Anyone could clearly see the dismay on my face as I stared at the snow-covered training grounds. In the middle of the massive field lies a big tent. Atlas's laughter's ringing in my ear while I tried my best to gather my composure.
I glared at the tent instead of the culprit. It seems like he was having tons of fun making a clown out of me. I wish a strong breeze would sweep that tent away. But a wish is a wish. The tent stayed in its place, strong and sturdy. There's no breeze to blow it away either.
"I thought no bird watching," I stomped on the icy ground like a child. He liked to spend his time outside when it was this freezing.
"Exactly, don't judge it without checking it first," he puffs his chest out and staggers in the tent's direction. Atlas was holding a big container, and from the looks of it, full. I followed after his steps. There's nothing but silence as we trudge into an inch thick snow-covered ground. The crunch that our boots were making was oddly satisfying to the ears.
I peek at the tent's opening, and I see some comfy foldable mats in it. In the middle of the big tent sat a small tent heater. You can tell that the inside of the tent was toasty. I want to be inside right away.
Atlas went in first, and I hesitantly followed him. This is cute. I sat on one of the thermal mats and sighed in contentment. The warmth is very much welcome. I closed my eyes to savour the moment. How did he even set up this tent?
"I've got us some instant noodles here and some," Atlas pulled out some snacks from his container and placed them on the mat. I grabbed one of the salted potato chips. I slowly munch the snack quietly.
It was great timing that the training today was suspended. He closed the flaps to the tent to keep the heat inside and goes back to unloading his container.
"Arabella and Dion are coming," he thoughtfully informed and I nodded my head in acknowledgment. I would be able to check up on Dion earlier than expected.
Through the last days that we've spent going around the pack, I've learned a lot of things about Atlas. From his favorites to his dislikes, I was glad to know it firsthand this time.
"I hope you brought enough food," I warned him. He looks at me funny. I shook my head in resignment. I opened the flaps again and saw more thank two heads gaping back at me.
Sally, being obnoxious and generous at the same time, got a huge box carried by Chris behind her. Craig is hanging on a disgruntled Kate's waist. Dion was busy conversing with Kalix, and Arabella was smiling at whatever Dahlia was telling her. It's a peaceful sight.
"Mavis?" I sprayed the potato chips all over me.
There was silence as I stared at my stained coat. I glared at Logan who appeared out of nowhere. He only grins and picks up the scattered chips, eating them as he did so.
"Goddess, she's always clumsy," Dahlia rolled her eyes in exasperation. I squinted my eyes at her. She stuck her tongue out like a silly kid. One by one, they entered the big tent. It was a big tent for two, but now that we've surpassed the humble number, it's getting crowded.
"The food is enough," Atlas told me while he closely watched the boiling pot for the noodles. Yes, we're sitting quite close to each other. Close enough that our coats were brushing in contact. If it would've been summer right now, it would be skin grazing against another. I balked at my thoughts.
The sudden movement on my other side jostled me out of my seat. I glanced in alarm and found Dion being tackled by Logan.
'They're friends now?' I thought, feeling warmth at the thought. It seems they have no problem opening up to the pack.
"Hey, quit it. There's a boiling pot here." I chided, and Dion's goofy grin was replaced with an apologetic one. Logan, on the other hand, was still playful with Dion.
"Sorry, Mavis," Dion said and moved away from me, but there's not much space to do so.
"It's fine," they're so cute. I smiled and patted his head. Why are the tingles going crazy again? I looked in Atlas's direction and moved my head away in a flash. That was freaking close! How the hell did I end up in his arms?
"Sorry," I mouthed and pulled away from his sturdy chest. I glared at Logan again because I got no one to blame. I hope I'm not red on the face.
'You are so red,' that link brought me back to the fact that we've got company. I gave Craig one of my fiercest stares. On the other side, Kalix was giving me a disapproving look. Sally is a little tame today. She's in her own world with Chris.
"Who wants noodles?" Atlas announced, and all hands went up. The delicious aroma of the noodles wafted through the whole tent. We all helped ourselves to some serving of the noodles.
Again, the days went by with every one of us having fun talking about random things.
"You think the Summit would be fun this year?" that was Sally. She's eating an apple topped with mayo. It's her cravings these days. It looks delicious with how she's eating it voraciously.
"I think so, not that I've seen a lot of Summit in my entire existence," said Craig who's still clinging on a frustrated Kate.
"Look here, dumbass. I'm trying to eat, get off me," Kate growled at the man, but all Craig did was snuggle deeper into Kate's neck. They're ridiculous, I giggled. From what I've heard, Craig has been sticking to Kate since he found out that she's his mate.
"Ridiculous," I can't help but comment, and all eyes went in my direction except Logan who's now asleep, curled between Dion and Dahlia.
"I second the motion," Dahlia raised her hand and stuffed a mouthful of gummies in her mouth. She washes it down with some beer. Kalix threw his hand up nodding in agreement. Offended stares were now looking at us, back in forth.
"What? What?" I goaded the mated pair in front of me with a smirk on my face. A flying potato chip went sailing straight to my face. It was Sally.
In an instant, the whole tent was filled with flying chips in all directions while Logan was still peacefully sleeping on the thermal mat. A deep sleeper he is.
Arabella was shrieking in glee while a laughing Dion avoided the onslaught of flying chips. Chris went as far as using the gummies Dahlia was eating.
"You did not," Dahlia said in disbelief, and beer was splashed all over Chris's face. Sally gasps. There was silence.
It was mayhem. Kalix opened his own can of beer and splashed it everywhere. We did a counterattack. All I could hear were the shrieks and the screams of everyone inside the tent, with one soul still deeply sleeping.
Atlas gives me a tiny shove. The nerve of him. I shove him back. He shoved me again, and I grinned, shoving him harder. He ended up bumping to Kalix. Kalix's jaw dropped, appalled. He looked at Atlas and push him too.
It was a domino. Atlas fell in my direction, and as I struggled to catch him with my restricted hand. Dion catches me. I laughed at the silliness of our actions. I laughed harder when I saw Kalix's face all smudged with cheese power and chips all over his face. We're actually twinning at this point.
We all fill into fits of laughter, holding to our stomach in a feat to stop the good ache.
"I can't believe Logan is still sleeping," Chris wheezed out, and we all giggled in merriment.
The flaps unzipped.
"Ah, so this is where y'all are sneaking to, you brats," that was Reggie.
~
Atlas is in my cabin.
He is going to sleep here. How the hell did this happen?
Back at training grounds when Reggie came upon us, she informed us about the general clean-up of the packhouse. It would last a couple of days according to the professional cleaners. It's obvious because our packhouse is quite big. The second floor where Arabella, Dion, and Atlas were staying was the first to be clean. They need to sleep on one of the cabins for the time being.
Sally was first to offer Arabella to stay with them for the night. Dion went with Kalix because of the project they're working on. Atlas being my 'friend', was entrusted to me. I protested saying I'd got no food for him, but Atlas himself told me that it's fine and he'll do the cooking. He gestured to my sling. I have no other choice, according to them.
Reggie was ecstatic, and after that, we've cleaned out the training ground and packed the tent. I felt sticky because of the beer, so I went straight home with Atlas. I originally wanted to just spend time with my bed, but from the food fight earlier, I have to take a shower. Just the thought of the freezing air after taking the shower is already chilling my bones.
Other than that, I also have to prepare a bed for Atlas to sleep in. The extra room in my cabin has a small bed in it. Atlas's height would not fit the small bed. My shoulders drop thinking about the added work.
Glaring was my constant companion these days. Atlas give me a confused expression and I huffed in frustration.
I removed my boots, "Just feel at home, alright? I'll go wash first then you fix something for us to eat," I headed for the laundry room to dry my boots. Thinking about boots, I returned to where Atlas is standing and motioned for his boots.
"Thank you," he kindly smiled at me and took off his boots. After taking our boots to the laundry room, I proceeded to shower first.
I was in the shower when a delicious smell wafted through the air. He is definitely cooking our dinner. I quickened my movements and went out of the shower to clean my room a little. It would be comfortable for Atlas to sleep in my room instead of the guest room.
In a flash, my room was spotless. Fresh bedsheets and fresh blankets were laid on the bed. I took extra care of the pillows. I took one of my favorite ones to the extra room and left new ones for him.
It was pretty hectic that I started to sweat despite the cold. The timing was perfect because Atlas called me to come to the kitchen. I sneaked in and found him deep into the pan. He is cooking some steak from the smell of it. Did I have meat in my fridge?
I leaned on the door frame and contented myself with Atlas familiarizing himself in my kitchen. It's a sweet, pleasant sight that I'll never get to see again. Treasure.
"Just how long are you going to stare at me?" that voice was so sudden to my peaceful gazing that I knocked my elbow on the door frame. I was thankful that I was a werewolf. With how things were going, I would be full of bruises with my clumsiness all day.
"Why do you all love to startle me?" I hissed, rubbing my offended elbow. Atlas tilted his head and placed his right hand on his waist, looking at me with innocent eyes.
"Is it my fault that you find me attractive?" I think my blood pressure went high than normal. Why is he getting fresh with me now? I glared at him and melted. He l
just looks so homely in my kitchen even with his messy hair and dirty face.
I snapped myself from my thoughts and marched in his direction. The steak is almost done, and the pasta is ready to serve.
"I got this. You go ahead and wash up. I got you a change of clothes on the bed. Walk straight, turn left," I lamely shove Atlas out of the kitchen.
"Is your body wash moisturizing? I'm kind of sensitive to those that aren't," he oddly smirked at me.
"Rest assured you have plenty to choose from," I drily told him while shooing him out of the kitchen. He gave me a triumphant smile and left.