Artem

Yesterday, the day before Star's birthday I had made a massive breakfast because I was in such a good mood. Chay actually yelled at me for going overboard on the wrong day. But I still managed to make my Star the perfect breakfast on her special day. But I didn't expect her to cry when we all surprised her.

Then there was the fact that Chay usurped my hug and then everyone else joined in. I waited until they were done so I could have a hug all to myself. I was so happy that she was not trying to stop me anymore, that she was accepting me and hugging me back. This was the perfect day already, for me at least.

Star had looked a little sad when we all told her we were busy yesterday and that we couldn't do anything with her, so that is probably why she didn't ask about anything today. Instead she just went straight to the library with the others. That was perfect.

With Star hidden away in the library it meant that we could decorate without her seeing us. We even had Toby take lunch to them so they wouldn't come down like usual.

It was taking a while. I wanted to hand paint the sign for her and then there was the food that I was cooking which took more than a few hours to finish off. The guys were there to help with table clothes, place settings, and other decorations. The dining room was only barely decorated, but the sitting room which was just off of the dining room had been done up a lot more elaborately with balloons, streamers, banners, and lots of stars dangling from the ceiling. We had bought way too much confetti as well and it was scattered all over the floor to make it look more festive. We were going to be cleaning it up for a while but I didn't care, Star was worth it.

While her cousins were trying to keep Star occupied for us they had run into a problem. Star had grown suspicious about what was going on and wanted to leave. While Reed tried to stop her, or delay her, I had received a text from Bailey that told me exactly what was going on.

Chay swooped and like a hero to the rescue. She had taken Star back to her room and was giving her a makeover like she had planned. The makeover had involved me stopping what I had been doing to set up a vanity table for Star's room. But it was for my mate and I didn't mind.

While Chay was distracting Star for the rest of the afternoon we were all able to finish our work. The decorations were finished. The food was ready. And everyone was waiting.

Finally, I heard them coming down the stairs. It was almost time for me to see what Star looked like after her makeover session with Chay.

Chay pulled Star into the room and the confetti rained down, just like it did this morning. There was no shout of surprise, there was no need. Star looked shocked enough when she walked in without the words.

Oh and the way she looked. I had seen a picture of Star in the dress when Chay sent the picture to me, but that picture was a pale representation compared to the real thing. And then there was the hair and make up that had been done so beautifully.

Star's eyes were colored with silver and a hint of black. Her cheeks were blushed softly, and her lips were a soft shade of rose. Her whole appearance just screamed beauty.

Then there was her hair. Star usually wore it down, never having had the chance to pull it back when she was younger. But now, Chay had braided the sides and brought them to the back to hang down in soft flowing curls. The sides of her hair, where the braids were, had strands that were brought down from the top to dangle after being curled.

For some reason, when I looked at Star, all I could think about was brides and weddings. Specifically Star as a bride at our wedding. She would make a stunningly beautiful bride if I do say so myself.

Chay took Star's hand again after coming inside and walked her right over to me. I thought it was like a dream come true, the most beautiful woman in the world was walking right toward me. And for a moment, I was like a junior high school boy all flustered when he saw a pretty girl.

"Well, Artemis, I present to you, the guest of honor. May I present to you Miss Astraia 'Star' Westbrook." For a few minutes all I could do was stare at her. I wanted to smile, I wanted to talk to her, but I just felt like a fish out of water, lost and not knowing what to do.

After a few minutes when I did try to talk it didn't exactly go as I planned. I couldn't stop myself from stuttering and stammering.

"Star, you're so, I mean this is, uh, um, y-you look s-so...so...s-so b-beautiful." After my failed attempt at talking Star looked at Chay, who had a mischievous look on her face, and the two of them giggled like two junior high school girls. I guess it fit since I was the junior high school boy here.

"Get it together man." Kent's voice held laughter as he clapped a hand onto my shoulder, he was coming to my aid, or so I thought. "Roll your fucking tongue back into your head and lets sit down for dinner. I'm sure the lovely lady is hungry." He grinned and winked at Star which made my wolf growl inside my head, frustrated.

"Uh, y-yeah, you're right. W-we should s-s-sit down now. Star, may I walk you to your seat?" I grinned and held my hand out to her, hoping she accepted it.

"Dude, it's ten feet." Kent laughed but I just ignored him and continued to smile with my hand still extended.

My world just about imploded when she took my offered hand. Goddess, but I couldn't express how happy I was that she was accepting my advances, little by little.

After that I wrapped my arm around hers, keeping our hands locked together, as I led her the short distance to her seat. After we were all seated I grabbed my wine and held it up, offering a toast to them all on behalf of my mate. I wasn't the only one too, her cousins and Chay joined in as well.

Star seemed to enjoy her dinner as well. Ever since she had gotten over her nerves about whether she should eat or not she had been eating a normal amount for a she wolf. That made me happy as well, she was getting so much more comfortable around us all.