moon would appear tonight.

“Really?” Nova squealed excitedly. “Astrid! We should wait for the full moon.” Nova shook my arm.

I smiled at her. “Of course.”

Everything felt magical as we all gathered outside to celebrate. The stars twinkled softly above us as we ate while waiting for the full moon.

The night was filled with lively conversations and laughter as everyone savored the delicious food, delighting in the flavors and enjoying each other’s company.

Round tables filled the area, and I ate with Nova along with her close friends at the same table. I was so engrossed in our conversation until I thought of Drystan.

I looked up and searched for him in the crowd with just my eyes. I was planning to call him and ask him to join us in eating dinner when I saw him going around from table to table, interacting with all of the members of his Pack without yet having his dinner.

My respect for him grew a hundredfold when I saw how hands-on he is with his Pack and how he doesn’t discriminate among them.

He approached and interacted with everyone regardless of their power. Seeing how he was having fun just talking with his members, I didn’t bother to disturb him anymore.

After everyone had eaten, we all gathered in the open space to watch the full moon happen before we left.

Everyone looked so excited like they were waiting for the new year’s countdown. Nova, Drystan, and I chose to stand at the back of the crowd to give way for the Pack members.

As the moon shifts into full view, I suddenly feel an unusual shift in my body. I raised my arms and was shocked to see how the moonlight was reacting to my body.