#Chapter 61: Cupcakes Kisses & I Love You’s

What Alex doesn’t know, is that I made him—well, a card, yes—but also a birthday cupcake. Not a full cake, because I don’t know how he would react after his display this morning. But something sweet to show him that I care for him, no matter what. Because it’s true. I can’t just stop loving Alex because I know he’s mated to someone else, anymore than I could stop when I found out he isn’t exactly human. We walk, hands clasped, in silence toward the stream. We both know what’s going on, and what each one of us will have to give up. Even if we haven’t spoken about it. When we enter the clearing, Alex smells his treat before he sees the blanket and the unlit candles. The sky still hasn’t cleared, and the stars and moon are hidden beyond dark clouds that have been threatening rain since yesterday. I can’t see him in the dark, but his scent changes. The tanginess that tinged it is now gone; he smells…clean. “What did you do, Cynthia?” I pull him over to the blanket and sit down, feel