Chapter 4: Three Years

In Redfern, an Alpha and his Luna drink the anniversary cup in the pack hall at moonrise, in front of everyone.

Three years ago, I'd drunk it shaking, with Tarran's hand hot on the small of my back.

On Friday night the whole pack came to the hall out of habit.

The silver cup sat on the dais, full.

I stood next to it in my good gray dress, eight months round, alone.

Moonrise came.

Tarran didn't.

The whispering started at the back and rolled forward.

Then the side doors opened and music came in from the garden, a band and a lot of laughing.

Somebody near the door said it out loud.

"It's Raine's birthday. He's out there with her."

Two hundred wolves turned to see what I'd do.

I picked up the silver cup.

Then I walked out the side doors with it.

The garden was strung with paper lanterns.

There was a cake on a table, three tiers, pink roses, and a banner across the arbor that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUR LUNA.

Tarran was in the middle of it with his arm around Raine's waist.

She saw me first.

"Oh no," she said, loud and bright. "Ilsa, honey. You wandered off again."

People laughed.

Half the pack had followed me out from the hall.

The other half had already been out here, eating cake.

Tarran turned around and his face went flat.

"Go inside, Ilsa."

"It's our anniversary," I said. "Three years tonight. The pack's waiting for you to drink the cup."

"I'm busy."

"I can see. Happy birthday, Raine."

"Thank you." She rubbed her belly in a slow circle. "Are you feeling all right? You look so tired. Carrying a pup alone must be so hard."

"I'm not alone. I've got a whole pack watching me."

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