My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Chapter 229 HAPPY BIRTHDAY

SERAPHINA’S POV

I woke up before sunrise on Daniel’s birthday.

The house was silent in the blue-gray pre-dawn. I lay still, staring at the ceiling, reality pressing in.

Daniel’s birthday.

The day of his heir ceremony.

My baby was officially stepping into his new role as heir of the Nightfang Pack. The thought was bittersweet, and part of me wanted to crawl under the covers and will this day away.

But I couldn’t. Today wasn’t about me or my fears.

So I slipped out of bed and padded down the hallway to Daniel’s room. His door was cracked open, just enough to let in the hallway light, and I eased it open without knocking.

He was still curled under the blankets, hair a messy halo, one arm dangling off the edge of the bed, breathing soft and steady.

My heart clenched painfully. Where did all those precious years go?

My mind reeled at the fact that my baby was suddenly ten. It seemed just yesterday he needed me for everything, and now, with each year, that need slipped away, leaving me both proud and unmoored.

I sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed a hand over his hair.

“Danny?” I whispered.

He stirred but didn’t wake.

I leaned down and kissed the crown of his head, whispering against his skin, “Happy birthday, my love.”

His lashes fluttered, and he blinked up at me with sleepy confusion. Then his lips curved into a slow, crooked smile.

“Morning, Mom.”

Something in me softened and splintered at the same time.

I knew I was probably being dramatic, but I could’ve sworn he looked older. Not in a drastic way, just a subtle change that said childhood was already slipping through my fingers.

“You have a big day ahead of you.” I forced a smile. “You should get out of bed and get ready while I make breakfast. Your favorite.”

“Chocolate pancakes?” he asked, instantly more awake.

“With strawberries and whipped cream,” I affirmed.

He grinned and pushed himself up to sit, hair sticking in every direction. He leaned his head onto my shoulder. “Thanks, Mom.”

I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes for a second, memorizing the warmth of his body against mine.

Ten years had vanished in the blink of an eye; another ten would slip by just as quickly. My baby would be a man. An Alpha. He would no longer fit into the crook of my arm.

“Don’t you dare cry on my birthday,” Daniel mumbled when I couldn’t hold back a sniffle.

I let out a watery laugh. He pulled back, gave me a half-fond, half-exasperated look, and cupped my cheeks as I smiled.

“I’m not crying. It’s a big day, and I’m so proud of you.”

He grinned, dropping his hands. “I’m proud of me too.”

I laughed, ruffling his hair. “Go on, birthday boy. Brush your teeth before your breath knocks someone out.”

His eyes twinkled. “Oh yeah? Like this—aahhh.”

I squealed, pulling away as he opened his mouth and blasted stale morning breath in my face.

His laughter bounced against the walls, music to my ears.

***

We left just before ten.

Daniel bounced into the passenger seat, high on anticipation and excitement.

The road stretched ahead, sunlight filtering through palm trees waving in the morning breeze. LA was awake now—bright, loud, chaotic.

An exact mirror of the state of my mind.

I gripped the wheel tighter, energy simmering beneath my skin—subtle but present, like a low electrical hum I couldn’t shut off.

I should’ve grown used to it over the last couple of days, but I just couldn’t. Not when the gravity of what it meant constantly pressed down on my shoulders.

“You look like you’re thinking really hard.”

I blinked, Daniel’s voice bringing me back to the present.

“Do I?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Are you worried about the ceremony? Because you shouldn’t be. Dad and Grandpa walked me through everything, like, four million times.” He rolled his eyes. “I think I could do it in my sleep.”

I let out a soft breath. “I know you’ll do great, baby. That’s not what I’m worried about.”

“Then what is it?”

I stared straight ahead. The answer clogged my throat.

Everything else.

The bond.

The past.

The future.

The fact that I felt like my heart was being pulled in two different directions.

I forced a smile. “Just tired.”

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