Chapter 24
***NOLAN***
10 YEARS AGO.
"Happy Birthday!" My mom and I shouted excitedly as my sister, Olivia climbed downstairs from her room into the sitting room.
I took out a confetti gun and shot it into the air over her and she smiled as it fell over her. She stretched out her hands to catch some of them, but nothing fell on her palms. I smiled.
"Awwwwn, thank you so much," she said with a happy smile and my mom went to hug her.
"I made cheese pie and sauced pasta, we're going to head over to the beach later to celebrate," my mom said as she broke the hug.
"Ummm, I'm sorry, but can we not go to the beach this year? I have plans with my friends," Olivia said and I saw the smile on my mom's face falter.
We went to the beach every year on Olivia's birthday. It was like a family tradition now. But she was 16 now and she probably wanted to hang out with her friends.
"It's fine, let's just eat so we can give you your gifts," my mom said and led Olivia to the dining table.
"Jordan, come help me here," my mom called my brother, Olivia's twin as she walked to the kitchen and he followed her.
I pulled a chair back at the dining table and sat down. Soon, my mom and Jordan walked out of the kitchen and carried the dishes to the table.
"Okay, so, it's time for the gifts," I said as my mom dished our food, drumming on the table with my fingers.
"Yes," my mom said and she went to bring her gift from her room.
"You're gonna like my gift," I said as my mom returned with a wrapped gift. She handed it to Olivia and I watched as Olivia unwrapped it to reveal a book.
"It's a spell book, my mom gave it to me when I turned your age, it'll help you to master your magic," my mom said and Olivia smiled, clutching the book tightly.
"Thanks, Mom," she said and dropped the book on the table.
"Okay, mine now," I said and reached under the table where I hid her gift the previous night.
I handed it to her and watched closely as she unwrapped the gift.
She gasped and her eyes widened in surprise as I brought out the handbag I bought for her.
"OMG! A Saint Laurent!" She shrieked in excitement, holding it up for everyone to see. I was so happy to see she was as excited as I thought she would be.
"OMG, thank you so much," she said in excitement.
"How did you afford it though?" She asked.
"I've been working for a year after high school," I said, pursing my lips and she smiled.
"Jordan, your gift?" My mom asked Jordan whose face hadn't flinched a bit since morning. I looked at him, waiting to see what he got her.
"I forgot," he said and I looked back at Olivia to see the smile on his face drop.
Oh, come on! He had been so broody for over two weeks now since he caught his girlfriend cheating on him. I didn't think he'd forget to get Olivia a gift on her birthday.
"I'm sorry," he apologized to Olivia.
"Don't worry Olivia, he'll get you a gift today, won't he?" My mom asked, facing Jordan.
"Won't he?" She asked again when he didn't reply.
"Yes." He nodded.
***
PRESENTLY.
"I'm at the border of your pack, come get me." I looked at the text Dylan sent me and I walked out of my room. As I did, I saw another text from Logan, the Alpha and I clicked on it.
He wanted me to get the phone I took from Larissa's bag. I walked back into my room and walked to my drawer at my dressing table, pulling it open and grabbing the phone.
I closed the door of my room and walked to the room of the former Alpha where Logan asked me to meet him.
As I got there, I opened the door and saw Larissa observing the former Alpha.
"Here," I said and I stretched out the phone to Logan.
"The delegates from Nexus Facility are coming here today. When they arrive, don't let me know until they've sat for 30 minutes," Logan said and I nodded as he took the phone from me.
He hated how the human government tried to flex its dominance ever since they found out about the existence of supernatural creatures.
"Where are you?" I saw a text from Dylan pop up and I clicked on it, sending him a reply, "I'm on my way."
I walked out of the mansion and took the car parked in the garage so I could drive to the border and get there faster. I started the car, but it sputtered for a while as it almost came to life before going off again.
I tried starting the car again, but the same thing happened.
I hissed and retrieved the keys from the engine climbing down and slamming the door shut.
I jogged out of the garage and began to walk to the border.
I was almost there when I saw a call from Logan. I sighed and threw my head back in frustration.
What did he want now?
I picked up the call and held the phone to my right ear.
"Hello."
"I just got a call from the guards at the border, they caught a man lurking around," he said and my eyes darted in the direction of the border.
What the fuck Dylan.
"He says he knows you and is here to see you? Are you expecting anyone?" Logan asked.
"Yes, yes. I am," I replied quickly.
"Alright." He simply replied and cut the call. I sighed in relief that he didn't ask who it was. I quickly walked faster to the border and when I got there, I saw Dylan sitting there on a bench with some guards.
He saw me approaching first and stood up, but a guard tried to stop him. He pointed in my direction and I waved.
"He's with me," I said to the guards and they nodded, letting him through.