Page 35

Anders

“I would like to celebrate your birthday,” I tell Jamie over breakfast.

Jamie pauses in the middle of buttering his toast. “You don’t have to.” He shakes his head and spoons some jam onto his toast. He cuts the toast in half and hands it to Jace and me.

I take a bite, the sweet jam and salty butter a delectable combination, even if I hate the seedy bread. “I never said I had to. I want to celebrate you. I’d like it if you would let me.”

“Why?” Jamie asks, pushing his eggs around his plate.

This man… “Because I care for you, why else? Or do people in this time not celebrate birthdays after they’ve already happened?”

Jamie shrugs, staring down at his plate. “It could be a belated birthday celebration, I guess.”

“Belated?”

“Kind of like a late celebration.”

I nod, chewing some eggs. That works just fine. “We could do it this evening.”

“If you want.”

“I do. Very much.”

Jamie sighs, then smiles a little as he kicks my foot under the table. “All right, if it would make you happy.”

The things I would do to see him smile like that again…

I want him happy. Need him to know how deeply I cherish him.

His happiness is my happiness, and when he’s sad, the world is a darker place.

I quickly look down at my plate, alarmed by the intensity of my feelings.

During this celebration, I want to finally ask him to let me claim him.

Jace says, “Speaking of birthdays, my friend Natalie is having a slumber party at her house tonight. Can I go? Please? A lot of my friends will be there.” He gives Jamie big, pleading eyes.

“What time is the party?”

“It starts at five.”

“Okay, that works. While you’re at your party, Anders and I can have ours.

” Jamie teases my foot beneath the table, brushing his toes along my sole.

“Come on, we need to shower, then get to work.” He springs to his feet and carries his empty plate to the sink.

“Jace, hurry up, bud. Brush your teeth and grab your backpack! We’ve got a big day ahead of us! ”

Once we’re all ready, we leave the apartment and get in the car.

I rest my hand on Jamie’s thigh as he drives.

He isn’t gripping the wheel like he’ll drown if he lets go, and his scent and posture are relaxed.

I hated seeing him so distraught last night.

I’ve never felt like an Alpha before, not until my mate opened up his wounded heart and gave me the privilege of caring for him.

That’s what an Alpha is. It’s what they do; they care for the ones they love.

They don’t use power and authority to control them.

Wulfric has made a far better Alpha than I ever would have.

I wish I could tell him that, that I could let him know how truly sorry I am for dividing our pack.

We drop Jace off for his classes, then drive to the bookshop.

“Morning, everyone!” Jamie says as we enter the shop.

Bailey waves. “Hey! Feeling better?”

“Much,” Jamie says.

“Hey, Anders, give me a hand!” Jess calls out.

I follow her voice to the back of the store, where she is assembling a new shelf that just arrived.

She’s sitting on the floor, examining two pieces of the shelf in front of her. “Okay. I think these parts go here. Can you hand me a nail?”

Sitting beside her, I hand her the supplies she asks for. “Have you celebrated a birthday before?”

She arches a pierced brow, a teasing smile hooking the corner of her mouth. “Uh, yeah?”

“I want to do something special for Jamie tonight.” I already know I’ll ask to claim him, but as for everything else… “No one else is as special to me as he is. I want things to be perfect tonight. Since you and Bailey are together, I thought you’d have some advice.”

Jess’s smile morphs into a grin. “That’s so sweet. It’s great Jamie’s finally found someone who values him. I’ll tell you what. Bailey and I were planning to buy this special-edition book by his favorite author.”

“That L. A. Richardson person?”

“Yeah. He’s having a signing today. It conflicts with Jamie’s schedule, but what if you go during your lunch break?”

That is a good idea. “I’ll do it. Where is the signing?

” Jess pulls a pen and notepad from her apron’s pocket.

She scribbles briefly, then hands it to me.

“It’s a big bookstore across the street from Union Square.

” She shows me a picture of the place on her phone.

“You can’t miss it. But it’s in Manhattan, so you’d have to take the train around the corner. ”

I lift my shoulder. “Easy enough.”

When I return to Jamie, he’s grinning. “Look what Bailey gave me!” He holds up a card of some kind.

“A scrap of paper?”

Jamie giggles. “No, puppy dog. It’s a gift card for my favorite restaurant. I’ve gotta take you sometime!”

“How about tonight after work?” I run my hand down his side to squeeze his waist. “We can celebrate your birthday there.”

Happiness curls Jamie’s mouth. “That sounds great. I’d love that.”

Touching my forehead to his, I inhale his sweet scent.

Nothing will stop me from giving Jamie the best night of his life.

Nothing except the slowest damn train in all the nine realms.

We’ve been stuck in a tunnel for what feels like an age, and it’s hot as the fires of bloody Muspelheim.

Sweat trickles down my body and soaks into my shirt.

Gods, I hope I arrive in time. I’ve got to get Jamie a gift.

It’s the least I can do to show how much my mate means to me, aside from claiming him, of course.

Finally, the train lurches to life, and after several stops, I get out at Union Square. The bookstore looms over the park, making it easy to find. It’s massive inside and packed with people. Fortunately, a security guard directs me to the third floor; otherwise, I’d have no idea where to look.

I ride some weird contraption that’s like stairs, but they move, so you don’t have to climb them. I get on one going in the wrong direction, so I end up walking in place for nearly a minute before I figure out how to get on the other one. This world is so damn confusing.

Just as I step off the contraption, I jump out of the path of a crowd of people, chattering excitedly as they carry copies of the same book. It looks like there is a Viking on the cover. Oh gods, please don’t let me be too late.

Staff are stacking chairs and sweeping a section of the store.

There’s a sign nearby promoting the event from what little I can read.

L. A. Richardson’s name is on the sign, and so is a picture of his book.

Disappointment has me slumping against a shelf.

I’m too late. This would have been the perfect gift for Jamie, everything I needed to help show my devotion.

Now what will I do?

“Excuse me, are you okay?”

The man before me looks just like the picture on the sign, a short man with a round stomach and glasses perched on his nose.

Hope flares within me. The author is still here! Mayhap there is a chance I can still get Jamie his gift. “L. A. Richardson?”

He smiles. “That’s me. My event just ended, but I’m more than happy to sign something for you if you’d like.”

I shake my head. “I need a copy of one of your books. The special one.”

The author’s smile falls off his face. “I’m so sorry. I just sold my last copy.”

No, no, no! This is all going wrong.

“If you sign up for my mailing list, you’ll be kept updated about all my upcoming events and—”

“My ma— boyfriend is a huge fan of your stories, Mr. Richardson. He owns a bookshop and has a whole shelf dedicated to your works.”

“Wow! That’s so sweet,” Richardson says, and his face lights up with delight. “I would love to do a reading at his shop.”

That would be even better than a signed copy! A chance to meet his favorite author in person would make Jamie so happy.

“That would be most excellent! He loves everything you’ve written. He and I were reading through your latest historical series. It’s good, very good. The spicy scenes, as Jamie calls them, are exquisitely detailed.”

Richardson flushes with pride. “I do love those Vikings.”

Clearing my throat, I ask, “Have you experienced the kind of love you write about?”

He laughs. “Me? Gosh. No. These are fantasies of mine, nothing more. I’m no lad, but who do you think the Irish lad is supposed to represent?” He points to himself.

“I have found the kind of love in your books,” I tell him. “The passion you describe, the intensity of the characters’ feelings… You describe word for word every way in which I feel for Jamie.”

“Aww. That’s wonderful to hear.”

A smile tugs at my lips as I think of my mate. The sunshine in his smile that burns so bright it hides all that darkness inside. How resilient he is, despite all his losses. The way he let me take care of him when he needed it most.

“Jamie went through a lot when he was younger. He lost his family, and for a long time, he was in a dark place. It was your books that helped him escape, your books that brought a light into that darkness. Your characters are dear to him. Their adventures and romantic conquests bring him joy. He is without a doubt your biggest, most loyal fan. Meeting you would make him happy beyond words. His happiness is my happiness. Do this for me, and I would be in your debt.”

The author is quiet for a moment, drinking in my words.

“Wow. That’s so nice to hear. I spend so much time drowning in self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

It’s easy to forget I have real, true fans out there.

” He sits up straighter, determination in his eyes.

“All right. How about this: I can show up and do a reading for Jamie this afternoon. Is 4:00 p.m. enough time to get things ready? I don’t need anything fancy, just a quiet place to sit and read to him. ”

I sigh in relief. Jamie will be delighted. “Yes, thank you.”

I can’t wait to see Jamie’s face. He’ll be thrilled!

With my task complete, I pull out the phone Jess loaned me in case I ran into any trouble.

It’s a confusing device. Jess looked at me like I had five heads when I told her I had no clue how to use this.

She gave up trying to explain how it worked and just said, “Hold that little button on the side and say, ‘Call Bailey,’ if you need anything.”

Holding the button, I say, “Call Bailey.”

A monotone feminine voice says, “Calling Bailey.”

I almost drop the thing. It talks! Is there a person trapped in here? Mayhap a faerie? I shake the phone. A dwarven smith is the only one who could have forged such a thing.

“Hey, Anders! Have any luck getting the book?”

Oh gods. Bailey is trapped in there too!

“Even better! The author has agreed to do a reading at 4:00 p.m. The store must be ready by then.”

“Wow! That’s amazing.” Bailey laughs. “Then it’s time for the next stage of the plan. See you later.”

“Bailey, wait! Are you trapped in this dwarven construct? Do you need help getting out?”

“Huh?”

When I return to the shop, I have to knock to be let in.

Jamie has gone to take Jace to his friend’s party.

Jess and Bailey have temporarily closed the store and are bustling about.

Jess is stringing up lights while Bailey is stacking a table full of snacks and drinks and carefully sets a cake in the center.

“You work quickly,” I say.

“Babe, dim the lights!” Jess calls from up on the ladder.

Bailey lowers the lights and flicks another switch. I gasp when the strings of lights come on, twinkling like stars. It truly is beautiful. Jamie will love it.

Someone knocks, and Bailey rushes to answer. It’s Richardson, carrying something inside a paper bag. “Wow! This looks great. I’ve been wanting to come to this shop for a while.” He introduces himself to Bailey and Jess, waves at me, and lets Jess show him where he’ll be sitting.

My stomach feels like bugs are flying around inside. I hope Jamie will be pleased.

Bailey checks their phone. “Okay, he should be back any minute! Places, everyone!”

Gulping, I say, “Places? What does that mean? Where is my place?”

Bailey rolls their eyes with a smile. “I don’t know! Just be there to welcome him when he comes in!”

Marching to the door, I await Jamie’s arrival.

A car pulls up outside, and a door slams. Jamie’s scent whispers under the door, making my wolf stir within my chest. The knob turns but doesn’t open. “What the…” Jamie mumbles.

A key turns in the lock.

My heart’s about to burst.

The door opens… and there he is. Jamie freezes in the doorway, lips parting, eyes going wide.

My knees are shaking as I walk toward him. Please, let him be happy with this…

“What…” he whispers, shaking his head in disbelief. “This is… Oh my god, Anders. Did you do this?”

I shake my head. “Not alone.”

“It was his idea,” Bailey chimes in, making my face flush.

“All of it was,” Jess says, swinging an arm around Bailey’s shoulders.

A smile lights up Jamie’s face. “This is… wow. This is beautiful, Anders. I—oh my god.” He lurches to a stop, voice going all high and squeaky. I grin when Richardson rises and walks toward Jamie.

“Hi, Jamie. I’m—”

Jamie covers his mouth, his chest rising and falling quickly. “Oh my god. You’re L. A. Richardson. But—what—how—”

“Anders showed up at my signing and insisted I come and read for you.” He holds out his hand. Jamie grabs it and shakes. Oh gods, he’s practically panting, and there are tears in his eyes. “Thank you so much for supporting my books. It… it means the world to me.”

“I love your books so much,” Jamie gushes, the words coming out in a breathless rush along with a sudden stream of tears. “T-they saved my life.”

Richardson smiles. “Want a hug?”

“Please,” Jamie squeaks.

He pulls Jamie into a tight hug. “Now, shall we?”

“Yes!” Jamie practically bounces on the balls of his feet, clapping his hands together.

Richardson takes a seat on the couch and says, “Have you read my latest book?”

“No. I didn’t even preorder. I wanted to get a copy from you in person at the reading,” Jamie says, dashing away his happy tears as he sits in an armchair across from him.

“Well, how about this. I’ll read you the first three chapters, and then you can have my copy.”

An inhuman noise escapes Jamie. “No! No, I’m happy to pay for it! I want to support your work.”

Richardson laughs. “Your support of my books means more to me than money.” He opens the book. “Ready?”

Jamie looks over his shoulder, and our eyes meet. “Come and listen,” he says.

Heart soaring, I go and sit on the arm of his chair.

When Jamie leans his head against my side, fingers curling around my wrist, my wolf howls in delight.

“Thank you,” Jamie whispers, squeezing tight.

“Anything for you,” I murmur into his hair.

For the man I love, there is nothing I would not give.