Chapter Twenty Seven

Brielle’s POV.

 A little over a week had passed since I had got here, and I was starting to feel comfortable, too comfortable. Staying here no longer felt like a vacation, but I felt like I was actually at home, which wasn’t something nice if one thought about it deeply, but that’s not the point here.

 I came out to see pretty lights, tents and decorations going up, and I was pleasantly surprised, because who doesn’t love a nice party? Especially when you could smell nice things cooking, and you think of the enjoyment in store for you if you attended. I wasn’t informed of any parties, and since I wasn’t a native here, I was as confused as a newborn mouse.

 I heard Rio shouting something to someone, and waited for him to finish with what he was doing. Soon, he walked up to me.

   “You’re finally up. I thought we’d have to send in a doctor.” He pulled me into a one armed hug from the side.

   “Yeah.” I friend as we pulled away, touching my belly. “I was really tired.”

 

   “You need as much rest as you can get anyway.” He nodded and took in a deep breath, nodding. “You’ll get to taste our special venison sauce. It’s my favourite thing to eat after apples.” 

 I nodded. 

   “I want to eat that now, but what’s going on? I don’t know a festival was going to happen. I could have prepared and looked a bit nice, at least.”

 Rio threw his head back and laughed. I wondered what was so funny.

   “What?”

   “I’m just realising that I didn’t tell you. This is not a festival, it’s a celebration happening in honour of you!” He said as if it was the most normal thing in the world, and I shook my head.

   “What are you talking about? Why?” I blinked, wondering if they had mistook me for one of their deities or special figures. That seemed to happen a lot in the books that I had read, and I didn’t want to be in that situation.

   “Why? You’re a special guest here, and we just want to celebrate you. It would be fun.” He was smiling strangely now, and I decided that it would be beef if I just accepted the offer gratefully. If they were excited about it, why would I take that away from them?

   “Well, to be honest, I still don’t understand why, but I love parties! And one being thrown in celebration of me sounds like a great deal, and I appreciate it. I love this pack.” I said with a smile, and Rio’s face lit up as I hugged him from the neck and placed a kiss on his cheek.

   “Are you really that happy, or do you want to make you think I am?” He put his hand on where I kissed his cheek tenderly. I rolled my eyes.

   “I’m not just happy, but grateful. It’s not like anyone had ever thrown a party in celebration of me before.” 

 He blinked. “I honestly can’t tell if you’re being real right now, or if you’re messing with me.”

   “I’m not messing with you. The most special thing that people knew about me was being the alpha’s mate.” For some reason, that made me angry. I never wanted to be someone extremely special in particular, but I could make art, and I wished that maybe a few people would know and see the beauty in me, but it’s all about Lucien. 

 Not that I detest I’m for it. It’s not his fault.

   “Earth to Brielle?” I heard Rio’s voice and came back to the present. 

-

 The party went on well, and I was giving the opportunity to mix in and talk to different people who had so many questions to ask. Random ones. Two women walked up to me to ask me for my hair care routine, and it turned out that it wasn’t really much different from theirs. Another came to ask me how many kids I had, and when I told them that the one I was expecting would be my first, they murmured amongst themselves and told me to get my body prepared to give birth to more while I was young, instead of waiting till my old age.

 So yes, some weird meetings, while others were pretty great. Some women gave me tips for my skin after birth, and others just gave me compliments, and we had great conversations.

 Rio came around in the evening and put his arm over my shoulder gently.

   “So, what are your thoughts?” He asked.

   “You have wonderful people here. Some are weird, and might be seen as rude, but a good number of them are great.” I sighed. “The party is so wonderful, and I think I’ve eaten enough to last me till the end of the year.” I joked.

   “I’m just happy that you’re happy. I have to introduce you to some people.” He said.

   “You already introduced me to people earlier, remember?”

   “I know, I know. But these are other friends from distant places. They arrived late, and as the guest of honour slash celebrant, I want you to meet them.”

 I agreed and went on to see the dashing young men that shook my hand and gave me nice compliments.

 The last one, I didn’t quite grab his name, but it sounded familiar. He looked charming, and was the most handsome there. He took my hand and pressed his forehead to the back of my palm.

   “I can see why you are being celebrated. Except the blind, who would not want to enjoy your beauty and charm?” He asked me.

 The man was completely charming, but there was something about him that seemed really off putting to me, but I couldn’t explain it in a logical manner. After he let go of my hand, Rio and I left the men.

   “That last guy was weird.” I sighed.

   “He’s just like that, don’t worry. He means no harm.” Rio said. I didn’t say anything in reply.

 The party was dying down, and people were already cleaning up and taking down some of the decoration. I grabbed some snacks, and turned to Rio.

   “I really loved today. Thank you for making me feel welcomed and special in your pack, and for being so good to me, Rio.” I said.

 Rio grinned and nodded.

   “It’s no problem at all, I’m glad you had fun today.” Rio said. He had moved closer to me, and before I knew it, his head had inched closer, and his lips were puckered up and in my direction.

 Just what did he think he was trying to do? I thought in annoyance and pushed him with all the force I could muster.

   “W-why did you do that?” He asked me, getting up immediately.

   “You can’t try to just kiss me like that! You know that I am in a relationship, and pregnant, and you didn’t even ask if you could!” I said angrily and picked up the snacks before making my way past him.

 How men could be such pigs didn’t fail to disgust me. I heard him calling my name and following me, but I didn’t stop. I would leave this place first thing tomorrow.