Chapter 366 Counting Days

Emilia’s POV

Life without Sebastian was about as exciting as flat soda.I spent my days handling pack business with Fynn’s help. Between meetings, I messaged Vesper about getting her into Silver Moon territory without anyone trying to hang her from a tree.

Fynn had strict orders to keep it quiet. The fewer people who knew a witch was moving in, the better.

Uncle Chuck had left for Haven’s Reach weeks ago. At first, he sent me photo after photo of himself and Mindy relaxing like they were on vacation. Then the messages stopped. Now all my calls went straight to voicemail.

Knowing Chuck, he’d probably found the place.

Today, I finally had a day off. I lay on the couch with my calendar, counting the days since Sebastian had left.

It was already August. He would be spending a whole month in Arabia, which meant he’d be back on September 10.

That would be a good time to talk to him about Haven’s Reach and Margarita’s spell.

I’d spent days going back and forth, but I was almost ready to say yes.

After everything that had happened lately, I wanted that power. Especially after Tiffany disappeared. If I’d been stronger, maybe I could have found her. Maybe the whole family wouldn’t still be sick with worry.

“You’re doing it again,” Eve said. “Get up. Find something to do.”

She had a point. Sitting here worrying wasn’t helping anyone.

My eyes dropped to the date on the calendar.

Oh, God.

Lily’s birthday.

I sat up and buried my face in my hands. Some friend I was. Apparently, missing my husband had become a full-time job, and remembering birthdays hadn’t made the schedule.

I grabbed my phone and called her.

Straight to voicemail. Her phone was off.

Great. Had she turned it off because I’d forgotten?

I changed, grabbed my bag, and hurried out.

First stop, a birthday present.

Her favorite jewelry store seemed like a good choice.

I picked a necklace with a tiny wolf howling beneath a crescent moon. Lily would complain that I’d spent too much, then wear it every day.

With the box in my bag, I drove to the apartment she lived with Scott.

I rang the bell.

Waited.Rang it again.

When the door finally opened, Lily stood there in pajamas, her hair sticking out in every direction.

“You were still asleep?”

She yawned. “It’s the weekend. You’ve known me for years. Why are you surprised?”

She waved me toward the couch. “Sit down. Let me wash my face.”

I caught her pajama top before she could leave and handed her the box.

“Happy birthday, you mess.”

She opened it, and her sleepy expression disappeared.

“You remembered.”

She lifted the necklace out and held it against her chest.

“Of course you remembered. You’re the only one.”

“Your parents didn’t call?”

“I meant people here.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Scott doesn’t know?”

She snorted. “I’d be more surprised if he did.”

“How would he know if you never told him?”

“I did tell him.”

“Did you?”

“I hinted. Twice.”

Ah. That explained it.

“The first time, I said I wanted to have a party,” she continued. “He asked why, and I told him today was a special day.”

“What did he say?”

“‘Oh. Okay.’”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.” She folded her arms. “Would it have killed him to ask what was special about it? I gave him an opening, and he just ignored it.”

“What was the second hint?”

“Last night. I made him tea and took it into his study. Very thoughtful of me, by the way.”

“Very.”

“I asked if he could take today off. He asked why, so I said I wanted us to spend some time together because it was a special day for me.” She held up two fingers. “That was the second time I said special.”

“And?”

“He asked how old I was.”

I blinked. “That’s a strange question.”

“Exactly. So I asked why he wanted to know.” She threw up her hands. “Guess what he said.”

“What?”

“He said I wasn’t three years old, so why was I asking him to take me out like he was my dad?”

A laugh escaped me.

“It’s not funny! I nearly threw the tea at him.”

That only made me laugh harder. I leaned against the couch until I could breathe again.

“Well, living together seems to be going well.”

“Oh, wonderfully.” She dropped onto the couch. “I barely dare to talk to him at work. Then I come home, and he lectures me about what I eat and when I sleep. It’s like living with my grandfather. There’s no romance. None.”

“Have you two done it?”

She stared at me. “Done what?”

“It.”

“What’s ‘it’?”

“Please.” I smirked. “Don’t pretend you’re innocent. I know better.”

Her cheeks turned pink.

“Do fathers and daughters do that?”

“Who said he was your father? He asked your age, and you gave him the job.” I sat beside her. “Just tell him it’s your birthday and see what he does.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Lily.”

“If he cared, he’d understand the hints. If I tell him, he’ll only take me out to be polite.”

“At least you’d get to go out.”

“I don’t want a pity date.”

I patted her knee. “You might want to lower your expectations a little. Scott isn’t exactly famous for being thoughtful.”

She leaned back with a sigh.

“If it were your birthday, Sebastian would remember. You wouldn’t have to say anything.”

Would he?

My chest tightened. I stood before that thought could spoil the rest of the day.

“Enough. Go shower. I’m taking you out.”

An hour later, we stepped outside. Shopping would have been the obvious choice, but there was something we’d both enjoy more.

“Want to go for a run?”

Lily stopped. “A jog? On my birthday? What did I do to deserve that?”

“Not that kind of run. Four legs, remember those?” I grinned. “Come to Silver Moon with me. Plenty of space, no fences.”

Her face brightened.

“Now that sounds like a birthday plan.”

The moment we crossed into pack territory, Eve grew restless.

“Finally. Do you know how long it’s been? Let me out.”

Too long. We’d barely had a chance to shift lately, let alone run for fun.

Lily and I found a quiet spot behind the trees, took off our clothes, and shifted.

My bones cracked and fur spread over my skin. A moment later, my paws pressed into the cool dirt.

Eve took one eager step, then another. I was just as ready to run.

Beside me, Lily shook out her russet coat and bumped my shoulder.

We raced into the trees.

With every stride, my muscles loosened. For once, there were no meetings to attend and no problems waiting for an answer. Just the ground beneath my paws and Lily running beside me.

“So,” she said through our link. “No one else around. How are things going with Margarita’s spell?”