Festival

Fifteenth of December, a very special lunar day. Werewolves celebrate this day as a festival because on this very day 'Goddess of Red Moon' blesses all of the werewolves with prosperity and power unique to everyone.

I woke up to all the noises and preparation being done around the pack house. After refreshing, I climbed downstairs with the view of decorations and beautiful and eye-catching flowers. Everyone looked busy with the task they carried out.

Martha walked past me with a box in her hands. She stopped suddenly seeing me coming downstairs.

"Oh! you're awake. Come! there is something you need to help me with." she said with a smile on her face.

"Okay!" I nodded.

Around the living room, Ned and Douard were placing lighting over the door and arches around the ceiling. Large house decorated with decorations made it look like a castle, ready for grand celebration.

"Wow! Nice flower ropes." I said looking at Douard.

"right?" He said.

Martha hurried and I followed her. She turned to Betty's room.

'Betty's room?' I thought.

"Isn't this way Betty's room?" I said, confused.

"She needs little help with dressing and makeup. I thought it would be a good chance for you to open up frankly and befriend her too." she said.

Her gleaming eyes and innocent face made me hesitate.

"But…" Martha cut off me and said,

"I know I could help her but look at me busy handling other stuff. So…. just go." She insisted, pointing towards the door.

"Do I really….." As I was going to say, Martha had gone already.

"Ahem!" I coughed up and gave a knock.

"Come in!"

Betty called and I entered.

Her room filled with scent off her body and the arrangement of stuff looked peculiar.

"Umm… your room."

"Yeah! just whatever. You've come inside, just get started already. There's no time." As always rude and stiff, she cut me off.

'Well, there's no harm helping. She is nice in her own way.' I thought.

Approaching her, I started with hair and fixed her dress here and there.

A glance of mine picked the uncomfortable face of Betty in the mirror.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Nothing. It's that I am not used to such clothes. If it was not for the festival…" She said,

Her unspoken words were clear on her face. I could understand most but something strange lingered around.

"If you're not fine with this you can change your dress." I said expecting she would open up. But….

"No. Let's finish up!" She was not in the mood.

After a while, she was ready and stood up to check herself. Moving sideways her body, she gazed at revealed parts. But she is looking more beautiful than her usual form and manly aura.

"Are you not ready yet? Everyone started and you guys are still hooked in the mirror."

Martha appeared with motherly doting and looked at Betty.

"Not bad!" She raised eyebrows in satisfaction.

"We were just about to come. How's the food by the way? Cause I'm so hungry." I said.

"Oh! you shouldn't be that hungry. Come fast. Food will be served later but you can eat." Martha looked at my belly and said.

She then left patting Betty on her shoulder.

"Let's go!" I said.

Betty walked ahead and suddenly stopped at the door, she tilted at me.

"Thank you!" she said.

And walked to the hall. She was hesitating to even say thanks. Anyway, she is understanding and soft at heart.

I looked towards the food table as soon as I entered the hall and sat on a chair to fill up my belly.

"Hungry, little girl." With a gentle voice Douard approached.

"Yes!" I said.

But my mouth filled with food, words sounded funny and weird.

Douard laughed and sat on a chair next to me. He looked at all others busy moving back and forth with stuff in their hands.

"Who could have guessed? The life which threw me out of loneliness for years, would bring such a present to me. Sigh! " Douard said.

His face filled with satisfaction and relaxed in the mood oozed from his words. I could feel his every word. Being a castaway and living among humans but in constant fear of being caught by vampires anytime, he faced much more than me.

"It looks like a dream, right?" I said.

'Frank and everything happening around just because I'm a werewolf and a strange one at that, totally changed my life.' I thought, lost from reality.

"Hmm? Your stomach looks even bigger than before. How do you feel?" Douard said.

"Heavy! and much fat." I said.

We laughed at the same time for what I said. It's been a long time since I laughed.

Suddenly Betty, coming towards us, was going to fall but Douard caught her before she kissed the ground.

"Oh there! Be careful." Holding Betty in arms in a romantic way, he teased her.

"I can take care of myself but….." her gaze fixated on Douard's face.

She could not finish her last words and a sudden blush reigned on her face. For the first time, she was held in a man's arms and it was Douard at that.

It continued for a whopping five minutes and everyone was looking at them only. But they were lost in their own world.

After a while, it felt a little awkward, that's when..

"Ahem!"

Ned coughed and snapped them to senses.

Douard made choking sounds and lifted Betty up, then let go of his embrace. They looked damn cute together but Ned was concerned about something else.

"Sorry! I couldn't take my eyes off such a beautiful face." Douard said bravely.

He hesitated inside but his words busted with a bang and shocked Betty.

"W-what are you…. Ahem! saying." Betty said, shied.

She looked around and collected herself.

" I am sorry, if you are hurt anywhere." She said looking at Douard worried.

Douard shook his head. His words were tied up on his tongue as he was stunned with Betty and her beauty but most importantly, she talked to him showing care and concern.

She couldn't blame others for her situation and hurriedly left the hall. Soon, she came out with her outfit changed. She felt comfortable now with her usual self.

"if you're ready…." Ned said.

"Yes!" Betty answered.

It looked weird. 'What are they up to now? ' I thought.