Purple and orange were dominating the vast skies as the sun hit its lowest. The colors painted the sky beautifully that it looks like it was made by a renowned painter. Like a beautiful canvas of the sunset one might covet to have. The golden leaves scattered all over the ground with the fall season at its peak.
The fairy lights hanging on the trees around the pack house made it more enchanting. The perfect table sets arranged around the bonfire complete the ambience.
Looking from left to right, everyone was busy but all smiles. They were all holding pots or plates of food going to the back yard of the pack house where there's a vast area intended for celebrations and parties. I, myself, has a tray full of ube muffins and going the same way as everyone. It's still hot and fresh since I've just got them out of the oven after fetching Helen. The party's about to start.
"That smells good and unusual at the same time. What are those?" It was Craig. He's been following me around. According to him, the other kids he knew before were already mated and busy with their small ones. He don't want to intrude and made the mated males uneasy. Though, those people said otherwise and would love to spend some time with him. Maybe, he's overwhelmed so he's sticking to me.
Craig was a babysitter before and I'm one of those kids. They usually let one or two teens babysit a group of kids as the adults go about their day. Actually, Craig's favourite kid back then was Sally. Which was obvious because Sally was a bubbly but behave kid. A walking Santa even then when she always brought packs and boxes of candies with her to be feasted on by everyone. Another thing is, Sally and Craig were like from the same cell. They both love having fun. So, it was a shocker when Craig rebelled years ago. Being love and attention depraved really does a number on someone's thoughts.
It was too bad Sally wasn't here. She was still enjoying her honeymoon. If they were just here yesterday night they would've witness the emotional reunion between the Alpha, Luna and Craig.
You see, since the day Craig left the pack he didn't even visit home. So, it was understandable that it was a reunion full of emotions. Everyone in the pack, including me, were teary-eyed from the scene. The Luna was sobbing her heart out and the Alpha was sniffing. Trying his utmost best to not bawled in front of his pack.
It was not even a badass surprise. The pack was about to have a dinner when he just barged in and the room was filled with gasps and croaks.
It was a little awkward for me to have the visitors witnessed such emotional moment from our pack but then Atlas and Luke were polite enough to exit the place along with their plates.
Sum to say, it was emotional and full of happiness at the end. After all, Craig was to be the next Alpha of the pack. He was forgiven by the whole pack years ago. It was a beautiful moment then.
What snapped everyone from their emotional stupor was when Regina slapped Craig on the back, not gently might I add, and went out ranting about how he was such a dick for not visiting regularly. Everyone ended with stitches that night.
"These are ube muffins. I've found the recipe on the internet." I replied to Craig's question. He open the tray cover and took one. With one big bite, he devoured the whole muffin. I avidly looked at his expression. I baked the muffin and wanted to find out if it tasted fine. He hums in approval and was about to take another one when I pull the tray out of his reach.
"Nah uh, you gotta wait for the party to start." he brisk walk after me as I run for the table laden with foods ahead. Of course, I was careful enough not to let the muffins fall.
"You're still a fun killer! It's just one more muffin!" he yelled after me earning a few chuckles from the other pack members. I smirked back at him successfully placing the tray where Regina was standing guard. He knows he won't be able to stole any if the old woman was there.
"Sneaky, bitch," he mouthed at me and again I smirked back at him with my hands akimbo. "A beautiful bitch, she is." said Angel, one of humans mated to one of the pack members. He is a beautiful Mexican of old age mated to Adelaide. He brought a plate of lasagna with him handing it to Regina.
I send him a cheeky flying kiss and he caught it in his hearts direction. I giggled in silliness. Pack celebrations always make me fluttery. The reason everyone's here to just party, mingle and relax will never fail to make me happy.
"Oh my, what a lovely man. Do you think Adelaide will kill me if I keep him for myself?" Helen said out of nowhere with a glass of some wine in her left hand. On her side is Adelaide with a serious look. Don't be fooled though, Adelaide always had this mean and scary look but she's such a softie.
"Find your own, Helen. I can hook you with some of the widowed weres here, if you like." Adelaide whispered Helen's way and the latter nodded. They both went off again. Angel on the other hand, had a hand clasped on his chest. "She didn't even greet me, that bitch," he pouted and went after the two.
If humans would hear such name calling, they would be horrified but for us werewolves it's a common noun for female weres. There's nothing offending to it.
"Get your hands up where I can see them Craig." that got my attention.
"Oh common Reggie, just one." he pleaded and reached for the muffins I baked. He got his hand smacked. Craig looked at Regina offended. "You all are bullies! You don't smack a surgeon's hands," he dramatically did an about face and marched off.
"That sneaky brat!" Regina hissed when we both saw a wrapped sandwich tucked inside one of his back pockets. He was able to stole one from the table. I burst out laughing. My insides were hurting from laughing too much that I've doubled over.
"Mavy!" and that did it. I lost my balance and fell on the grass, shocked. Laughs suspended in mid-action. Who wouldn't when you've someone jumped at you out of nowhere?
"My love what the heck?! What if you've hurt yourself?" that concerned and familiar voice me got grinning so bad that it hurt. They're back!
"Oh my god, you stink get off of me," my nose scrunched in disgust as my sense of smell was attack with her perfume full force. Did she bathe in it? The silly woman didn't even let off and squeeze the hell out of me.
"Don't care. I miss you so, so much!" and I was peppered with kisses all over my face. I shrieked in happiness and aversion.
"I know, I missed you too but Chris get your wife off of me!" The soft grass beneath me won't cushion my simple dress from the dirt. I don't want to look like I've been mauled by a bear the entire time of the party.
"Yes Ma'am," It was answered with a salute and he literally pried Sally off of me. We've gathered a small crowd and I felt one particular gaze that causes tingles running up my form.
"Oh sweetie, how wonderful that you two made it." That soothing voice of Luna Eva caused Sally to be successfully pried off me. Sally kisses Luna on the cheeks and hugs her. Alpha Cedric was the next victim when she tried with all her might to hug the Alpha to death with her skinny arms. Chris just chuckles at the antics of her wife.
Alpha Cedric returned the gesture murmuring thanks to Sally's birthday greeting. I carefully moved away from the crowd to get some of the tacos on the table. Regina was currently squished in Chris's arms while the old woman struggles to decapitate him. It was a futile attempt.
Now, I can steal some of the food and get away from the gaze drilling a hole into me. I was able to sneak a taco when a huge hand grabbed my wrist. I stiffened.
"Regina, caught a thief!" that bellowing voice of caught everyone's attention. Goddess heavens, I've had enough attention for tonight. I pulled my wrist from him but he took the taco first before letting me go. I looked at him appalled. Did he just take the taco?
A pair of gasps.
"Craig?" the disbelief in Chris's voice was clear-cut followed by Sally's squeal. "Why did no one told me about this?!" she shrilled and Chris was just about to held her down from her excitement but it was too late. The woman was off sprinting in Craig's direction.
Craig was grinning at the two shocked faces across him. He gracefully caught the flying woman and I swiftly saved the flying taco.
"I can't believe you guys are married already," I was just munching the taco this time while watching the scene unfold. The crowd slowly dispersed while both Luna and Alpha proceeded to start the party. The other pack members were making rounds greeting the Alpha and some were busy with the grilling. The kids and the teens were around the bonfire roasting their s'mores.
"You were gone too long that's why." Chris said while clinging on Craig's right arm. Sally was on the other arm with her head leaning on him. It was hilarious.
"Well, I'm a surgeon so I really can't just dropped by and go when it's a country away." he shrugged repeatedly. He was trying to removed the arms clinging to him.
"Good luck with that," I grinned when the two won't even budge. There's no other people who can beat a real kid's childishness besides these two.
"I've been hearing that word all day and it's music to my ears," I was spook by that sniggering voice of Amalia when she appeared out of nowhere. She took a tray of chocolates and sashayed back towards the bonfire.
I shake my head in a smile. Of course it'll be music to her ears. Craig was going to stay for good and that means Amalia will have someone to share the burden of tending the packs well-being. Craig will have a lot on his plate.
"I'm also taking this one and this one," Kate's graceful movements caught me by surprise that rest of the taco I was holding just went straight to the grass. She also appeared out of nowhere. "Damn it," I muttered and look at the poor taco. Kate took three bottles of wine and went her merry way.
A couple of snickers reached my ears and I found Craig and Chris laughing at my poor taco. I rolled my eyes at them and pivot away from them.
"That's it, I'm done." I dramatically snipped at them and marched out of the yard. They let me off still chatting with each other without Craig noticing that I've noticed him staring at Kate's butt. Typical mutt.
I slipped out of the party undetected. It was truly crowded with werewolves and humans in attendance. They were the humans close to the pack and maintained a harmonious existence with them.
I was almost near the path to the woods when I felt someone creeping from my back. I side-step and throw my arms to caught them off-guard. The person cuddled their own hands protectively. Craig? How the hell did he escaped from the clutches of those two newcomers?
"What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed at him. Glad that this time I wasn't caught unaware. Craig gave me a funny look. He was scratching the back of his head now while looking around the darkened path.
"I thought I just saw someone," he grinned sheepishly and my eyes squinted at what he said. Suspicious. I decided to caught him off-guard more.
"I saw you ogling Kate's butt, you perv." I snide at him, obviously suspicious. Craig throw his hands up in defense. I can clearly see the wheels working in his brain.
"Well, she got a sweet behind?" the awkwardness in his tone got me thinking. Is it possible? Well, if it is then he need to find Kate.
"Is she your mate?" I asked him straight in his face without flinching at all. Craig's jaw unhinged. Speechless and floundering. It was the total opposite of his annoying and laid-back personality.
"I..." he stammered. I crossed my arms and smirked at him stammering over it. He was trying his best to formulate some thoughts. The cold breeze blew past me as I waited. "I don't know yet. I'm just getting this pull," he said exasperated at my expression and walked out. I guffawed.
That was interesting.