His Second Chance

Chapter 10

Happiness POV

"Happiness, wake up woman!" I heard someone called out, specifically my very own alarm clock, Claudia.

"Mmm?" I mumbled.

"Come on sleepy head. Come back to life already," she coaxed.

"No." I stubbornly replied before burying my face even deeper into my fluffy pillow. This bed is literally my very own heaven, so warm and comfy. I wish I could stay here forever.

"You give me no choice. I thought that you might have learned your lesson by now." Claudia said teasingly.

"Mmmhm…" I answered half heartily, focusing more on slipping back into dreamland.

"CARROT!" the person suddenly yelled out. I jolted out of bed and while doing so, I tripped over the blanket and fell flat on my face.

"Oww…" I groaned in pain as I rubbed my sore nose. My eyes snapped open and I quickly stood up and frantically looked around, trying to spot any sign of the evil orange monster that humans named…The carrot.

"Where the heck is it?" I wondered to myself looking around madly for the devil's vegetable.

"That sure got you of bed speedily fast, you really weren't joking when you said that you had a fear of carrots," noted Claudia, chuckling.

"Claudia! You better run! Don't use people's fear against them!" Claudia yelled,

"Catch me if you can," before dashing out of my room.

"Karma will be coming for you! It will bite you so hard in the but that you'll probably need a butt implant afterward!" I yelled at her retreating figure.

I decided not to chase her because I didn't want anyone else to see my terrifying morning self, I literally looked like I stuck a finger in an electric outlet and all of the electricity went in my hair, making it stand up like a much messier version of Cindy Lou's hair in the Grinch. I dragged myself sleepily into the bathroom to at least attempt to make myself look decent and freshen up. I did my usual morning routine before I picking my outfit for the day. I chose a simple light blue skater skirt, a flowy white top and a pair of white slip-on Vans. I made my way downstairs and the smell of bacon hit me immediately.

"Good morning Happiness!" greeted everyone.

"Morning peeps…and Claudia," I replied before playfully glaring at Claudia. Claudia laughed at my sour look,

"Oh come on Happiness, don't be mad! How else was I supposed to wake you up?" I grumbled and muttered under my breath,

"Don't use someone's fear against them." Louis laughed,

"What the heck are you two talking about?" Claudia grinned mischievously at me,

"Well, poor little grumpy Happiness here is deadly afraid of carrots." I glared at her,

"Am not." I tried to deny. Everyone at the table looked amused,

"I never knew that a fear of carrots existed," exclaimed Terry. I childishly crossed my arms and pouted,

"Well it does. Hmppft."

"Alright, alright, let's leave poor Happiness alone now. Instead, more importantly, the everyone in the pack has a free day today to do whatever we wish, so what should we do today?" Louis inquired.

"There's a Carnival called

"Bulletproof Fun" not far from here that just opened! I have not been to a carnival for so long!" Taylor informed us, beaming at the aspect of us possibly going. I perked up instantly, the child in me coming as soon as I heard the word "carnival". I smiled as I recalled past memories of my childhood,

"I used to always go to amusement parks with my brother and parents! I have not been to one for so long! Can we please go? Oh, pretty please?" I begged, using my irresistible puppy dog eyes to sway them.

"And look who is happy again," chuckled Jade as he noticed my change in mood. "Alright, we will go. It will be a great way to bond and spend time together," Louis decided. Everyone at the table cheered, "Hurry and eat then guys! We leave right after breakfast, the park is about thirty minutes away," ordered Louis. No more needed to be said, we all gobbled up our food like a bunch of starving ostriches.

"Everyone ready to go?" asked Louis, sitting in the driver's seat of the minivan. "Ready!" we all chorused. Paws barked happily as he sat on my lap,

"I'm so happy Paws got to come along!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, there's a special dog play area for Paws there. I heard that it's equipped with tons of toys and they even make exclusive dog treats! It's perfect for the little guy." I looked down at my puppy and stroked his furry head,

"You hear that Paws? You're going to have so much fun!" I cooed. Paws gave me a puppy grin and snuggled close to me.

"He's so cute!" Claudia told me, petting Paws' soft golden fur. The car started and we were on the road towards our destination.

"99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall." Terry started singing.

"Shut it Terry." the rest of us grumbled, knowing that the song would never end until he reached zero.

Louis got me Paws the day after I became a warrior, a congratulations present. I fell instantly in love with the puppy as it looked at me with curiosity and pure innocent in its heartwarming chocolate brown eyes. Paws and I instantaneously became besties, he would adorably follow me everywhere I went, becoming my second shadow. An instant special and lasting bond formed between us.

After a thirty minute ride, the minivan finally came to a halt.

"We are here!" Louis announced as he shut off the engine. Everyone got out of the cramped car and stretched out their limbs before heading towards ticket booth. The young man working at the booth respectively bowed his head in front the Alpha Louis before speaking, "Welcome to Bulletproof Fun Carnival, how many tickets sir?" the employee asked Louis politely.

"Eight tickets and a ticket for the pets play area please," answered Louis. Once we got our tickets, we entered the park and first dropped Paws off at the pets play area. Paws were at first sad and confused to see us go, whining and whimpering for me to pick him up again, but after he found another puppy to play with, he seemed content as he ran around with his new friend.

"I think we should split up into groups of two," suggested Taylor.

"Good idea Taylor," praised Louis before divided us. The pairs were Taylor and Terry, Matthew and Claudia, Jade and Juliet and Louis and I. We will meet up five near the entrance." declared Louis. Everyone nodded and waved as we all split up in different directions. Louis turned to me and smiled,

"So what do you want to do first little one?" I grinned at him and pointed to the tallest ride in the amusement park,

"The biggest roller coaster of course!" I grabbed his hand and excitedly skipped off towards the roller coaster. Louis laughed merrily as I dragged him across the carnival's grounds.

It was a scorching hot summers day: perfect for a day at the fair. The sky was dotted with a few candy-floss clouds. Although it was still early, queues have already formed, stretching across the carnival grounds. Excited chatters and the cheers and peals of laughter of children brought a smile to my face. Faint music played with the occasional happy scream suddenly piercing the air.

Once we arrived in front of the ginormous structure, there was luckily no line waiting for little one? Make a wish and blow out your candles!" Louis smiled as he placed a warm hand on the small of my back. I closed my eyes and made a wish before blowing out the flames. Everyone clapped and cheered.

"Now, who wants cake?!" exclaimed Juliet. A chorus of "me" and "I do" filled the room. After everyone was served a slice of cake, we all settled down in the spacious living room. The cake tasted delicious, creamy and fluffy.

"Happy birthday Happiness, I love you," Mandel said, barking joyously.

"Thank you, Mandel, I love you more," I replied to my wolf, the only one that has been there with me since day one, Mandel was more than just my wolf at this point. Over the years together, we have learned to completely trust each other and rely on each other, forming a strong friendship that was unbreakable and special.

Once everyone was done and the plates were washed and cleared away, Louis announced,

"Time for presents!" before handing me a messily wrapped present. I giggled and said teasingly,

"I see that wrapping gifts is your specialty." Louis playfully growled, "Shush little one, I tried my best. Just open it!" I tore away the paper to reveal a photo album book. I opened the book and each page was filled with pictures of all of us. Looking at each picture, flipping each page was like walking down memory lane.

"I love it, Louis! Thank you so much. This means a lot." I thanked him for the heartfelt and meaningful gift, hugging it close to my chest. Afterwards, I opened, present after present, some made me laugh like the prank kit Terry got for me and others made me cry in happiness like the video Juliet made for me of our funny and best moments these past months. I was so grateful for each of their gifts, it was all so overwhelming as it has been a while since anyone bothered to celebrate my 17th birthday.

Paws yawned as he settled on my lap as my favorite movie, Goblin started. We decided to have a cozy movie night in the living room, it was a perfect way to end the day. When the credits rolled on the screen, it was late into the night and as I looked around the room, everyone was dozing off.

"I think it's time for bed guys," Louis said as he let out a yawn. Seeing him yawn made me yawn,

"I agree, I'm pretty tired now. This is the best birthday present that anyone could have ever given me, thank you all for such a wonderful day. I'll never forget it. Goodnight friends." I told with a sleepy but genuine smile to which everyone returned. I gave them all a good night hug, thanking them once again. I gently picked up my sleeping puppy, his bright milk chocolate-colored eyes shielded from the world as he slept soundly, before heading upstairs to my room.

I went to my room and softly placed Paws on my bed, careful not to disturb the puppy before quickly doing my night-time routine. I slipped into bed, pulling Paws close to me, sharing my warmth with him. He instantly snuggled up to me, relishing my body heat and let out a content sigh. I gently caressed his fluffy golden head,

"That best birthday day ever. I am so thankful, it was heartwarming. Oh my, can we just talk about the cake? It was so good, I am so tempted to ask the girls to make a cake every single day and…" I stopped talking, interrupted abruptly when Paws suddenly placed a paw over my mouth as if to say to stop talking and go to sleep.

"Alright, alright, I get it! I'm sleeping now you doodle puppy." I chuckled before closing my eyes letting sleep overtook me.

"Goodnight Paws," I whispered before letting myself fall unconscious and oblivious to the real world.