Page 15 of Silas

“Nova, sweetie. How is everything coming along with the booth?” I can feel Gail’s eyes boring into the top of my head.

“Everything is great Gail. We made up six carafes of hot cocoa. We will begin making more when the first three run out. Silas will be in charge of payments while I take and distribute the hot cocoa orders. I think we have everything all set up and ready to go.” I glance out of the corner of my eye towards her and she is beaming with pride over having the booth ready to go. Seemingly waiting for Gail’s approval.

“And you…do you have anything you would like to add to what Nova said?” I look up to find Gail is still staring at me in anticipation of what I am going to say. Fuck. She knows. I don’t know how she knows, but of course she knows I was a dick again to Nova. I swear nothing ever gets past her.

“Uh, no, I think she covered everything. She even installed some apps for my phone so I can take electronic payments. Pretty nifty, if you ask me.” I cut my eyes away from her and fiddle with the straws some more.

“Is that so? Well, that is fantastic, Nova. What is the app called so I can share the information with the other booths?”

“Uh, it’s called Circle. It's just an app where they can tap to pay in case they don’t have cash on them.”

“Perfect. I’ll be sure to pass that along. Do you mind if I steal Silas for a few moments? I am afraid there are some crates that I need help with lifting, and a woman of my age shouldn’t be lifting such heavy items. Isn’t that right Silas?”

“Yes ma’am,” I blow out as I feel my cheeks warm from embarrassment. I already know there aren't any crates that she needs lifting. It’s just her excuse to get me away from Nova and into a space so she can lecture me.

Softly giggling under her breath, “No, no do take him. I think he could use some manual labor. Might do him some good.”

I cut my eyes to her, only to find her giggling behind her hand, with her eyes crinkling. Oh, she thinks this is so funny. That just adds to the shit list that is today. Coming around the booth, Gail wraps her arm around mine as we head away. “I’ll have him back in time for the opening of the festival,” she calls over her shoulder.

We walk in silence back towards the opening in the woods that leads to our pack land. There are people bustling all over the town. There is a light dusting of snow on the ground, warm lamp posts lit with the lights that look like a flame. Evergreen wreaths hang beneath the glass with those felt red bows. Each artisan in our community has their wood booths set up with signs calling out their wares. There is gleeful chatter ringing out across the town as everyone prepares for the opening. Honestly, I can’t believe that Gail pulled this off in a week. I knew she was amazing at planning, but it looks like it took months to prepare, and she pulled it off in a week.

As we enter the opening to our pack land, we walk far enough that we are covered by the shade of the Fir trees towering over us. She let go of my arm, only to step in front of me with her arms crossed over her chest. She is radiating anger and there is only one reason she would be this mad. Nova.

“Listen, before you start your lecture, let me explain. I was…”

“Silas Matthias West, you will not continue to treat Nova with such disrespect. Your attempts to deny what is truly meant to be are becoming a genuine concern. On top of that, you are treating our newest member of our community, regardless of her meaning to you, with the most outrageous behavior. It is so shocking that I have community members seeking me out to inform me of how you spoke to her earlier. Now you might be the Alpha of this pack, but I am the Matriarch and I will no longer tolerate such behavior from you. If your parents were still alive, your mother would have slapped you by now. I know she didn’t raise her son to be this disrespectful to women. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes ma’am. Crystal clear. I just don’t have the time to walk her through pack life right now. There might not be a pack in a week. How could I subject her to this with that possibility on the horizon?” I say as a shuffle my foot in front of me like a child. I know she is right, but I can’t do this to her.

“You might not have that choice for much longer. Be wise to be ahead of it then having to ask for forgiveness. Now we have a festival to run. I better not hear any more outlandish behavior from you.” She wraps her arm around mine again as we walk back down to the festival.

An hour later, I am annoyed with her bubbliness. I can’t quite tell if this is who she is or if she is putting on a show for the customers. She doesn’t seem bothered by the long lines, the chilly breeze blowing through, or the snow that has fallenagain. She just keeps smiling and thanking guests. There hasn’t been a break in our line since we opened. Partly because of the weather, but also because of everyone wanting to meet the newest member of the community. I’ve gotten quite a few glares from the older members after they have to meet her. Clearly, it’s gotten around town that I was rude to her earlier.

That’s one thing about this community: once they welcome you in, they don’t accept people being mistreated, even if you have been here longer. It doesn’t surprise me that this many people are already taking a liking to her. I mean, I get it. She seems really nice. She would make a wonderful Luna. Stop it. We can’t think about that.

“You know you can cut the act,” I barked at her.

“What act would that be?” She says without looking at me. “There you go, sir. Enjoy your hot cocoa. I heard there was a fudge vendor down the way about four booths. It would pair lovely with this hot cocoa.” The man tips his cup of hot cocoa towards her as he ambles down the row.

“That! This overly friendly, cheery, fake act. They will like you without all this over the top friendliness.” I grab the card from the next guest, tapping it on my phone screen, then the green check mark and confetti fall on the screen. Handing back their card, “They have two cups.”

Smiling again at the guest, “How are you loving the festival so far?” The woman looks up to her, “It’s been quite lovely. We have never had a festival like this before. I hope it becomes an annual thing,” she says in a British accent.

Handing her the two cups of cocoa, “Oh, how delightful another out of towner like me. I just moved here from New York City. I hated living in a big city, definitely couldn’t wait to move out of it. Where do you come from?”

“I am from a wee bit further than you. I came from London to the United States looking for a place in the mountains with a pack to call home.” She smiles warmly towards me and I tip my head to her.

Looking between us, Nova looks confused. “A pack you said? What does that mean? I’ve only heard about a pack when it comes to wolves and, well, in my romance books, I read. Surely you misspoke.”

“Oh dear, I did. I meant a place not pack. Goodness me. Well, I best be getting to these other booths, not sure how much longer I will be able to stand in this cold.” She cuts her eyes over towards me again before shooting a smile at Nova. She quickly turns and disappears into the crowd.

“That was odd.” Nova stares off in the direction that Tera took off in. That was too close for comfort. Hopefully, Nova doesn’t ask anything else.

“See, that is what I mean. You literally info dumped on her and had a meaningless conversation with her. Why can’t you just stop? You know, smile, hand her the hot cocoa, and let them be on their merry way.”

Without missing a beat, without dropping her smile, and for sure without looking at me, “Maybe this is a hard concept for you, but not everyone is faking it when they are being friendly. Given that I intend to live my years out here in this lovely town that has welcomed me, bar you that is, I will continue to be friendly to each guest. Now, if you don’t mind, we agreed to the no talking rule. Seems only I can manage to follow such a simple command.”

From then on, no matter what I said, she wouldn’t give into the bait. She would hum between talking to customers, andcontinued to get to know each and every one of them. I already know that Gail has been told about my behavior again. I will deal with that later. For now, wrapped in her warm vanilla, cinnamon, and apple smell, I can’t help but watch her as she works. Glancing over every few moments to watch her work and the radiance that glows from her as she learns more about our community.

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