CHAPTER 145: THE PARTY.

The cool breeze kissed her skin as she stood in the darkness. Angela had already made up her mind to leave since no one was around. Whoever invited her here was clearly playing games. They wanted to scare her and it worked. She was terrified, but she would never let it show.

Just when she was about to walk away, lights came on all of a sudden. Someone must have switched on the bulbs outside. Angela lifted her head, and to her surprise, she saw a big decoration that read Happy Birthday, Angela.

Her confusion only deepened until she saw Alex and Stales stepping out, holding a cake. The other housemates followed with candles and gifts in their hands. It seemed the entire house had gathered to celebrate her.

Angela froze where she stood, shock running through every part of her body. She had never celebrated a birthday in her life. It was all so strange, and the fact that she came out here expecting an enemy instead of her friends made her eyes sting.

Hot tears threatened to fall as she heard them singing the birthday song for her. She couldn’t hold them back any longer. The tears rolled freely down her cheeks, leaving her overwhelmed and lost for words.

They surely knew how to make her speechless.

"Happy birthday, Angel," they chorused together, clapping their hands. Angela could only stare at them. They understood she was too moved to respond.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, buddy," Stales said, handing her a box. He hugged her briefly and stepped aside.

"Happy birthday, big girl," Alex whispered as he placed the cake in her hands. It was chocolate—her favorite. She had always wished for one on her birthday, but Grace always refused.

Grace used to say that birthdays were nothing more than counting down to the grave, and only a fool would celebrate such a thing. For a long time Angela believed her. She did not want to die young like her father.

But when she turned fifteen, she began to understand that her mother’s words were not entirely true. A birthday was not about death. It was about life. It was proof that you had survived another year, proof that you had grown, that you were still standing with loved ones beside you. It was another chance to chase your dreams.

Grace knew all of this, but she kept it to herself, and in the end, it only left Angela feeling robbed of something precious.

"We wish you many more years, buddy," Stales said as Angela accepted the gifts from the others. Her hands were soon overflowing, so she passed some of them to her friends before turning back to face them all.

"How did you even manage to put all of this together? I honestly came here thinking I was walking into danger. I’m so curious."

"Let’s say, I came up with this particular idea," Stales said proudly. "We wanted to leave you surprised and shocked at the same time, so I went to your room not long ago to drop the red box. I wasn’t fast enough, so I left the door halfway open when I heard the bathroom doorknob turn."

"I understand now because I was surprised to see the door open when I clearly closed it before going to bed," Angela replied with a small smile. "I loved the surprise, but you really scared the life out of me. Look, I even hid a knife in my jacket. Isn’t that silly?"

"No, I think it was a brilliant idea," Alex said, his eyes showing his admiration. "It means you were careful and ready before coming out to face whoever it was."

"Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your efforts," Angela told them, her eyes shining with sincerity. "But how did you manage to pull all this off?"

The decorations were beautiful, brighter than she had ever seen. Even the bunk house was lit up, filled with drinks and laughter. Games were scattered everywhere, and the boys were enjoying themselves without a care. Seeing how much fun everyone was having warmed her heart. It made her happy to know there were people who cared about her happiness.

"We did nothing. It was all Alpha Kaito’s plan," Stales confessed with a grin, watching the surprise on her face. "Yes, smile harder, girl. Your mate pulled this off just to make you happy."

"I don’t believe it," Angela whispered as excitement rushed through her. She scanned the crowd until her eyes found him. There he was—her mate—the one who had planned this wonderful party for her. He stood only a few feet away, speaking with some students, but she doubted he was listening to them because his eyes never left hers.

A cold shiver ran down her spine when he winked at her. He did it so openly, as if he didn’t care who was watching.

Angela quickly looked around to see if anyone else had noticed, but the party was in full swing. No one was paying attention to them. Everyone seemed too busy enjoying the night they had been waiting for.

"I think he’s coming our way. Look how hot he is," Stales muttered in admiration before turning to Angela. "But tell me, why haven’t they claimed you yet?"

"I don’t know, Stales, but I’m glad they’re not tearing each other apart," she said honestly.

"It’s because of the problems we’re facing. There’s too much going on, it distracts them," Alex replied. "But didn’t Alpha Taros already claim you? I mean, the way you two looked last night... it seemed like something happened."

Angela rubbed her neck as a wave of shame swept through her. What had happened between her and Taros in the woods was supposed to remain her secret, her hidden desire, but things had taken a turn she never expected.

"He almost claimed me. It didn’t work out because I found Evan’s dead body," she confessed softly.

"Oh mine... that’s real horror. I am sorry about that," Stales said with sympathy. He hated interrupted moments like that. "But would you have allowed him to claim you?"

"Why not? I’ve always liked Taros," Angela admitted with a shy smile as the memory came back. She could still feel the heat of his kiss, the way his hands had explored her body, the way his mouth made her lose all control. He had almost taken her completely before they were forced to stop. She never wanted it to end that way. She had wanted more, much more.

"I thought you wanted Renn to claim you the other day during your romantic moment," Stales reminded her. He noticed Alex’s sharp eyes warning him to shut up, but he ignored it.

"Yes, when I was with Renn, I didn’t want him to stop either," Angela admitted, her cheeks warm. "I wanted him to take me. It feels like whenever I’m with each Alpha, I want him to claim me... that’s what is happening to me."

"It’s the mating bond," Stales explained. "It’s the wolf’s lust, the craving for its mate. You just want them all. So why don’t you let each of them claim you and end the struggle?"

"I think it would be better to do it before the next full moon," Alex said firmly. "We have four weeks before then. That should be enough time."

"Or you could have a foursome and let them all claim you at once..." Stales teased, but before he could finish, Alex quickly covered his mouth with his hand. Angela burst into laughter at the way Alex reacted. He was too sensitive about such things and hated talking about them.

"I like Kaito too. I want him to touch me," Angela said, biting back more laughter. She enjoyed seeing Alex flustered and wanted to tease him further. She had no idea someone was standing behind her.

"So you want my touch?" came the familiar voice, deep and unmistakable, sending a shiver straight through her. Angela’s heart skipped wildly. For a moment, she thought she was imagining it, but the voice and the scent left no doubt. It was Kaito.

Her eyes widened when he pressed his body against hers from behind. Alex and Stales left immediately, giving them space. Angela’s heart sank because she knew her mouth had gotten her into trouble. She would never have said such a thing if she had known he was so close.

His hands slid around her waist, pulling her tighter against him. Every touch from him made her body tremble as if she might melt away. A thought flashed through her mind, wondering if he even cared about the students who might see them standing so close.

"Kaito..." she whispered, but her voice came out so soft and shaky that it sounded more like a moan.

"Yes, sweetheart. Do you want me the way I want you?" he asked in a husky tone before pressing his lips to her neck. His breath was uneven against her skin, his hands firm on her body as though he would never let go.

"Someone might see us," Angela whispered again, her hands resting on his as if trying to loosen his hold, though she knew she was not trying hard enough. If she truly wanted him to stop, he would have.

"I don’t care about them. I could take you right here in front of everyone. I’m not ashamed of loving you," Kaito whispered hotly against her ear, sending shivers all over her body. "But that won’t be right. You are too sweet for that. I should be a gentleman. I won’t let you be exposed like that."

Angela wanted to say something back, but her words failed her. This side of him, this bold and shameless part, felt new and dangerous. The way he spoke so easily both excited her and frightened her. There was no way she could ever allow him to do something like that in public. Her identity could be revealed, and the shame alone would destroy her.

"Tell him to kiss you," Mighty-Storm urged in her head. "Tell him to touch you like never before."

"Touch me like never before?" Angela gasped under her breath. Her eyes widened. Had she really said that out loud? No, she hadn’t. If she had, Kaito would have reacted, he would have teased her. But he didn’t... until his deep voice answered.

"Your wish is my command, mate," Kaito said suddenly, leaving her stunned. Before she could process what was happening, his arms tightened around her waist and in the blink of an eye, he whisked her away to the back of the bunk house.

"What are you—" Angela began, but her words were cut off when his lips crashed onto hers. The shock lasted only a heartbeat before her body surrendered. Butterflies exploded in her stomach, her arms wrapped around his neck, and she kissed him back with all the longing she had buried inside, just the way she had always wanted.