The first thing I notice is that she is not from this soil, she comes from another pack. Her appearance is distinct but she is extremely pretty. “L-Luna Lumina.” She hurriedly bows in respect stuttering in nervousness as she addresses me. “It is an honour.”
“Please do not be so formal with me, Luna Ira. I am merely Gio’s aunt.” I chortle whilst I take a step towards her heat.
“I apologize for not coming to the gates to receive you, I was unable to perfect the drink.”
“It is all right, I do not mind for such formalities. A drink? What drink?” I question with interest as her globes light up and she turns towards the counter to pick up a small glass filled with a dense red drink that resembles blood.
“This is for you. Where I come from we share this in our first meeting with those whom we respect and hold dear. Gio told me all about you and I thought if he values you so much then so must I.” This female is willing to share her tradition with me despite not knowing how I would treat her or who I am?
“It took us a week to make this. The drink is made from the nectar of the hibiscus. And Luna Ira spent quite a long time researching on which pack grows them so we could trade with them just so she could make you this drink.” Mia voices out the truth as I gently take the glass from Luna Ira’s hands.
Such a young female, with such humbleness. “I am grateful. I have never received such an intimate welcome from any female I did know prior.” I whisper taking a sip of the sweet-smelling drink as it soothes the back of my throat.
“I added some red raspberry leaves in it, I heard you were expecting. It shall strengthen you.” Luna Ira utters a smile on her face as she watches me drink it.
“Thank you, that is so thoughtful of you.”
“Oh please, it is all right. We have also prepared a small feast for your arrival, it is not much but I hope you and Alpha Deimos shall enjoy it.” She voices pointing towards the heaps of rich smelling dishes behind her.
“You did not have to, Luna Ira.” I am polite in speaking with her, I do not wish to alarm her with my over friendliness.
“Ira is fine, Luna Lumina. And it is an Italian tradition to welcome their family this way, Gio told me.” It seems as though Gio is open with her of his culture, she seems to learn from him.
“Then I shall call you that if you call me Zia Lumina. Deal?” Her eyes swell to my words as though she had not expected me to permit her to be close with me. She was seeking my approval and is shocked she had gotten it so quickly. Did she think I would test her?
“Deal.”
“Good, please let me help. I suppose the feast shall be held at the back as always?” I inquire but before the females could demur Gia barges in with her request to me.
“Zia, can I play with Kal out in the back? I promise I will be careful.” She murmurs doe eyes waiting patiently for my answer.
“Of course, go ahead. Make sure he is safe, Gia. I trust you.”
“Si, Zia Lumina.” She bows friskily as she grabs Kal’s tiny hand as soon as I set him free guiding him out the kitchen and he follows her without any protest. He seems to be interested in her as well.
“You do not need to help us with this, we can manage.” Ira comes forward with her courtesy as I tie my hair up in a loose bun, a sign that I am ready.
“Come, Ira. Let me aid you, I am family aren’t I?” I call her by her name, I do wish to have that formal barrier between us. I want to be free with her.
“Of course, Zia.” She replies with a grin as she ushers me towards the marble counter.
We spend an hour with the final preparation of the dishes. Feeding the pack is no simple task, I know this and I adore how she chose to do it even though she could have kept it intimate between us. She wanted our arrival to be a true celebration.
“Where do I keep them? On those tables there?” I ask seeking her approval whilst carrying the hefty aromatic foil boxes.
“Yes, right there next to the deserts please.” She directs me feebly and I am quick to head over and place them in their designated spot.
I study my surroundings, it is a fine day here in Italy indeed. Harmonious Italian music plays faintly in the background, birds tweeting coexisting with the melody. Wolves relax in circles perched upon white garden chairs chattering among themselves and pups squeal in laughter as they dart around the area playing with a ball.
I seek for Kal yet I am unable to locate him, perhaps he is up with Gia in her room. “Deimos.” I beckon my male lovingly as he sits in silence at the corner of the field sipping on his beer indulging in the summer breeze.
“So, how do you find her to be? Do you like her?” He asks, his right arm shooting forward to coil around my waist as he settles me over his knee.
“She is wonderful, Deimos. She even presented me this drink where at her pack they share with wolves they respect. And she made this feast just for us! Is she not sweet?” I speak running my fingers through his dishevelled hair attempting to tidy up the strands.
“That sounds nice, I am pleased you like her. Are you not weary, you have been on your feet the entire time. Why don’t you rest?”
“I can now, it is time to eat.” I grin wickedly at all the delicious food that shall be devoured ruthlessly by my belly.
Deimos snickers at my antics unknowingly caressing my swollen stomach whilst taking a swig from his half-empty bottle as I lay my head on his chest recharging my being.
“Where is Kal?” He questions in perplexity.
“With Gia. She wanted to play with him.” I chuckle as I recall the hopeful way she gazed up at me.
“And he succumbed?”
“Surprising is it not? He usually does not accept play offers from pups he does not know, but he followed her.” I utter nestling further into his warmth as he leans his cheek over my head cradling me like I were a pup.
“Perhaps he finds her cute.” He whispers as I smack his chest playfully sending him a glare as he laughs at my actions.
“He is three, Deimos. My male shall only find me cute until he is of age!” A flash of teeth I offer him as he shows me his palms in submission.
“I was just joking, my female.” He guffaws nudging my cheek with the tip of his nose.
“Zio. Zia. Please come, we shall commence our lunch.” Gio respectfully requests us whilst we immediately rise to pay heed to his words.
Gio and Ira are the first to begin for this is their pack and the Alpha always goes first. I notice how he sets food for her on her plate asking her prior if she would like some. He has accepted her wholly and she is embraced by the pack. I am so delighted to see this.
“Deimos I want a little of this, please,” I say pointing over at the creamy pasta that he quickly scoops up to place on my plate.
“You seem to adore pasta, Lumina. Your tastes have changed a lot compared to when you carried Kal.” He says gawking at the heaping variety of pasta dishes on my plate.
“I agree, I seem to have a tremendous craving for it.”
“No more cakes this time but pasta.” He teases as I gamesomely scowl at him. He loves to ridicule me, this mischievous male.
“Gia! Che stai facendo?!” Gio’s thundering authoritative voice startles us as we quickly turn our attention to him. He omits the line marching over to a secluded area of the field obscured by dense trees.
*(Gia! What are you doing?!) *
My eyes widen as I find Gia holding lit up sparklers in her hand shivering beneath her brother’s wrath, Kal standing close by her side.
“Goddess, Kal!” I shriek worriedly leaving Deimos’s side to rush towards the two pups who are playing with fireworks without supervision.
“Come hai ottenuto questo? Hai rubato questo?” Gio rips the firecracker from her hand flinging it to the ground stomping on it aggressively to kill the flame as I hastily pick up Kal scanning him from head to toe looking for any burns or injuries.
*(How did you get this? Did you steal this?) *
“I j-just wanted to play. I didn’t mean to-” She begins to plead her case but he is having none of it.
“How many times have I instructed you? To not do dangerous things! Do you not see the bad of this, and that too with a three-year-old pup? Why do you test me like this?” He yells at his sister who has her eyes glued to the ground her lower lip jutted out in upsetness of his shouting.
“Gio.” I place my palm over his forearm but he does not calm. She is young her curiosity will take hold of her at times, it is all right to make mistakes.
“You will not answer me? Fine. Go to your room, you are prohibited from coming outside for a while.” He bellows aiming furiously at the house, his chest heaving with rage.
She looks up at him with watery disturbed globes sobbing softly. “Tu non sei mio padre, Gio!” She spits out escaping to the comfort of the empty house.
*(You are not my father, Gio!)*