Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Astrid POV

Dad was saving money to take me on a cruise for my eighteenth birthday. Instead of being with them, I was with his extended family. Fred and Bree had come along with Briana and Nate for the party, and I was an emotional mess. Fred hugged me tightly before Bree gave me my birthday

present.

“This wasn’t needed,” I said, trying to swallow the lump formed in my throat.

“Of course it was!” she chided me playfully.

Briana and Nate also gave me their presents.

“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Briana asked as she took my hand and tugged me to the garden where Kael and Toren were. Nate walked to Aiden, and they started chatting about school.

“Plan?” I chuckled. “The plan is to party!”

“Bah!” She waved a dismissive hand towards me. “I was talking about after the party.”

A crease came on my forehead. “What do you mean?”

She lowered her voice, her eyes having a mischievous glint. “You’re eighteen today. How about we go to a pub and enjoy stepping into adulthood?”

“Oh!” My eyes widened in surprise. So my sister wanted to take me to a late night party, after the party? I bit my lip and was about to say yes when Kael came to us.

“Sorry Briana,” he said, curling his arm around my waist and pulling me to his side. “But Astrid and I already have plans for the night.” He winked at me and I blushed crimson, remembering what he had said to me. His words were, ‘On your eighteenth birthday, I’ll put this inside you‘

Briana huffed. “Spoil sport!”

He shrugged and looked at me with a heated gaze. “Let’s cut your birthday cake, love,” he said and kissed my temple. “I can’t wait for the party to get over.”

“What are you guys planning on doing after the party?” Briana asked, bewildered. “Can I join? Rather, can we all join? This isn’t fair. Astrid is my sister, and all of us should be part of the celebration.”

Kael rolled his eyes and growled, “Some people can’t take a hint.”

“What the hell!” Briana snapped. “This is not done! We want to celebrate with you. Astrid, you can’t leave us.”

I gritted my teeth. “Look, I am not a part of this conversation. I’m okay with anything.”

Kael stopped. “Really babe?” he said, as if accusing me. “I told you that on your eighteenth birthday, I’ll make you mine. Have you forgotten that? Do I have to make myself clearer?”

I smacked on his chest, darting my gaze around, hoping that no one had listened to us. Briana’s mouth fell to the floor, and she blushed. She stuttered, “B–by all m–means. I mean-” She didn’t know what to say and so she snapped her mouth shut, feeling uncomfortable. “I’ll be right back,” she said and hurried to where Kael’s parents were talking to Fred.

“You are so shameless!” I exclaimed.

Kael smirked. “She wasn’t taking the hint. A wolf can only try.”

I rubbed my chest as the same feeling that had been cruising through me bubbled inside me. It was as if my body was super–heated. Something was trying to claw its way out. I heard a whisper, ‘Let me out, Astrid. Gods. I think I was going insane. It was all in my mind. But then I recalled what Kylie said. She asked me to go with the flow. So I was going to accept what was happening with me.

“Is anything wrong?” Kael asked, studying my face closely with furrowed eyebrows.

I shook my head with a rough exhale. “No, I’m just- this place is so hot!”

He narrowed his eyes and said nothing. “It is November, love. And the winds are chilly. Yet, you are feeling hot?”

“I don’t know!” I closed my eyes and tipped my head up.

He held me by my hips and pulled me closer to him. Placing a soft kiss on my lips, he said, “Whatever is happening, let me know, okay?”

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Chapter 151

I relaxed in his embrace and leaned against his chest. All of a sudden, my nostrils were flooded with his body scent. Oakmoss and mist. Heat pooled

in my belly as surprise pooled in my chest. My knees turned to jelly. “You smell so delicious,” I rasped. “Like oakmoss and mist.”

He stared at me intensely. “And you smell like honeydew.” He lowered his lips to mine and kissed me slowly and softly.

“I do?” I sighed, reveling in his kiss.

“You do, baby girl.”

In that instant, I felt destined for him, like he was my perfect match. My feelings for him became even more intense. “I love you,” I said. Could anyone love anyone else so much that they’d die without him?

“I love you, too, baby girl,” he replied.

“Time to cut the cake!” Bree called to both of us excitedly, breaking our reverie.

The effort Kylie and Logan put into making this such a huge affair left me feeling overwhelmed. I didn’t know how to return the favor. It seemed like the whole family was ecstatic about my birthday and my relationship with Kael.

Walking hand in hand with Kael to the cake, I saw Tracy entering from the corner of my eye. She had a large bouquet of pink roses in her hands- and a present. “I’m so sorry for being late!” she chirped. With a smile, she came towards me and gave me the bouquet.

“Thanks,” I breathed, not liking her presence here, but I said nothing because Kylie had invited her.

She looked at Kael with the same smile plastered on her face. “I am so happy for you, Kael. I hope she’s your mate.”

Kael raised his eyebrow for a moment and then dismissed her words by turning towards the cake. He busied himself with lighting the candles on the cake.

Tracy’s face crumpled. “I know I hurt both of you a lot, but I wish you forgive me, Astrid,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. “I’ve known Kael all my life, and so I admit that I was really vicious in the beginning, but now I have accepted both of you.” She reached out for my hand. “Please forgive me. I want to spend the last two months in Cedar Academy peacefully.”

I didn’t know what to say, but I nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

She gave me a polite smile. “I can’t stay here longer, so I’ll leave just after cake cutting. Hope that’s okay with you.”

I wanted to tell her she could fuck herself, but I politely nodded again.

I cut the cake, and my sister and brother were loudest when they sang my birthday song. Toren and Aiden smudged the cake on my face, which Kael licked languidly. Damn this wolf. My uncle and aunt were just too happy.

Fred came to me and said, “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Sure, uncle,” I replied with amusement. “What is it?” Never before had he spoken to me in such a secretive manner.

“It’s time for dinnerrrr!” Kylie called all of us.

I’ll let you know later,” Fred muttered.

We all headed for dinner. I saw Tracy leaving in a hurry. Before exiting, she stared at me. When our gazes met, she gave me a tight smile and walked away hurriedly.

The dinner was over by 11:45PM.

As the time passed, restlessness churned inside me like a storm brewing at sea. My heart pounded with the ferocity of a drum. Kael and his family came by my side. “Astrid?” he said.

Panting and wheezing, I desperately caught his hand. “I want to go out,” I said. I found it strange that despite the chilly night, I was drenched in

sweat.

Kael looked at his parents, who nodded at him. I didn’t know what was going on between them, but he held me by my waist. “Come on,” he said. “I think you want to get some fresh air.”

I did want to go out and… run. Fred and Bree were looking at me with curiosity while Briana and Nate were busy playing a video game in Aiden’s room. It was as if Aiden was keeping them busy on purpose.

Kael led me to the edge of the forest, with Kylie, Toren, and Logan trailing closely behind us.

“What is going on with me, Kael?” I asked. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I struggled to breathe as something inside me fought to escape.

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Chapter 151

“It’s normal. Just let her come out,” he replied mysteriously.

“Come out? What?” I asked, panicky. “Am I a monster?” We reached the edge, but I didn’t let go of him. I looked up at the full moon, attraction towards it growing stronger by the minute.

“What?” he laughed. “No sweetheart. You are my beautiful mate.”

And suddenly, my body was no longer mine. It was like the symphony of wildness had taken control. A scream ripped from my throat as my bones elongated and reshaped like the branches of a tree, twisting and cracking in the wind. My muscles rippled and an intense pain surged through my body like never before.

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