“I will be happy to chat with you once you join the pack!”
It reminds me that I don’t belong to any Clan anymore. I severed all my ties with the Jade Moon Clan if I had any, and I don’t belong to the Blood Moon Clan either. I wonder what is going to happen from now on? Will Damian make me join? It’s a bit surprising that we never mentioned this earlier now that I think about it. Am I considered a rogue then...?
Bobo notices my worried expression and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry, Nora. I don’t just guard you because of orders. I like you, baby girl. After all, I’ve been by your side all along, haven’t I? There was supposed to be a rotation, you know. But I refused and took the job full-time. I’ll be on your side no matter what. I bet you’re going to be a great Luna, and I will be right by your side then.”
Bobo’s words bring me to tears. He chuckles and ruffles my curls, making me laugh. We chat about trivial things for a while, things he couldn’t say before, like how much he loves my cooking or his fights with his sister. I don’t feel uncomfortable at all being so close to Bobo; it’s like I’m chatting with my best friend.
When my alarm clock strikes six, Tonia enters the room with a large bouquet of flowers in her hands.
“Happy Birthday! Look at what came for you this morning!”
Just then, she notices her brother, surprised.
“Bobo, you shapeshifted! When?”
“Just this morning, for Nora,” he says while giving me a wink.
“And you actually have some pants on! What a day!”
What does this mean? Tonia looks at her younger brother with a conspicuous look, but Bobo ignores her. She hands me the flowers. There is a card with it, from Nathaniel, wishing me a happy eighteenth birthday. How nice of him, considering he will see me in less than three hours! I get up and take my present to the kitchen to find it a vase, the siblings following me. To my surprise, once I reach the room, there are several gifts on the table! I turn around to Tonia, perplexed.
“What’s all this?”
“Your birthday presents, of course!”
All of this? Impossible! I see about a dozen wrapped boxes and bags! And I haven’t gotten anything in ten years... Tonia is smiling from ear to ear, waiting for my reaction. I’m speechless! I slowly walk up to the table. There are three birthday cards: one from the siblings, one from Neal, and the other one from Liam.
“Wait... All of this is from you guys, Liam, and Nathaniel?” I ask, dumbfounded.
Tonia nods, excited. “It is! So, considering you are saving your evening for your date, we thought you should open them this morning! Both Liam and Nathaniel can’t be here, so it will just be the three of us though, I hope you don’t mind.”
If I mind? Gosh, Tonia doesn’t realize I haven’t even celebrated my birthday in years! I’m overflowed with emotions right now; I don’t know where to begin. Well, I’m trying hard to hold my tears in, for starters.
“Thank you so much, guys...”
Bobo laughs and gently pushes me towards the pile of presents. I start by opening and reading the birthday cards, and I can’t stop smiling all along. Tonia and Bobo chose a pretty one with a winter theme, while their older brother went for a simple one. Liam picked a very girly one with purple and blue ribbons on it to tease me. All of them wrote really simple but touching birthday wishes.
After the cards, Bobo gives me one of the presents.
“But you guys already gave me a present: the smartphone!”
“Oh, stop it, Nora, and open it. You said you haven’t gotten birthday presents in years, you can let us spoil you today!” Says Tonia while giving me a large box.
For some reason, Bobo is smiling and waiting to see my reaction. What is this? The box is a pale blue with some golden letters on it, like a chic brand... Not anything unusual from Tonia so far. However, as soon as I open the box, I blush and close it just as quickly.
Oh, Moon Goddess!
She got me super sexy, embarrassing, shameless French lingerie! I turn to look at Tonia, red with embarrassment. Why did she have to go and pick something like this! Even if I glanced at it only for a few seconds, I already know that this... piece of clothing is way too sexy and revealing!
Bobo is laughing out loud, and Tonia is acting innocent. “What? You might need it sooner than you think.”
“Tonia! How can you buy me such an embarrassing thing? It barely has any fabric!”
“Well, it’s not meant to be worn long, after all...”
“Tonia!”
Is she enjoying getting me embarrassed, or what? I can’t believe it! I’m still struggling with having Damian touch me, how could I be thinking about the appropriate outfits for aphysical relationship now! I’m already stressed enough about tonight’s date as it is!
