Okay, the new (plothole-free, I hope) timeline is built and you get to see Horace's birthday in the Silver Bullets' pub. I was originally thinking of having it summed up by someone's memory (probably Keri's) and posting it in detail as an extra for Christmas or another occasion, but I found a way to tie it in with the rest of the books so rejoice Horace fans: you'll be getting more of him before we return to Keri and Callum!

PS: His other birthday party won't be in this book (sorry; I couldn't find a way to sneak it in!) so maybe that as a one-shot Christmas bonus?

We'll see.

The excitement was palpable in our pub today.

And how could it not?

It was the second of March - Horace's sixteenth birthday.

Everyone was happy that another member of our pack was entering The Age of Recognition and we anxiously awaited the last Silver Bullets to join in, in the hopes of one of the youngsters turning out to be the birthday boy's mate. The chances were slim as most of them had already gathered, but still: there was a chance and there was hope.

Not that it would be a problem if Horace's mate turned out to be from another pack. As a matter of fact, it was highly likely as most of the families here were already related. It reminded me that soon some of the youngsters would have to branch out and form a pack of their own. I'd be sad to see them leave - everyone would - but it had to be done. We were growing too many for our grounds, too many not to attract human attention, and as I pointed out before - to few of us were not related, at least by marriage.

I wondered if Horace would be one of those to leave.

His father and mother would go with him, of course; some of the other parents would too. We couldn't just leave the young ones all on their own, even if they'd be the majority of those who'd branch out.

I took a sip of my beer and turned to Kennedy just as he slung his arm around Horace's shoulders and laughed.

Kennedy would stay, I was sure of that; all of the Flemings would. So would Anthony - he wouldn't leave me, and his Lisa; so would Conrad and his wife - they owned the pub.

Their son Ivan would probably go though, along with his mate Belle Harvey and her sister Mabel. The Bullets would also probably part with the only triplets in the pack - Peter, Damon and Serenity, as well as Peter's mate Linda.

And the adults?

Maybe someone from my Council?

Galen would probably go with them; it was useful to have a doctor around when you founded a new pack.

I was sure that the other Council members would stay here with maybe the exception of Jasper. It would entirely depend on whether Horace went away or not.

I sighed, wondering if the boy would be allowed to choose if he'd leave or not.

"This is supposed to be a happy occasion," my brother nudged my shoulder with his. "What's with the frown?"

"Sorry." I gulped down some more of my beer. "I was just thinking about how Horace has grown, and about the other youngsters, and how they'd have to leave soon."

"I think we don't have to worry about that for another couple of years," he tried to cheer me up. "Besides, Peter would make a wonderful Alpha and I'm sure Galen will tag along to help them."

I smiled. Anthony and I were not twins, but we often thought the same.

"And Horace?" I asked.

"Horace?" He furrowed his eyebrows. "He's not made for a leader, but I don't think that matters; I'm not sure he'd leave. Actually," he directed his gaze to the boy in question who was shyly shaking hands with a well-wisher, "I think he'd prefer to stay. Especially now that he opened up more to his peers."

"Yes, hanging out with Kennedy seems to be beneficial to our birthday boy."

Horace had regained his hand and was delicately slicing up a piece of one of the cakes - we needed way more than one so there would be enough for everyone, while Kennedy - still beside his newest friend, shoved almost a whole piece into his mouth.

"Even though they are very different," I added, watching the two boys. "I also think Horace would like to stick with us, but I'm afraid he might not have the last word in making that decision."

"Trust me: Kennedy is going to cheer him on until Horace puts his foot down and is allowed to stay. His human friends too, if Horace mentions that his father wants to move and that Horace himself doesn't."

"I wish we could've invited Billy." I finished off my bottle and signalled for Conrad to hand me another.

"Yeah, except how would've we explained that?" Anthony pointed to where one toddler was now in wolf form and chewing on a table leg; the kid's mom noticed and picked the pup up in her arms.

"I know, I know. Thanks." The last was directed at Conrad, who nodded and went away to serve someone else.

"What about Jared?" I asked, using the end of a fork to open up my bottle. Usually, Conrad would do that himself, but the pub was packed and even though several Bullets had volunteered to help him, his wife and Ivan, they were still pretty busy.

"What about him?"

"Do you think he'd move with the other young ones?"

"Of course," was my brother's calm reply.

I gaped at him.

"Won't you miss him? He's our cousin."

I wasn't as close to Jared as I was with his older sister Kelly, but I still loved the boy.

"We can't keep the whole family around, you know that. And he'd be happier with his peers."

"Fair point," I muttered, although I was aware I was frowning again.

"It's Horace's birthday and possible recognize-the-mate day; can't we concentrate on that, sis?"

"Fair point," I repeated, this time without the petulance in my voice.

"No sign of her yet?"

"Or him," I added on impulse.

"Oh, boy; won't cousin Jasper be happy about that!"

"About what?" Lisa Greer took the stool next to her husband - what a lucky girl, to find one empty! - and put her tiny, homemade purse on the bar.

"We were just thinking how Jasper would react if Horace's mate turned out to be a guy," Anthony filled her in before kissing his wife's forehead.

"What can I get you?" Ivan joined us, asking the newcomer. She ordered the same as me and her husband and the boy immediately brought her a beer and opened it for her before heading towards the storage room, no doubt to bring out more of the fizzy alcohol.

"I'd rather not think about that." She took a gulp of her beverage before she went on. "How Jasper would react. It's unlikely though, isn't it? Horace hasn't shown any interest in guys before."

"Come to think of it, he hasn't shown any interest in girls either," Anthony commented thoughtfully.

"Anyway, it's obvious he hasn't recognized anyone yet - there's no way it wouldn't show when it comes to that boy - and the only young ones I'm not seeing here are Mira and Jizelle."

"Maybe it won't be someone from our pack," I noted.

"Yeah, we could use some fresh blood," my sister-in-law noted.

"Lisa and I were thinking that if Horace doesn't recognize a Bullet, we should go visit her parents' pack and take him with us," Anthony quickly said, probably to steer my thoughts away from fresh blood that can be found on new grounds... After some of us branch out.

"Everett's Lisa was thinking of doing the same: visiting relatives with Everett and Ollie and taking Horace with them, in case his mate was from The Red Wolves."

"And I'm sure other Bullet members who have connections to other packs will do the same, just like they did for Damon and Serenity." Lisa smiled.

"Not that it helped," Anthony put in.

"Well, no," his wife began, "but... Oh, look! They are here!"

She pointed towards the front door where we saw the last of the guests - Mira and Jizelle, who were making their way towards the birthday boy, carrying a large present, wrapped in multi-colored, bright paper. My brother, sister-in-law and I held our breaths - I think everyone in the pub did - as we watched Horace take the present and thank the girls. Each of them gave him a hug that he returned with a shy smile and... Nothing else.

No surprise, no excitement, no relief - nothing to show that he'd recognized one of them as his mate.

The pub filled with sighs before the noise switched to chatter again.

"Well, I guess I better call my parents and arrange a visit," Lisa said as she slid off the stool and headed outside to make her call.

I grinned.

Everything was going according to plan.

Horace's birthday had been yesterday - on Thursday, but since that was a school day, we'd agreed to hold his surprise party this Sunday.

All throughout Thursday, I've been looking for signs that he'd recognized his mate - first at school, then on the way home and finally amongst our pack.

No such luck. I guessed he hadn't met them yet.

Several Bullets had offered to take him to other packs where they had friends and family so it seemed that Horace would be travelling a lot in the next few months. I kept my fingers crossed that he'd find an awesome mate soon.

Before that though: the party!

I couldn't wait to see his face when...

Someone gripped my arm from behind - their hold on me painfully tight - and spun me to face them. I was prepared to shove whoever it was away, but froze at his panicked gaze, his face unhealthy and pale - a stark contrast to its usual complexion.

"Help me," Horace whispered helplessly.

What do you think has gotten Horace so freaked out?

Do you think it's something that has to do with his mate, his father or both?

Do you think Horace is going to leave the Silver Bullets when the youngsters branch out?

What about Kennedy?

Please give this chapter a VOTE and have fun wattpadding!

PS: Since there are a lot of names here and some of them are not often mentioned, here's a reminder of who is who:

The Greer Family

Keri; her brother Anthony, his wife Lisa (born Good; not to be confused with her best friend Lisa Flemings, a.k.a. Everett's wife)

The Owens Family

Jasper, his wife Jada (born Franklin), their son Horace; Kelly (now Smith); Jared (younger brother of Jasper and Kelly)

Youngsters

- the triplets, starting with the eldest: Peter, Damon, Serenity (no last name yet)

- Linda (no last name yet; Peter's mate)

- the Harvey sisters: Mabel (May for short; mate of Jared Owens) and Belle (mate of Ivan Kurt)

- Ivan Kurt (the pub owner's son)

Other Adults

- Conrad Curt (pub owner; Ivan's father)

- Galen Hardy (Council member; doctor)

And a little extra info...

Adults who were originally from other packs, but married into the Bullets:

- Lisa Flemings (originally from the Red Wolves pack in nearby Redburg)

- Lisa Greer (name of original pack not mentioned)

- Steven Smith (Kelly's husband; name of original pack not mentioned)

Non-(pureblood)shifter members of the Silver Bullets:

- Riley Rivers (human)

- Galen Hardy (half-human, half-shifter)

No, Alec is not a member.