“Smells delicious,” Julie exclaimed as they moved outside where a veritable feast waited.
“Only the best for my college graduate. We’re so proud of you, honey,” her mother said, ushering her toward the table. Julie felt her face heat. She’d never been comfortable being the center of attention. “I cooked your favorites. And after dinner we have cake and presents.”
“Aw, guys, you didn’t have to do all this.”
“Of course we did. It’s a special day, so sit back and enjoy it,” Gwen, Ethan’s mate, said. A smile lit her face, and Julie answered with one of her own. She’d met her brothers’ mates only once when she’d visited home during spring break, but from everything she’d seen and heard, they were perfect matches for her brothers.
Julie sat next to Danny, her last unmated brother. Of all her siblings, she was closest to him. Being the two youngest and separated by a few years from their three older siblings, they’d always had a special connection.
“It’s good to have you back, squirt.” Danny bumped his shoulder against hers as Jetson, one of the black labs, pushed his nose against her leg under the table, begging for scraps. Julie reached down and scratched his ear as the conversation buzzed around her. Later she would worry about moving into her studio and catching up at work. Right now it was nice to feel a part of something again. For a while, she would pretend she wasn’t the odd one out. Pretend she was like everyone else.
Julie laughed as she unwrapped Ethan’s gift of College-opoly and a “grow your own diploma” packet.
“Now whenever you miss college, you can play Monopoly and stick that little diploma in water. Just like the real thing.” Gwen socked her mate on the arm as the rest of the family laughed.
“Here, this is from Jason and me.” Samantha handed Julie a pink and purple wrapped gift.
Julie tore off the paper and gasped at the sight of the delicate silver chain with a diploma charm hanging from the end.
“If you don’t like it, we can return it and get you something else. Jason mentioned you didn’t have a charm bracelet. I thought this was the perfect occasion to start one for all the important events in your life,” Samantha rambled as Julie stared at the small charm.
“It’s beautiful.” She smiled at Samantha’s anxious face. “Absolutely beautiful. I love it.” Samantha’s answering smile lit up the room, her satisfaction in bringing Julie pleasure obvious. Evidence of the caring nature and kind heart her brother needed in a life mate. His wolf had chosen well. If only she had a guide to help her in matters of the heart, she never would’ve gotten involved with her selfish ex.
The doorbell interrupted her wayward thoughts. She looked over, and a spark of desire shot through her system as Laurie moved to the door. Even before it opened, she knew Brendan stood on the other side.
Julie stared at the pane, desperate to see him again. She knew he wasn’t meant for her, but even as a little girl with pigtails she’d been fascinated by him. Despite her best efforts to move on, her childhood crush had grown with time. At college, everyone she’d met had paled in comparison.
Julie clutched the charm bracelet as Brendan came into view. He was more attractive than she’d remembered, which she hadn’t thought possible. Her hands twitched, the craving to run them through his short but thick dark brown hair made her stomach clench. His smile didn’t seem to reach his eyes until his gaze met hers across the room.
“Jules. I thought I saw you come into town earlier. I wanted to come by and drop this off.” Julie didn’t know what to say as he handed her a jewelry box-sized package.
Brendan had always been close to her family, having been a friend of Laurie’s since elementary school. She’d always suspected the two of them were mates, and couldn’t understand why they hadn’t claimed each other yet.
Her stomach, having flown moments before when Brendan had handed her the gift, dropped. He probably thought of her as a little sister, which was the last place she wanted to be with him.
Brendan narrowed his eyes as he stared at Julie. Something wasn’t right. Her face had glowed with surprised pleasure as he’d handed her the gift. But soon after, he’d watched her pleasure dim and her posture stiffen. What could possibly be going through his mate’s head?
“You know the gift is actually inside the pretty silver paper,” Brendan joked, careful to keep his tone light. His wolf, sensing his mate’s distress, wanted to back her into a corner and snarl at everyone in the room. No one would stand between her and happiness.
Julie’s gaze shot to his before she laughed her discomfort away. Once again a mask slid into place. The carefree, happy girl he’d grown up with stood in front of him.
Brendan almost stepped back in shock. Questions whirled through his mind. How long had she been unhappy? How long had she hidden whatever internal torment she suffered from? And why had he never sensed it before?
“You didn’t have to get me anything, you know. It was sweet of you but unnecessary.” Julie rambled as she untied the ribbon and peeled the silver paper away from the box. Her words ended on a gasp as she opened the black velvet jewelry case and revealed a small wolf medallion hanging from a necklace chain.
“I put it on a chain, but Jason mentioned they were getting you a charm bracelet so you can always have it attached if you want.”
He didn’t mention the trouble he’d gone through to get one crafted to his specifications. Little though it was, he wanted something that resembled his wolf. He knew he couldn’t claim her immediately, but the need to mark her even in such a small way had been too strong to resist.
“Here, let me,” he said as Julie lifted the chain from the box. She swept her hair to the side as he moved behind her to fasten it around her neck. The urge to place a kiss on her nape just below the clasp, almost overpowered him, but movement to his right reminded him they had an audience. He looked over and met Danny’s shrewd stare. Sparing a glance around the room, he saw similar looks on Ethan and Jason’s faces. Laurie, on the other hand, looked amused.
He’d worry about her brothers later. Right now he wanted to see his charm against Julie’s pale skin. She turned toward him, her hand cradling the necklace.
“Thank you.” She smiled. It was a genuine smile, not the mask she’d displayed earlier. Seeing her unadulterated joy, and knowing he was the cause, warmed him as nothing else could have.
“It looks good on you,” he whispered, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. The familiar scent of her strawberry shampoo hit him in the gut as it surrounded him. She pulled away sooner than he liked, shooting a glance in Laurie’s direction as she retreated. Brendan almost followed, wanting to know what had spooked her, but stopped at the regret in her eyes as she peeked at him. What did Julie have to regret? It disturbed him more than he wanted to admit. Something was very wrong.
Her father cleared his throat. “Well, I think it’s time for the cake. Brendan, you’re staying, right?” Brendan nodded, his gaze focused on Julie the whole time. She chose a seat between her brothers, leaving him to take one next to Laurie. Charles, their father, handed him a slice of cake, and Judith held out a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
He’d always been amazed by the Callahans’ welcoming nature. His mother had been loving and supportive, but hadn’t been able to be both mother and father to him. He had few memories of his father who had died when he was five. He’d met Laurie the next year when he’d started kindergarten. She’d befriended him the very first day, later admitting she couldn’t turn away from the sadness in his eyes. She’d brought him home to play that afternoon, and her father had taken Brendan under his wings.