The Wolf Pact

Chapter 2: Liam

For the rest of the week Katy and I got to know more about Aria and Quinton. I learned that Aria was a retired gymnast and an excellent archer. She told us that back in Germany she was training to be on their Olympic team for archery but decided it was more important to stay close to her family so she gave it up. Quinton was a daredevil and a flirt. He told us about his skydiving, bungee-jumping, and cave-exploring adventures all while practicing his charms on Katy. I could tell already that she had developed quite the crush on him and I shipped it because he seemed to be nice enough. 

For the weekend, Jenny invited us to a family barbecue that the Giovannis were throwing to welcome the new family. Jenny told us that she had to beg to get us invited and made both of us promise to not be too embarrassing in front of her older relatives. Jenny was a really private family person usually so Katy and I knew this was a big deal to her. 

"Are you almost done in there?" Katy said pounding on my bathroom door. 

I had been in the bathroom for almost 30 minutes shampooing, shaving, and soaking in the shower. I wanted to look my best for Jenny's family and for the prospect of getting to know one of her cute boy cousins. I was thankful that my hair was in box braids because otherwise my getting-ready process would've had 2 more hours added to it. I simply put on mascara, a bit of gold eye shadow to compliment my mocha-colored skin and vibrant red lipstick. I looked at myself in the mirror one last time before stepping out of the bathroom. 

Katy looked me up and down "Damn girl you look fan-fucking-tastic," she said. "All you need now is an outfit to fit the occasion." Katy ushered me to my bed where she had already selected 2 outfit choices for me to wear. One was a pastel floral romper that complimented my legs and the other was a yellow sundress that always seemed to hug me in the right places. 

"You know I'm going to pick the sundress. Yellow is my weakness. It goes so well with my skin," I gushed. 

"I know but you always yell at me when I don't give you options," she said while holding up her fingers to indicate air quotes. 

I laughed as I put on the dress. It was perfect for the barbecue because it was respectable, cute, and weather appropriate. Katy knew I was one for practical wear. After I put on the dress I put on a cute pair of wedges I had, grabbed my purse and headed out the door. Katy had already gotten dressed before she came to pick me up and so we exited my house looking like two queens.

Katy told me to get in quick because we were running late and I obliged. As soon as my seat belt was clicked in I felt the car pick up speed as we zoomed to the park Jenny told us to meet her at. When we arrived the scene was already bustling with many of the members of the Giovanni family. I recognized a few but most were new faces. 

"I can't believe her whole family moved back here from Germany with her." Katy said awe-struck by the sheer number of people we saw. I nodded my head in agreement. It was a thing of bewilderment to think about. They probably took up the entire flight manifesto when they were flying in. 

"Hey guys!" I heard someone yell from behind us as we stepped out of the car. I turned around to see an excited Aria running towards us at lightning speed. I braced myself for impact and shrieked as Katy and I became engulfed in a group hug. 

"Your family is huge!" Katy gushed. 

"I know right! Sometimes I totally forget how big we are. We're literally like a small community. Come on, I want you to meet some of my other friends," Aria said dragging us by the hand excitedly. 

I watched as she dragged us towards a handsome male that seemed to only have eyes for her. "This is Noah, my partner," she said as she introduced us. I stuck out my hand to shake Noah's and was met with a firm grip and a grunt that I think was supposed to mean 'nice to meet you.'