"This is myst chance to spoil my little girl! Dad joked, and the whole tentughed. Martha wore a half-smile, but her eyes were filled with rage.


    My heart warmed at Dad''s gesture. He still remembered my preferences, how much I loved chocte and hated lemon. This is what family means, isn''t it? I snuck a nce at Ryder, whose small smile old me hepletely understood what this moment meant to


    1. me.


    Under Martha''s re, I felt a sense of triumph.


    "Enjoy," Dad kissed my forehead and gave me a hug. Logan cut me a piece and handed it over. We each took a bite, and the room erupted in apuse. Everyone returned to their conversations, and a Logan was about to lead me to the dance floor, someone intercepted us.


    "Happy birthday!" Tatum''s voice made me instinctively step back. Logan immediately pulled me close.


    "Ryder!" I called through our mind link. He didn''t respond, but I could feel his anger.


    I took a deep breath, trying to remainposed. What wasing was inevitable.


    "Thank you. We appreciate your attendance tonight," Logan said with forced friendliness.


    It''s my pleasure. I was hoping to share a dance with you, Ms. Harris.


    I felt Ryder''s arm circle my waist. His touch instantly calmed me.


    "Thank you for the offer. I''ll be having my first dance with my mate, Alpha Ryder, but I''m sure we''ll have a chance to speakter,” I


    said, taking Ryder''s hand.


    "Hmm, yes.” Tatum didn''t seem angry; he dismissed it easily. His gaze lingered on my mark, but as the music started, we walked


    away.


    In the center of the dance floor, Ryder held me tight against him, my arms wrapped around him.


    "I''m going to kill him," Ryder muttered, his eyes scanning the room.


    I pulled his head down to mine, resting our foreheads together. "We y this smart. This is our territory. Now, let''s dance."


    I don''t want anyone to ruin this night, especially someone like Tatum. Tonight belongs to us, only us. My heart beat in rhythm with the music and Ryder''s breathing.


    "Anything for you," Ryder hummed contentedly as my thumb stroked his neck. "You look damn good tonight," I said, fingers twirling his tie to pull him closer. "You look quite delicious yourself."


    "This dress needs to survive the night. I want to wear it again."


    "No promises." Ryder''s hand rested lightly on my hip.


    "Ryder?" Butterflies danced in my stomach. Remembering my conversation with Ama, I decided to make a change.


    "Yes?"


    Chapter 103.


    Looking into his eyes, "I love you," I said as sincerely as possible.


    Three simple words, yet they carried all my feelings. I never thought I''d be


    so dependent on someone, need someone''s presence so much. This feeling came suddenly, yet it felt like destiny.


    His eyes searched mine. His surprise quickly transformed into happiness.


    "You have no idea how much I love you," Ryder ced the sweetest kiss on my lips.


    Suddenly, someone forcefully tapped Ryder''s shoulder. We broke the kiss and turned, Martha stood there with Tatum beside her.


    I felt anger building in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm


    "I told Tatum he could have the first dance with you," Martha stated,


    "That wasn''t your promise to make," I said bluntly. "I''ll dance with himter."


    "You selfish slut, why do you only think about yourself? Think about the pack, think about your father!" Martha''s angry voice came through the mind link.


    "This isn''t your business, I''ll handle it," I snapped back, not bothering to use the mind link.


    "How dare you!" Martha grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away from Ryder.


    Before I could react, Ryder pped Martha''s hand away and pulled me behind him.


    "I suggest you walk away, or you won''t like what happens next," Ryder threatened openly.


    "Martha, you''re making a scene," my father growled, approaching us.


    "I''m sick of this bitch acting like she can do whatever she wants!" Martha''s tone was sharp, her voice rising.


    The music stopped, and everyone''s attention turned to us, some faces even wearing amused smiles.


    I knew my birthday was ruined again. Enough! I''m fucking done with this bitch! It''s


    my fucking birthday, and who does this bitch think she is? She ruins every important asion in my life again and again! I''m really fucking done!


    I''m not sure what took control of me. I just exploded. Red clouded my vision, and I started speaking loudly:


    "I am no longer a member of my father''s pack, and therefore not under your control. I am the Luna of the Boneash Pack! Either ept that and show me the respect I deserve, or get the fuck out of my party, I will not dance with Tatum. Any promises you made to them are hollow and unfounded. You have no authority over me. You''d better back off, or I''ll put you in your ce."


    Ryder gripped my hand tighter than before.


    Logan and everyone I could see had "oh my god" expressions. After a few seconds of silence, Ama started pping.