The Human |✔|
Chapter 42

Victoria's pov

"Happy birthday to you!"

Caleb grunted as I landed on him with a thud and wrapped him in a bone crushing hug.

"Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy biiiirrrtthhdaaaaaay! " I repeated as I gave him a huge kiss on his cheek.

"I cant wait for my birthday to come" I heard Luka mumble as he sat on the opposite couch. With a short laugh, I hopped off Caleb and sat beside Luka.

"Thanks Tori" Caleb said with a chuckle. "I'm grateful for all the love toda-"

"Happy birthday uncle Caleb! " He was tackled again by Zoey after she emerged from thin air it seemed.

"Thanks Zozo" He gently kissed her head as she cringed at the nickname.

"I made this for you, but you only get to keep it if you find a new nickname for me"

"No promises there Zozo"

She flashed him a toothless grin nonetheless and handed him a paper that seemed to have a painting on it.

Caleb's laughter immediately stopped as he stared at the picture with surprise, adoration and awe all in one. Ashley, who was beside him, had the same expression as they gaped at the picture.

"Zoey you made this?"

"Yup" She beamed, then her face suddenly changed to hurt. "You-you dont like it?"

"Yes Zoey of course I like it" Caleb gushed as he pulled her in another tight hug. "I love it actually! You're so talented"

"She always had an artistic hand, so I got her all the supplies she needed to grow" This came from Daisy as she entered the living room. "And happy birthday Caleb" She gave him a hug when she sat beside him.

"You didn't make a mistake, and thank you Daisy"

The picture finally passed to me, and I gasped in shock when I saw it. It was a painting of her with Caleb's brown wolf, her hand resting on his nozzle. She even caught his white ears and paws.

Yesterday after our talk with Daisy, we thought it would be good for Zoey to actually see her first wolf since she already knew she too was a werewolf.

Caleb volunteered to shift for her and to my surprise, Zoey was amazed and excited instead of scared. They spent the whole afternoon playing.

She happened to get the perfect picture of them in the backyard. It was as good as a six year old could paint, and even better. It looked like something a twelve year old would do.

She has so much talent.

I handed it to Luka, though he already could see it from beside me. I felt pride welling up in me for my sister as everyone ogled over the painting.

It was finally passed back to Caleb, and he let out a content sigh as he gazed at it again.

"I'm framing this" He announced before disappearing up the stairs.

I giggled and made eye contact with Emma and Ashley. Today was the day we surprise Caleb about Ashley's pregnancy. Luckily he hasn't picked up any of her changes yet.

Ashley told him that we're going shopping for a few hours, but in reality, we're going to the pack house to get all the decorations ready for the big announcement at his party.

We already got our dresses that Emma ordered last week, so all we had to do now was get everything in place. The party would be at the pack house which was more convenient.

The only other persons who know about the pregnancy were Luka and Luka's parents. Luckily, we had the Alpha on our side, so we could do what we had to without any distractions.

Lincoln and Luka would be doing some bro tradition birthday outing that they always do with Caleb, so we were good until 5:00.

"Ready? " I eyed them excitedly.

"As ready as I'll ever be" Ashley clapped her hands eagerly and ran out the door.

"Lets go people!"

***

"I told you she would look hot in that dress!" I gloated to Emma since I was actually right for once. She always won at everything.

"Yea yea you were right. You won this time, but we're still straightening her hair"

I rolled my eyes at her. "Every time we're dressing up to go somewhere you straighten everyone's hair"

"Actually no. Our last girls night out, your hair was curled"

"Yea but if I hadn't already planned-"

"Um guys" Our bickering stopped at the sound of Ashley's voice, and we turned to see what she had to say.

"It's 4:30 and my mate's party starts at five. So I'll do my hair this time, and you guys do yours"

"But Ashley we always do each others hair" I whined, feeling disappointed.

"And we do this all the time. You and Emma fight about keeping my hair curly or straightening it, and it usually ends in thirty minutes. So since we don't have that time, I'll do it today okay? "

"But Ashley-"

"My mate" She gritted. Emma and I immediately shut our mouths at her tone. We knew how important this was so we let it be.

"Can I at least straighten your hair? " Emma asked me with puppy eyes. How could I say no to puppy eyes?

"Only if you let me curl yours "

She cringed at the suggestion and I had to bite my lip so that I didn't laugh. I knew she had nothing against curls, but her hair was always straight and Emma was not the person for change.

In fact, she hated it.

"Come on Em it'll be cute, and we wont have to break tradition"

"You have ten minutes guys" Ashley announced. I knew she was over exaggerating, but it would get us moving.

"Fine, but if I don't like it, you're the one answering to Ashley when I'm late"

I squealed in excitement and sat in the chair so she could straighten mine. Twenty minutes later, we were all dressed, prepped and ready to go.

The new look on Emma was refreshing, and not to mention cute as hell. It suited her more than we thought it would, but we knew she still preferred her naturally straight hair.

Unlike the pack barbecue days, the boys actually waited on us this time. Since it's Caleb's party, his mate on his side would be a good way to enter. Zoey and Daisy were also ready when we entered the living room.

"Well happy birthday to me" Caleb said with smirk when he saw Ashley. He pulled her to him and ate all her lipstick from her mouth. Fortunately, Emma and I thought of it and brought extra.

He rubbed his hand up and down her ass, looking quite ready to ditch the party and rip Ashley's dress off.

"Okay bro" Luka patted his back a little too hard. "Remember there are kids present"

I laughed as I saw Zoey hiding her face in Daisy's dress.

"But damn bro, look at my mate" Caleb drawled as he bit his lip and buried his head in her neck again.

I had to agree with him, she looked stunning. The velvet bodycon wrap dress looked like it was made perfectly for her. She wore gold open toe heels and a gold choker.

Her hair was caught up in a semi formal updo, held together with a gold pin. I had to admit that I was actually surprised that she did it on her own. Since she always just had it loose or in a messy bun, we would've never known she could've done it this nicely.

Finally, her makeup that Caleb practically ate off, was just right and enhanced her beauty.

He brought up his head from her neck and regarded her weirdly.

"You smell kinda different, but in a good way" He mumbled.

My heart raced when he looked like he was racking his mind for answers, but Ashley just smiled casually and shrugged.

"I borrowed Emma's perfume. You know, the one she never uses" She then checked her phone and called to everyone. "We're already late. Come on guys"

I breathed out in relief when he let it go and followed behind her without questioning it.

It's party time!

***

"And many more! "

We cheered as Caleb blew out his '23' candles after our song. I found it so funny that his birthday party was like a ten year old's, but then I remembered that Celeb was a baby at heart.

Luka said that after this part, it would emerge into a more adult-like party. It all didn't matter to me though; it was all fun so far, and Caleb seemed more than happy.

Most of the pack members were out to celebrate their Beta's big day and it was heart warming. Decorations hung from all possible places in the pack house's backyard, and our little surprise display was nicely tucked away where it should be.

Gifts sat on a huge table at the side, and everything seemed to come together so nicely.

Everyone seemed happy so far but little do they know the surprise they're in for. After Caleb and Ashley cut the cake, Ashley snuck off to her position for the surprise.

This was Emma's idea since she's the one who's lived here all her life.

On the Alpha, Beta and Gamma's birthdays, they always got a bunch of 'happy birthday' balloons filled with helium, and they would float them away as a symbol for a long and happy life.

She said it started when they were just kids, but they never stopped even when they outgrew it. But this year had a little tweak to it.

"Where's Ashley? " Caleb frowned as he looked around for her.

"You'll see her soon enough. But for now.. " Luka trailed when he walked up with the balloons.

Caleb's face changed from excited to confused when Luka handed him a bunch of pink and blue balloons and one big gold one.

He turned them around so he could see the writing on them, which only seemed to confuse him even more. The pink ones had 'it's a girl', while the blue ones had 'it's a boy'. The big gold one in the middle had 'congratulations' written on it.

Everyone was quiet, as they too watched curiously and confused.

"What's this? Are these balloons for me? " Caleb asked, breaking a sweat. Deep down he sorta knew, but he just needed confirmation.

As if on cue, Ashley burst through the big birthday banner at the backdoor steps, holding the huge teddy bear I picked up in town.

Gasps echoed throughout the crowd when they put it all together, and Ashley slowly walked up to Caleb with a huge smile on her face.

His expression was priceless. It was like he couldn't comprehend what was happening in that moment.

"No way " I heard him whisper to himself when Ashley stopped in front of him. The bear had a heart in its hand with the words 'Hi dad' written on it.

His eyes popped out of his head as they moved from her face, to her tummy, to the teddy and back again.

Finally he seemed as if he got it, and he let go of the balloons and threw his hands over his mouth, sending them floating in the sky.

That didn't seem to faze him, instead he took a few steady steps towards her. Everyone watched in anticipation as he dropped his hand from his mouth and watched her in adoration.

"Are-are you, is there a baby, pregnant?" She giggled at his jumbled question and held the teddy closer to him.

"Hi dad" She answered sweetly, and finally he seemed to register it all, as his shock was replaced with excitement and love.

He grabbed her a little too hard for my liking, and spun her around as he laughed in joy. I think I even saw a little tears in his eyes.

"I'm gonna be a dad! " He announced proudly to everyone as held her by the waist, though they all got it before he finished registering.

"I love you, I love you, I love you so much" He repeated before his lips captured hers after his declaration, and I made sure I got it all on tape for Ty and for memories.

"And I love you" He mumbled against her belly and placed a kiss on it.

It was such a beautiful moment. You could really see how overjoyed he was about his baby, and everyone present was sharing in on that joy.

Lincoln, who also didn't know, seemed to have just come out of his trance and pulled Caleb into a hug. Not a casual bro hug like what they always do, but a genuine heart felt hug.

"Congrats man! " He cheered. He too looked as if he was about to cry. "I'm gonna be an uncle! "

"Hey but you were already my uncle" Zoey whined from beside me. I guess I'll have to have the 'attention and love' talk with her before the baby comes. I knew how sensitive kids were with this kinda thing.

"I know pumpkin, and I always will be. But we're also really happy about the new baby. Aren't you? " Lincoln asked sweetly.

She pursed her lips and tapped her chin with her index finger before smiling at them. "I guess it's okay. I'm happy for you uncle Caleb and aunty Ashley. I promise to be nice to the baby and teach it how to paint"

"I'd like that very much Zozo. Thank you" Caleb said with a smile. She once again cringed at the nickname, but hugged him anyways.

He received a lot more congrats and happy birthdays from pack members. We didn't even get to transitioning into an adult party. Too many people were too busy giving their love.

The time trickled away quickly and we decided to wrap it up and continue our celebrations at home.

Caleb said his final thank you to the last person who left, then turned around to face us. He watched Luka, Emma and I with a glint in his eyes, and I knew what he was about to say.

"You guys knew, didn't you? " He asked and we nodded with huge grins on our faces.

"Emma and Tori I understand, but Luka? Babe come on" He whined as he turned to Ashley.

"I didn't tell Luka" She defended quickly. "He found the pregnancy test."

"You took a pregnancy test!?"

"Long story" She added, and we shared a laugh at the whole memory. Caleb being Celeb just brushed it off.

"Well it doesn't matter because I really enjoyed finding out this way" He pulled her in for yet another kiss, and I knew I've hit my max for seeing them kiss for one day.

"You know, I'm glad you're human" Luka whispered in my left ear. I turned fully to him and gave him my attention.

"Yea? Why is that? "

"Because, my Angel, I'll know when you're pregnant before you do" I gave him a confused look, which he read quite well. "I'll sense the change in your scent before you even realize that your period is late"

"That's no fun!" I whined. And after I've already planned my own baby surprise for him in my head.

"But it's convenient"

I gave him a deadpanned look. "So why were you so pissed about the pregnancy test?"

"Because I'm stupid" He smirked as I laughed at his statement.

I matched his smirk and pulled him into a hug. "I'll find a way" I whispered in his ear before running off to catch up the others who were heading to the cars.

"Hey" Caleb bumped my shoulder as we walked.

"Hey" I returned the gesture while I smiled at him.

"I knew you were kinda the mastermind behind this whole plan, so thank you"

"You're welcome. Though it was the three of us all together"

"I know. I already thanked Emma, and I have my plans of thanking Ashley later" He gazed off in the distance with a look on his face that made me gag.

"Okaaaayyyy... To much information" He laughed at my expression and pulled me into a side hug.

"But for real, thanks Tori"

"I guess that means you enjoyed your day? " I beamed.

"Best birthday ever"

.

.

.

Happy birthday Caleb! Lol

I thought Caleb deserved something nice, he's been here doing good from the begining of the book.

I hope you like how the baby reveal was done.

Please excuse me if this chapter seemed a bit off, I know more could've been done to make it better.

But someone I knew from I was a toddler died and I was really distracted while writing. And to think, I decided to write to distract myself.

But I guess its just the way it is right? We'll be okay ❤️I'll be back soon!

Mwah. <3

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