Pin-drop silence.
That's what happened after I rained the man's shirt with the beer in my mouth. I lift my head and found the face of the man I accidentally spurted my drink onto. There was disbelief in his rather gorgeous face. He was alternately looking at my face and his dark blue shirt.
"That was an accident!" I exclaimed, dismayed with myself. "Shit, I'm so sorry!" I jumped down from the tall chair I am sitting on and dusted his shirt. I was so frantic that I did not catch the man's reddening ears. Desperate to correct my mistake, I wipe his shirt with my hand as if it would help.
"Ah, Mavis?" the chuckle grabbed my attention, and find Luke snickering happily. What is he laughing at now?
"You better stop sexually harassing the man, you unfaithful woman," I turned to the other side and glared at Kalix with his hands crossed over his chest. His squinting eyes made me stop my action. I lift my hand up away from the chest of the man I'm currently fussing over.
"I am not harassing him," I burst out in chagrin. Kalix just raises his left eyebrow at me. Well, tried to, as Luke's crisp guffaws filled the air. I lightly smacked Kalix's shoulder, but the suspicious look he was giving me did not budge.
"You look so ridiculous with your hand up," Luke wheezed, and I started to find the hilarity of the situation. Yup, a woman in a sling harassed a six-foot-tall man in broad daylight. I sneak a peek at the man, and I was mortified to see that he was blushing. What the hell.
Now, it looks like I am indeed harassing him when it's not. This man is the same man who comforted me last night. I'm fucking ashamed of myself.
"Why are you blushing?! Stop blushing for goddess sake!" I exclaimed, and the man covered his face with his big hands. It looks like I bullied the damn man, for real. I looked around, and Kalix was still squinting his eyes with Luke almost rolling on the floor, laughing his heart out.
"Uh, what do we have here? Dion? Are you not part of the Northern patrol today?" that familiar voice seems like the heavens descended down for my rescue. I moved to Vienna's side, slightly hiding my embarrassing existence. Vienna frowned at my action and glared at the men in the room.
"Are they bothering you?" she asked, looking at the men one by one. She glances back at me, then the men, again. The men seem to be harmless. She turned to me, "Okay, what did you do?" Now she's suspicious of me too, I cried out in frustration.
"I did nothing. Well, I might have spilled on that man's shirt. He startled me. I don't know why he's blushing." I reasoned out, and Vienna smirked at me. She glances at the man who is still blushing to the roots.
"Well, Dion is shy around women, Mavis. He got used to us because we have lived with him for a long time. Throw a stranger woman at him, and he would faint," she shrugs.
"Vienna," the man named Dion shyly berated Vienna.
"See what I mean?" she shrugs again, gesturing at the red-faced man.
I couldn't believe it was the same man I cried to last night. It was a great thing that he didn't faint when I all but took his time yesterday.
Luke was still recovering from his fits of laughter while Kalix pouted. It's me against all odds at the moment. I squinted my eyes at them and straightened my shoulders. "You all need to be ready for comebacks. Stop treading on thin ice." I huffed at them.
Another bout of snickers from them, Vienna even joined. I rolled my eyes and walked closer to the man named Dion. The big man took a step back. Is this really the same man I vent to last night?
"Sorry about your shirt again. Don't sneak on people like that so you wouldn't end up that way," I grinned at him with a warning. It's not like I'm going to attack him, just a little warning would be good. Dion nodded and turned to Vienna.
"I've changed shift with Oliver," Dion answered Vienna's question.
"Do you want to tag along?" I turned to Kalix when I remembered Luke's plans. "We are gonna visit the falls after I get my coat."
"Of course, count me in. I'm all for fun." Kalix chimes.
"We can go now, Mavis. Let's get your coat after." And right away, Luke took a cooler from one somewhere and filled it with drinks.
Dion and Kalix shadowed him and filled a big basket to the brim. Vienna and I shared a look and shrugged. I grabbed a small bag and packed some junk food in it. Vienna took a box of beer out of a cabinet,
In no time, we are ready to leave for the falls. I have learned that they call the falls, Evergreen. We return to our rooms to pack some necessities before leaving. If what Luke said was true, that Evergreen's lukewarm, all year round, I might take a dip. I did not exactly bring swimwear with me, but maybe one of the tube tops would do. Also, with my hand still in a sling, I wouldn't be able to swim. Dipping doesn't sound so bad, though.
I opened my door and found Kalix about to knock on my door. He even jumps in the air a little in surprise. "You," he glared at me with his hand on his chest.
"Let's go" I laughed at his surprised face, and he followed me. I am kind of familiar with the hallway on the way to the kitchen now.
"Do you want to date Dion? It'll break my heart, but I'll support you," the sudden suggestion sends me reeling. What the heck is he talking about? Kalix's face was serious, though. He is acting like he wanted to date me a day ago, and now he is suggesting I date that shy man? What is the catch here? This is nonsense.
"Stop spouting nonsense, dumbass," I squinted at him. The man shrugged, and the serious face was replaced with a charming smile now. I shake my head in disbelief. This man can be two-faced if he wants to, easily.
I walked ahead of him and saunters straight to the kitchen. Everyone was already there. We all grabbed the things we prepared earlier. We all look like we are gearing for a summer picnic with our outfits, except for Luke who's wearing a thick sweater. It is winter season, after all.
We all walk together, chattering about the weather. When we reach the landing of the fancy staircase leading to the massive main door, there is a small crowd. You can notice picnic the baskets with them at first glance. My mouth opened in surprise. Right, this is a pack. Everyone usually tags along when it comes to gatherings or picnics.
Also, I did not notice that Kalix's arm was around my shoulder. This sneaky dummy.
I let him be, and my eyes roam the crowd. I saw Dillion and Nana in them. I scamper my way in the direction of the duo. Both of them looked my way and gave me a kind smile. With me being away from a pack and no one close enough to talk to, these two people made me feel at home.
Yes, I text and call Sally and everyone back at the pack. They had been bombarding my phone with messages and calls yesterday, but nothing could beat being physically personal. Ever.
"Nana, you're going with us?" I asked the moment I reached them. The kind old seer gave me a nod, and I smiled. Dillion timidly nods at me too.
"Are we going by foot?" someone asked from the crowd, and my attention went to the person asking. She is a pretty, human woman. She was asking no one in particular, but we shared the same thought.
"Of course, don't worry. I got you, Baby." Said the male wolf beside him. How sweet, only if I did not notice a person discreetly glaring at the couple. It was Arabella.
"It's only a half-hour trek from here. We can all walk, and it would be fun that way." It was Luke, and everyone nodded their reply. It is no problem with me.
"If anyone's tired, just say so. I'll give y'all a lift with my guns," that ridiculous statement came from a tall, bald man with bulging muscles. I didn't notice him among the crowd yesterday, and if he was there, he would tower over Atlas by afoot. He is like the hulk in real life. He is kind of funny too.
"I'll sure take you on that offer, Pablo," that was Luke. He gets along with the pack just fine. How do you compete with that?
"My honor," the man said, giving his muscle a peck. I chuckled. The action caught the man's attention, and he winked at me.
"Of course, for Miss Mavis too," he added and laughed out loud. Kalix squints his eyes at the huge man and gathers me in his arms. Kalix is the male version of Sally, dramatic as hell.
"Off-limits, I'm giving her to Dion," Kalix stated, and I elbowed the hell out of him. The heck is this guy talking about? Everyone looks at me and Dion whose sputtering on the side. Kalix doubled over in pain and glared at me.
"Don't mind him," I awkwardly smiled at the crowd. My ticking veins could be seen on my neck as I gritted my jaw. This idiot is determined to humiliate me. Luke shook his head in amusement and ushered the crowd out to start the trek.
"The offers stands, Miss." Pablo grins and bows before he follows the throng.
I faced Kalix who's gripping his sides. "That's dangerous. That elbow is an illegal murder weapon. The State should amend their shitty--" I glared at him, and he shut up. "Fun killer," I heard him mutter, before marching after the group. Luke beckons at me, and I walk towards them. I hope that today is a good day.
~
The group reached Evergreen without any problems. Humans and werewolves were enjoying a lovely chat as the bright sky glimmered above. It is a good thing that the weather chooses to smile today instead of crying.
I have noticed that along the way, the number of people was increasing. From the measly number of ten, we have reached more than twenty from my initial count. I glanced back and found Nana and Dillion hanging back, with Kalix. They look seriously deep in conversation. They are the last people on the back, and because of the chatters all-around me, no one can exactly make out anything. Everything sounds like a buzz to the ears besides the person you are actually talking to.
Since Kalix was with Nana and Dillion, I had no one with me. Vienna was pulled earlier by one of the females in the pack. Luke is busy talking to someone on his phone far ahead of the group. It is a little weird to see him talking to someone since we don't use the phone much with our mind link.
Though, all in all, I can tell that everyone is enjoying the walk.
Loud splashes could be heard as we approached the falls closer. The moment my eyes fell on the falls, my mouth fell apart. The tall falls, itself, were majestic. It is not one, but seven of them neatly placed next to each other. The sun melted the snow last night,t so you can see the thriving vines in between them. It looks man-made to the eyes, but you can tell that it is the real deal upon closer look. Each of the falls has its own charm.
The falls, in the middle, was the biggest among the seven, and it was just breathtaking. Below those majestic falls, a crystal clear blue pool was sitting, sparkling against the sun. It's a huge pool and would easily accommodate the throng of people present right now. Nature is simply lovely.
"Wow," I mumbled, still wide-eyed at the scene before me. I was absorbed with the beauty of the falls, and I did not notice everyone arranged the picnic mats by the bank right away. The foods were already laid on the long tables that were conveniently sitting near the bank.
"This is where I used to gather stones for my rituals before." That voice was so startling that I almost slipt on one of the mossy rocks surrounding the bank. With my injured arm on the sling, I cannot flail both my hands to regain my balance. Instead, I grab for something to hold on to. Someone grabbed my left arm.
"Oh, my age is getting to me. Such a thoughtless hag, I'm sorry. You're easily startled, my child." Nana commented with worry in her voice, while I tried to fight the tingles dancing all over my arm.
I lift my head up and found Atlas holding to my arm securely. He placed me back to my feet. I meekly murmured my thanks. Kalix pulled me in his direction.
"It was fine Nana. I was just taken aback by Evergreen. It's beautiful." I smiled at the good old woman and turned to look at Kalix. He was wearing a serious face again. I don't know the reason, and I have no plans of ever knowing it. That man seems to love and drama together, way too much.
"It is. You can't find it anywhere in the world. Evergreen is one of a kind." The fondness resonating in Nana's voice made me nod in agreement.
"I've caught your stupefied face on camera, Mavis." Kalix pushes his way into the conversation and holds his phone in front of my face. The picture he took was gorgeous with the background. I look quite enchanted in it, though. It is a good picture if someone was looking for something raw.
"Want to take some more? I have already sent this to Sally," he said. That quick? How the heck is this man so quick about everything? "Do you want to take more pictures?" He brightly smiled at me. There's a weird sparkle in his eyes.