"How are you doing?" Ruth asked before taking a huge bite out of the apple in her hand. "You okay?" She managed to ask with a mouthful of the bite.
I shrugged lazily. "I'm fine, I guess,"
"Oh, you're not fine at all. You smell different and you look like shit. Are you not eating?" I could tell she was frowning even though I wasn't looking.
I exhaled deeply before looking up. "I have no appetite these days…. I just…I'm just not in a good mood most of the time. There's a lot in my head…"
"No wonder you smell distressed. You should visit Lily."
"For what?"
"For your health, Ivy." Ruth rolled her eyes before continuing. "She might have some protein shake recipes or something like that to help you. If you only eat once a day, at least eat something that's healthy and gives you energy. You look like you're about to audition for the cast of Emily from Corpse Bride,"
Ruth warned me sternly but I could only tilt my head in confusion as I tried to figure out who the hell was Emily from Corpse Bride.
"Who is that?"
"You don't know Emily from Corpse Bride?" Ruth paused to look at me like I've said the most incredulous thing ever.
I frowned. "I have no idea who that is," I answered truthfully.
"Oh my goddess, Ivy, you need to stop reading those books and watch some movies and series too."
"Books are fun," I argued.
"I'm not saying they aren't but you're missing out on so much good stuff, dude." She threw away the middle part of the apple out the window.
"I'm a girl, Ruth. Why are you calling me a dude?"
"See, this is why you need to watch movies and series. " I heard her sigh before she flopped down on the couch next to me. "I'll come by soon after my exams finish. We can start on some series then. What do you think?"
"Yeah…sure," I pressed my lips together.
"Stop being moody, Ivy. You can't let an alpha mess with you like that. Be strong," I jerked to the side from the force of Ruth hitting my shoulder. I let out a wince from the pain and threw her a glare.
"I am strong. I just…. I didn't think he would confess to me and all, you know?" I heaved a sigh. "My wolf is stupidly in love. My omega is just one more soft touch away from caving into whatever Cassian wants." I huffed out.
"Wow, that's so lame." Ruth chuckled.
"Shut up," I turned away in hope of hiding my blush.
"I mean I get it," She shrugged, looping an arm around my shoulder as she pulled me back to lean on the couch. Ruth gave me a look, one that said she understood my plight. "I can tell Alpha Cassian is serious about courting you. He's putting in the effort and all. He went out on a hunt alone for you just yesterday. Lily was so mad but he didn't give a fuck I think. He still went for it anyway. It's amazing."
"What?" I looked at her wide-eyed as I took in the information. "He went on a hunt yesterday?"
Ruth frowned. "Yeah, you didn't know?"
"I didn't…"
"Oh, that's….strange… I thought he went out to hunt for the next courting gift," she tilted her head. "Maybe that was for the festive stock? Moon festival is next week so maybe it's for that…"
"Hmm…why did he go alone then? If it was for the moon festival, the pack warriors should've assisted him. Don't you think so? He's still not fully healed after all…"
"That's what I'm thinking too. It's weird." She shrugged. "But maybe he thought he could handle it alone? I don't know. We don't have to think so much about it." Ruth shook her head before standing up. "Come on, let's go out. I've been here for too long. I'm afraid Alpha Cassian wouldn't like it if your bedroom smells too much like me."
"You're right," I whispered before standing up. Everything sets his alpha on the edge nowadays. I don't want him to lose his shit and scent me when he comes back. If that happens my stupid omega might respond to him and that's a risk I don't wanna take at the moment.
—-
"Ivy," Stella beamed as soon as she saw me. "I'm glad you're here! We were planning decorations for the moon festival."
"Luna," The few wolves in the room immediately stood up when they saw me enter. I nodded and gave them a smile in return.
"Do you know where Cassian is?" I whispered when I was close enough to Stella.
A frown immediately made its way to her face. "Cassian? He must've been in the training building. What happened?"
I gave her a tight smile in return and shook my head. "He's been too busy lately so I was wondering where he was…"
"Oh, that. It's the moon festival. He has a lot on his shoulders at the moment. Don't worry, he'll come back to you after everything is over, alright?" Stella ruffled my hair. "Are you already missing him?" A laugh tumbled out of her lips before she paused with a knowing look. "Can't blame you tho. New bond can make you needy,"
I licked my chapped lips and gave her a soft smile. "Do you need my help with something?" Everyone was busy in the room and it did look like they could use an extra hand. I should've joined them earlier.
"We'll be glad if you could join. We're deciding on the gifts to be given to the elders and Council members. Can you help?"
"Sure,"
—-
It's been close to a week since I last saw Cassian. He only came to our room twice in the span of these days and he was up and gone before dawn even arrived. I couldn't figure out if he was avoiding me or if the festival duties really kept him busy as Stella had said but whatever it was, my wolf was on the edge as days passed.
Tomorrow night the pack will celebrate the moon festival when the clouds clear the way for the brightest and the roundest moon this year has seen. A sacred blessing I've never had the opportunity to partake in.
Even though I might not be able to enjoy it, I'm glad I can be a part of it.
Cassian's scent hit me before his voice did and I whipped my head around to see the alpha stepping into the room, my name on the tip of his tongue. "Ivy," he offered me a small smile before moving closer.
I took in a deep breath as I examined him with a frown. There were so many questions on the tip of my tongue that I was ready to fire at him. How dare he avoid me for days after confessing and then come back like nothing had happened?
I closed my eyes and looked away with a tight expression, letting him know that I wasn't amused by his behavior.
"Are you mad?" came his question soon after.
I scoffed. "No, why would I be?"
"You look mad,"
"You're thinking way too much,"
"Umm…I'm sorry…I know I have been…I know I was avoiding you for days but I didn't mean anything bad. I just didn't want to ruin your surprise,"
My head whipped towards him in an instant, a frown etched on my face as I looked at him curiously. My omega perked up in interest at the possibility of another courting gift.
Soon my eyes found the thick brown pelt Cassian held in his hands. I'm sure the surprise was evident on my face and I'm sure it made Cassian's alpha proud because of the way he smiled and straightened his posture, puffing out his chest as he made his pride visible.
My eyes found his once again and I held the gaze, silent as I waited for him to say something. That's obviously the pelt of a bear. A brown bear at that. My heart was beating loud and my omega preened at the gesture.
"I went on a hunt a few days ago," Cassian proudly announced. "I told you the final courting gift would be the biggest animal the alpha could hunt so I hunted a bear for you. It took me some time to make a jacket out of the fur…. I'm not that good at sewing but I think I did alright," He smiled cheerfully and my omega almost went rampant inside me to be let out.
I was holding my breath the whole time as I watched him smile innocently while telling me that he had gone out to hunt one of the most dangerous animals on the ground to make a jacket for me.
"I got busy working on it. You must've thought I was ignoring you but honestly, I was very excited," he paused to let out a deep chuckle. "So excited I was afraid that I would spoil the surprise if I was around you for too long. It took away my sleep because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to finish it by the moon festival." He scratched his neck in embarrassment before looking down at the pelt.
He extended it towards me before speaking again, "Please, accept it. I…I know I asked forgiveness and you haven't said anything. I'm not expecting you to. But… if you want to try…if you want to try building our relationship and if you're willing to give me a second chance…. please wear it to the moon festival," Cassian breathed out, not daring to lift his head and look at me.
I made him wait a minute and I could see that his mind was reeling from the heavy thoughts the few seconds of my hesitance bestowed upon him. Call me sadistic but I enjoyed my power to make him feel that kind of way.
My omega didn't agree with me though. It was sneering and howling to accept the gift so I did it. I took the thick and heavy jacket into my hands, the fur soft against my touch as I caressed it.
Cassian let out a shaky breath of relief as he lifted his eyes to look at me, golden orbs gleaming with hope and happiness.
A soft smile tugged at my lips. "Thank you," I replied softly.