75. Cake

75. Cake
Torin’s pov

While I tried not to take it personally, I wasn’t happy Raelyn hadn’t told me her birthday was coming up.

If I had known, I would have gone all out. But maybe that’s the problem.

Or maybe, like most things, Dylan ruined it somehow.

Maybe I should have checked when her birthday was sooner, but there was a lot going on, so I thought I had time.

In the end I did get to give my mate some gifts, and I had a cake brought here as well, so we’d have our own little birthday party.

But first, it was important Raelyn focused on her parents. She needed answers, maybe not right now, but eventually. I can’t imagine not knowing where you come from and who your parents are. How did they die? What had they endured?

Why did they choose to hide Raelyn away? Who was after them?

And what were they? Witches, werewolves, vampires? Something else?

Okay, maybe I needed answers too. I don’t like not knowing things. It makes me nervous not knowing what is going on. How can you plan ahead if you don’t know what or who you’re dealing with?

I need to protect Raelyn, but I need to know what to protect her from. Or who.

The unrest growing in my pack is making me anxious as is. I know for a fact they are having meetings behind my back. And while I could put a stop to it, I need more information first. I need to be careful, because if I act too soon, they might spin it in a way that makes me seem controlling or unfit to rule.

Besides, right now I have more important things to focus on. Or actually one person that requires all my attention.

“I wonder what they were like.” My sweet Dimples said.

I smiled at Raelyn, “I’ve asked Colton to put a team on finding out as much information on your parents as possible now that we have their names and the place where you were born.”

“Thank you,” she said with a smile. Her smile disappeared, and instead she began to chew her bottom lip. I knew this meant she was going to say something that made her uncomfortable, so I waited patiently.

"So… um… the birthday thing?” She finally spoke.

“Yes, dimples?”

She sighed and stared at hands, “my grandma would celebrate my birthdays. Not going all out or anything, but a cake and some presents—often she made them herself. But when she died, it kind of stopped being important. And when I met Dylan… I think he might have celebrated my first birthday with me, because back then he was still acting like a nice guy. But soon every time it was close to my birthday, we’d end up fighting, and he’d tell me it was my own fault. Either I didn’t deserve a birthday, or he’d just forget about it and get angry when I reminded him. There was always something. Not just with birthdays, but also with Christmas or Valentine's Day. Eventually it was easier just not to expect anything.”

“But when was it his birthday?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

Raelyn scoffed, “yeah, when it was his birthday, he expected me to care. He expected me to… well, never mind.”

“You can talk to me about those things, you know.”

She shook her head, “no, you don’t want to hear me talk about sex with another guy. I just… I want this weekend to be about us, okay?”

I nodded as I smiled at my mate. There was much she hadn’t shared with me yet, but we have time. And it’s not like she hasn’t been working on herself. She deserves a break from everything.

So do I.

That’s why I’ve closed my mindlink to everyone except my family and Colton. No one is to disturb me unless it’s a life-or-death situation.

“Let’s eat some cake,” I said and went into the tent. I pulled out a large box and brought it out to the fire. I had placed a foldable table somewhere nearby as well, which I placed on the floor near Raelyn.

“I know you have a hard time choosing, but that is not why I bought these.” I said as I took out every small container.

“What? How many…?” Raelyn said with a giggle.

“I like seeing you try new things, and I love seeing you eat, especially food you enjoy. So… I asked for a single piece of each flavor they had. And this way we can pick a favorite for when we get married.”

“Subtle…” Raelyn teased. “But thank you.”

I have no idea how a woman like Raelyn can fit so much into such a little stomach, but that woman of mine almost ate more cake than I did. By the end of it we both felt nauseous and needed to lie down in the tent. But every bite my mate had taken, she did so with a smile on her face.

We didn’t even need the dinner I brought as well, but we could use it tomorrow.

“This was the best birthday ever,” Raelyn said, snuggling close to me. “Well, almost.”

“Almost?” I asked, pretending I was deeply hurt.

“I want something else for my birthday.” She asked, sounding very nervous.

“Anything you want I will give you, dimples. You know that.” I replied, “all you need to do is ask.”

“I want you for my birthday… all of you…”

That was the sexiest sentence I have ever heard in my life.

“But, give me fifteen minutes, the cake…” she added, which made me chuckle