“I will always locate you,” he stated, leaning down to kiss her gently and lingeringly. He then withdrew slightly and gazed at her, exhaling softly, “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
“What?”
“Today is your birthday,” he informed her.
“Oh, I was unaware.”
Luke acknowledged her with a nod, not particularly astonished that it had eluded her notice amidst the prevailing circumstances. “I had numerous romantic plans.” An elegant supper in a serene restaurant, featuring candlelight, a violinist, and floral arrangements. Subsequently, we will enjoy dancing at an elegant jazz club, followed by black forest cake awaiting your arrival at home, a delightful gift indeed.
“Apologies for its deterioration.” It appears to be ideal.
“It is not your fault; do not apologize,” he instructed her.
He rose when the hotel suite’s doorbell rang; room service had arrived. He observed Benzy positioned there with room service. To observe his Beta positioned there? Luke found it peculiar; he anticipated that he would have succumbed to exhaustion by now. To be candid, he believed his entire unit would feel the same, having been awake all night hunting for her, followed by a lengthy return to the designated pickup spot. All individuals should desire to sleep.
He was positioned with the two soldiers assigned to guard the exterior of their suite. Luke was aware that the guards would be present, having arranged it himself; there would be no opportunity for anyone to get Bella now, nor ever again.
She would have warriors stationed continuously if she were outside pack territory.
He would not jeopardise Bella’s safety again, but he doubted she would appreciate having constant guards. His imperative to safeguard her had intensified significantly. This event demonstrated to him the rapidity with which someone could remove her from him, their children, and the pack, intensifying all his desires to protect her from danger.
Luke doubted his ability to confine her within the pack for her entire life. She was excessively obstinate for that, and it was not entirely just to impose such a condition; she deserved the opportunity to lead a regular life as well. If he attempted to restrain her, he was certain she would clandestinely escape to evade his domineering behaviour. It was highly probable that a member of his own unit would assist her in accomplishing it.
He sensed the satisfaction of both her and Tyler sent across the mind-link when Tyler replied to Maddis’s howling for his Mate. She had not perceived the initial howls; it required four vocalisations for her to eventually acknowledge him and respond, informing him of her location and that they were present and could hear him. He and Maddis were equally relieved to hear her; he was unaware that one could experience such overwhelming relief, but both he and his full wolf form nearly succumbed to it.
Luke signalled the room service attendant to place the order on the table. The man nodded and turned to his Beta. “What is occurring, Benzy?” He inquired.”
“Nothing.” Benzy shook his head slightly, then approached him and established a mental connection, conveying, “I thought you might appreciate this.” He placed the black velvet box in Luke’s hand, aware that it contained Bella’s gift.
He had left it in her flat and intended to return there after their night out to surprise her with it following their romantic evening. Noticing Benzy glancing at his watch, he remarked, ‘You still have time.’ He continued via the mind-link, ‘Her birth time is 22:51, I suppose.’
Luke grinned at him, saying, ‘Thank you.’ He trusted his Beta to resolve matters and ensure her birthday concluded pleasantly. How is Margaret?”
She is pleased that everyone is safe, and the pack feels more at ease as a result. “I shall leave you to it,” she grinned directly at him.
Luke nodded, moved aside for the room service attendant to exit, locked the door, and turned to discover Bella already positioned by the cart, holding a fork. He grinned directly at her, already having a mouthful of food. She informed him that she was quite hungry.
Without waiting for him to join her, she discreetly placed the box into the pocket of his bathrobe, ignoring him entirely as she removed the covers from the food. The moment of her actual birth was approaching, coinciding with the time he had intended to present her with the ring.
Approached with a subtle giggle, guided her to a seat, arranged the meal on the table before her, and then seated myself beside her. She gazed at him, prompting him to nearly erupt in laughter. She contemplated whether she could accommodate any additional food in her mouth; her cheeks were fully distended, and he was certain there was no capacity for more. At times, she exhibited remarkable cuteness.
He observed her shoving a whole mouthful of food into her lips, attempting to satisfy her appetite.
