Chapter 11: Planning For The Feast and Bonding With The New Family

[Dove]
The Whispering Moon Pack does not observe the same rituals as the other werewolf clans; they do not have prayers when there is a full moon.

But every year, on the night of the brightest full moon, they have a grand feast with lots of singing, dancing and drinking.

The tiny coincidence seemed to encourage my secret mission: mend the relationship between Cole and the Moon Goddess. Since that day by the waterfall, my mind often drifted back to the pain I saw in Cole’s eyes; somehow, I felt responsible.

It was like my husband having issues with his mother-in-law, I sighed at the thought as my scribbles returned to my view.

“Are you alright, dear?”

I looked up from the paper and found Connie leveling her concerned eyes with mine. I nodded and returned a weak smile. “Yes, Connie. I’m just- just a bit nervous about the feast that’s all.”

She placed a hand on my shoulder and pressed it lightly with a sympathetic smile. “That’s why I’m here, dear. To help you.”

Speaking of mothers-in-law, Connie was quickly becoming one in my opinion.

When we were discussing the menu for the feast…

“Cole loves beef!” Connie exclaimed.

“Yes, Beef Wellington. Let’s put it in.” I was thrilled that we were connecting.

But then she quickly placed a hand over mine and corrected, “No, dear, it’s roast beef wrapped in a pastry.” She patted my hand and pointed at my notes. “Let’s put that in.”

“But it’s the same thing, isn’t it?” I turned from her to Claire who gave me a blank look and then returned to the beef stew.

I frowned as Connie shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure what that is but it doesn’t sound like roast beef in a pastry.”

I opened my mouth and then closed it again. It was pointless to argue since Cole had mentioned that the names of dishes are not important.

“Alright, let’s do it - roast beef wrapped in pastry.” I scribbled on the paper.

Connie clapped with a loud smile. “There’s a good wife. You can decide on the rest of the menu. Oh! But do go easy on the desserts - Cole doesn’t like sweet foods.”

I pushed my brows so hard towards my forehead that I could feel my eyeballs falling out.


With regards to the music…

“Cole doesn’t like loud and fast music, dear.” Connie held my hands and shook her head at me.

My cheerful smile melted into an awkward one. Suppressing my incoming frustration, I said, “But Connie, won’t soft and slow music kill the celebratory mood?”

She patted my hand again and flashed an assuring smile. “Trust me on this. We could do a few loud and fast ones for the dance. But for the feast, it has to be soft and soothing.”

“Alright,” I obliged.


And finally, the decorations…

“Cole doesn’t really care so you can do whatever you want.” Then, Connie pulled me closer and whispered into my ear. “But I suggest that you use white and gold because it signifies good health and prosperity.”

I slowly pulled away with a forced smile on my face.



******


Jude burst into a hearty laugh after hearing my version of this morning’s discussion with Connie.

I turned from him, feeling more soured, and muttered, “It’s not funny, Jude. I know that she adores Cole but isn’t the feast about the pack as well? Wouldn’t Cole want the celebration to be more about the pack than him?”

He smiled ahead at the distant mountains and nodded. “I’m sure he does.”

I was leaping with joy, having found an ally, then Jude added quietly, “But you’re Cole’s Luna so you should look out for him first; he is, after all, our Alpha. The members would expect nothing else.”

My smile vanished. Connie was actually showing me the ropes, I thought and fell into silence as guilt seeped in.

When Jude spoke again, his voice was missing its usual joking rhythm.

“Connie and Cole’s mother were best friends.” He was smiling ahead and didn't notice my stunned look as he continued. “So when Cole’s mother died, she sort of became Cole’s unofficial guardian.”

He turned to me with a brotherly smile and said in a warm sincere tone, “Since you are Cole’s Luna, Connie will definitely do her best to support you, so I’d trust her if I were you.”

I turned from him to the green grass beneath my feet and nodded slowly as I recalled Connie’s words, getting a better sense of their meaning. “I get it. Thanks, Jude.”

“Anytime, my Luna.” And those dimples were back. So were Jude’s slick mannerisms.

I rolled my eyes at the distant mountains. But I was smiling - it felt good having an older brother like Jude to whine at and get advice from.

Our chat ended as abruptly as it had started. As we turned from each other, I caught Megan’s back moving away from us into the village. A worry nudged at me.


*******

During Patrick’s extended speech about his band and its history in performing for the annual feast, I managed to inject the necessary details about the music. Connie’s suggestions were spot on; Patrick assured me that he and his band will do a good job for their Alpha.

I left the meeting feeling like I was on top of the world. Then, Megan suddenly appeared in my path.

“Connie said you needed to speak to me.” A raw tone, folded arms, an impatient foot tapping on the ground and a disgruntled look - Megan was the classic mean girl; and being no stranger to the situation, I felt a surge of confidence.

Until I opened my mouth.

“Y-yes. I wanted to-- to ask about the, you know, the--.” I heard my own voice wavering and instantly shrunk.

“Argh!” She threw both arms to the sky and stepped in. “Just stop. Listen to me, okay? I’ll get everything out: that damn table - the long one we usually use - and every single chair we have in the village. Got that?”

“Yes, yes.” I nodded and replied, scribbling away furiously.

“I can only do that after lunch.”

“Why?” The question slipped out before I could stop it and I mentally slapped myself.

She immediately rolled her eyes, muttered something inaudible, and then hastily explained, “Because everyone won’t be needing those damn chairs until their next meal, which is the feast.”

“Right.” I nodded and scribbled again.

“You don’t have to take that down, my Goddess!” She groaned loudly.

I looked up from my notes, surprised at what I just heard.

She immediately frowned, then placed both hands on her hips and growled, “What?”

I heard my soft voice answering, “You just said--.”

“What?” She interjected. “Damn it!” Then she started shouting. “Don’t you dare ask me to repeat what I just said!” She was hovering over me and glaring hard.

Startled, I held both hands up immediately. “Okay, okay. I got it. You don’t have to repeat anything.”

She instantly quieted down and shot me a suspicious glare. “You sure?”

“Y-yes! I got it.” I beamed brightly back at her.

After a loud ‘Humph!’ and a turn of her heel, she strode off in a trail of mumbling.

I stared at Megan’s tall and slender frame and the golden hair bun that stood like a crown on her head until they became a blur, and then I heaved a heavy sigh. Well, at least she offered to help, I thought and counted my blessings.

My eyes wandered off and spotted a familiar figure appearing at an empty corner in the distance. Realizing that it was Cole, my heart flipped and I took a step forward.

Then I saw Megan fly over to him and put her arms around his neck.

My smile hardened.