8

“Do you want to introduce him officially tonight?” Shawn asked, scrolling through a website to order groceries for the party.

“No. I think it's too early. Tonight is for him, and I want him to relax and have as much fun as possible. Let's keep business for later. I want him to get to know our pack and just be himself,” Helena answered, washing a cucumber.

“He's not being himself?” Shawn's brows arched. “He definitely doesn't seem like a person who likes to pretend and hide who he is. He doesn't care that much.” He smiled at her and returned his attention to the monitor once more. “But you have a point about something. The party tonight would help him blend with the pack and, hopefully, let him find a friend or two. I think he needs the push to be able to shine brightly.

Helena barked a laugh and shook her head. Keiran was definitely shining in her eyes.

“I already talked to a few people, and they seem pretty fond of him and his honesty,” Shawn continued. “Even if he's a lycan, and we—the werewolves—are cautious around them. I'm glad they don't know he's out for blood every night.

She glared at him and his outrageous words.

Shawn shrugged. “What? I'm right. I hope he leaves some hare for us. We also like to go hunting. I wonder if all the lycans are like this...

“I don't know.” Helena bit her lips, feeling the familiar tension rise in her blood. “I just know he does it every single night. I hear it when he leaves and comes back. Sometimes, I catch a whiff of the blood on him.” Was Keiran feral or was he troubled by something? Helena really didn't know anything about him. That... just wasn't right. He was her mate; there weren't supposed to be any secrets between them. “We gave him all the food he could desire or need, and still, it doesn't stop him from hunting. I know the lycans are different, but... Maybe he just prefers fresh meat, still warm from the chase.

Shawn's back stiffened. He knew she was trying to reassure not only him but also herself, didn't he? Turning to face her, he examined every small emotion that passed through her expression. “Yes. Keiran enjoys the hunt. Does this bother you? I can tell by the look in your eyes that you're insecure about something. Is it his nightly hunts?

Helena pressed her lips in a tight line.

“I just... never thought my mate would be a lycan...” she admitted reluctantly, feeling bad for even saying that. Mates were a gift; someone who was supposed to fit their other half in every possible way. She believed all those tales about fated mates and their unbeatable love. If she let Keiran in, she knew she could become the happiest werewolf there was. It was the same for all of them. But if she did let him in... Someone who was so different from her... Fear and trepidation encased her into a thick blanket of worry.

“So?” He stared at her, indignant. “You don't want him because he's a lycan?

The buzz of her phone saved her from an answer she herself didn't even know.

“The help is here,” she said, reading the text on the screen, and headed to the door.

...

“When is he going to be here?” Amely asked while setting the table.

“Any minute, I guess. He's at the fitness working out.” Helena glanced at the clock. “What about you? How have you been? Talking on the phone is not enough, Amely, we need to see each other more often.

“I know, Helena.” Her friend shrugged, pushing a blonde lock of hair behind her ear. “There are just so many things going on lately, and it's hard to leave town. My family's going crazy and the teenage werewolf that disappeared...

“Yeah. That sounds rough. If you need any help, give me a sign.” She smiled, and Amely returned the gesture.

“What about your family? How are things there?” she asked.

“Ugh, I don't want to talk about that! But I can tell you it's hell, for certain.” Amely groaned and rolled her eyes. “Let's talk about you and your mate! I can see the house is full of people. Are you trying to introduce him tonight?

Helena sighed. Why was everybody turning the subject back to her and avoided talking about themselves? The way Keiran was keeping her at arm's length was starting to get to her.

But she was doing the same thing. Was the distance between them just growing?

“No, I'm not. I just want to help him have fun and meet new people and friends.

“Oh, hi, Amely!” Shawn greeted, entering the dining room.

Amely waved back at him.

“Keiran's almost here.” He grinned with a wiggle of his brows.

Helena looked at him and braced herself. This was the first birthday she had prepared for someone else, not to mention it was for her mate and significant other. She glanced through the window and breathed out as she saw Keiran's tense figure walk to the house. Could he smell and hear the surprise?

Rushing to the front door, she took a breath and opened it, grinning at her mate. She enveloped her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

“Happy birthday!” she whispered, reveling in the way he felt under her touch. She could sense he was feeling the same thing because he shivered and put his hands on her, squeezing lightly. “Here, let me introduce you to the others. They came specially to celebrate with us.

His stiff shoulders relaxed a bit, and he showed her a tiny smile. Helena caught his hand and led him to the dining room. The space was full of her closest friends. They were mainly from Amely's pack, but that didn't make them any less important and dear to her heart. She felt much safer and like she belonged with them. At least as far as it concerned friendly ties. 

The group of werewolves smiled at Keiran and studied him. All eyes were locked on him, as he was the guest of honor tonight. Instead of happiness and glee, Helena felt something different stir in her mate. Something dark and nervous. It was speeding through her through their connected hands. Her insides wrenched in worry, and she looked up at him.

“Are you alright?” She squeezed his hand. A huge part of her started wondering if she made the right choice with this whole party, or if she was pushing him too much. Perhaps, she could've just prepared a small dinner and spent his birthday just with him and Shawn. 

“Yes, perfect.” Keiran kissed her knuckles and smiled at the crowd eager to meet him. 

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