Page 159 of A Second Chance for the Beta

“Of course,” Felix exclaims. “Dad was so happy when Dario and I asked him if we could come. That’s a first.”

“Yes,” Dario says. “He was truly supportive. He even offered to take us to a beach party.”

Felix chuckles. “As if I’d go to a beach while I’m still like this. I’m not that much of a masochist.”

“So, you are coming,” Austen says. “Awesome. I think Beta Ella and Beta Dante are planning a huge party for Charlie.”

“They are spoiling her so much, I’m actually envious.” Gisela grins.

“Same,” Ty says. “My dad actually forgot about my last birthday.”

“What?” Dario stares at him.

“He has a lot of work,” Ty says. “But he promised me for this year we’ll take a trip.”

I feel relief at his words. Dante and Ella have talked about my birthday since I started living with them. To imagine Ty has known his parents his whole life, and still… one of them forgot. Well, he does seem happier now. So, here is hoping.

fifty-one

Congratulations!

*ELLA*

Forheractualbirthday,Charlie wanted to go to a water park. So, we grabbed her and Gisela and took them there for a weekend. Dante swears he aged a few years there watching the girls taking the wildest water rides.

Before that weekend trip, Dante built a small treehouse with an attached ladder that leads from the tree Charlie used to secretly sneak out to her room. At least we now know she won’t get hurt if she wants to hang out there. Additionally, Annie and I went shopping for her and stocked up on all kinds of art supplies she is into. I think both Dante and I might have gone a bit overboard with everything, but it’s her first birthday with us, and for fifteen years no one truly celebrated it.

Ever since she turned sixteen, she has been seeing Silas more regularly. Being a vampire is part of who she is, and I’m glad she is reaching out to this side of her. It looks like Charlie’s werewolf side will always be stronger, but we don’t know yet how her vampire side will influence her.

Silas says we can only wait and see.

Her actual party with her friends is the weekend after our water park trip. I almost expected her to have some crazy wishes for it, but to my surprise, Charlie just wants a classic sweet sixteen party. It makes sense. She missed so many of her milestones that I assume she wants to celebrate this one in a way most kids celebrate it.

Dante and I were happy to oblige. I took advantage of being best friends with the luna and with Dave. Annie knows a lot about event planning due to her work, and Dave is… Dave. Together with Charlie we hunted down a place she would like. She is not into the typical kinds of parties, so it took a while, but eventually we found a private villa at the beach we could rent.

It’s not on pack lands, so Charlie could invite her human friends too. There will be catering, and Dave promised to organize the decoration. Charlie and I even went clothes shopping for the event, and she chose a jumpsuit to wear.

“I’m already worried about when Aurora and Asteria turn sixteen.” Annie chuckles while we drive to the pastry shop where I ordered cake and cupcakes from. Everything else will be provided by the catering Dante and Dave organized. There will even be a little seafood barbecue, but the cake was something I wanted to handpick.

“Taking bets now that Liam will go all out,” I say.

She laughs. “I’m not taking that bet! He is already enamored by them.”

“How do you do it?” I ask her. “Have two toddlers and be luna. You have so many duties, and you always find time to help your friends.”

“But I’m not alone,” she says. “Liam is there too. We divide almost all the work between us. And my parents help, so do his. And when I return from work or from my duties, I try to be as present in their lives as possible.”

“Do you want a third one?” I ask her.

She tilts her head. “Eventually, yes. But not immediately. Harmony, Steve, and I were three, so I would love for the girls to have another sibling.” She chuckles. “If it were for Liam, we’d probably have a little football team.”

“I can totally see that.” I laugh.

“What about you?” she asks.

“I’m ready to have my own,” I say, surprising myself with how promptly I answer.

“And Dante?”