04.

Ava’s POV

Time passed, and what started as a simple crush on Liam grew into something deeper—something I couldn’t quite understand but couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t just the way he carried himself or the rare glimpses of kindness he showed when he thought no one was looking. It was everything about him.

Every glance, every fleeting smile, every word spoken in that deep, steady voice—it all stayed with me, replaying in my mind until it felt like he had taken up permanent residence there.

---

Few Years Later: My Birthday

When my fifteenth birthday approached, I tried to keep my hopes simple. “Let’s keep it small this year,” I told my mother over breakfast. “Just a few close friends and family.”

My father raised an eyebrow at me from across the table. “Ava, it’s your birthday. You deserve something special. We’ll invite the pack—it’ll be fun.”

“No, Dad,” I said quickly. “I don’t like big parties. I’d rather have something quiet.”

Before my mother could respond, my older sister, Luna, chimed in. “What? No way, Ava. You’re not skipping a proper celebration!”

I groaned inwardly. Of course, Luna would push for a big party. I wasn’t naive—I knew why. Jake, the alpha and her longtime crush, would be there. This wasn’t about me at all; it was about giving her an excuse to see him.

“It’s my birthday, Luna,” I pointed out, trying to keep my voice calm.

“And you should have a big party!” she argued, flashing me one of her winning smiles. “Come on, Ava. You only turn fifteen once.”

I bit my lip, torn between speaking up for myself and staying quiet. Part of me wanted to insist on the small, quiet celebration I had envisioned. But another part of me—a darker, uglier part—was starting to feel selfish for wanting it. Luna loved parties, and it wasn’t as if she asked for much.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel like this was supposed to be my day. Why couldn’t I have something that felt like mine for once?

“It’s fine,” I said after a long pause, my voice quieter than I intended. “You can do whatever you want. It’s just a birthday.”

Luna grinned, clearly taking my words as approval. “Great! This is going to be amazing!” She was already on her feet, rattling off ideas for decorations and food as she left the room.

I stayed at the table, my hands clenched into fists. I told myself it didn’t matter. It was just one day. But the ache in my chest refused to go away.

---

When the day arrived, it felt more like Luna’s celebration than mine. The backyard was transformed into a festival ground, with long tables groaning under plates of food and strings of lights casting a warm glow over the crowd. Music blared, and children ran around, laughing and playing.

Luna was in her element, laughing and chatting with everyone. Jake was there, of course, and I watched from a distance as they shared a quiet conversation near the drink table.

I stood by the cake, forcing a smile as guests came up to wish me a happy birthday. My cheeks ached from the effort, and the knot in my stomach grew tighter with every passing moment.

When it was finally time to cut the cake, my father called everyone’s attention. “Let’s celebrate our Ava!” he said, his voice booming with pride.

I blew out the candles, made a wish I didn’t believe in, and accepted the cheers and applause with as much grace as I could muster. As soon as the last slice of cake was handed out, I slipped away into the garden.

The garden was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the party. I sank onto the bench near the fountain, letting out a long breath.

“Why are you hiding?”

I jumped at the sound of Liam’s voice and spun around to see him standing a few feet away.

“Liam!” I clutched my chest, my heart racing. “You scared me.”

“Sorry,” he said, though the faint smirk on his lips said otherwise. “What are you doing out here?”

“I just needed a break,” I admitted, looking down at my hands. “It’s a bit... overwhelming in there.”

He stepped closer, his dark eyes studying me. “It’s your birthday, Ava. You shouldn’t be hiding.”

“I’m not hiding,” I said quickly, though my flushed cheeks probably gave me away. “I just... I don’t like crowds. Everyone staring, talking, expecting me to...”

“To enjoy yourself?” he interrupted, his tone teasing but gentle.

I frowned, crossing my arms. “You don’t understand. You’re always so composed, so confident. You don’t care what people think.”

His gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost... vulnerable. “Ava, everyone feels that way sometimes. But family is important. The pack is important. They came here for you. Hiding doesn’t make them go away; it just makes you miss the chance to connect with them.”

I stared at him, his words sinking in. “You really think I should go back?”

He nodded. “Yes. And if it helps, I’ll stay by your side.”

My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but I quickly pushed it aside. “You’re awfully bossy, you know that?”

Liam’s lips twitched into a smile. “Someone has to be, or you’d spend the whole night out here.”

With Liam walking beside me, I rejoined the party. True to his word, he stayed close, introducing me to people I didn’t know well and even convincing me to join in a group dance.

At first, it felt awkward and forced, but as the night went on, I found myself laughing more than I had in months. My parents beamed with pride, my friends teased me about finally coming out of my shell, and even the pack elders commented on how much I’d grown.

“You’re not so bad at this socializing thing,” Liam said quietly as we stood near the drink table.

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. “Don’t get used to it.”

He chuckled, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “I wouldn’t dare.”

---

As the party wound down and guests began to leave, I found Liam again near the edge of the garden.

“Thank you,” I said softly, coming to stand beside him.

“For what?”

“For not letting me hide,” I admitted. “For staying with me. It meant a lot.”

He looked down at me, his expression unreadable. “You’re stronger than you think, Ava. You just need to believe it.”

Before I could say anything else, he pushed off the tree and gave me a nod.

“Happy birthday, Ava,” he said, his voice low and warm. Then he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with a heart full of emotions I couldn’t quite name.

I guess that's how falling in love feels like.