The Defiant Claim - The Claim: Book 2 [LGBTQ+]

Sam spent the night brainstorming ideas for Mik’s surprise birthday party—for it would have to be a surprise. There was no way Mik would agree to it otherwise. Sam wanted him to feel special on his birthday, as everyone should. Just because Mik had a rough upbringing was no excuse why he couldn’t celebrate his birthday.

Neither he nor Mik were tired, having slept comfortably most of the day after releasing their emotions and Sam’s secret. The stress they had put themselves under the last couple of weeks must have caught up to them. They spent a quiet night around the woodburning stove. Mik told him in detail what happened while Sam had been sleeping. It was still hard for Sam to believe the changes in Mik, but Mik didn’t complain about his physical therapy or changing his diapers and bathing him. Mik even set a timer on Sam’s phone so that they never missed a session. He dropped whatever he was doing, like cleaning the dishes, and made sure he moved Sam’s limbs.

If that wasn’t dedication to Sam and his recovery, he didn’t know what was.

They took turns reading a book together and right before dawn, they cuddled and took a nap.

Before falling asleep, Sam asked, “If you could have one thing for your birthday, what would it be?”

“You, Sam,” he rumbled, half asleep. “Just you.”

In the morning, once Sam was sure everyone was awake, he put his plan into action.

While Mik was outside clearing the snow from the steps and path, Sam used all his strength to reach out for his phone on the bedside table next to his head and, using voice command, called Luna. Together they quickly formed a birthday party for Mik on the twenty-sixth. He was giddy with excitement after hanging up and he only had a few minutes to get his emotions under control before Mik returned. It was hard to hide from Mik and when he inquired, Sam tried to pretend that he was excited about the snow and said he couldn’t wait to shift.

As the next two days passed and the twenty-sixth rolled around, Dr. Waaban called to let Sam know that everything was set up and that he’d send Cameron over shortly to get them. They made it sound like they were taking Sam’s physical therapy to the next level, using equipment found at the pack house. Mik nodded his head in understanding and didn’t question it despite the snow that had accumulated from the storm. It was waist-deep so Mik dug a path twenty feet from the cabin before it ended.

Cameron arrived in wolf-form, pulling a long sled to load Sam and his wheelchair on. He greeted Sam with a lick to his face before Mik scowled and pulled Sam’s scarf over his nose.

Once Sam was securely fastened to the sled with his wheelchair and a duffel bag of clothes for Mik to change into, Mik shifted into his wolf and trotted behind the sled that Cameron pulled through the snow.

When they had arrived, Mik was confused as to why they went to the opposite end of the pack house, away from the infirmary.

Alpha opened the door for them to enter and grabbed Mik’s bag so he and Cameron could shift and change inside the warm building. “There’s not enough room for the equipment in the infirmary. We keep it in another room,” Sam heard Alpha tell him before slipping out to bring Sam in.

“Is it all set?” Sam asked, his excitement bubbling over.

Alpha gave him a broad smile. “Yes. Everyone is up there waiting.”

He picked Sam up into his arms and carried him in while Cameron held the door open for them. Mik was dressed and fumbling with his shoelaces so Cameron ran out to bring the wheelchair in. Setting the chair inside, Cameron told Mik to take it and he’d put the sled away.

Grabbing the folded wheelchair, Mik followed Alpha up the stairs. At the top, Alpha told him to set the chair down and he helped take off Sam’s winter clothing and buckle him in place.

Sam couldn’t stop himself from grinning. Mik was staring at him and giving him confused looks but said nothing in front of Alpha.

He didn’t suspect a thing and it made Sam even giddier.

They followed Alpha down the hallway until he paused outside a set of double doors. He turned and flashed them a crooked smile—clearly amused and half trying to hide it. Pushing through the doors, Alpha slipped inside and held one open for them.

Clenching his hands together in his lap, Sam braced himself as Mik rolled him in and the lights flicked on.

A chorus of shouted, “Surprise! Happy Birthday!” resounded as people jumped out from behind furniture.

Mik stopped dead in his tracks and Sam craned his neck to see him looking around in puzzlement.

“It’s not your birthday, is it?” the dumbass asked as he looked down at Sam.

He was so confused, Sam couldn’t help but laugh. “No! It’s a birthday party for you!”

Mik stepped back as he looked around them again at everyone gathered and approaching to greet them. He looked... terrified, almost.

“I called Luna while you were out shoveling snow after the storm and she set everything up,” Sam told him.

“But... why?”

“Because everyone deserves to celebrate their birthday, even if it is only between two people. You said you didn’t remember having one before—how could I not throw you one?”

“But... I...” Mik stammered but Alpha clapped him on the shoulder making him flinch.

“Sam’s right. Relax. You know almost everyone here and they all want to wish you a happy birthday,” Alpha whispered before he stepped away.

“Hey, tough-guy!” Eloise was the first to greet him, her mate at her side. “Look at you! Don’t think I’ve ever seen you shit yourself, but there’s a first for everything. Happy Birthday!”

“Eloise!” Sam cried out, making her throw her head back and laugh.

“I’m sorry, darling, but the look on his face was priceless. I had to heckle him. It’s what I do.”

Her husband shook his head in amusement next to her. “She’s right. She has a twisted sense of humor, and I love her for it. I think Mik can handle himself, though, doncha, Mik?”

Sam shook his head, a grin playing on his lips as Eloise’s husband introduced himself to Mik and wished him a happy birthday as well. Mik looked unamused but bit back his thoughts.

Dr. Waaban greeted them and said that Heather sent her wishes but was on bed rest now for the remainder of her pregnancy. Sam’s heart fell, knowing that he should have been working at the infirmary now in her place. Seeing his downcast face, Dr. Waaban gave Sam a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. The position is still yours if you want it. We’re waiting on your recovery.”

Sam nodded. “Thanks. I’m trying. Mik’s been a great help.”

He looked up to see a hint of a blush on Mik’s cheeks and he looked at the floor, avoiding eye contact with the doctor with his neck bent in submission. Mik thanked him and Sam felt the urge to clasp his hand and give it a squeeze but didn’t have the strength.

He hung his head, feeling self-conscience when a male he recognized as the barber—Oshki, he thought his name was—approached next with a buff warrior next to him.

“Happy Birthday, Mik. Eloise invited me. Said she thought you could use a friend you could relate to.” Oshki smiled at Sam and introduced himself and his mate, catching even Sam by surprise.

“I didn’t know you had a male mate!” Sam couldn’t help but stare at the barber and his intimidating mate. He looked like a bulldozer that could trample anyone who crossed his path.

Oshki beamed with pride at his silent and expressionless mate before meeting Sam’s gaze. “Oh yes! We may have more in common than you think. We’ll have to go on a double-date sometime—wouldn’t that be fun?”

A broad smile spread across Sam’s face. “I’d like that.”

Luna greeted them next with her nine-year-old pup, Animkii, in tow. A glow radiated her face and it brought tears to Sam’s eyes to see her happy and healthy-looking after the rough patch she had with her pregnancy. Alpha stepped up next to them and wrapped an arm around Luna’s waist.

“Happy Birthday, Mik,” she said. “You’re both looking well and I’m glad to see you two are coming into your own now. You’ve had a rough start, but things seem better. I hope they can only get better from here on.”

Sam blinked back his tears as her smile met his. “Thanks for putting this together for me, Luna. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Of course. I couldn’t let Mik’s special day go without celebration—even if we did miss it. I put it into my calendar now so we’ll never miss it again.”

Mik thanked her softly with a bowed head. An odor lingered around him that Sam couldn’t place. He’d never smelled that on Mik before.

As Alpha and Luna stepped aside, Sam didn’t get a chance to ask Mik what was wrong before Cameron stepped up with his mate, Olivia, and their four-year-old pup, Chloe. Chloe smiled shyly and gave her birthday greeting before scampering off somewhere. Olivia gave them a nervous smile with her hand on the small bump of her stomach. Cameron grinned next to her with his arm around her. They wished Mik a happy birthday before Olivia’s stomach growled loudly.

Cameron laughed as Olivia’s pale complexion turned almost as red as her hair and pulled her into his arms. He turned to Mik over Olivia’s shoulder. “What do ya say, birthday boy? Shall we all eat while the food is hot and these pregnant females can find relief? Their stomachs have been growling non-stop since they got here.”

Sam looked up over his shoulder to catch Mik’s nod of approval. All eyes were on him but he didn’t budge.

“Go on, Mik. Everyone’s waiting for you to start,” Luna Aki said next to a long table loaded with more food than the baker’s dozen gathered.

Mik pushed Sam to the end of the table stacked with paper plates and plastic utensils. Sam watched Mik’s eyes linger over the spread of food and the unusual scent he picked up earlier grew stronger and he realized that Mik was sweating with nervousness.

To ease his nervousness, Sam thought maybe explaining how these get-togethers worked would relax him a bit. He told him that the birthday boy (or girl) had the first serving and everyone had to line up behind him. He could help himself to anything on the table and eat as much as he pleased. No one was permitted to eat until he had taken the first bite. All the food was made by everyone present and they had kindly labeled every dish and who made it so he knew what was in it. This wasn’t normally done, but Sam asked for it since he thought there would be lots of new food for Mik to choose from and might want to know the names of the ones he liked best. He also asked that everyone include the recipes for each dish in their gifts, but he didn’t tell Mik that. He’d find out later.

“What should I try?” Mik mumbled, picking up a plate and utensils.

“Whatever you want. Try a scoop of everything and have more of the ones you like when you go back for seconds.”

Grunting in acknowledgment, Mik slowly pushed him forward as he made his way across the table, scooping out a little bit of everything before setting the plate on Sam’s lap and pushing him to a chair by the window. Sitting on the edge of it with Sam directly before him, Sam took this moment to study him as he scooped some scalloped potatoes onto a spoon. His posture was downcast. The muscles in his face were likewise pulled down—not quite in a frown, but in a toned-down blank expression. There was a slight tremor of his hands as he held the plate and he gripped the spoon tightly between his fingers before lifting the end of it to Sam’s mouth.

Sam saw it in his eyes trained on his lips. Mik was conflicted and trying to hide it.

Why?

“You eat first,” Sam whispered.

“You always eat first, Sam. Always,” Mik muttered.

Sam gave his head a light shake. “Not today. I want you to take the first bite today.”

“Please.” Mik’s eyes flicked up to meet Sam’s.

“Today’s about you, not me.”

The trembling in Mik’s hand increased. “I didn’t ask for this.”

“I didn’t ask or tell you to always feed me first, you just did it,” Sam said. “This time, everything is about you. You come first. I want you to take the first bite.”

Seeing that Sam wouldn’t give in, Mik closed his eyes. His Adam’s apple struggled to bob up and down before he opened them again and ate the food on the spoon. He avoided meeting Sam’s gaze as he scooped up more food and lifted it to Sam’s lips.

All eyes were on them now but no one uttered a word. After their first bites were taken, the gazes turned away and a light chatter started up. Discussion about the food arose along with what they did for Christmas. Chloe was especially ecstatic to talk about what she had done for Christmas with Animkii calmly putting his two cents in as well.

Mik continued to feed Sam, his attention focused on him and the task at hand. He didn’t eat another bite, which made Sam sad. He wanted to share with Mik, the way mates did. His eyes drifted around them, seeing the other mates sharing food from the same plates, laughing, and chatting together. He tried to prompt Mik to eat, but Mik declined.

When Mik scraped the plate clean, he asked if Sam wanted more. Sam shook his head, stuffed to the brim.

Mik was still avoiding meeting Sam’s gaze. He still seemed on edge. His eyes intermittently swept over everyone in the room before looking down again.

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked in a whisper.

Mik’s eyes met his in a brief glance before looking away. “Where’s the bathroom?”

Frowning, Sam turned his head toward the doorway that ran along the wall where the table was set up. He jutted his chin toward it. “Over there. Behind the table. You okay?”

Without answering, Mik rose from his chair and threw out the paper plate on his way to the washroom.