Bittersweet

Chapter Two

Clover had prepared a lavish dinner complete with turkey, stuffing, garlic bread, and individual side salads. She was a good cook, being forced to learn early to provide for the Wormwood family.

Mrs. Wormwood and Clover were already seated at the dining table in the dinner area. While the Wormwoods weren't the most prominent family in the community, and they were perceived as modest by most, they still owned a fairly beautiful home with a large kitchen, separate dining room, a living room, 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Their aesthetic was mostly light peach, and beige.

"Clover, honey, please get my husband on the Skype." Mrs. Wormwood requested.

Clover gigged, "We use f*******: Messenger or w******p now, ma'am." She opened the laptop, and did as instructed.

A burly, jolly man appeared on the screen. "Hello hello hello!" Mr. Wormwood boasted, rubbing his thick brown beard. "Calling in from the United States!"

Mr. Wormwood was currently on a business trip in New Jersey, while also visiting some wolf allies. Our community, the Blue Moon Pack, was deeply hidden within a forest in Alberta, Canada. There were only 2 other pack communities within reachable distance so we regularly imported and exported items with other packs, nationally and internationally.

"Hello my love, thank you for joining. Your daughter has some exciting news it seems, and I wanted to make sure you could hear."

The two lovers chatted for a few minutes as everyone waited for Princess Cesi to grace them with her presence.

Like a bell chiming midnight, Cesi suddenly emerged, her face gleaming. "Mom! Dad! Everyone's here." Clover noted the disregard of her own presence.

She slammed her hands onto the table, hoping to gain the attention she already had, "I HAVE NEWSSSS!" She emphasized her S's... likely because she's a snake, Clover thought.

"What is it, darling? Your mother and I are excited."

Cesi paused for dramatic effect and then announced.

"Jacob and I are getting married!"

The next two minutes were girly screaming, mostly from Mr. Wormwood whose voice was naturally high pitched, and squeals of delight from everyone except Clover - who was naturally mute in social situations.

Clover, feeling obligated to chime in, looked at Cesi and said: "That's great news. Congratulations."

Cesi exclaimed, "Clover! I didn't notice you. You were here? Anyway, yeah it's greaaaat news. It's so, so nice to have a partner. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be alone, especially after 25. How dreadful! I'm so lucky." Her entire statement was dripping with prejudice.

Clover, knowing that any rebuttal would mean an inevitable punishment later, bit her tongue. "You are, indeed."

"So lucky, my dear!" Mrs. Wormwood, oblivious as usual, cheered happily. "Can we finally meet this elusive Jacob? I swear, it's been almost 2 years with this mate bond, and we still haven't met him. Surely before the wedding?!"

That was a good point, Clover mused. Cesi's relationship with Jacob had been quite secretive from the beginning. Nobody in the family had even met Jacob. Cesi continuously promised that it would happen, but it never did. It was very strange, actually. Cesi would spend hours bragging about this man, but refused to bring him home. They spent their date nights at his place.

"Yes, yes, I know that's long overdue and I promise you'll love him. He's literally so great. He's tall and athletic, and super funny, and we're going to have the cutest pups!" she squealed, and then remembered Clover was there. "I heard it's hard to give birth after 30 so I'm SO glad I found him before that."

Clover rolled her eyes.

"You know, I do need to meet this man before giving you my blessing, young lady. I'll be back from my trip in 2 weeks and I expect to see him present!" Mr. Wormwood demanded.

"For sure, daddy, but how about a sneak preview?"

"What do you mean, darling?"

"Well..." Cesi paused for dramatic effect again. "He's outside. Right now."

Mrs. Wormwood clapped her hands together, "well, what are we waiting for?! This food is getting cold. Invite him in for dinner!"

Cesi ran outside to grab Jacob, and Clover pulled up a 4th chair. She was curious as to what this mystery man was like. She prayed he was nice - she couldn't stand yet another Cesi like personality - but if they were partners, that was unlikely.

"Are you ready?!"

Her parents welcomed them in, and Cesi emerged yet again; this time, with a male figure right behind her.

Clover took one look at Jacob, and gasped.