I froze mid-step, my hand gripping the banister so tightly my knuckles turned white. There, standing among my birthday guests with a champagne flute in his hand, was Rhys Knight.
The room seemed to shrink around me. Four years of carefully constructed walls threatened to crumble at the mere sight of him. He looked devastatingly handsome in a tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. His dark hair was styled back from his face, highlighting those intense eyes that had once reduced me to nothing.
"Surprise!" Mom appeared at my side, beaming. "Do you love it? Everyone important is here!"
"Mom," I whispered through clenched teeth. "What is he doing here?"
She followed my gaze and her smile faltered slightly. "Head Alpha Marcus and Luna Cassandra insisted on coming to wish you well. It would have been impolite to invite them without their son."
