Forest Pack Community Book One (COMPLETED)

chapter 8

As she turned to face her uncles. Mick came up and hugged her tight and said, “I am SO proud of you! Uncle Ben is right; You Are A Bad Ass. Your white wolf proves it. You know who else was a white wolf? Your grandmother, my mom. Your mom was silver. Which is also rare. I guess the women in our family are a rare breed.” He said with a smile.

Ben came over said, “My turn! I too am proud of you. You truly are a bad ass! Now before I talk to the cook, I must do it soon. Otherwise, she’s going to kill me for telling her so late. But knowing her she knows it is your birthday as I think you did tell her right?”

“Yeah we told her our actual birthdays. As for announcing my birthday, I’m fine with that. Announcing my first shift and the color of my wolf. I guess that’s ok too just not the how, you know the vulnerable stuff. I don’t want to be weirder than I already am. I know a white wolf is super special. But I’m self-conscious about how it happened. I mean who has to yell You’re a bad ass to the mirror let alone all the stuff I did.”

Lissa spoke up, coming to her and said, “Obviously you had to. You had to break through your own fear of losing control. Sometimes that means yelling at ourselves. Cause sometimes our human brains don’t always listen to reason. Just then Joy came back with the prettiest dress she could find in Felicia’s closet. A deep red halter, with an empire waist, that had a bow just under her boobs. She also had shoes and under garments in her bag with everything they’d need.

Ben knowing what was needed said, “Come on Mick we better just go to the kitchens. This is more than a mind link type thing. Felicia any special requests for your birthday treat?”

Felicia feeling awkward at being in the spotlight once again said, “Let the cook choose but I love chocolate! Plus, I’m famished! Ya know she knows my favorite cookie maybe she could make those?”

I’ll talk to her.” Then they were gone, and the door was shut. Lissa turned off the soundproof which unlocked the door. But she relocked it.

“Call your friends honey, tell them to come here. You want them to hear it from you trust me ok?” Joy instructed as she laid out the different clothes on the desk. “Then you can go take a shower in Lissa’s bathroom.”

Lissa said, “I’ll get another towel Ben is such a man I know I’ve got three in there.” And off she went to find that third towel while Felicia mind linked her friends.

‘hey Goldie…. Niomi…can you come to Luna Lissa’s office? It’s the middle one. I have got something I need to tell you.’ ‘Sure.’ They said in unison.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. Joy went and let them in, shut and locked the door again.

“Honey do you want to tell them or show them?” Joy asked.

Felicia asked Azella, ‘hey you up for another shift or you too tired?’ Azella replied, ‘I think I can do one more but after that I need a rest and sleep so don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me for a couple days ok?’ ‘Ok. I love you this means a lot to me.’ ‘Call this one my birthday gift to you. Two shifts in one day is hard. Especially when one of them is a first. And a warning you are going to eat a LOT tonight.’ She spoke up to her aunt and said, “Azella said she’s up for it but is going to be very tired the next couple days. She called it her birthday gift.” With that Felicia took off her robe and hung it over a nearby chair. Joy pulled the girls back to give Felicia room. Felicia reminded herself that she was a special sort of bad ass. Trusting her wolf, she let herself sink back and her wolf come forward. It still hurt but she stayed relaxed and kept breathing just like Lissa had told her to. As the bones cracked and shifted into a wolf form, Felicia had found she only screamed a little bit. It was becoming easier. She looked up to see her friend’s faces, and they just stood there with their mouths open.

Goldie, “You’re white! Are you totally white?”

Joy answered, “Yes”

Niomi, “Those eyes! I absolutely LOVE them!”

Together they said, “And you shifted! What the heck girl?!! Can we pet you?

Azella walked up and sat down. Looking up at them expectantly. They both knelt down and started to scratch her ears and neck. Suddenly Azella rolled over. Joy laughed and said, “Azella especially likes belly scratches” Which then Azella wagged her tail. Felicia said to Azella ‘You are such a ham’ ‘well if I’m going to get pet I want belly scratches. Those are my favorite you know.’ ‘I know.’

“Ok girls lets, let Felicia come back she needs to shower and get dressed, Today is her birthday, that’s why it happened today.” Joy said.

Goldie and Niomi looked at each other, then it dawned on them. Holy cow why didn’t they think of that?! Probably because they all decided to celebrate together, it didn’t mean their actual birthdays weren’t going to happen. So, they got up and watched how Felicia turned back into a human. She then put her robe on and went and showered. The first shift was messy. They looked at Joy. Joy said she will be sitting at the head table tonight if you want to sit on the other end of Mick and I you may. But Felicia will be sitting in the middle which as you know is the place of honor. If you want to change for dinner you had better run home. Tonight is going to be special.”

“Ok, is she wearing the deep red dress? Cause we don’t want to outshine her.” Goldie said.

“Yes she is.”

“We promise not to outshine her. Besides it’s HER day not ours.” With that they ran off. Leaving Joy shaking her head.

Mick suddenly mind linked her, “Darling, did you and Lissa think of yourselves? We’ve talked to cook and she said she knew today was her birthday and had something planned. They are cooking extra food seeing she shifted…’ ‘Twice dear.’ ‘TWICE! Holy s**t! For her friends I’m guessing?’ ‘Yes, and yes we forgot. Or at least I didn’t realize. Will you grab me an appropriate dress? Remember She’s wearing deep red, and we will not outshine her on her day!’ ‘Yes dear. I’ll bring it to you after changing myself. Maybe I’ll grab you a lighter red dress and wear a red tie myself what do you think.’ ‘I think that will be ok. She will still stand out. Better yet white. I know I have a flowing white dress. Do you know the one I’m talking about? And you may still wear a red tie.’ ‘if I don’t I’ll send you a picture to your phone. You do have your phone right?’ ‘Of course I do what woman leaves the house without her phone?!’ She heard laughter on the other end and that’s when she cut the mind link. “Hey Lissa, got something white to wear here?”

“Of course I do. Why?”

“Well Mick and I were talking and he’s bringing me a white dress to wear to dinner and He’s wearing a red tie. We want Felicia to stand out a bit seeing it’s her special day.”

“Good idea. What did cook say?”

“That she had already planned on something special. But when she found out that Felicia had shifted she started making extra food.”

“Did anyone tell her that she shifted twice?”

“Nope. We better mind link her. And Tell Ben to wear a red tie too.”

“I got the cook you take care of Ben.” So, they got to work on the mind links while Felicia blissfully unaware finished up her shower. When she came out Lissa had changed into her white dress and was waiting to help Felicia with hers. Felicia put on the underwear and special bra for the dress. Then the dress came next. Once it was on, Mick showed up with Joy’s dress. “That’s exactly the one I was talking about.”

“I had a feeling it’s one of my favorites on you.”

“And you remembered the shoes!!! Good job. Now go wait in the hall. Actually, you and Ben had better go announce that dinner will be about 10 minutes late. We have to wait for Goldie and Niomi, too. Plus, three seats need to be added to the head table.” Joy then said in a mind link, ‘the girls will be next to you, then me, then Lissa then Ben. I think it will look best that way. This part is a surprise for Felicia.’ ‘Yes dear I’ll inform Ben.’

Ben left and met up with Mick in the hallway. “What the heck Mick?”

“Ok so the girls have cooked something up. Dinner is going to be late by about 10 minutes, so we need to announce that. I was also told that we’ve got to add three chairs as Goldie and Niomi have been invited to sit with us. The seating is as follows, again I was told. The girls, me, Joy, Felicia, Lissa, and then You. Felicia is wearing a deep red dress. Hence the red ties. Our mates are wearing white dresses. Make sense now?”

“Yeah, let’s go do as we’re told.” Ben said.

“Then should come back so we can walk them in. It’d only be proper.”

“Of course,” Ben said. While Mick went off to take care of chairs Ben stepped up to make the announcement. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I have an announcement. I am sorry to inform you, but dinner will be about 10 minutes late.” There were a lot of groans, and “what for’s. So Ben continued without giving anything away. “Tonight, is a special night and we need a few minutes to prepare. Trust me it will be worth your wait.” As he finished he saw Goldie and Niomi enter the pack house. He got down and rushed to them and blocked them with his big frame and took them to where the girls were. “You ladies look beautiful! How did you know to wear white?” They looked at him in confusion. “You’ll see but this is perfect.”

When they got to the office. He knocked and the door was opened, and the girls were let in. When they saw Joy and Lissa they understood what Alpha Ben had meant. Joy asked the same question. How or why did you girls know to wear white?”

Goldie said, “We were talking as we ran and decided in honor of her wolf we would wear white and it was the one color that would make her shine the most.”

Lissa spoke up and said, “We did it to make her stand out. I think we need to change the seating a tad. Mick might make noises, but who cares. We will put the girls between us, with Felicia in the middle. Guys on the end.”

Joy exclaimed “I like it!” At that they finished getting ready and once everyone was ready they walked out. They guys were astonished at the beauty before them. Lissa then told them the new seating arrangement and Mick did make noise but went along with it because he didn’t have much choice and they were right.

When they walked out the Alpha and Beta each had one of Felicia’s arms in theirs and escorted her to the head table with the ladies in white following behind. They didn’t plan it that way, it just happened. When they entered the room everyone looked at them and followed them with their eyes. Some stood up out of respect. Soon others followed. When they got to the head table the ladies in white stopped and waited for Ben and Mick to take Felicia to her seat. Once there, everyone else went to their assigned seats. They all sat down together. Except Ben. Who had some explaining to do while food was being served and placed on tables. “Pack members, as you can see tonight is a special night. We have a member who not only turned sixteen today, but she also shifted for the first time. Twice I’m told.” There were shocked gasps from some of the adults. “On top of that not only did she shift for the first time. Her wolf is pure white.” Felicia will you please stand up so that we can recognize your accomplishment and wish you a very happy birthday.” At that Felicia stood up nervously looking around at the sea of faces in front of her. Just before Azella went off to sleep she said, ‘I wanted to be here for this moment as this is our moment. Remember you are one hell of a bad ass.’ With that she went to sleep in a corner of Felicia’s mind. Felicia could still sense her more now than before. So, she wasn’t worried. That’s when there was thunderous applause. When that died down, Ben said “We’ll eat first then after dinner there will be a special treat that the cook has prepared.”

When one of the servers came to set food down, Lissa looked at her and said, “Dear warn the cook that Felicia shifted twice in one night. So she’ll be extra hungry.”

“Yes Luna. Happy birthday Felicia.”

“Thank you. I can’t wait to eat I am famished!”

“I’ll let cook know.” She giggled. As she left the head table.

“Go ahead dear you don’t need to wait for Uncle Ben and me. We understand. Besides, this is your night.”

With that Felicia filled her plate and dug in. As she was eating the cook came out and said, “So I hear you shifted twice and are famished. I will make sure you get enough to eat. I got more food cooking. How about salmon?” Felicia just shook her head in agreement. Anything sounded good at this moment. Plus, she did love fish, but salmon was her favorite fish. The cook laughed and went back to the kitchen to get a few salmon ready to go in the ovens when the beef came out. It was going to be a big meal tonight.

Seeing that Felicia was eating. He laughed and said, As soon as the food gets to your tables go ahead and eat there will be lots of food so eat your fill.” With that he sat down and started to eat himself. Odin said to him, ‘You did well today. That girl really needed the help, and you did a perfect job. I think the Moon Goddess couldn’t be prouder. Especially seeing as she is a white wolf. Which as you know is blessed by the moon goddess.’ ‘I know man. I would not be surprised if she had a few gifts. White wolves tend to be healers, but we’ll see. She definitely has a soft and kind heart. Plus, I’ve seen her enjoying putting smiles on other people’s faces. We will see what she grows into.’

As everyone ate with relish the hall was filled with happy chatter. Up at the head table Felicia seemed like she was not slowing down. She filled a second plate this time with roast and potatoes, after finishing that plate the salmon came out. She put a few slices of salmon on her plate while some of the empty dishes were taken away. Goldie and Niomi just looked at her in awe. Joy said to them, the first couple shifts take a lot of energy not just from your wolf but from you as well. With a first shift you’d probably be good with the two meats and all the fixings.” Felicia just looked at her aunt and then went back to eating. Once she finished off her salmon. She wasn’t totally full, but she knew she had sweets to eat yet and she was looking forward to it.

Once all the tables had been cleared Ben stood up. As dessert comes out cook has prepared something special. Not even I know what it is. So, let’s see what specialty she has prepared for Felicia.” At that a large red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting came out. Felicia smiled all the way to her eyes. She lit up the room she smiled so big. The Cook herself brought it out.

“Something told me you would enjoy this cake. I also made a few chocolate chip cookies just for you. You may take home whatever you don’t eat here.” Then she moved to the side waiting to cut it after singing happy birthday. She had a host of maids and kitchen staff ready to take cake to everyone.

Ben was still standing when the cake was wheeled out.” Wow, that looks delicious! So, let's sing happy birthday to Felicia. Felicia would you please stand up?” Once she had. Ben counted to three and everyone started singing. Felicia smiled shyly, but this time she enjoyed the attention because she didn’t mind it so much this time. It was starting to get easier to be in the spotlight and it was becoming less of a bad thing. Something that didn’t escape either of her aunts, who had watched her grow up over the years. After the song had been sung Felicia sat down ready for the red velvet cake. Cook started cutting, she gave Felicia a bigger piece than everyone else but not a huge piece just a large one. After that cake started going out to the rest of the pack. Felicia waited till everyone had cake.

She then asked the Alpha if she could say something before everyone dug into the cake. He nodded his head in a yes. So, she stood up and said, “I want to thank you all for helping me celebrate tonight. Especially my two best friends and my family. Even though my parents aren’t with me I know they are watching over me. Now please enjoy your cake.” With that she sat down and started eating hers.

She finished off her cake and was thinking about more when the cook brought out a heart shaped chocolate chip cookie. Decorated with chocolate icing along the edge. Her eyes shone at the cook, and she whispered thank you. Using the knife and fork she dug in. Ben stood up and said, “You are all dismissed if you are done eating and are ready to leave. If you want to stay and talk you are welcome We here will be here for a while longer.” Ben laughed and sat back down.