Chapter 160 Audrey

The first few s**lakes of the year were finally beginning to fall as I stepped out of the lecture halls and into the cool evening air. Shivering. I pulled my scarf a hit closer around my face and began the walk to town.

I had just finished turning in my last exam for the semester, which meant one thing winter break was here. And after that... Just a few more months, and I would no longer be a student at Ghayspring It was a bittersweet feeling, but I could hardly think about that as I made my way down the street.

Today was my birthday.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers already going numb from the cold. I read over the text Edwin had sent me earlier. "Come over tonight. We need to train."

Short and to the point, as always. Oddly, neither he nor any of my friends had acknowledged my birthday. Not even a single

text message.

I knew, however, that Tina would certainly never forget... they must be up to something. Maybe they were planning to go out later tonight, I figured as I made my way to town.

Edwin's apartment building was blissfully warm as I stepped inside. I jogged up the steps to his third-floor apartment, taking two at a time. But as I rounded the corner, my wolf perked up. I could hear voices inside his apartment-he never had

company.

Furrowing my brow, I turned the k**b and pushed it open. "SURPRISE!"

1 jumped back, dropping my satchel on the floor, as my friends burst out of various hiding places, blowing noise makers and chucking balloons in my face. The sudden noise made my enhanced senses reel for a moment, and I stood there, clutching the doorknob dizzily.

Edwin stood in the middle of the room, wearing a party hat and looking slightly flustered but smiling. He looked adorably cute, the hat sitting askew on his usually perfectly styled hair. Someone had likely forced him to wear it.

"Happy birthday, Audrey!" Tina exclaimed, rushing forward to hug me. "Did you think we forgot?"

I laughed, still in shock. "You guys! I can't believe you did this!"

Edwin's apartment, which I had practically been living in myself as of late, was decorated with balloons and streamers, and a large "Happy Birthday" banner hung across the living room. The smell of freshly baked cake wafted through the air, making my mouth water.

"We'd never forget," Gavin grinned, handing me a drink. It was warm, but I could smell alcohol inside-hot coffee with Bailey's, it seemed.

almost spilled the

not easy when

ourselves with pizza and snacks and sweets, and there were more than a few arguments over games

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since the fateful night of the harvest feast. Grabbing two drinks, I followed her. "Hey," I said softly, handing her a glass. "How are

my things in the mail the other day, stuff from my

try to reach out

sniffling, then shrugged.

"Even if they apologized?"

her hair. "Even if I got an apology, which I doubt, I'm not sure if it would be enough. The

a nightmare, the way that her parents reacted. Like their own child

shivered in the cold air, so I shuffled over to her and put my

damp check with the back of her wrist. "A real family. One that actually accepts me,

I tugged her closer. She rested her head on my shoulder. "Me, and Betty, and Avis, and Gavin. And Edwin, too." She chuckled.

"Something

a few minutes, her head on my shoulder and my arms wound tightly around her, just looking out at the glittering winter solstice lights that now dotted our little town. "I can't believe we'll be done with school soon," she mused, tracing a finger around the rim of her glass. "I almost want to

a furrowed brow. "And make me have to endure another four years with you?" I scoffed. Tina smacked my arm, but I grinned and pulled her close again. "I'd do it in a heartbeat." Tina giggled, turning in my arms and leaning up on her tiptoes. I love you, Audrey," she said, kissing my

planting a big, wet one on

heard shouting from inside. Exchanging glances,

doorway, taking in the scene. Edwin and Gavin were on one team for Pictionary, facing off against Betty and

cat! A... a giraffe?!" Gavin

his head vigorously, adding more scribbles to his drawing. His black hair was mussed, tongue

is that?!" Gavin threw his hands up in exasperation.

08:59 Fri, Sep 20

Chapter 160 0072%

looked up at the sound, bearning at me. In that moment

off. "It was a pig Edwin huffed, throwing the marker up in the

"That didn't look

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