Chapter 229 Surprises and New Life

Chapter 229 Surprises and New Life
Lya's POV

I stretched lazily in our bed, the morning sun filtering through the curtains. Damian placed a tray of food on my lap, beaming proudly.

"You made this?" I asked, eyeing the slightly misshapen pancakes and unevenly cooked eggs.

"Every bit of it," he confirmed, looking so pleased with himself I couldn't help but smile. "And now you're going to enjoy a nice long bath while I handle some pack business."

I frowned slightly, poking at the breakfast. Something felt off today, but I couldn't quite place what. Damian had been acting strange all week—secretive phone calls, hushed conversations that stopped when I entered a room. Even now, he seemed overly attentive, watching my every bite with anticipation.

"Is everything okay?" I asked between mouthfuls.

"Everything's perfect," he assured me, kissing my forehead. "Just enjoy your breakfast. The bath will be ready when you finish."

True to his word, a steaming bath awaited me after breakfast. Normally, Damian would join me, but today he made excuses about "pack matters" that needed his attention. I sank into the fragrant water, disappointment mingling with suspicion. Everyone was acting weird, and I couldn't figure out why.

When I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, I found Alice and Cassandra waiting in my bedroom.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Alice, then turned to Cassandra with genuine surprise. "And when did you arrive? I didn't know you were coming today."

"Surprise visit," Cassandra said smoothly. "Now, we've picked out something comfortable for you to wear."

They handed me a casual but flattering outfit—soft jeans and a flowing blue top that complemented my eyes. As soon as I was dressed, they exchanged glances.

"We need you to put this on," Alice said, producing a blindfold.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nope," Cassandra replied, already moving behind me to tie it around my eyes. "Don't worry, we won't let you trip."

They guided me to a car, carefully helping me inside. The drive wasn't long, but with the blindfold on, I lost all sense of direction. When we finally stopped and I was allowed to remove the blindfold, I found myself standing in front of an upscale spa.

"What's going on?" I demanded.

"Just a girls' day," Alice replied innocently. "Cassandra and I thought you deserved some pampering."

For the next several hours, we were treated to manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, and hair styling. I tried repeatedly to get information from them.

"Seriously, what's this all about?" I asked while we were getting our nails done.

"Can't two friends spoil their Luna?" Alice deflected.

I texted Damian: What's going on? Your friends kidnapped me.

His response came quickly: Enjoy your day, love. I've handled everything at the packhouse. See you later.

After our spa treatments, they presented me with a beautiful black lace dress.

"Put this on," Cassandra instructed, already changed into an elegant dress herself. Alice too had transformed from casual to glamorous.

"This doesn't seem like appropriate attire for a casual girls' day," I noted suspiciously.

"Just put it on," Alice insisted.

As I changed, my mind raced through possibilities. It couldn't be a proposal. Damian had proposed months ago.

A surprise wedding? No, our wedding was planned for Christmas Eve, two months away. Besides, Cassandra would never let me wear black to my own wedding, and Jett, who I wanted to walk me down the aisle, was vacationing in Italy with his wife.

It couldn't be related to the music academy either, since I wasn't due to resume classes until February.

I was completely stumped.

Once again blindfolded, I was led back to the car. After what felt like an eternity of driving and walking, Cassandra finally told me I could remove the blindfold.

I found myself in a large, pitch-black room. Before I could ask what was happening, lights suddenly blazed on, and a chorus of voices shouted: "SURPRISE!"

I nearly had a heart attack, my hand flying to my chest. Scanning the room filled with familiar faces, my eyes immediately found Damian's. His gaze held such love and expectation that it took my breath away.

"What is this?" I asked, still confused.

"You forgot what day it is?" Damian asked, approaching me.

"What?"

He sighed, a touch of sadness crossing his features as he took my hand. "Look around, Lya."

I did, and suddenly it hit me. Today was my birthday. I'd been so busy with everything—the trials, rebuilding the pack, our engagement—that I'd completely forgotten. But Damian hadn't forgotten. None of them had.

Tears welled in my eyes, but Alice and Cassandra quickly warned me about my non-waterproof mascara. Instead, I hugged everyone, starting with Damian.

The next few hours passed in a blur of food, dancing, and laughter. Eventually, Damian pulled me aside.

"Do you like the decorations?" he asked, gesturing to the blue, pink, and white color scheme.

"They're beautiful," I said sincerely.

"I chose these colors for two reasons," he explained. "First, I was worried darker colors might remind you of what happened on your eighteenth birthday. And second, because they match the gift I got you."

"Damian, you didn't have to—" I started.

"Stop," he interrupted gently. "Yes, I did. I have many birthdays to make up for. But if it makes you feel better, this gift is for both of us. It'll be useful for our next adventure."

"What are you talking about?"

He handed me two envelopes. Opening the first, I found a deed showing he'd recently purchased a building in Raven's Grove City.

Damian smiled. "It's the deed to the apartment building where you used to live. We... you... now own the building. We can go back to that apartment whenever we're in the city."

"Why?" I asked, confused.

"That's the apartment where you first told me you loved me. Where we completed our mate bond. I couldn't bear to lose it, so... I bought it."

I worried about the cost, but Damian assured me the pack's finances were much improved. Trade agreements had been restored and expanded, and having property in Raven's Grove made practical sense.

He hesitated before continuing. "I know we're supposed to make all major pack decisions together, but I've been thinking about how to diversify our investments to better protect our future..."

"And?" I prompted.

"Cassandra and her father helped me convince the band to sell me a fifteen percent stake," he blurted out.

He looked worried I might be angry, as I tended to be more conservative with finances.

"I hope there's a larger apartment available in that building," I said instead.

"Why?" he asked, puzzled.

"Because we're going to need more space."

"For what?"

"For you, me, and our little pup."

Damian froze, processing my words. "What? How is that possible?"

I laughed. "I don't think I need to explain how it's possible..."

"No, but we weren't trying for a baby?"

I smiled. "That's what I said to Kate yesterday when I found out. She said considering how often we don't take precautions, it was embarrassing I'd even ask. She said it's a miracle we're not on our fourth cub by now."

Damian lifted me up and spun me around, his joy radiating through our bond. When he set me down, his eyes shone with tears.

"I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you too, Damian."

As he held me close, I realized this was the true beginning of the second part of our story. This little pup and our new life together would be better, the life I'd always dreamed of.

THE END