Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 16

**Briony's POV**

I stared at the scene in front of me, completely frozen.

My living room looked like something from a magazine. Streamers hung everywhere, silver and blue balloons bobbed near the ceiling, and a massive banner stretched across the wall: "Happy Birthday, Briony." On the dining table sat this gorgeous three-layer cake with flickering candles.

My throat went tight. Was this actually happening?

"Hey, don't cry on us now." Layla rushed over and pulled me into a hug. "Happy birthday, best friend."

That did it. I completely lost it, burying my face in her shoulder as tears came pouring out. How long had it been since anyone remembered my birthday?

"It's okay," Layla rubbed my back. "This is supposed to be a good thing."

When I finally looked up, I saw everyone standing there - Alpha Adam, Luna Isabella, Delta Griffin and Diana, Gamma Thomas, and all five boys. They were all smiling at me like this was totally normal.

Noah stepped forward with his arms open. I didn't hesitate.

"Happy birthday, sis," he whispered. "Dad took off early for work, so we had the house to ourselves."

"You guys actually remembered?" My voice came out all shaky.

"Course I remembered. You're my sister."

Luna Isabella handed me a tissue. "Wipe those tears, sweetie. Today's for celebrating."

I tried to pull myself together, looking around at all the details. There were photos of me with the cubs posted on the walls, the table was loaded with food I actually liked, and I could smell those Silver Pine berry scones from Wolf's Corner.

"When did you set all this up?"

"We've been planning for days," Ethan said, looking proud of himself. "Wasn't easy keeping it secret from you."

"Alright," Alpha Adam said warmly, "let's get this party started. Come make a wish."

Everyone gathered around the cake. I closed my eyes and made the simplest wish I could think of - just let this feeling last.

The second I blew out the candles, everyone started cheering. I cut the first piece and handed it to Layla.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"Don't be weird about it," she laughed, taking the cake. "That's what friends do."

We sat down to eat, and it was incredible. They'd made everything from scratch - muffins, fruit salad, bacon, fresh orange juice. Way more effort than anyone had ever put into anything for me.

"Present time!" Layla announced, jumping up.

"There are presents?"

"Duh! What kind of birthday doesn't have presents?" She dragged over a pile of wrapped boxes from the corner.

Ethan went first, practically bouncing in his seat. "Hope you like it."

I unwrapped a beautiful fountain pen - deep blue with my name engraved on it and a tiny wolf design.

"I noticed you always use that beat-up old pen for notes," he explained. "This one's custom-made. The ink refills itself."

"Ethan, this is way too expensive - "

"Shut up, Tiny. Just say thanks."

Noah's gift was a shoebox. Inside were brand new running shoes - silver and blue, obviously high-end stuff designed for distance running.

"You're out there every morning," he said. "Figured you deserved proper gear."

I felt my eyes getting watery again. "Noah..."

"Don't start crying again or you won't be able to try them on later."

Layla gave me this incredibly soft hoodie in pale purple, with a little wolf embroidered on the chest.

"Now you won't freeze during those crazy early runs," she said. "Plus purple looks amazing on you."

Finally, Maxwell stepped forward holding a small velvet box.

"This is from all three of us," he said, opening it.

Inside were the most delicate earrings I'd ever seen. Silver with pale blue stones that caught the light perfectly. Simple but elegant.

"They're gorgeous," I whispered.

"Let me help," Christopher said, stepping closer.

I brushed my hair aside. His fingers were gentle as he put them on, barely touching my earlobes but somehow making my skin tingle.

"Perfect," he stepped back. "Like they were made for you."

I walked to the mirror and stared at myself. The earrings sparkled by my face, and for once I actually looked... pretty.

"Thank you," I turned back to everyone. "All of you. This is the best birthday I've ever had."

"Birthday's not over yet," Luna Isabella smiled. "We're just getting started."

The rest of the morning flew by. We played games, shared stories, and just talked. Ethan did his impressions that had everyone cracking up. Benjamin actually told us about being scared of the dark as a kid and sleeping with stuffed animals until he was ten.

"You? Scared of the dark?" I stared at him.

"Everyone's got their thing," he shrugged, but I caught him almost smiling.

Alpha Adam shared pack history stories while Delta Griffin told training anecdotes that had us all laughing. The whole room felt warm and alive.

I sat there surrounded by all these people who actually cared about me, feeling something I'd never felt before - like I belonged somewhere.

"You haven't stopped smiling," Layla whispered to me.

I realized she was right. I'd been grinning like an idiot the whole time.

"Thanks, Layla. For making this happen."

"Wasn't just me," she nodded toward the boys. "Especially the one who came up with the idea in the first place."

I followed her gaze and caught Benjamin's eye. He immediately looked away, his ears turning red.

So it was him.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, making everything glow golden. Looking at everyone around me - my friends, my brother, the adults who actually gave a damn - I felt this warmth spreading through my chest.

Maybe sixteen really would be different.

Right in the middle of all this happiness, Layla suddenly froze like she'd remembered something important.

"Oh shit!" She jumped up and rushed over to the five boys, pulling them into a corner for some urgent whispering.

I watched them curiously. Whatever Layla was saying made all their faces go serious, and they started nodding.

"We need to head out for a bit," Maxwell announced suddenly.

"We'll be back soon," Christopher added.

Before I could even ask what was going on, all six of them were rushing toward the door, leaving me sitting there completely confused.