Then, after so many Wraiths had been complicit in the attack on me, Dallas had taken matters into his own hands and killed Charon in his sleep. After that, he’d needed the Timberwolves protection more than ever, and Hades had provided it.
None of us had even known he'd done it until Cass had called for a meeting with Archer to discuss the change of leadership in the Wraiths. Skate—stupid name—had stepped up into Charon's role and been given stern warnings not to step out of line or he’d meet the same fate as his predecessor.
With a knowing wink to Dallas, I moved on to greet everyone else that had turned up. Constance hugged me like I was her own granddaughter and gave her nod of approval that I was still wearing the D'Ath family ring. Ana was with her, and they looked happier than ever.
Steinwick, Anna, and James were working the barbeque together, and the sight of our stuffy butler in pineapple-printed board shorts and an apron that had cartoon tits on it was enough to kill me laughing.
"Whatever you're cooking, it smells incredible," I told the three of them with a wide grin.
James wrinkled his nose at me in response. "It's a barbecue, MK. Don't tell me you've never had a barbecue before."
My cheeks flushed as I searched my memory. But... nope. It hadn't really been Samuel Danvers style.
"Sorry I'm late!" a familiar voice called out from the side of the house, and a bubbly redhead came bounding toward us. "MK, your house is to die for! I'm totally spending weekends here."
I grinned hard as my new friend crashed into me with a tight, way-too-friendly hug. I'd gotten used to it, though.
"Seph! Please tell me you have permission to be here." I freaking loved the girl, but I also didn't want to take the fall for her teenage-rebellion bullshit.
She scoffed a laugh. "Of course, I do. This time. Anyway, not even big, bad Hades could argue my safety when I said I was spending the weekend with you and your harem." She shot me a wink then sighed. "I mean, I did have to accept a ride from Daddy Cass to get here, though."
I almost choked on my tongue. "You did not just call him that," I said in a strangled voice as the tattoo-covered, scowling biker came stalking across the grass carrying Seph's overnight bag.
She just shrugged like she didn't see the big deal. "Maybe he should stop acting like my dad then. Oh, Bree's here! Hey, girl!" She bounded over to my bestie like an overly energetic puppy. Seph was fast becoming one of my favorite people in the whole world.
"Kid," Cass greeted me with a grunt, nodding his head to my guys as well. "Sorry to crash the party. Little shit crashed her car into a ditch last weekend, and Hades wouldn't let her drive up alone."
My brows rose, and my lips curved in a mocking smile. "So you offered? That's awfully nice of you, Grumpy. You're not even a Timberwolf; surely someone else could have done the job."
He just glared at me. "Shut up." He shifted his scowl to Archer. "Where's the booze? I'm not suffering this sober."
Archer looked like he was biting back a laugh, but clapped Cass on the shoulder and walked with him back into the house.
Kody and Steele walked with me over to the long wooden jetty that protruded out into the lake, and the three of us sat on the end of it with our feet dangling in the water.
"This is amazing, you guys know that?"
Steele's arm was around my waist, and Kody's hand rested on my knee, both radiating pride for their surprise well done.
"Well, we kinda figured this was a birthday gift to all of us," Kody told me, "seeing as none of us celebrated properly this year."
"Best birthday ever," I said with a groan of emotion. "What's that out there?" I pointed farther out into the lake where there seemed to be a platform of some sort.
Steele kissed my shoulder and his lips curved in a smile. "Just a diving platform," he said, with an edge of mischief. "We'll show you later."
Excitement buzzed through me at his tone, and I nodded. "Alright, I'll play along. So far you guys are pretty much killing it with this surprise thing."
"Score." Kody reached out a hand to Steele, who slapped it with a high five. Fucking boys.
Leaning my head on Kody's shoulder, with Steele's strong arm