"On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was!" Brooke yelled as she ran up to Indianna and attacked her with a hug. "Happy birthday!"
Indianna stumbled backwards and laughed.
"Thanks, Brooke."
Brooke grinned and pulled away. Her face suddenly turned serious.
"It's October 3rd," she said.
"What the hell are you going on about?" Indianna wondered.
Brooke gasped.
"Mean Girls!" she exclaimed.
"What?"
"Oh God," Brooke whispered and pulled Indianna into the kitchen. "When you get back, we're watching Mean Girls!"
"Indie!" Laura smiled as she wiped her hands on her apron. She hugged Indianna. "Happy birthday, dear!"
"Thank you," Indianna smiled.
"I'm making pancakes, especially for you," Laura said before turning back to the stove.
Pack members drifted in and out, rushing because they were late for school, but they all stopped to wish Indianna a happy birthday.
"I got you a present," Brooke said and slid a pink bag across to Indianna. "Open it away from his prying eyes."
Brooke glanced at Greyson, and Indianna dreaded looking inside the bag.
"What have you got me?" Indianna asked.
"You'll have to wait and see," Brooke said mysteriously, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Happy birthday!" Kal yelled as he barged into the kitchen and surprised Indianna with a hug.
She awkwardly hugged Kal back, and he handed her a box of expensive-looking chocolates.
"I didn't have any wrapping paper, and Brooke wouldn't let me use tinfoil," Kal explained.
"That's okay," Indianna laughed and placed the chocolates on the counter. "Thank you."
"Laura, that smells wonderful!" Kal declared as he peered over her shoulder.
"Get your paws away from the food!" Laura scolded and lightly slapped his prying hands away.
Indianna chuckled, and Kal pouted as he took a seat at the table.
"Morning," Harry said in his usual grumpy voice as he entered the kitchen.
He kissed Brooke and sent Indianna a rare smile.
"Happy birthday."
"Thanks," Indianna nodded.
Mark was the next to enter.
"Morning, all," he said happily before nodding towards Indianna. "Happy birthday."
Before Indianna could respond, Laura cut her off.
"Did you bring the present?"
"Oh shoot, I left it upstairs," Mark muttered.
He left the room in a flash.
"We've got to go," Harry said to Brooke, who nodded. "I don't want you whinging at me for being late to school."
"Have a nice trip, guys," Brooke said.
She hugged Indianna again.
"Take my present with you," she whispered in Indianna's ear with a grin before walking over to Harry. The two of them left for school.
"Are you not going?" Indianna asked Kal.
"Nope. I get to miss school and keep you two company," Kal grinned.
Mark entered the room holding a box with a bow on it. He handed it to Indianna, and Laura joined his side.
"We may not have known you for very long, Indie, but we're family now, and we hope you have a lovely birthday," Mark said kindly.
Indianna pulled the bow free and lifted the lid.
Inside the box was a picture frame containing a black-and-white photograph of two wolves.
"Is that...?"
"Us," Greyson nodded.
"I've always loved photography," Mark admitted. "I was walking in the woods when I saw you two. I couldn't not take the picture."
The photograph was adorable. In wolf form, Indianna was curled into a ball and leaning against Greyson's wolf, while he rested his chin on her head.
It was a beautiful photograph.
"It's amazing," Indianna smiled.
She placed the picture on the counter before hugging Laura and Mark.
"Thank you. You didn't have to get me anything."
"Don't be silly," Laura smiled before quickly rushing off to check the pancakes.
"Where's Ace?" Greyson wondered.
"On the phone with Janson's Beta," Kal said. "He's sorting out the security arrangements."
Greyson nodded, and Laura ordered everyone to sit at the table.
She dished out the pancakes, and Iris joined them shortly afterwards. She was served a plate of her own and sat beside Indianna, kissing her daughter's cheek.
"Happy birthday," Iris said.
Indianna smiled at her mother before tucking into her breakfast.
"Kirstie just mind-linked me. She and Mac both wish you a happy birthday. She had to leave early for work," Greyson told Indianna.
"Tell her I said thank you," Indianna smiled.
Soon, breakfast was finished, and Laura began washing up.
"We'd better go and get ready," Greyson said. "We haven't got long before we have to leave."
"Indie," Iris called. "Before you leave, can I give you your present?"
Indianna looked at Greyson.
"I'll meet you in your room."
Greyson nodded and left Indianna and her mother to speak privately in the lounge.
"Close your eyes," Iris said softly.
Indianna did as she was told.
Iris took a locket from its box and placed it around Indianna's neck.
"It was your father's."
Indianna opened her eyes and looked down at the silver locket. It was beautiful, with delicate engravings on each side.
She opened it, revealing a photograph of her father, Iris and Indianna as a small child.
"I don't even remember this being taken," Indianna whispered as she smiled at the picture. "Thank you, Mum."
"I've kept hold of it for such a long time. I think it's time you had it. Your father would want you to," Iris said and tucked a stray piece of hair behind Indianna's ear. "He'd be so proud of you, Indie. You've grown into a beautiful young woman."
Indianna's eyes began to water. She closed the locket and held it tightly in her fist.
"I wish he were here," she admitted as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I miss him."
"He is here," Iris said and placed a hand over Indianna's heart. "And he's up there."
Iris pointed towards the ceiling.
"With the Moon Goddess, watching over you."
A sob escaped Indianna's lips, and she threw her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you," Indianna whispered.
"Hey," Iris said and wiped Indianna's tears. "No crying on your birthday."
"Sorry," Indianna mumbled and sniffed. "Thank you for the locket. I love it."
"I'm glad," Iris smiled. "Now, you'd better get upstairs. I have a feeling Greyson won't be very happy with me if I keep you for much longer."
Indianna walked into Greyson's room dressed in ripped skinny jeans and Greyson's oversized black jumper. She wore a pair of battered Converse, and her damp hair was tied into a messy ponytail after she had showered.
"Ready?" Greyson wondered as he zipped up a bag.
Indianna nodded.
"Yep. I put my bag in the car already."
"Good," Greyson said.
He walked over to Indianna, wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the house towards his Land Rover.
He threw his bag into the boot before opening the passenger door for Indianna.
"In you go, birthday girl," he smiled.
Indianna laughed and climbed into the car. Greyson walked around to the driver's side and got in.
He started the car and reversed away from the house.
They had already said their goodbyes, and as soon as they drove away, Indianna noticed cars following them.
"Kal and Ace are directly behind us," Greyson informed Indianna. "Oscar and some other pack members are following as well."
"Who's going to be staying with us?" Indianna asked.
"Just Kal, Ace and Oscar."
Indianna nodded and grabbed the book she had placed in the car for the journey.
"And five hours of you being unsociable begins!" Greyson said, faking enthusiasm.
Indianna laughed and hit Greyson's leg.
"Shut up and drive."