Chapter 4

I have been avoiding Toby after our last encounter, because somehow it had gotten to my head that he would sense what I had done.

And there was no way I could meet his eyes when I have been using his name and image for naughty things. Instead, I had busied myself with making plans for my departure.

I had reached out to my parents and my siblings to inform them of my coming, but I never told them the real reason for my arrival. It was better to keep them in suspense, and maybe it may give me the upper hand.

It wasn’t as if they were excited about my arrival either.

Whenever I wasn’t brushing up my travel plans, I was in the training room, sparring with anyone that cares to fight.

It was no rumor that I fought dirty. I don’t know why we are always advised to fight within the rules. We are werewolves; our existence is already proof that rules don’t matter.

I had to develop my own motto: fight until your opponent is dead or about to die and until you have no more strength. I throw my logic away when I am in the training room and only rely on my instinct and my wolf, and they have yet to fail me.

Besides, I love the sweet pain that accompanies it.

But I wasn’t going to be sparring today; the girls had decided to host a goodbye party for me, and Ariel will kill me if my face is ruined.

I only went to the training room to inform them of my departure so no one would start looking for me. I have grown a little attached to the people there, and I knew I was going to miss them.

After the little tearful departure, I went back to my room, trying to tidy up whatever I couldn’t do. I was already planning to pack my bags and spend the rest of the days I have with Toby.

I owed it to him and to myself.

With each passing day, it was becoming harder to keep away from him, and with the full moon that was coming, it would only be too painful to keep away from him, so I have to take advantage of it.

I padded to the wardrobe, picking out the outfits Ariel had made for the event. A white tee that had ‘We will miss you, Maddie’ boldly written on it and a pink polka-dot pajama.

I had to humor her because it was in good faith, as long as none of the pictures got to the internet.

I put on the outfit, and I took another look at my room, my eyes sweeping through every corner, in search of anything out of place, and with a satisfied nod, I smiled.

It was perfect for what we needed.

I only had to wait.

It didn’t take long before my ears picked up the approaching footsteps, and soon enough, I heard the knock on the door, and I was running towards. I threw the door open, and Ariel wasted no time as she pounced on me.

“Maddie!” She shrieked, and I was cringing at her too loud voice. She held me as tight as she could without her stomach getting in the way, smoldering me into her bosom, and I let her have her fill until she left me. “You wore the outfit.” She exclaimed as she saw my dress, her eyes wide as those of a saucer, and I rolled my eyes.

Like she would have let me live if I didn’t. “I don’t think I have a choice.”

“You look so beautiful, and see how we are matching.” Ariel cooed, and I allowed her to fawn over me before she would burst into tears, and when she was satisfied, she left me and went to the bed.

It wasn’t even up to a minute before the door opened again, and this time it was Liza and Emily bringing snacks, finger food, and wine. Tiana came after holding a suspicious pink box and already had a gut feeling I wouldn’t like what was inside.

But we were complete, and the party kicked off in earnest. I wasn’t exactly the pack’s favorite; the people that were here were people that I could tolerate—just five ladies ready to have fun.

Ariel was the acclaimed master of ceremonies, and the party started with some pop songs playing in the background and a lot of food passing about and wine, non-alcoholic for the pregnant lady.

We sat in front of the easels arranged for our painting session while the conversation drifted towards our first crush, and I was tongue-tied.

“Wait, Maddie, you have never had a crush?” Ariel asked as she noticed my silence, and I shook my head. I was too ‘boy hostile’ when I was younger. “What were you doing as a teen?” Ariel gasped, her eyes almost bulging out as she looked at me, while everyone stared at me like I was an alien.

“You have never fantasized about a boy, man, the alpha, something?” Liza squeaked, her voice a little high-pitched as she was still trying to fathom what I had just said, and I frowned.

“Ewww, Liza.” I tried to get rid of the mental image. “The alpha was my father, Ewww.” I shook my head, cringing from the thought.

“Oh my!” She gasped, slapping her mouth with her palm. “What have you been doing all your teenage years?”