𝙴𝚡𝚝𝚛𝚊 𝟻|𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜' 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 - 𝙳𝚘𝚞𝚋𝚝𝚜, 𝙰𝚕𝚙𝚑𝚊 𝙰𝚎𝚐𝚘𝚗, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝

 

Win Metawin

Another special event was now being shared among the pack members, matched with the gloriously beautiful setting sun behind the awe-inspiring mountain. It covers the whole world in a bewitching reddish-yellow making everything look as pretty as a painting. But what makes it even more delightful was the busy body that had been guiding the other males to set up the whole place — just like the ones that we did on Thanksgiving. Of course, we were also on our feet and bringing the food to the table, together with the teens that were already so eager to celebrate the New Year. Unconsciously, my eyes landed on Bright as he was about to wipe away the existing sweat from his forehead, and I swallowed hard.

"Yum, right?" Sky interrupted my trance and I blushed from getting caught staring at her brother. However, she just smiled and bumped her hips to mine. "Don't worry, he won't be going away. Let's bring out the balloons," she reminded and I reluctantly followed her. Only, I made a last-minute turn to where Bright was standing, and our sight then connected making me die momentarily. Bright waved at me, and I waved a small one before running towards the entrance of the packhouse — completely flustered.

Despite the warmth that had been threatening to make me a walking tomato, I pulled myself back together and continued to help out my friends. It was fun, actually, that we were all putting up so much effort to make the end of the year and the beginning of a new year a completely fun one with the pack members. Aside from that, we'd have another campfire — something that we really like doing because then we'd have plenty of time to mingle with the members. And I get to play with the pups again, and maybe share with them the desserts that I managed to make earlier. Though this time, I was kicked out of the kitchen because there were already plenty of them inside. So, I had nothing else to do but make myself useful with the decorations. It wasn't fancy per se, just a few balloons here and there, with those letter banners screening happy new year in colorful font, and of course, setting up the table with ornaments that Sky managed to buy days before. Not a single thing would be overlooked by such powerful individual, not when it comes to details and budget.

Shimmering night sky was starting to envelop the world, and the boys were already throwing the branches that they gathered earlier from the woods. They're ready for the campfire, and we were also ready to bite into the mouth-watering goodness that the pack cooks whipped up for us. And sure enough, just by the looks of it, we're already famished. I know that I was, and I'd love to take a bite on each and every single dishes that was laid out on the table. Just the mere thought of it was making me excited enough that I didn't even notice a male that was taking the seat beside me on the long table, not until his hand was on top of my palm making me look at it — before I glanced at him.

"Tired?" He asked and squeezed my hand lightly. By now, my heart was giving him a big thump and I wanted to run some laps just looking at his handsome face — to calm myself.

"Sort of," I replied, finding myself comfortable enough from his warmth that I forgot to stutter. "And you?" I inquired this time, and his fingers were tracing my palm gracefully making me want to jump from happiness — but I didn't.

"It was fine," he shrugged his shoulders in response, as well. "My tiredness was gone when I saw you earlier."

"Smooth," I giggled.

Bright did the same thing and we were like two idiots laughing and being inside our own little bubble despite the many people around us while we started to dig in. Perfectly ignoring everyone's existence, Bright entangled our fingers together making my heart warm enough to my liking. Without second thoughts, I found myself leaning my body towards him, while we made small talks with other people — popping out of our bubble and move to other people's bubble. Boisterous waves of laughter, loud chattering, and cute giggles filled the night sky and we can now hear the light crackles coming from the bonfire that the others have managed to light up.

Whilst being surrounded by the warmth from the fireplace, I have completely forgotten that my hand was still held tightly by Bright. Feeling the thirst that was about to surface, I raised my hand to grab my glass of water, bringing Bright's hand together with mine and was now in full view for everyone to see in the table.

Sudden silence was amongst us, with the adults collective gasps, our friends as shocked as the others, the person holding their cups froze solid, some of them that leaned on the chair straightened their back, one of the members turned into a rock and forgot that he was filing up a glass, now scattering the water on the table, and there were cricket sounds all over.

Time seemed to have paused momentarily until someone finally interrupted the silence with a light scream from the dripping water on her lap. The shriek somehow made everyone return to their senses.

Recovering from shock that I was in, I pulled my hand away from Bright — leaving his completely suspended in the air making him look at me with a pout. Though embarrassed, I offered an apologetic smile to him and by now he just tucked his hand on his side, while I clasped my hands together. Totally feeling awkward all of a sudden, while I cast a light glance on Bright who then scrunched his nose at first before rubbing it with the back of his hand. One can tell that he felt embarrassed too, but mostly he felt wronged being stared at earlier. Well, to be honest, there wasn't wrong holding hands with a friend — only they were both males, and somehow that was something that wasn't seen as normal. Probably because I felt so comfortable with his hands, that I really forgot about it being linked together.

Luna Maeve suddenly started to giggle, and slapped her husband's arm playfully. Soon, everyone else were joining in the fun that she had created. Even Rose and Clayton took it light-heartedly and just laughed it off, same with our circle of friends who were now teasing me relentlessly. I wanted to bury my head into my chest as I continued to lower it, only, I was back to being electrocuted when Bright bumped his shoulder to mine. I looked at him with a questioning look.

Is he not mad?

"Are you okay?" he asked in a concerned tone, probably feeling the amount of anxiousness that was about to resurface. When I wasn't able to formulate my words, he grabbed my hand once more and squeezed it firmly making me startled.

"Y-y-yes."

"Don't mind what happened," he scooted closer, while I tried to look around if someone was sparing us a glance. Only I didn't, when there was another light squeeze on my hand.

"Calm down, Win. Don't mind them, uhm, so..." Bright trailed. "No cakes for me this time?"

"Oh," I exclaimed a bit, realizing that I did make one for their family to share after the New Years which was inside the fridge. "I did. It's inside. Wait, I think it would be time for the desserts now? I made some cinnamon roll macarons and mini cream puffs for the kids. And some dark chocolate bourbon balls, and some red wine and chocolate cupcakes for the teens and adults."

"Hmm," he hummed and tapped on my thigh making me blush, too intimate. "Let's go grab 'em then, is it inside the house, too?" He asked and I nodded. "Come 'on."

Reluctantly, I stood up next to him and their eyes were back at us again while I felt my fingers going on its involuntary tic. Bright, knowing, cleared his throat a little to grab their attention away from me and to him which I was grateful for.

"We're grabbing the desserts, who wants to help out?"

Chase and Sky stood up to their full heights, as well, and she linked her hands around my arm and I stared at her dotingly. Catching Bright's eye-rolling from my peripheral vision and Sky sticking her tongue out to her brother's back making both of us snicker. Truly, being under someone one's gaze was nerve-wracking, and by all means, I'd rather not come back to that table anymore. Feeling the tension, Sky pinched my nose hard making me wail in pain and both males turned around to see what was happening. Realizing that there wasn't really trouble occurring, they both turned their heels away from us and into the direction of the entrance.

"Stop thinking about it," Sky said in a humorous way. "Don't let them get to you."

"It didn't," I lied. But she saw through me, and I smiled awkwardly. "I mean, it's unusual for two males to hold hands, and I'm scared of what the Alpha and Luna would think about me. I mean, that's the incoming Alpha right there, and he's supposed to wait for his female, which means not being involved with someone. And definitely not a male at that. What if they banish him from the throne because of what happened earlier? What if they ask me and my parents to leave the pack? Ah, just thinking about it is making me anxious."

Sky offered a small curl on her lips. "Who cares? If you guys like each other, then so be it. Aren't you thinking far ahead of what was going to happen to a future that no one could actually tell? Come 'on, my parents are not that bad. They could be strict, but they'd never interfere with our happiness."

"I'd understand that if you guys are human like me. But you're not," I expelled a lot of air and paused for a moment as my eyes found Bright's back. "I can't just take him away from his mate." I smiled a sad one at that and felt a thin film of tears forming on the corner of my eyes that I wiped away with my fingertips even before it falls on my cheeks.

"Let's go, they must be famished for the desserts by now."

Sky nodded, let my arms go, and just silently followed me behind while my mind jumbled different scenarios in my brain. I didn't even notice where I was if Bright didn't grab my shoulder firmly making me turn around to meet his confused expression.

"Where are you going?"

"To the kitchen..." I trailed and turned my head back to the direction that I was going, and realized that I was aiming for the stairs that would lead me to the second floor of the building.

"Uh-huh."

"Oh, the wrong way," I laughed a forced one, and Bright scrunched his brows in the middle.

"What's wrong?" He raised an eyebrow, and anyone could tell that he was trying his best not to read the things going on inside my brain.

"Don't leave me in the dark, is this about what happened earlier? Them seeing us holding hands? Is that what's bothering you?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but couldn't find my voice so I just pursed it into a tight line, lowered my head as much as I could, and nodded as my response. Bright emitted a deep and loud sigh making me jolt from the sudden gush of air against my hair. Warm hands were now on either side of my cheeks forcing me to raise my head and met his doting gaze. Bright leaned in closer, making me shut my eyes instantly as his lips pressed against my forehead, sending a calming effect on my body. His lips then moved from my forehead, and into my right cheek making me smile with my eyes still closed tightly. Another warmth landed on my left cheek sending my heart into its hammering state against my chest. Until his moist lips were now giving the tip of my nose a gentle kiss, and I melted almost instantly and knees turned into jelly.

"Hey," Bright said and I opened my eyes to see him beaming me a bright one. "Can you please not let that bother you? Knowing you, because of this, you'd start to ignore and be awkward around me again, and we'd be back to square one. I don't want that to happen, Win. I don't want to go back to being a stranger again, I've had enough of that. Please," his voice sounded pleading as he pressed our foreheads together. I can hear the loud thumping of his own heart, a wonderful tune and I snuggled on one of his palms.

"Can you just forget about them and focus on me?"

"Okay," I replied and placed my own on his hands which were still on either side of my face. "I'm sorry, it just didn't sit well with me how they looked at us."

Bright smiled and this time, pulled me into a tight embrace as I burrowed my face in the crook of his neck. I familiarized myself with his scent. While we were still in the moment, someone cleared his throat in the background making me look up to see Alpha Aegon behind. I panicked and pushed Bright away from me completely making him look at me with a questioning look. Following my line of sight, Bright turned around and was greeted with the Alpha's stoic expression.

I want to disappear. I thought and my hands were shaking tremendously.

"Bright," Alpha Aegon said, and another shiver ran down my spine that I almost whimpered. "What happened to Win? Why is he shaking?" He asked and I looked up, mouth agape and slightly confused.

Wasn't he supposed to throw a fit after seeing his son being touchy with a man?

"Ah," Bright wrapped an arm around my shoulder, I stiffened and wanted to just be swallowed whole by the floor. "You appeared out of nowhere while we were having our moment, Dad," even without looking, I can tell that Bright was talking with a pout and I smiled with the thought.

"Did you need me though?"

"No, I just came here because Chase and Sky were already back at the table without the two of you. Win," he said and I quickly snapped out of my little shock.

"Are you okay, son? Did Bright do something to you? You can tell me, and I'll let him run laps around the woods in his human form until morning."

With my gears turning, I just looked at him; confused, dazed, and dumbfounded. I only snapped out of it when I heard Bright laughing from my side. My eyes were on him first, before I gave my attention back to Alpha Aegon who was now snickering himself, and me still trying to understand the situation. My gears were overworking so bad, but I was still rooted on the spot with now scrunched brows in the middle. Both of them finally ended with their merriment, and Bright held my hand in front of Alpha Aegon making me blush again while I tried my best to pull my hand away. Only, he held it firmly against his making it impossible to let go.

"Show off," Alpha Aegon rolled his eyes playfully before giving Bright a light smack at the back of his head. "You got your Dad's smooth moves, yeah? So, are we just going to stay here while you two flaunt your sweetness in front of me? Or will I be able to taste that bourbon balls that Win made?"

"Let's go," I said awkwardly and pulled Bright along with me back to the table where everyone was. Once again, their attention was on us and I wanted to hide our still entangled hands.

Bright, however, had another plan in his mind as raised our hands together, showing off our linked hands in view again. This time, I was more prepared and expected that they'd give us the same reaction as earlier. What surprised me though, was when they just smiled and carried on with their talks. My eyes then found Rose's as she tugged a small curl on her lips, but Clayton wore a different expression. I offered him a smile, and he gave me a nod before giving his attention back to his mate.

Bright smiled cheekily before pulling me back to our seat making me want to run laps around the forest until morning, just like what the Alpha mentioned earlier. Though I don't admit it, I felt relieved and gleeful at the same time. That they didn't give us a calculative look, and we were in fact free from such peering eyes. I mean, there was nothing that they could do to Bright knowing that he's the incoming Alpha. I was more scared of what Alpha Aegon would feel, but based on our little interaction earlier - he was okay with it. I'm not entirely sure though, but it looked like that in my understanding. Knowing that my mind was already elsewhere, the male beside me started to crowd my space until there was no gap between us. Bright grabbed one of the bourbon balls and hovered it in front of my face with that seductive smile plastered all over his face.

No, this is dangerous. Bright and seduction should not go together, it's bad for my heart.

"Come 'on baby, my arm is hurting," he complained and jutted his lips. But my mind short-circuited again because he addressed me as baby. Feeling the tingles in my body, and not wanting to make him way further — I opened my mouth slightly, and Bright pushed the dessert into my mouth making my face warm. Once more, we were inside our own little utopia where people's stares didn't matter to me, and the only person that mattered was the one staring at me with that same pink on his cheeks.

Suddenly, there was a firework spreading its wondrous beauty against the vast sky dusted with the stars that had been shining so brightly earlier - which were now tainted with colors in different shades. More fireworks were released into the sky, and we were like looking at a display before our very eyes that made the world almost in daylight. Time stood still and I was being sucked by the beauty the new year brings, and the warm feeling of someone's presence. Bright found his spot on my shoulder, one arm wrapped around my waist. and me leaning against his broad chest.

"So beautiful," he whispered and I hummed in agreement.

"It is indeed, its exploding colors of purple, green, red,  yellow. Really very beautiful."

"I was not talking about the fireworks," he said. "I was talking about you, you're so beautiful."

Before I could react to the sudden compliment, Chase stood up to his full height quite hurriedly before turning his body unto everyone at the table.

"It's almost time! Let's do a countdown!" Chase shouted above the loud sound of the fireworks and everyone agreed.

Loud cheers of merriment, boisterous touches of laughter, the sound of beer bottles against the silverware, and the loud count down from the pack members filled the whole place.

"5..." We all shouted in unison, as Bright reluctantly lets go of me so we could stand together with the others.

"4..."

"3..."

"2..."

"1...Happy New Year!!!"

Everyone shouted at the top of their lungs and welcomed the new year with their faces bursting with wonderful emotions, and me being whirled back to Bright as he brushed his lips on my cheek, making me land a quick kiss on his cheek, as well. We were now smiling and looking at each other before I was inside his warm embrace once more — feeling the very familiar warmth that I've almost gotten used to

"Happy New Year, Win," he whispered softly into my ears, and I know that it was already red while I continue to bury my face in his neck.

"I hope to spend another wonderful year with you," he added. "Happy New Year, my human," he said and by now, the warmth was traveling around my body while I tore myself away from him.

"And I'd be happy to be in your life for the years to come," I giggled, and looped our fingers. "Happy New Year to you, too, my dearest Alpha."

Suddenly, we pulled away from each other as our friends crowded us making me laugh and enjoy the little distraction that they did. More embraces, kisses, a few slaps here and there, and plenty of shouting against the loud sound of the fireworks around us made everything definitive — that it was indeed a celebration. By now, my friends and I were all standing next to each other and appreciated the wonderful view in front of us. Somehow, my eyes roamed to the other side, and was surprised to see Bright already staring at me. He winked and I rolled my eyes playfully.

Indeed, a happy way of ending the old year and welcoming the new year with the pack members, my family, my friends, and most especially with the love of my life, Bright Chivaaree.