𝙴𝚡𝚝𝚛𝚊 𝟸|𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚖𝚊𝚜 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝙸 - 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚖𝚊𝚜 𝙳𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚛, 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚂𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚙𝚘𝚗

 

Win Metawin [16 years old]

Christmas had always been the best part of the year as it lights up the whole world in different colors, and everyone celebrates it with all the wonderful and sumptuous dishes that they could whip. Portland became a winter wonderland of snowflakes and snowballs, with little kids playing around with the snow - throwing the same to their playmates. Some of them go around the neighborhood with their group of friends to sing some Christmas carols, which then delighted everyone that would hear such melodious and cute voices. The packhouse, of course, was filled with loud waves of laughter and cheers from the adults, teens, kids, and pups. And once the sun settled down behind the awe-inspiring mountains, they retreated back to their homes to celebrate the occasion with family alone.

We were no different from them, only, Luna Maeve had insisted to Rose that we celebrate with them at the packhouse together with the other ranks in the packhouse. Which only means one thing, I'd be able to see and celebrate Christmas with my friends - and with Bright. Of course, we can't just go there empty-handed because that would be too awful, and so, days before the get-together at the packhouse - we were able to do buy some ingredients for what we were going to bring. This is a season of festivities and no celebration is complete without the traditional delicacies - and right now, we're crowding the small kitchen in our home to prepare.

Roast turkey infused with herbs and spices, simple non-alcohol infused fruitcakes for the kids to enjoy, as well. Plum cake with dried fruits, plums, and cherries that were mixed in alcohol because Christmas cannot be imagined without them. Chocolate gingerbread aced with various spices, a flavorful Christmas pudding made from alcohol-soaked dry fruits. Mince pies full of the goodness of dried fruits, plums, and cherries were baked in the oven to perfection. Rum balls from black rum, chocolate cake, and cream. Some butter cookies that were decorated with royal icing, and a whole bunch of Christmas-themed cupcakes that would complete the whole Christmas dinner later on. And of course, Bright's favorite Mocha Bûche de Noël or Yule Log Cake which was a classic French Christmas cake in the shape of a yule log with some coffee-meringue mushrooms. And we'd be doing some eggnog at the packhouse as per my friends' request.

Once we were done with the cooking, baking, decorating, and all that we needed to accomplish - Rose and me took our shower and slipped on our articles of clothing for the said event. Clayton was already taking the food from the kitchen and into the car, carefully laying it while making sure that nothing would be out of place once we arrive at the packhouse. And thankfully, all of it was in one piece when we reached our destination and my friends helped us bring the goods into the packhouse, while I carried the yule log with me because - this one's special.

"Merry Christmas," voices filled the whole room with greetings from everyone and by now, we were exchanging hugs with each and everyone, making sure to not miss even a single one. The pleasantries carried on and we were once again, taking the pastries out of the box and placing the same on the long table together with the other food that each family prepared. Looking closely, it was indeed a great festivity just by the mere sight of such mouth-watering appetizers, dishes, and pastries - and even the table were beautifully and bewitchingly decorated making it more wonderful and I'm pretty sure that this was Sky's doing.

"Hi Win," Bright suddenly appeared from out of nowhere making me jolt before turning my head in his direction. He was smiling so widely, that it almost blinded me and my heart was doing some somersaults just being this much close to him. Throwing all of my nervousness away, I offered him a smile and a light wave, thus making him beam just a little bit wider.

"H-h-hi Bright," I responded and as much as I didn't want to appear nervous, I failed beautifully. "Uhm...Merry Christmas," I added and he playfully shoved me with his shoulders making me almost lose my balance - only I didn't because his hand was already on my waist. My face felt like it was burning, and Bright chuckled lightly before letting me go and my mind was already in the mayhem.

"Merry Christmas," he said. "You guys did a lot this time, and I'm sure that you helped with everything. Were you tired?" he asked whilst we started to walk towards the balcony amidst the crowd that we were in. And truly, everything around me dulled down that each word rolling out from his tongue was audible, and my heart was also beating so loudly.

"It's o-o-okay, I enjoy helping Rose out every now and then," I said without stuttering anymore making him hum in response. "So, what did you do for today Alpha?"

"I did help out with the decorating, cooking, and everything else that needed to be done before you guys arrived. It was a good thing that I was still able to take a quick shower, I could have smelled awful by now if I didn't," he humored and I snickered.

"Probably not."

We reached the balcony showcasing the large Christmas tree that the pack members had erected a week before the celebration and it was truly a magnificent sight. There were changing lights around the whole tree, with ornaments in different shapes, designs, sizes, and colors that made the tree even more breathtaking. What made it even more gorgeous was the snow that covered the leaves and the bright star on the very top which was placed by none other than Bright himself. Truly, it was startlingly impressive and the amount of pride I hold inside my heart was being showcased with probably my eyes shimmering just looking at it.

"So beautiful," Bright said and I smiled knowing that he was telling the truth. I cast my glance at him and our eyes connected. Has he been looking at me since earlier? I thought and he moved a tad closer to me while I remained rooted on the spot, making sure that I don't freak out - not after he announced about his crush during Thanksgiving. I'm not saying that it was me, but there's nothing wrong with dreaming that he was actually referring to me. I smiled.

We talked more about random things that we could think about just to make the conversation rolling. It was as if, both of us didn't want to cut short this moment that we have - and we were just throwing each other non-sense topics. And yet, I felt so delighted since Bright was making sure that I don't get bored since I am a man that really doesn't mingle too much. Yeah, I know that we have a lot of reasons to actually have some chats with other pack members every now and then, but that doesn't mean that I am always comfortable with a crowd. Speaking of which, Bright would always be there to at least row away from my thoughts and would always find a way to make me feel at ease. Whatever he does, it works perfectly.

Luna Maeve called out for both of us and we made our way back inside the room, all the way to the long table together with everyone. Once we were settled, the dinner was commemorated and we were all enjoying every bite of such scrumptious food that we shared. It was a hearty dinner filled with loud ripples of laughter, chatters, teasing, and joking at some point. No one talked about the pack, business, work, not even things that happened at school - it was just pure fun and good tidings. The dinner carried on, and the whole table was almost emptied out since there were a large number of us - and we savored every single dish that was in front of us.

Dinner was done, and we were now in our own circles. The adults were at one corner of the room with their own cups of eggnog, the males had some beer with them, and a spread of cheese and wine on the table amidst them. For us, we were in the living room with our eggnogs, as well. Bright, and the other males were also enjoying their own bottles of beer that they chugged down without difficulty - at all. And the most amazing part of this whole thing was Bright sitting next to me, crowding my space which I don't mind at all. In fact, I loved it.

It was quarter to ten when we decided to have our Secret Santa, and my greatest fear had now come into view. Why? I had been so busy with baking earlier and thinking about the things that we needed days before - that I had completely forgotten to buy a gift. Thankfully, Rose had a coupon something that she managed to slip inside a card and hoped would work. Bright, Drake, Boss, Man, Chase, Fenris, Earn, Pear, Sky and I gathered around the small table and took out a piece of paper from the tub. That piece of paper would have a number that would then correspond to the gift that was on the other side of the table. And right now, I just wanted to disappear completely because no one would probably want to claim that coupon with me. Either way, whoever would pick out my gift should be the luckiest person in the room.

"Alright Win, what's your number?" Sky asked and I opened the piece of paper that I'd been holding on to since earlier.

"8," I answered and she then grabbed a box with the number eight written on it. With a smile, I opened the box in front of the anticipating crowd and they were guessing what was inside it. I dismissed their ideas and continued to rip the cover and opened the box suspensefully until my eyes landed on a Verona cashmere in vibrant red. The scarf has dazzling fringed edges and the material is irresistible, ultra-comfortable, and trendy. Above all, it's cozy and would keep me warm during the winter season. And I know very well who this was from - because he had been resisting the urge to smile so wide since the box was handed to me. I offered him a light bow, and Bright nodded lightly.

"That looks nice!" everyone exclaimed. Sky quickly snatched my own muffler and wrapped the new one instead making me smile, and nuzzle on the softness of it.

Others did their turn until there was only Drake and Bright left - and one of the gifts on the table was mine, and I'm starting to dread the day that I forgot to buy a gift. It was Bright's turn and he opened the piece of paper, and I gulped down hard because I don't want him to get my gift. It would be embarrassing.

"3", Bright said and my jaw almost dropped to the floor - it was my gift. Sky hesitantly handed the envelope to him, and Bright raised an eyebrow whilst gazing at the paper. And I died little by little.

"Uhm, okay. I'll open it now," he announced and I was already biting on my bottom lip so hard that it felt like it was bleeding - but it wasn't.

Bright opened the envelope and took out the coupon, while everyone gathered around him except for me because I'd have to explain to him what happened. As soon as it was out in the open, they all looked in my direction and I offered Bright an apologetic look. Whilst the girls were teasing me, I wished that the floor would just open up and swallow me whole. By the way, I don't know what's written on the coupon because Rose just shoved it inside the envelope earlier without letting me read it.

"Y-y-yeah, that's mine and I don't even know why you guys know. So what happened was..uhm...I totally forgot about the Secret Santa thing and wasn't able to buy a gift. I'm really sorry...Bright. You could just toss it out, and I'll...buy a gift tomorrow," I explained but Bright shook his head like it was about to separate from his body making me confused.

"No, I'll take the coupon. This would be such a wonderful gift," he said with a beaming smile making me even more confused. Knowing very well that my gears were turning, Bright cast a glance at me and shook his head. "You don't know what the coupon is about, right?"

"I do not. What is it?"

They all snickered, and my nervousness was resurfacing as I unconsciously tapped my fingers on the table. Bright turned the coupon to my line of sight, and my jaw dropped for the umpteenth time before my eyes landed on him. This time, his cheeks were tainted with pink, and I, too, felt the warmth of my body on my cheeks matching his. While everyone else was teasing us making both of us blush even more, and for some reason, I was thankful that I forgot to buy a gift and the coupon actually landed on Bright.

"Three dates with you anytime I want to," Bright said and everyone was now crowding us and pushing us to each other all the while cheering. "Am I right?" His fingers brushed against my own fingers and I whipped my head in his direction. Bright was smiling. And my heart soared high into the clouds as I shifted closer to him, this time, brushing my own fingers to his.

"Right, anytime."