Roselie led Melissa into her bedroom, the door swinging open to reveal the suite she shared with Alex. The walls were painted a soft lavender, and a large window allowed the evening sunlight to flood the room, casting a warm glow over the plush bed and tasteful decor.
“Welcome to my humble abode!” Roselie announced it with a grin, gesturing grandly.
Melissa’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the spacious room. “Humble? This place is amazing!”
Roselie laughed and walked over to a large, mirrored closet that took up one entire wall. She slid the doors open to reveal her walking closet, which was as big as the bedroom, with shoes and accessories neatly arranged by colour and style. “And this, my dear, is my personal mini mall."
She said it with a flourish.
Melissa’s jaw dropped. “Wow, Roselie! This is like a boutique! How do you ever decide what to wear?”
Roselie shrugged playfully. “I have my moments of fashion crisis, believe me. But the good news is that you can borrow whatever you want. Seriously, take your pick!”
Melissa’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she stepped closer to the closet. “Are you sure? This is like a birthday!!"
Roselie nodded, her smile widening. “Absolutely! What’s mine is yours, except Alex. He's off limits." Melissa laughed, feeling grateful for such a generous friend.
"Now, let’s find something fabulous for the barbeque party.”
As they sifted through the clothes, Melissa’s curiosity got the better of her. “So, Roselie, does Alex have any brothers? You know, in case I need a date for the party?"
Roselie burst into laughter, nearly dropping a pair of shoes she was holding. “No, no brothers. But don’t worry; there are plenty of good-looking men in the pack. You can have your pick of the litter!”
Melissa giggled. “That sounds promising! Any recommendations?”
“Well, there’s Ethan, who’s always a gentleman, and then there’s Lucas, who’s a bit of a jokester but has a heart of gold. And let’s not forget about Derek, who’s quiet but super sweet. Trust me, you can’t go wrong,” Roselie said, winking.
Melissa grabbed a cute floral dress and held it up. “What do you think? Too much?”
Roselie shook her head. “It’s perfect! And it’ll look amazing with these sandals.” She handed over a pair of strappy sandals and then picked out a fun, summery outfit for herself—a flowy top and denim shorts.
As they got dressed, they continued to joke around, laughing about the various quirks and personalities of the pack members.
“Do you think I am going to turn some heads tonight?” Melissa asked, striking a pose in front of the mirror.
Roselie pretended to think about it. “Well, with your stunning dress and my impeccable fashion sense, I’d say you are going to be the star of the show!”
They both burst out laughing, feeling the excitement of the evening ahead. Roselie handed Melissa a sparkly hair clip to complete her look. “Here, this will add the finishing touch.”
Melissa took it and clipped it into her hair. “Thanks, Roselie. I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with your style. Maybe you should become a personal shopper.”
Roselie rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “One crisis at a time, please! Now, let’s get out there and enjoy this barbeque. I’m starving!”
With a final check in the mirror and a shared high-five, the two friends headed out of the room, their laughter echoing through the hallway. Just like the old times.
The backyard was bustling with energy as the barbeque party hit full swing. The aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and music. Roselie and Melissa joined the gathering, and Melissa quickly started mingling with everyone. Within minutes, Melissa had struck up a conversation with Sarah, Alex’s sister. The two hit it off immediately.
“Wow, you’re really rocking that dress,” Sarah said, admiring Melissa’s floral outfit.
“Thanks! All credit goes to Roselie’s incredible closet,” Melissa replied, grinning.
Roselie watched them chat, her heart warming at the sight. She turned to see her parents and her brother Martin fitting in seamlessly with the pack members. They were laughing and talking animatedly, clearly enjoying themselves. It was a relief to see them so at ease.
Just then, Alex appeared besides her with a playful glint in his eye. “Roselie, come with me,” he said, taking her hand.
“Where are we going?” she asked, curious.
“You’ll see,” he replied, leading her through the crowd. He brought her to a large, throne-like chair at the head of the gathering. “As Alpha and Luna, we deserve the best seats in the house,” he declared with a flourish.
Roselie laughed, allowing herself to be pulled into the grand chair. They sat side by side, surveying the happy scene before them. The pack members cheered, raising their glasses in a toast to their alphas.
As the night wore on, the music started, and people began to dance. Roselie, feeling a bit lightheaded from the wine, swayed to the rhythm. Alex joined her, and they danced together, lost in the music and each other’s company.
“Having fun?” Alex asked, his eyes twinkling.
“More than I’ve had in ages,” Roselie replied, her voice slightly slurred.
As they danced, Roselie noticed Melissa sneaking off into the forest with Lucas. She nudged Alex and pointed. “Look at them, sneaking off like teenagers!”
Alex laughed, shaking his head. “It seems like Lucas has made his move. Should we do the same ?"
"No, I know we'll end up having sex and miss all this fun."
Alex chuckled, pulling Roselie closer. "Is that bad?"" he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
Roselie replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Let's just enjoy the party."
Alex nodded, his smile widening as they continued to dance under the twinkling lights. He kissed her softly, savouring the moment before they both pulled away, their laughter blending with the music.
The barbeque party stretched well into the night. The bonfire crackled and cast a warm glow over the gathering, while the moon slowly dipped towards the horizon. Roselie, having indulged in a bit too much wine, found herself dozing off against Alex’s shoulder, the soft murmurs of the remaining partygoers lulling her into a comfortable haze.
It was almost morning when Roselie stirred, groggily waking up as the first light of dawn began to tint the sky. Her head felt heavy, and she blinked sleepily, trying to get her bearings. She realised she was still leaning on Alex, who was gently stroking her hair while sitting under a tree.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Alex whispered, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Roselie managed a weak smile in return. “What time is it?” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
“Almost sunrise,” Alex replied. “You fell asleep on me hours ago.”
Before Roselie could respond, her parents appeared, looking a bit tired but happy. Her mother kneeled down besides her and gently touched her arm. “Roselie, we’re leaving now.”
Roselie blinked a few times, trying to shake off her grogginess. “Already?” she asked, her voice still drowsy.