Cilla.
Life at home was amazing. I had not expected such a warm, exciting welcome. It seemed that everyone was happy to see me. They were so happy that I would be the one to lead them. There was no way I could say no even though it was such a huge responsibility. After hearing all the things alpha Aragon had put them through, I felt bad for my people and wanted to help them. I finally appreciated what Ridian had done. Reuniting with my old friends was great. We talked, laughed and chatted for hours as we reminisced about the old days.
The pack had not changed a lot in the physical aspect. The pack house had been repainted and some new designs added in certain places. The furniture inside had been changed. The theme colour used to be cream but now it was brown. There were three brown couches and brown tables. To be honest, it was quite dull.
I stepped out of the house. The front yard of the pack house was buzzing with activity. Balloons of all colours adorned the bushes and trees, making the place lively. A large banner reading “Welcome home” was hung across the front of the house. I took more steps out and appreciatively scanned everything. At the centre of the yard was a long table covered in a blue tablecloth. It was surrounded by chairs for pack members who felt like sitting.
Plates and dishes filled with delicious treats were set on the table alongside drinks. The smell of freshly grilled burgers and hotdogs wafted through the air, making my mouth water. Beata and I watched happily as the pack enjoyed themselves. A tear dropped from my eyes as I realised how much I had missed these kind of parties. Our pack always organised simple parties, but they were so lively and fun.
“Let’s go,” Beata told me. I smiled as I headed to the table to help myself to something nice. A group of children were playing games on the other side of the yard, leaving adults on our side. While we mingled and talked, they played and laughed filling the atmosphere with sweet sounds. Music was playing from the speakers set on the porch and a few youngsters were dancing to the beautiful songs.
Beata and I went straight for the table and started picking out the treats we wanted. I went straight for the baked goods. Our pack baker had always been the best. Even though I had lived in different packs, I had never tasted baked products as good as those of Mrs. Palm. I munched on the cookies like I had not eaten in ages.
“You always liked my stuff.”
I turned to see her smiling widely.
“Hi, Mrs. Palm.” I said with my mouth fool. I covered it with a hand and chewed quickly so I could talk with her properly. “These are really amazing. No one bakes nearly as well as you do.”
“I think the bakers at Blackmoon pack are so much better.”
I shook my head. “Not even close. From now on, I’m going to have you supply to us at Blackmoon as well, that’s if you don’t mind.”
“That’s really great,” Mrs. Palm beamed. “It would be a honour to bake for you, my luna. I’d love that more than anything in the world.”
We talked for a short while before she walked off to talk to another person eating her stuff. Beata re-joined me. “Let’s go and try the meat. I like Mrs. Palm’s stuff but that meat smells really great. I’ve been wanting it since we stepped outside.”
The meat was amazing and we enjoyed it. After that, we joined those who were already dancing, some of whom were my long lost friends. I was happy to finally be surrounded by people I had known for years. I felt safer than I ever did at Blackmoon because I was sure that everyone around me loved me, unlike at Blackmoon where I was still not sure if everyone was happy to have me as their luna.
The music began to get louder and faster, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of euphoria as I moved to the familiar rhythm. At my pack, I didn’t have to worry about being prim and proper as the luna, I could be myself, the young woman who just reunited with people she had missed so much.
As the party went on, I found myself dancing with different groups of people, catching up on old times. I felt grateful to Ridian for giving me a chance to reunite with my people. I decided to never take him for granted again.
I was dancing with my cousin Suzanne when the music suddenly stopped and the yard went silent. Frowning, I turned to look at the porch.
I froze.
Alpha Aragon was standing there looking extremely furious. My heart starting beating fast but I tried my best to hide how scared I was. I had last seen the man when he killed my parents. I glanced at his hands and the emotions I felt that day started to come back. Pressing my lips together, I pushed those thoughts and feelings away. This was not the time to break down.
I stepped out of the crowd and faced him.
“Why did you stop the music?” I asked him.
He grabbed a microphone from a table.
“Because I wanted to. What are you doing in my pack, slave?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Slave, you say.”
“Yes,” he said arrogantly. “What are you doing here?”
“This is my pack,” I said.
Aragon moved fast and appeared right in front of me. I was now face to face with the man who had ruined my life. He was taller and bigger, and I felt a bit intimidated as I stared up at him.
His eyes bore into mine, and I looked into his, refusing to allow myself to get intimidated.
“Leave, and never come back here.” He said.
I shook my head and laughed. “You have some nerve, talking to your luna like that.”
Aragon started laughing maniacally and I slapped him across the face. The yard went totally silent. My eyes moved from his reddened cheek to his eyes. They were filed with rage, and he looked like he was about to murder me.
I started to feel scared.