The Cold She-wolf

Chapter Nineteen: this is not a dream

Cyrus's POV

   The Alpha's manor, a lavender and red Georgian mansion was originally a high-gloss chartreuse color before mom changed it. The pack had a tradition. Every new Luna is allowed to make changes to the manor if she wishes, but not many are bothered with it. Well, mom liked redecoration so she was one of the Lunas who changed the color of the manor. I hated it. Since mom was also obsessed with plants, the whole place looked like a greenhouse. The walls were decorated with bougainvilleas and black-eyed susan vines, and every window box had clematis flowers. The windows which didn't have boxes somehow had moonflowers entwined with the sill and the frame. The flowers made the house smell very nice, but they also attracted a lot of bees.

   Mom, unfortunately, stood outside with Dandy, yelling over something I rather not know. My poor beta was going to cry. He was bent back in such an awkward position, mother towering over him with her face a few inches away from his and her scream going directly into his ears. Poor Dandy. "Can I believe that is not your mother?" Ara squeaked pleadingly.

   "Unfortunately," Ara whimpered as she sank into the chair. "Hey! You'll be fine," I said assuredly.

   "Fine? Does that poor man look fine to you?" True. But unlike Dandy, he didn't have her gold card. The daughter-in-law card.

   "He must have done something to warrant her… well, that," or she just decided to scold him for something she did. Sometimes when she feels like just shouting, she would scream at any random unfortunate person, and most times when she does something tragic, she blames it on anyone as well.

   "She's harsh,"

   "And crazy but I'm sure my brutal celebrity girlfriend can handle it," I teased. She sank further into the chair with a whimper. "Not helping, my queen?" She smiled, a bit hopeful.

   "I am a queen, queens don't cower,"

You haven't met mom, darling, but okay.

   "That's the spirit!" I cheered. "Now let's get this over w—" mom's shriek shocked me, as well as everyone else. She finally noticed us. Arabel found the courage to step out of the car sooner than I expected. She was out of the car the second mom looked in our direction, holding her head up high as if she wasn't the same person shivering a minute ago. Wow, this woman is more fascinating than I imagined.

   "My baby!" She squealed, running to embrace Ara. Arabel didn't show it but I knew she was surprised by how welcoming mom was. "You are even more beautiful than your pictures, you are hot! Fabulous! Gorgeous…"

   "And fucking Arabel Lee!" Cyra screamed. Oh no! She's in screech mode too. Five minutes of girly madness activated. Dandy ran off before the main event began. "Arabel, oh my God! Oh my God! That jackass didn't tell me you were his mate but here you are! I'm a big fan! I love the way you dance! The way you act and all your grace and poise!"

Ara smiled awkwardly. "Er… thank you?"

   "I love your voice and your sister's clothing line is my favorite. Most of the things I wear are from her. See?" She raved on, pulling at her top to show Arabel. "Oh my goodness! Is it true you dated and dumped Flynn Williams? Is h—"

   "Shut up, Cyra!" Mom and I snapped.

   She paused her lips for three seconds, then continued like nothing ever happened. "Will you teach me how to dance? Oh yes! Your lovely hair. I so much love your new white dye and skin…I can't believe my brother got mated to an awesome human like you. Can we have sleepovers? Can I invite my friends over? Ooh! Maybe we can take selfies! My friend's sister has a crush on your brother. Will you help me matchmake t…" Arabel stepped back cautiously, an awkward smile twitching on her face. Well, Arabel, you haven't met the rest of the pack in person.