CHAPTER 2

THE RED ROSE 

The next day, I woke up early and cook Mom's favorite chicken parmesan and fried lamb shank for breakfast.

I called her and after she inspect herself at the living room she already come to the kitchen. I prepare her lunch pack and even the table. 

I am sitting when she settled herself on the chair beside me.

I turned to her,

"Mom, We will gonna be going to town for my gown... Did you already tell them about the color coding?..." 

My mother nodded,

"Yes Dear... I invited some of the directors at the hospital, three of the elders. You invite your friends, right?..." 

She is checking as to whether there will be people who will eat the food she paid to the catering service she rented. My birthday will be held to one of Carline's resort at the northern part of the pack. The resort is huge enough to accomodate around 500 people but maybe the guests will just be around 50 or not more than 80.

"I'm sad to say that Alpha Jared isn't around because he has to attend a business meeting to Hancester so I didn't have any courage to disrupt his appointment just to attend your birthday that's why he sent the three elders for the ritual..."

My mother told me that during midnight I have to turn into my werewolf self while the elders will humming the ritual to welcome my gift. Carline received a gift of language transcribing that's why she always ace our language class. She is also helping the pack's elders in transcribing the oldest books about the whole werewolves existence. She became so significant to the pack while I never know what gift was bestowed upon me by the heavens. I just remember that during my younger days, everytime I was bullied I always ask my Mom that maybe I am don't have a gift and that I am useless but she always tells me that I am special. That one day I will discover my great ability which can be a significant to any werewolf.

Mother has a healing ability that's why she is the top doctor in the pack. Many other packs told her that she should change her pack but she insisted that this pack is the best pack where she can be. 

Well the pack is consisted of 1,000 families. It's a little less than other packs but is very competitive when it comes to any great abilities. The whole Casabella pack is very very different from other packs that mother told me that there are times that other packs attack our border on the east because they want to rule us. Alpha Jared is very brave to fight the invaders by the help of the Alpha of Casablanca, Zhyphere Le Grand. He is the most feared Alpha here in the northern part. All packs bow to him and he never didn't get anything he wanted. There are rumors going around that he killed his father just so he can ascend to be the pack's Alpha. Anyone fears him but those who are abandoned by their packs usually ends up in Casablanca as his new members only if they will agree to send their one son to be train with to a place they call, Gravedome...

Just by the name of the place make the hairs at the back of my neck to straighten up.

So so scary and super mysterious for the reason that all you will hear from the outside of the building are howls and lamentations like those werewolves that are sent will not survive a day...

"What are you thinking? Let's eat already so that you will have time to enjoy your time in town. Drop by to the hospital later so that I will give you the documents that I will be working tonight... and don't forget to get my gown at the Bethany's..."

"Nnnnnnnnnnnn.... okay..." I smile and begin eating.

I hide what I am thinking by asking my mother,

"Mom, is it necessary for all of the to witness the ritual?... Can't we just do it privately?... I'm so shy to be watch by people while doing the ritual..." 

I bow down and made a sad face so that my Mom will be convinced and I'm never wrong.

"Yes, sure... the party will start at 9 PM and will approximately finished within one hour and a half or two hours. The guests will gonna go home and we will perform the ritual facing the west where the sun sets... It's a tradition for all she-wolves to do the ritual at age 18, human age. Your true age is 180 by then, if we will calculate base on our age system... I will brief you about the ritual tonight so you will know what to do..." Mom narrated.

I put the last piece of food on my mouth and drink my orange juice,

"No problem with that..."

Mom also finished her food and left the table. She brush her teeth while I do the dishes. As she finished, I also finished my chores.

I accompany her until the car and hug her,

"I'll be in the hospital by 3 PM..." 

She gave me a thumbs up and then finally rev the engine. She also horn three times before driving away. I went back to my room and also brush my teeth. I unplugged all the appliances inside my room. While closing the windows, I feel like someone is watching me from the woods but as I use my smell I didn't sense any presence of a werewolf or any human.

Casabella isn't a blended place like Casablanca where there are humans living to some part.

I went back to my room and call Carline. I can here her music. It is Crazy Girl by Eli Young Band and I love that song. I can't stop myself to utter the title which makes my friend so confused and thinking that I'm cursing her.

"Crazy Girl..." 

"What? Me? Are you seriously slapping with those words, Wynzlette?..." Carline feels like she's crying and even fake her hiccups.

"I'm not talking to you..." I tried to pacify her,

"The title of the song, it's, Crazy Girl." I cleared my statement.

"Oh, really? I just found some music and played it... Where are you? Are you done, yet?... Astrielle is with me already..." 

She informed me about Astrielle after telling how did she found the song earlier.

"Oh!!! I'm coming... I'm just changing my clothes... Give me 15 minutes..." I quickly put my shoes and get my pouch and run going to Caroline's house.

I saw her with Astrielle at the parking, waiting for me.

The two greets me through kiss on the cheek.

"Let's go..." Astrielle went to the driver seat.

Carline pulled me to the passenger's seat and she settled me. She walk to Astrielle's side at the front of the car. I wanted to complain but I let it slipped especially that I'm just trying to hitch a ride with them.

Astrielle parked the car at the parking of one of the largest mall in town. It's near Bethany's where Mom get her gown tailored. 

We are greeted by the store's assistant,

"Hi guys... what brought you here early this morning?..." 

"Ah, we are here to get Doctor Leticia Lavander Hamilton's gown..." It's, Carline. 

"Ah?... Doctor Letty?... Kindly wait over that couch, ladies," The assistant pointed one couch on a corner, 

"I'll be back with your parcel in few minutes. Is it okay with you?..."

"Yes, sure, Madame. No problem with us..." Astrielle speaks before I do, I just seconded,

"Yes, that's right, please don't worry about us. We will gonna check some other items here..." 

"Thank you... Don't be shy to get snack from our complimentary box at the side table over the couch. I'll be quick..." 

The assistant headed to the back door at the cashier's back. We check some of the clothes that are displayed. Astrielle fit one skin-tone crystal dress and when she showed herself I almost drop my mouth, so is Carline.

"I'm sure that I'm a she-wolf, Astrielle... Why are you hiding such a beautiful body?... and your eyeglasses, you should probably get ride of them and find a good pair of contact lenses already, while we are still here in town..." Carline touch the dress after speaking.

I went to Astrielle's back and move her shoulder so that her position will be side.

"You see, you looks so perfect. If I am a man I will wish that you are my soulmate..." I didn't filter my words because Astrielle really suites the dress.

"Thank you guys, but this ain't working... I don't have the courage to dress something like this, I don't have any occasions to attend for this kind of evening dress..."

"Oh! the transferee is here?... You still look nerd even if you aren't wearing your big eyeglasses..."

All the three of us look at where unpleasant and unsolicited critique came.

I rolled my eyes. I saw that Carline's one eyebrow was raised while Astrielle's mouth leaves a small smirked but later on she smiled.

"And? you think that your curly hairs aren't looking like a bird's nest?..." 

"Wow!..." I heard Carline whispered to what Astrielle uttered. 

She just mocked back, Queenie.

The latter stamps her feet and crossed her hands on her chest. She walks towards our direction but Astrielle didn't even step back and never scared.

When Queenie is at the front of Astrielle she pointed my friend's right shoulder using her newly painted nails and she growl.

Astrielle didn't bother to react but Carline growl and I growl too. 

"Don't worry, I'm just praising, Miss transferee, I meant no harm..."

Queenie put her hands on the air like surrending, she growl and suddenly turns her back, whistles while walking towards the exit of the boutique but stop while at the middle of the door,

"Ah... they say that 50% of joke is truth, right?... but my hair isn't your concern, Miss transferee... don't worry if you'll see me again, it will be as shiny as silk, already..." 

After that she already vanished. The three of us let out a long sigh.

"I'm gonna change for a while..." - Astrielle.

"Sure go on..." Carline convinced our friend.

"Go on we will wait you on the couch." I am already calm unlike few seconds ago. 

Astrielle already go back to the fitting room while we decided to sit on the couch. Carline get one lollipop and gave it to me then get one for herself too.

"Did Astrielle just straightly mock, Queenie? Did she really do that?... HAHAHA!" 

Carline shake me by holding my shoulders. I almost choke and feel so dizzy so, I stop her,

"Yes, she did... I almost can't believe it too but she did... and did just Queenie accept defeat?..." 

My company nodded and she made fun of her lollipop. She licks it then suddenly gritted it and laugh,

"Hahaha! I've been waiting for a day to witness Queenie's face getting pale as dead and she did it a while back. How amazing of Astrielle..." She shake her head from left to right,

"Tsssssk! tsssssk! tsssssk! now that I know how Astrielle is even without turning into her wolf form is that feisty... I will let her guard you if she doesn't any things to attend to..." 

I wave my hands to her indicating that I'm just fine and I don't need to be guarded. It's so uncomfortable for Astrielle to guard me because even though we are friends we aren't that close enough,

"Don't bother, Carline. I know that you are worried about me but I'm just okay... Please, and it's embarrassing for Astrielle if she isn't the one who offers me help." 

Carline turned to me and she touch my face like memorizing it.

"My bestfriend, my younger sister is getting 18 years old tomorrow... I wish all the best in the world, Wynzlette... If you like Jared and you wanted to be the Luna of our pack then I will do anything I can just to help you realize your dream even if I will beg to Hero so that he will help us..." Carline hug me tighter and I heard her crying.

I hug her tightly too.

"Can't you guys hug me too?... I was nearly collapse earlier when I rebut her compliment against me..."

"Ahhhhhhhhhh... come here..." Carline fake her cry now. 

We group hug together and then we nearly flinch when the assistant suddenly cough,

"Oh my goodness!..." Carline hold her chest part me and Astrielle fix our faces. 

"Did something happened earlier, young ladies?..." 

I shake my head and even Astrielle. Carline smile and answer the assistant,

"I thought you already had a customer earlier but she just came in to mock my friend..." She is wants the assistant to take side with us.

"Really?... who must be that customer that has a mental health issue? Do you know her? Should I report her to the council?" The assistant look around before resuming,

"Is she or he still inside?..." She whispered.

"No need already, Miss... She walked out, already..." Astrielle answered.

The assistant pouted and handle me the paper bag where my mother's outfit is.

"Doctor Leticia Lavender already paid it without any outstanding balance, so you don't have to worry..."

"Thank you so much..." I appreciates the assistant's hard work accomodating me and my friends.

"If you need to rush something else then don't be shy to come here. We can surely finished anything in just half of the day. We have a lot of teams to work for your desired designs and I can guarantee you that the design and fabrics are of high quality..." The store assistant explained.

"Sure, sure..." I told the assistant.

"I'll take not of that..." Astrielle also speaks while Carline give the assistant thumbs up.

We also bid goodbye to the assistant and put the paper bag to Astrielle's car. I thought that it's Carline's but she said that it's Astrielle's.

After I put the paper bag to the passenger's seat of the BMW. 

Astrielle clap her hands.

"Let's go to the arcade..." and she run away already,

"Come on!..." she shouted.

"Let's go..." Carline tap my left shoulder and we walk hand in hand.

We also run afterwards. 

We spent almost two hours at the arcade and won so much tickets. I saw a kid and I walk going to him. He is smiling to me looking at the tickets I am holding in my hands.

I kneeled down when I'm infront him,

"Do want these?..." 

He nodded and smile,

"Yes... I wanna play too but I don't have enough tokens..."

I my hand through his hair and give her the tickets. I also gave him almost 20 tokens. 

Astrielle and Carline came and gave their tickets too even their tokens.

"Share it with your friends, okay? Are they with you?..." I asked him.

He nodded and pointed two young male and a young she-wolf.

"My friends and my twin sister..." he said.

"Alright, boy, you go and enjoy your time at the arcade... We will accompany you going inside." Carline said. 

We accompany the children and they look so happy. When we are at the counter. Carline buy more tokens and ask the assistant to guard the children while they play. 

I ask for the kid's name,

"What's your name and where's your Mom?... I'll tell the assistants to find them for you."

"I'm Kaiden..."

He extended his little hands to me and I gladly accepted it.

"I'm Wynzlette and you feel sick, go to the hospital find my Mom. Tell her that you are my friend, okay? People call her Doctor Letty or Doctor Lavander..."

"My mom's a nurse at the hospital too..." he informed me.

My mouth found a big O and I nodded.

"Wow... we are cool, then..." I'm lost for words.

"Sure, we are... My dad owns the hospital..." We turned to Carline and the three of us giggles.

I hug Kaiden and we had a group hug together with his friends and his twin.

We wave our hands and decided to went to one Hermes store. We are quickly attended by the Carline's personal assistant. 

"I would like to see the newest collections..."

The assistant lead as to a private room and let us sit on a one long couch. She serves us a champagne and some ice cream. We chose the later and enjoy 24k gold candies. I get three pieces and Carline get ten pieces. Astrielle get 10 pieces too and gave to me.

"I don't eat too much sweets..." She whispered to me.

I nodded. 

The assistant came and show us their newest bag collection. It's a Himalayan bag.

We are hearing commotions on the other side then suddenly, Queenie's unexplainable face peep. She walk towards our direction and sit on the other couch infront of us.

"Give the bag to me and I'll give you the half of the store's collection. I am the one who came first and I fall in line just to came inside..."

Our assistant signals one assistant to let Queenie go out of the store but the latter just growl which makes the assistant afraid.

Carline look at Queenie and opens the champagne. She look at her reflection at the glass and splash the champagne to Queenie's face.

The assistants cover their mouth out of shocked.

Queenie got more angry and she grabs Carline's hand but I growl and she flinch. Her hold loosened up and she fix her face. If she is planning to hurt Carline then I will show her how weak I am. I saw Astrielle crossed her legs and leans on the couch. She put her head on her right hand and pouting. She's watching...

Queenie turns to me,

"You three will pay for it!..." She got up and went out of the store.

The assistant composed herself and she turned to us. She put the bag over the side table and cleaned the mess. We helped her because we are the one who caused the situation. I apologize too,

"We are sorry about earlier..." I shyly whispered.

"Don't be sorry, Madame. We should be the one to apologize for the sudden intrusion of Miss Lambert..." The assistant told.

She knows Queenie?

"Is a regular?..." - Astrielle.

We are already back on the couch. 

The assistant scratch the side of her left eyebrow,

"Yes... but she never did what she did earlier. The Himalayan is our last and only Himalayan stock and it was Miss Leonel who reserved first and Miss Queenie Lambert is just a regular customer but not on our VIP list. We can't offer her the Himalayan..."

"And she barged in like a spoiled brat... I don't tolerate this kind of situation." Caroline said in a calm and steady tone.

We get the Himalayan and went to the store where my gown is.

We are greeted by one of the store's attendant.

"We are here for my gown..." I begin to said my business.

"Wait a minute, Miss..." She lead us to a couch. 

She went to the computer and search something and her eyebrows almost meet. She gaze towards me and smiled with a little bit pout at the end. I smile back.

The assistant went to the back door and she came out empty handed.

"Uhmmmn... I think there's a little problem here, Miss. Did you told any of your friends to get your gown?..." She nervously stated.

I shrug.

"No, besides my friends..." I glace to the two people that is sitting besides me,

"are with me all this time. I don't have any other friends..."

The attendant's shoulders fall and she let out a long and frustrating sigh.

"Look, what's the real problem?..." Carline cut in.

The attendant gulp,

"Someone came in and get your gown..." she half-whispered.

"What?!..." Carline reacted and even stands up.

She confronted the poor attendant.

"You mean, that her gown was stolen?..." 

The assistant tried to explain,

"No, Madame. Someone came in and told the cashier that she's Miss Hamilton's friend and she will get the gown on her behalf because she's busy to fetch it. The cashier gave her the gown... but... but..."

The attendant doesn't know what to do that she sit on the single couch besides Carline.

"I'm so sorry about it, Madame." She asked for apologies.

I barge in to calm Carline. I'm lost for words but what important is that I will resolve the issue as much as possible. Astrielle is caressing my back as if telling me that she's just her to support me and that I can overcome what happened. I pat her right hand using my left hand before I speak 

"Do you have any cctv camera here?..." 

The attendant lead at a door at the back of the store. There's a man that's infront of six monitors.

"Can you please review the camera inside the store maybe 10 minutes from now or within 15 minutes..."

The guy type in something and look at the monitors. 

There's a familiar figure that came in at the store empty handed and carrying a paper bag but we can't recognize her because she's wearing a hoodie. 

"Can you please, zoom in?..." Astrielle politely requested the man.

The latter do what my friend told him to do.

"Stop..." 

I look at Astrielle. Does she know the person? 

"She's a woman... where's the cashier that was on duty earlier?..." 

Astrielle confronted the attendant.

"She already gone home, earlier. She will be here at the store tomorrow..." The lady said.

Carline is already calm.

"How will the store compensate us for their employees negligence?..." She is biting her nails again that's why I pat her hand.

"I'm sorry..." She gave me a piece sign.

I turned to the attendant and waited for her answer.

"We can do refund and we can rework the gown but it will be able after three days from now." She tried to offer us their best resolution.

I almost want to cry.

"I need the gown tomorrow evening for my birthday..." I almost choked spitting out the words.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Hamilton. We will just do a refund..." She apologizes again.

Carline told the attendant not to do the refund, instead she should find the woman and blacklist her to the store.

"I hope it won't happen again..." Carline surrender for feeling helpless.

We went to outside the store and I can't hold my tears, anymore. I cried.

My two friends hush me and tries to pacify me.

"Enough crying..." Carline wipes my tears,

"Let's go to Bethany's. Remember the assistant said? They can rush your gown and I will be the one to choose the style and the fabric..." 

"Let's go!..." Astrielle holds my other hand and we rush going to Bethany's.

We catch up our breath.

The lady who assisted us smiled. 

"Yes, young ladies?... Did you forget something?..." 

"No, we are here to rush her gown, we need it by tomorrow afternoon. Maybe around 2:30 in the afternoon." Astrielle narrated. 

"Okay... Relax..." She reminds us. 

We head to the back door and one lady get my size. Carline told them the design she wants and the fabric. The tailor nodded and is smiling. I couldn't hear what they are talking about. It seems like they blocked me that even my wolf can't hear anything. Wynzie feels so weary about what happened earlier that she wants to throttle whoever is the person that get my gown. 

"Wait for us a little... your size is already measured. Sit over that chair." 

I went to the chair that the assistant pointed and Astrielle sit beside me.

"I think I saw that boots that the person used earlier..."

My attention focuses to Astrielle,

"Do you have any one on your mind?..." 

"Yes..." She bluntly answers,

"Queenie..." 

"What?..." Carline look at our direction. She overheard me and Astrielle's conversation,

"I will slap that woman once I see her during the graduation ball next week!..." 

Carline is so angry. I can hear her wolf growling.

I remain silent but Wynzie is not, she is beyond mad.

"I will let her taste her own craziness... Soon..." 

I smirked and I pat Astrielle's hand that's holding mine.

"Thank you so much..." 

"Always Welcome, sister... See, you can do anything because you aren't weak... Don't ever succumb to what that bitch is telling you," she said.

Did she just called Queenie a bitch? 

I guess my friend isn't that nerd at all she's just restricting herself for killing a good for nothing she-wolf like Queenie.

"Yes and that's because of you and Carline..." 

I stand up and hug her. 

Carline walks faster and hug me from behind. She kiss my head.

"Only a weak won't retaliate... always remember." She whisper,

"Graduation ball... Let's makes her pay..."

"Nnnnnnnnnnnn..." I agreed.

I will not let Queenie to always makes herself feeling superior. I am stronger than her! I will show her the real Wynzlette Hamilton that she always play with her little tricks.

I already know that it's her who gets my gown when I saw the cctv footage earlier. I just don't want to make the issue bigger because I'm worried about my Mom but she almost ruin my birthday. She will pay for it with a price. I will make her pay! Wynzie will make her pay! I am so over to her bratty attitude. I couldn't let any other weak wolves to experience what I've received from her. 

Someone a qoute to the schools page:

"Your head is empty and so is your mouth. You that reading this.... Isn't mighty as you think you are... just cloth with a nice faux winter cloak but not sleeping on pearls... I will come rushing towards you... by then, you will know who you will bow down to... remember... the red rose I gifted you?..."

I saw many comments and reactions but I didn't want to stress myself further.

"Are you okay?... you can pick up the gown by 12 Noon tomorrow." - Store assistant. 

We clap our hands and shake hands with the assistant. 

"Thank you so much." I sincerely appreciate her effort.

We went to  Wolfgang and ordered steak for our lunch. The three of us are so famished.

"Oh my eyebrows..." Carline reacted while pointing her phone,

"The red rose, goblin is back to our school..." 

"I saw the post earlier..." I resume eating my steak.

"What's with the red rose?..." Astrielle asked curiously.

"Later after we eat... I'm so hungry now... I will tell you later..." Carline dig in her meal.

We enjoy our wagyu beef steak with marble potatoes that the crew serves us minutes ago. I drink my passion fruit juice and smile to Astrielle,

"Later..." I told her too. 

She didn't answer and bite a piece of her steak while thinking something. It's so obvious on her face. 

It's not a coincidence. The red rose gifting is my favorite part being a student in Casabella Elite Highschool!