Wolf Heart

Chapter 19

Planet: Eteran

First Insurgency War

AVA

Her starday rolled around in the blink of an eye.

"Celestials, Falae. I knew you were a city boy, but you're a rich city boy." Yvonne clucked.

Ava grinned at Yvonne's expected reaction to the massive plot of land the Falae manor rested inside of, surrounded by gates, stone walls, and hedges. Katie gasped when they entered the main foyer for the shared starday party. Meryn motioned at the crystal chandelier in excitement.

A glow settled on Rayan's cheeks as he rubbed his hand through his black hair. "Mom and I got all the food ready," he told them. "So, if you want anything to eat, go nuts." He pointed them down the back corridor which led into the kitchen. "We're fully stocked and then some. Dinner is also on the stove."

Jon rolled up his sleeves and broke his tense silence. "Don't mind if I do!"

"Hold your Starcross ball, Jonny." Yvonne grabbed the back of his varsity jacket while Ava helped Katie with the wrapped packages full of gifts. "First off — rude to dine and dash when this is Ranier's starday party? We have to hand out the presents. You're going to make a mess of the spread Rayan so painstakingly set out."

Rayan came over to lift one of the larger presents. "Mom ordered an entire box of volcano chocolate straight from Kestra. I know you like it, so—"

Everyone froze when Yvonne shoved Jon out of the way and disappeared into the kitchen.

Katie sighed. "Mention the word chocolate and Yiv is going to leap straight for it."

Ava turned to Rayan when he prodded his forearm, but her attention dragged to James, who hid in the shadows of the archways without looking at either of them.

"Do you mind if I give you your present later tonight?" Rayan questioned.

"No problem! I can wait."

"If we're talking about presents," Yvonne called from the kitchen corridor. "Open them now. Also, Jon? You won't believe the size of his backyard."

"If it's anything like the size of the front yard you've piqued my interest," Jon said. "How big is it?"

James lifted his head from the shadows. "It's big enough to play Starcross, for scale."

"Yeah!" Jon whooped and it echoed through the manor, then Ava dodged Jon when he latched onto Rayan with an aggressive shake. "We need to play a game today!" He let go of Rayan, who released a small huff at the bouncy nature of the Starcross captain as he rushed straight to the backyard door. "We'll open presents and then play!"

"I don't know what you expected," James joked, then nudged Rayan in the ribs. "Watch yourself. He's going to walk around in spring with a net to catch you to play our frontliner."

Ava broke out into laughter, and she smiled when her brother did, before helping Katie tug the presents onto the back porch. Jon bounded around the yard, on nebula nine when he raced an entire circuit and slid to a stop in front of the steps before tugging a long object out of the pile. "I got this just for you, Jamesy."

James sat in the lounge chair. "What is it? Suspense?"

"Alright, wise guy." Jon pushed the long object into her brother's lap, who unwrapped it. A Starcross netbat rolled against his knees while excitement glittered through Jon's grey eyes. "It's a specially made backliner bat. You're my best backliner! I want us to take the varsity trophy this Quad."

James grinned. "Thanks, Jonny. Handy considering my old one broke the last Quad during the last game."

"The sacrificial save you made won us that game. I wanted to kiss you." Jon grabbed James' face and squished his cheeks. "You're the reason we won that season."