The Royal Wolff

Chapter 4: Fiesta Like There's No Mañana

Being back at home with the pack was something else. Blood Moon Grove, albeit its name, didn’t hold anything negative unlike the word ‘blood’ and its connotation.

The history of this place dates back to hundreds or thousands of years ago when our ancestors first arrived here on the day an eclipse happened and the whole place was apparently blood red, thus naming it that.

Nowadays, it was rare for the place to look like that again. Instead it looked more like an enchanted forest with a small town in it. Everywhere you turn, all you can see is green and different colors of the flowers blooming with it. If you walk further, there are small ponds and even an abundant-flowing river that is connected to the waterfalls you can find outside the border.

This river, amidst its captivating beauty and mesmerizing peace, held a deeper story that happened in our pack and many others years ago. The story of how the entire werewolf race could have gone extinct if not for the help of the Royal Family and the bravery of my very own family, especially my mother who almost died sacrificing herself and my father who gave up something no wolf could ever imagine doing, but he did it for love.

“Anita! Let’s go to the new shop that was recently opened!”

I was taken away from my admiration of the river when I heard Clara shout for me and saw her pointing out to a shop a few steps away.

“Okay!” I replied and hurriedly made my way to where they were waiting for me.

The shop we were standing in front of really was new, but it was beyond gorgeous. Imagine a small wooden home but instead of it being in shades of brown it was in all shades of pink with a mix of white and had small details of the hearts all over the outside.

It reminded me of a dollhouse I remember having as a kid, but only so much better. It was like looking at a piece of birthday cake, so visually delightful, or a gingerbread house that was showered in every pink color you could find.

“This place is so cute!” Mia giggled in excitement as we all stared at the place in awe.

The pink wooden door opened and Nonna came out with a wide smile. “Come on in, girls. We just finished making a fresh batch of cookies and biscuits.”

“Nonna?!” I exclaimed in shock, just as my friends began to snicker with themselves as if they knew something I didn’t.

“Wait, who’s ‘we’?” I asked as we were entering the place and out of nowhere, my mom appeared in an all-pink outfit with an apron.

“Surprise!” She shouted in delight, taking me aback.

I softly gasped as I processed the things around me - my grandmother and mother’s excited faces and my friends’ obvious giggles of amusement.

Did they plan this whole thing?!

“Is this… is this all for me?” I asked in disbelief, looking at them with so much joy and at the same time, perplexed as it was hard to believe.

“Of course!” My friends replied eagerly as they pulled me to the middle of the place and I stared at the interior stunned.

If the outside was incredibly captivating, the inside just had me completely at a loss for words. Everything was too cute for words, from the chairs to the walls and the floorings, and every little furniture, it was a mix of pink, white, and light brown. It was like going inside of a cake where everything is icing and sugar and how delicious is that?!

“This is a real life dollhouse!” I squealed and glanced at everyone who was looking at me giddily.

“That’s because it is based on your dollhouse.” Nonna commented and I looked at her, mouth hanging open in shock.

“Remember when you were a little girl, you used to have this pink house with everything pink and white and had hearts all over? We brought it everywhere because you never let it go.” My mom said and it was all starting to come back to me.

“Anita’s Little Love House.” I said with a smile as I remembered five-year-old me lugging that thing around wherever we went.

The best thing about that house was it really was made to travel with you because you can somehow fold it into a pink suitcase. Best toy ever.

“Although you can’t bring this with you on your trip, we wanted to make something that you could always come home to. Your friends and everyone else is welcome because now this is your real life Little Love House.” My mother added and I think my heart just melted.

“Questo é incredibile (this is unbelievable)...” I said softly as I looked around the place slowly and began to walk, touching the items in my hand as if to make sure they really were real.

“There’s more upstairs!” Clara said giddily and I swiftly turned to her.

“There is?!” I asked, surprised.

“Well, we did say it was a shop and you needed to find a dress for the party.” She replied while wiggling her eyebrows at me.

“But in this case, everything is paid for.” Nonna added with a cheeky smile.

“Really?!” I responded, excitement rushing inside of me like a little girl who’s about to open her birthday presents, except my birthday was nowhere near.

“Go wild, sweetie.” My mother told me with a wink and in a second, the girls and I were rushing up the stairs to the bedroom.

I was amazed at how every nook and cranny of this whole place was perfectly decorated to the T. You couldn’t find a single corner that wasn’t thought of and I still feel like I’m somewhat dreaming right now.

“Hey, how long did it take to do all of this?” I asked the girls curiously and they were in deep thought.

“Not sure, but it took me about a month to design it, and a few more to get everything bought and transferred here.” Mia replied and I looked at her touched.

“You designed the whole place?! Oh my gosh, I’m so proud of you!” I exclaimed in happiness before pulling her in for a tight hug.

“I heard Spain has some pretty good architecture and interior design schools.” I told her with an insinuating smirk.

“Oh you know her boyfriend will never let her leave his sight!” Clara commented on the side and Mia immediately responded.

“There’s nothing wrong with that! I don’t want to be far away from him either. Besides, Ethan and I plan to go to the college near here.” She said proudly.

“The one with the neighboring pack? What was their name… Lucky Charms?” I tried to remember, but it wasn’t working too well.

“Lucky Charms? That’s a cereal, Anita!” Mia jokingly slapped me on the arm and we all chuckled out loud.

“It’s Silver Luck, and yeah, it’s around there. Ethan is close with some of them and they do have good courses, too.” She told us with a small smile, but deep down I could sense she was thinking of something else as well.

I wasn’t well-versed on that topic, but being raised a werewolf of course I knew just enough. It was, if not everyone, most of the wolves' concern. Finding their mate when they come of age and the lingering concern that if it wasn’t the one they were dating now then what happens then? That’s why it’s somehow forbidden or more like, frowned upon - dating someone before you find your mate, because you never know.

Although in the case of Mia and Ethan, they have practically known each other since the second they were born at almost the same time since their mothers were close friends. Most of us hope that they really were it because it would be heartbreaking if not.

Which is why I was never going to indulge in those things, whether in the human or wolf world, I think I’ve had enough of that just with my not-so pleasant experience with Jake.

Mates? No thank you, I can love and appreciate myself just fine.

“Well wherever you two end up, I’m sure it’s going to be amazing!” Clara said in an upbeat tone as I’m sure she noticed Mia’s slight hesitance or doubt.

“But for now, it’s free shopping time!” She exclaimed giddily before holding onto the doorknob of the very pink door in front of us and when she pushed it open, my jaw dropped to the floor.

Did I just die and go to pink flower heaven? I don’t even know how to explain this room, but it was like a cottage room but pink and filled with flowers everywhere. Basically, it was like entering the room of a fairy princess.

“I never want to leave this place.” I said as I couldn’t help but look around, up, down, left, and right every corner was a dream come true.

“Wait until you see what’s inside the closet.” Mia said before motioning for Clara to go to the other side of the cabinet and they opened it at the same time.

“Oh… my… Moon Goddess…” I said, stunned as my eyes blinked repeatedly because I couldn’t believe this was all real.

Tops, skirts, shorts, dresses, pajamas - everything you could think of in all pink and the designs were just to die for.

“Dibs on the puffy sleeves dress!” Mia shouted out before taking one from the rack and hopping away to the bathroom.

“Wow, that was fast.” I turned to Clara and we both chuckled.

“I swear, I don’t know how you guys managed to pull this off and all these clothes are so beautiful.” I commented still in shock as I looked around the cabinet, feeling each fabric on my hand and admiring the craftsmanship of it.

“Are some of these handmade?” I turned to Clara and she nodded. “By you?!”

She smiled shyly while nodding and I couldn’t contain my excitement. “I’m so proud of you, oh my gosh!”

I squealed while hugging her tightly. My friends are so crazy talented.

“I can’t wait to wear all of these. I am definitely bringing them with me!” I told her proudly.

“Thank you, Anita. It would be an honor.” She commented and I disagreed.

‘Girl, it would be an honor to me wearing clothes you made.” I corrected her.

Mia came out of the bathroom wearing the stunning puffy pink dress and we all started squealing in excitement.

“I freaking love you, guys.” I told the two of them before we got into a group hug.

-

After a lot of cookies and tea in my Little Love House, something I still can’t believe was real, it was now a few minutes before seven in the evening meaning dinner was about to start so we all started walking back.

“Dude, your dress is so crazy beautiful.” Mia commented for the fifth time today and couldn’t help playing with the embossed flowers all over it.

“I know! I feel like I am going to prom!” I held onto the sides and twirled with it, the skirt flowing effortlessly and really making me feel like a fairy princess.

“This is better than designer dresses, Clara!” I turned to Clara who was blushing like crazy.

“Oh, stop it. It’s nothing. You won’t be able to go to your Prom here so why not throw one a little earlier?” She said and Mia giggled.

When they said there was going to be a party, I honestly thought it would just be the usual weekend night party they had in the woods, but now that they’ve done all of this I feel like it was going to be something more grand which made me even more excited.

“Hey, where did my little monster sister go? Has anyone seen her?” Mathieu, who was now wearing a pretty neat gray tuxedo, opened the door and pretended to look around.

“Did you guys forget her back in town?” He asked Clara and I immediately noticed her cheeks blushing and getting shy.

Ever since we were kids, she always somehow fancied my brother. I don’t know what in the world she sees in that i***t, but whatever makes her happy. Also it was a lot of fun to tease her about it.

“Ha-ha, very funny, ugly. I am right here.” I replied unamused, punching him on his arm which he immediately reacted to.

“You seriously cannot go a second without violence.” He huffed at me. “I have to say you look proper nice, though. Clara, you have a real talent for transforming an ugly duckling here.” Mathieu joked before smiling at Clara.

If I wasn’t too busy being amused by how my friend was quite literally hopping on cloud nine right now because her long-life crush was giving her all the attention, I would be beating Mathieu up for non-stop calling me names.

“Blah, blah, move out of the way, butler. I’m eating all the food and saving none for you!” I hurriedly shoved Mathieu to the side before, quite frankly, running not so lady-like to the dining room.

“Anita Wolff! Proper decorum, please!” I instantly froze on the ground, hand hanging mid-air close to the door handle of the dining room when I heard the sound of my unamused grandmother echo in the hallway.

“Yeah, Anita. Be a lady!” Mathieu shouted out to tease even more and I stuck my tongue out at him.

“No one’s talking to you, butler!” Unable to stop myself from replying back to him, but that was a bad idea as Nonna immediately reprimanded me with her ever-famous deadly stare.

If she gives you that stare, you knew you were pretty much done for. All I could do was zip my lips up and walk as prim and proper as I could into the dining room.

“Sei stupenda, nipote mia (you look stunning, my niece).” I smiled widely when Cristina greeted me.

I hadn’t seen her in so long, but she was still glamorous as always and with an addition to that - their new little girl that was just about a year old. They had been trying for a while to get another child, a girl this time after their boy, and fortunately they got their chance. The Pack was so happy for them.

“Grazie, Luna. Celeste has grown so much! So beautiful.” I said before playing with the little girl who was already giggling.

Her eyes lit up so brightly and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by someone so small yet having so much light in her. I wondered if this was how our parents felt when we were babies, too.

“Are you excited for later?” Cristina asked and I nodded eagerly.

“So excited it’s actually making me nervous.” I replied honestly and she immediately reassured me.

“You are going to have a wonderful time. Everyone here made sure of that while they were planning and making it a reality.” She said to me softly and I became even more overjoyed with what the plan really was.

“Thank you, Luna. I hope to see you and baby Celeste in Spain too!” I told her and she glanced over to the Alpha.

“We’ll see if your overprotective Alpha allows it.” She joked and we both chuckled while the Alpha looked at us confused, which made us laugh even more.

When everyone arrived in the dining room, the food was brought out for everyone and it was like time flew past us and it was already dessert. Mathieu and I were surprised when a giant chocolate strawberry cake was brought out, both of our favorite flavors combined.

Just when we thought it was only a normal cake, we were mistaken as we stood at both sides of the giant cake and held onto a piece of paper. When we started pulling it, a string of money in plastic began to come out. The more we pulled, the more euros came out and Mathieu and I were evidently thrilled.

We were never spoiled with money or expensive things because our parents raised us to be humble so this was entirely new to us.

“That was your uncle’s idea.” Our mother on the other side of the table told us while our father rolled his eyes. It was clear he wasn’t too keen on this part, but bless the Moon Goddess for such a cool uncle s***h Alpha.

After all the festivities during dinner, I was extremely full from the food and the love from everyone in the pack, no doubt.

“I am so full I think I am going to explode.” Mathieu commented while we were the only ones walking into the woods where the party was going to be held because they told us to.

“That’s only because you’re fat.” I teased him and he immediately reacted.

“Excuse you? Just so you know I have zero percent body fat that I have been maintaining while working out and I am on the football team! Well, I was on the football team.” He corrected himself, a short silence in between us.

“You’re going to get in the soccer team with the flick of your finger no problem.” I told him reassuringly, not that he needed it, but sometimes I could also be a nice sister.

“Will you be joining the cheerleading team? I was just joking about earlier, by the way. You could totally enter a club or whatever it is if you wanted to.” Mathieu gave me a sincere smile and I couldn’t help but smile at his words.

He could be a real d**k sometimes, but that is just a part of being siblings. At the end of the day, I know this i***t will do anything for family.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I just want to get those one and a half years over with as peacefully as possible then I can get back to my life here.” I told him honestly and he frowned at me.

“If you are already thinking of leaving the place before we can get there, you won’t have a good time.” Words of the wise, my brother did have that serious side to him sometimes.

“Pfft, anyways.” I sidetracked, immediately changing the topic which is what I was good at. “Did you get a cool little house, too? Mom and Nonna surprised with my real life dollhouse! It’s insane!” I told him excitedly while we were nearing the part of the woods where there were a ton of bright lights and I could see the smoke from a fire.

“Nah, not a house. Dad gave me my own office space though.” He told me with a proud smirk.

“You’re kidding?! That’s awesome! Is it huge? Did you see it?” I asked, excited for him while I imagined his office right next to dad’s with a sick skyscraper view.

“Well…” Mathieu said quietly as he rubbed his neck sheepishly. “It’s not exactly the office you are thinking of.” He confessed and I immediately realized what he meant.

“Oh, that’s such a dad thing to do!” I commented and we both chuckled agreeing.

“That’s fine, though. I want to learn the ins and outs of the office so I’m fine starting from the bottom. Big or small, an office is an office. Whether it is just a desk and some dividers.” He chuckled lightly but I was proud to hear something so humble from him.

“That’s the spirit! You’re going to be at the top in no time.” I told him with a light punch on his arm.

“See? We already have some cool stuff waiting for us back at home. I hope Spain passes by in the blink of an eye so we can get back as soon as possible.” I let out a deep sigh.

“First, you have to make sure you pass all your classes. Wasn’t Spanish your worst language?” Mathieu looked at me with a raised brow and I knew the nice brother of mine was now back to being mean.

“It wasn’t the worst! Just… the second worst.” I mumbled my last few words and he burst out into laughter.

“Shut up!” I kicked him from behind and he almost toppled over and just as he was getting his revenge on me by picking on one of the flowers on my dress, big and bright lights opened like a spotlight on both Mathieu and I while our family and friends from the pack gathered in the middle of a beautiful and magical set up in the woods.

“Surprise! Buona festa d’addio (happy farewell party)!”

Mathieu and I glanced at each other and somehow thought of the same thing at that exact second.

Fiesta like there is no mañana.

My Spanish might not be the best, but I do know how to party like there is no tomorrow.