The Red Moon Pack

Season Two. Chapter 7.

It was hard some days and easier others. They were each taking time to keep watching, but it was very evident that Sebastain still spent more of his time at the hospital then anyone else. However, December tenth and it was a busy day at the Beta house yet again. It felt strange, hosting a party there, after what happened the last time they had a party at the Beta house. However, his parents encouraged it. It was not every day that a young wolf turned eighteen and that was exactly how it was that day for Maximus.

He had spent his morning doing some boarder patrol, then following his father into a meeting. He met up with Kinley and Nathanial at the pack house after. Penny was there too, which was why Nathanial was spending a lot of time there lately. She was very shy, she preferred to stay in the open public spaces. She did not talk much about herself and she did not make eye contact a lot. She was kind though and Stacey got along well with her.

After lunch, Maximus had spent the afternoon with Stacey, going for a run in wolf form in the forest and then having a meal at the shopping centre, knowing while the party would have food, they may not get to eat a lot. After they ate, they went back to Maximus’ house, where his parents were getting everything sorted. Clara, his younger sister, was up in her room, music playing, not giving much input but Maximus did not mind. She was fourteen and young, had friends and did not fuss about being involved in events and parties much.

Like last time, they locked away important and valuable items and they kept every single room on the second floor locked. They did not want anyone to have access, the only reason why Maximus agreed to the event in the end. It was the same for the pool house, it was sealed shut and barricaded off. In fact, Maximus had not stepped foot inside that pool house since that fateful night when Adira had been attacked. Even thinking about the state they found things, it boiled Maximus’ blood, his body shaking and the feeling of his wolf side wanting to come out. He held it together tough, taking a deep breath and clearing his mind of those thoughts, trying to focus on the now.

It was warm, being the end of the year, and so the pool was cleaned and stocked and ready for people to jump in and enjoy some splashing around. His father, Beta Luke, had made sure the barbeque was working and ready for the meat they would cook and the pizza oven was stocked with wood to light to cook the home made pizzas his mother had put together. There was a table to the side, ready with cups, cutlery, plates, condiments, salads, napkins and more. Next to it, was a large esky, filled with ice and drinks.

The one thing his parents had decided for the party, was that the alcohol would not be outside. It was going to be inside and they had hired one of the pack guards to be as such, a bartender, making sure nobody underage got their hands on alcohol and if somebody of age seemed way too drunk, then they would be cut off. It would make things easier to manage and maintain with having somebody keeping a solid eye on it all. Simply put, the Beta family wanted to make sure things were smoothly and nobody got hurt in any way.

At five thirty, Maximus’ father started up the burners on the barbeque and to help, Maximus himself lit the wood for the pizza oven. On the patio, his Mother was having a little laugh with Stacey, making him smile a little, and he saw Clara come outside. Now that the night had arrived, she was ready to get involved. It was not that she was lazy, he knew she had helped their mother make most of the salads and desserts over the past couple of days, she was just learning who she was really and he respected that and did not push her to do what she did not want.

As the fire started, Maximus also walked over to the fire pit that they had. It was situated to the side of the patio, in a lower level area that allowed the walls of the garden bed around it to be a back rest for people sitting around the fire, using the built in benches that went around the circle as well. It was nice, their yard was good for parties and now it was time for all the guests to arrived.

To no surprise, Kinley was the first to arrive. His was going to be staying home with Chica, and it would seem Delta Danial was not joining either. Maximus was sure he heard Kinley mention something about his father going to help out with the patrols for the night. Maximus did not mind, he knew it meant that Kinley could relax a bit. His friend found it hard when his father was around, because Delta Danial could be quiet firm on a number of things.

It was not long after Kinley that Nathanial and Penny arrived. While Nathanial lived at the Beta house with them since young, he had been spending every daily moment with Penny. He had helped with the shopping and some earlier set up during the week to make sure the place was clean, but for the most part of the day, he would have been at the pack house with Penny. Maximus could tell the girl was still shy, unsure of things, but she seemed to be doing much better then before. Stacey got excited when she arrived, giving the girl a hug and dragging her into the conversation she was having with his mother. Nathanial smiled and looked around, spotting Kinley who waved. Maximus happy with the fire pit straightened up and made his way to his two friends.

“Hey Birthday boy!” Kinley called out.

“Shut up you old fart!” Maximus joked in return.

“Bastard!” Kinley shot back with a laugh.

Nathanial laughed too, understanding their friendship and the banters. He shifted closer, gave Maximus a nod and then held out a bottle of beer. Maximus wondered how he got a hold of one, seeing out of them Nathanial was the youngest and was seventeen, not yet of age. However, he did not really have to think about it too much, as Kinley smirked and took a drink from his own bottle. Likely Kinley had grabbed three bottles and gave one to Nathanial before the guard could find out. They laughed, said a cheers and took a sip each.

“No Seb yet?” Nathanial asked.

“Not yet.” Maximus said not too worries, there was still time.

“He is obsessed.” Kinley said with a tiny smirk.

“But they are not mates.” Nathanial thought out loud.

“No, but he still really likes her. We all can tell.” Maximus stated.

“When do you think things will change?” Kinley asked.

“Who knows? Anything is possible.” Ntathanial expressed.

Maximus nodded, his friend was right. Anything was possible. Of all the things that had been taking place lately, there was a possibility for anything. For one, Nathanial found his mate, by going along to a meeting to another pack. What would the possibility of that have been if he had not gone along to the meeting. He would still be looking for his mate, not knowing it was Penny, not knowing where to find her. Anything could happen and anything was possible.

The three boys shared a small conversation with each other, Maximus noticing Alpha Gabriel and his family arrive, minus Sebastian. They greeted everyone respectfully and got respect in return. Luna Iris went over to Maximus’ mother and sat on a chair next to her, join the conversation. Alpha Gabriel moved over to the barbeque where Maximus’ father was still cooking meat and they engaged in a conversation. The twins, they grab non alcoholic drinks and found a group of other guests and started a conversation.

“Come on, lets get the pizzas.” Maximus stated.

The two boys followed him into the house, which was pretty quiet as the main party was outside. A couple of wolves were in side, having quiet conversations, but not causing any trouble so Maximus left them be. Down to the wine cellar, the three boys went to the large double door cooling box and opened it up, spotting the ten large party sized pizza sitting waiting. Ten pizzas, three of them. Maximus figured they could carry two each to start with and then once they were cooked come back for the last four.

“Want a hand?” a voice called behind them.

“Seb!” Kinley spoke excited.

“Boy, you act like you have not seen me for years.” Sebastian laughed.

“Feels a little like that.” Kinley pouted.

“Cry baby.” Nathanial teased.

His tease earned him a shove from Kinley and then Kinley got a punch back into the arm. The four boys laughed. Sebastian moved over to Maximus, gave him a one arm hug and pat on the back, said happy birthday and then took two of the pizzas without fuss. Not to be outdone, Kinley stepped forward and grabbed two. Nathanial joked he was weak and reached into the cool box and grabbed four pizzas, one in each hand and one balanced on each arm. Maximus smirked and grabbed the last two pizzas, knowing that they would not need to come back for any now, making it easier.

The four boys left the cellar and went back up to the main house, through to the patio. Stacey gave Penny and nudge and teased her about how crafty and strong Nathanial was carrying four pizzas and told her he’d likely carry her around too if she let him. Penny went red in the face and avoided eye contact with everyone else. The boys laughed a little and made their way to the pizza oven, hot and ready for them to start cooking.

It did not take long for the first pizza to be ready and putting it to the side, they started the second, warding off anyone who came close for a slice, making sure that at least three pizzas would be ready before they took them to the tables where the other food would be. They wanted it to be fair, so nobody would not miss out.

As they cooked, the boys talked. Some of it was about their thoughts and plans for the up coming Christmas. Some of it was about pack matters and plans to strengthen their friendships with other packs and their own boarders. As they talked, guests continued to still arrive, most coming over to greet Maximus, wish him a happy birthday, have a small chat and then they moved on to another group. As a pack, it was like a family some times, everyone knew everyone and so at parties, nobody went lonely, they always had somebody to talk to.

As the sun started to set and three pizzas were on the food table and three more were almost cooked and ready to be taken over, a little excited scream hit the air. Eyebrow raised Maximus looked around, as did the other three boys. It was Stacey who made the sound and he could understand why. Rachel had arrived, with her mate. Since school finished, Rachel had moved to the Golden Glow Pack, where her mate was twenty and the head warrior. She looked happy and after a greeting with Stacey, she bounded over to the boys, giving each of them a hug and they returned it. Her mate, Mark, kept watch, as if worried they would try something, but non of the boys would do that to Rachael. She was their friend, a part of their family, even if she had moved now. It was just nice having her there.

After a short catch up, Stacey gave Maximus a kiss on the lips and then stole Rachael away again, taking her over to where Penny was sitting with the Luna and Maximus’ mother. It was evident she was going to introduce the girls. Watching from afar, Maximus could see how Penny was a little worries, but Rachael had no fear. She reached out, grabbed Penny and gave her a big hug, released the stunned girl and then jumped up and down, clearly happy and excited to hear the news that Nathanial had found his mate. Kinley grinned and gave Nathanial a playful shove, telling him that Penny was going to open up soon and he will be very busy. Nathanial in return gave him a good slap across the head, while Maximus and Sebastain just laughed, at them, tapped their beers together and took a drink.

Maximus could feel how relaxed and happy people were. He knew, it had been a good idea to host a party. He knew it was going to be a good night.