Chapter 26: A Drunk Confession

[Dove]
The tiny werewoman beside Patrick was actually his wife, Phia.

And she owns a bar.

Yes. There is a bar in the Whispering Moon Pack's village and it is a stone’s throw from the owner's house, serving food after dinner daily to members. It also provides a stage and audience for Patrick and his band.

Phia makes great ale - the best in the region, according to Megan. She creates a new flavor each year - so there are now 55 of them, from dark and heavy to light, refreshing and fruity - and matching snacks of fun and interesting textures and tastes.

Slamming the empty glass on the table, Megan swallowed and exhaled with a grimace, then lifted her chin to search for her target. Once she located Phia, Megan pointed a finger skyward then recoiled into her seat.

I sipped on the light cherry-flavored ‘Moon Glow’ ale and smiled sadly.

“What did Cole do now?” A new pint of the black nutty ‘Screw Your Mind’ ale appeared on the table. Megan immediately grabbed it and took two large gulps.

I followed her. After wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I sighed and said, “You know that I need to stay away from him, right?" Megan nodded cautiously. "So I have been trying.”

“But he’s sticking to you like glue.” Megan took another three large gulps.

“Exactly,” I took two gulps and banged the empty glass on the table. “He’s been so attentive and gentle and, oh my Goddess, his voice. I--.”

I paused as Megan repeated her finger action and ordered another glass for me. When she focused on me again, I cried, “It’s really hard, Megan. I can’t stay away from him.” My face slumped into my hands and my frustrations came out in a loud groan.

A hand squeezed my shoulder. I looked up and Megan was staring back with sad eyes. “Jude’s with another one this week.”

“Oh no, Megan.” I straightened and watched silently as she downed the last half of her large pint and ordered a new one.

With a sudden stroke of confidence, I slammed my fist on the table with a frown and announced, “We’ll drink till we drop tonight!” I picked up my new glass of the rose-gold liquid, pushed it to my lips and drank furiously.

Megan nodded, grabbed her newly arrived fourth pint and mimicked me.


******
[Cole]
He knew she would get into trouble as soon as she was out of sight.

Cole was discussing with Jude about Owin’s update. Apparently, Oscar had invited Wesley on a secret hunting trip. When the meeting ended, he saw Patrick outside his study and groaned inwardly.

History was repeating itself, he thought as the disconcerted elder trotted in, reporting in a rapid rhythm: their Luna had been drinking non-stop with Megan at the bar.

“They are into their hundredth glass as we speak, Cole,” Patrick wiped his forehead nervously. “We don’t usually get drunk but I think they are getting there.”

Cole glanced at Jude and glared at his useless efforts to suppress a laugh. Then, he returned to Patrick and said, “Hold back their drinks, I’m going over.”

“I can’t hold back Megan’s drinks!” Patrick looked as if Cole had just asked him to drink silver, waving his palms about frantically. “You know what will happen to the bar if I do.”

Immediately, Cole shot a smirk at Jude who no longer found the situation funny.

“You’re coming along,” Cole said to his Beta with the corner of his lip lifted.


******

The bar seemed more alive than ever - there was more laughing and shouting, louder chattering and more frequent clanking of thick glasses.

In the midst of the liveliness were the two women - his breathtaking wife and her new chummy.

"Phia!" Megan abruptly stood and shouted across the bar at the startled tiny werewoman near the counter. "One huge pint for our lovely Luna here!"

Cole's look of amazement quickly fell flat when Dove also stood, giggling with an arm around Megan's shoulder, and shouted, "Another one for this future bride too!"

Jude came up beside him, grinning with amusement, and Cole wanted to put a fist in his face.

Without another word, they went over.

Megan was the first to notice them. Immediately, she turned glum and elbowed Dove.

His wife peered at him then turned to Megan with a dismissive frown and grumbled something.

Cole went nearer and heard the last few words.

"... not my man."

His jaw tightened. "I'm your husband."

At that, Dove lunged across the bed of empty glasses, grabbed Cole's cheeks and pulled his face towards hers such that their noses kissed. Cole was too stunned to react.

"You're too handsome to be my husband," she said.

Cole was rendered speechless by her hazy dark eyes, rosy cheeks and moistened lips.

She started caressing his brows with her thumbs. "Look at these manly brows. Have you ever seen such a fine nose and sexy mouth?"

"Pfft!" Megan picked up her glass and said, "He's not as sexy as my Jude."

Someone coughed and snapped Cole back to the bar. He was suddenly aware of the other members who were cheering along.

Cole hastily pulled back and the force tugged at Dove, who lost her balance and was about to land on the table of empty glasses when Cole caught her by her waist.

After Dove was helped onto his back, Cole walked off, leaving Jude staring helplessly at Megan.


******


The walk back to the mansion was peaceful and breezy. The faint moonlight hinted the path nicely.

Cole decided to take shorter strides. Dove was on his back, arms around his neck, and chin on his shoulder. She had been humming a strange tune and Cole listened quietly.

“Megan?” Dove suddenly called out.

“It’s Cole,” Cole grunted with annoyance.

“Yes, it’s Cole.” Then, Dove sighed, “I can’t stop thinking of him, Megan.”

The muscles under her chin twitched. Cole slowed down his pace further.

Her voice fell into a whisper. “Whenever he kisses me, I get this warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach that makes my toes curl and I don’t want him to stop. Whenever he hugs me, I feel so safe and cherished, I don’t want to let go.”

Cold grinned softly at the ground he was treading on.

A soft sob, followed by a sniff, and the arms around his neck tightened.

“Why me?” Her voice croaked softly. “Why was I given such powers? I know it’s a gift but it’s such a cruel one.”

He fell silent and stopped moving. His shirt became damp and cold but he ignored it.

“He has such a wonderful smile, Megan. You should see it. No, you shouldn’t. Please don’t see it. It’s mine, okay? When he smiles, please close your eyes.” She sniffed and gripped his shirt.

Cole nudged her upwards. A proud chuckle escaped from his lips as he silently replayed her declaration of ownership over his smile.

Her tiny fist hit his shoulder. “It’s not funny, Megan. Would you like it if I kept staring at Jude when he grinned that silly grin of his?”

“Don’t you dare,” Cole blurted then his eyes widened in realization and he quickly faced forward.

“See,” she said and flipped to rest her other warm cheek on his neck in the same spot. “You don’t like it either. So don’t look at my man’s smile, okay?” She warned in a cute voice.

Cole started walking again. He couldn’t stop smiling.

“Don’t tell Cole, okay?” She let out a soft burp. “I don’t know how to comfort him, Megan. He’s stuck with a wife who will hurt him.” The tears started flowing again.

Cole felt the weight in his chest and pressed his lips into a grim line.

Claire was at the door, waiting with concerned eyes. He smiled and gave a nod. She let them through then closed the door, locked it and left them.

“He should have a wife who can fulfill his needs properly.” Her sobs grew harder. Cole went past her room.

“But I can’t bear to see him with another woman!” She wailed. “I don’t want to see him with another woman. But I will hurt him, Megan. What am I going to do? What can I do? I don’t want to leave him.”

Cole walked to his bed and slowly lay Dove on the soft sheets. Without opening her eyes, she crawled under the thick covers and pulled them over her shoulders.

Amused, Cole laughed softly and he went to the opposite side, lifted the covers and climbed in. He came up behind her when she turned around, wormed into his embrace and snuggled against his body.

Arms wrapped around her tiny frame, he rested his chin on her head, closed his eyes and waited for sleep to come while embracing her lovely scent.