Chapter 97 - Violet

“There’s only two days left until the Yule Ball, and everything has to be perfect.” I said to Greta who was attempting to help me decorate but rather was playing in the decorations.

“Between your magic and my smart assing, we can get this done in an hour. You just need to breath.” She lifted the purple garland that she somehow tangled after I set them in nice straight rows.

The last couple weeks my stomach was in knots, sending me to the bathroom to purge the nerves away. Not only was this the official Yule Ball of the year, but I was going to be presented as Luna of the Dark Forest Falls Pack. I was going to be recognized as their leader, next to Simon. My stomach twisted.

“Are you ok? You look a little green.” Greta said as she continued to tangle the garland.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” I darted from the room and went to the nearest bathroom and clutched the porcelain bowl as I threw up the contents of my meager breakfast.

When I was through, I sat on the cool floor. Letting the cool seep into my overheating body. When did it get so hot in here?

“Hey, you alright?” Greta’s voice came through the door.

“Yeah.” I said as I stood and washed out my mouth. “I am just stressed out.”

“You need to calm down. It’s really not that serious.” Greta said with a chuckle. “If anyone causes an issue, I’ll take them out back.”

I opened the door and gave her a half smile. “You better not. If you do that it may cause a war amongst the packs.”

“Pfff. Whatever, if anyone causes an issue, they are the ones that will start a war. Si will for sure see to that.”

“True.” I smiled at Greta. “Ok, let’s get the hall decorated. But could you do one thing for me?”

“Anything for the Luna.”

“Don’t touch anything else. You’ve tangled pretty much everything you touched.”

“Right. You probably should have had Jared come and help you. Not me. If you couldn’t already tell, I’m not the girly, decoraty type.”

“I couldn’t tell at all.” I said sarcastically.

“Hey.” Greta said as she shoved me playfully. “I’m trying!”

“Yeah…please stop.”

Greta rolled her eyes at me. We walked back into the hall, and I assessed the situation. It wouldn’t be that hard to decorate. I would just use my magic and get them hung and then do touch ups here and there. The pack was informed that they were not to enter the hall until the Ball. Meals would be held at a different house for the time being. I never got where exactly. Simon always had our meals delivered.

He knew I was pushed to my limit. So many things were happening at once and I could barely wrap my head around one of them. I hadn’t heard about any other witches being caught, no doubt he made sure to not alert me. But whenever I asked him about it, he said, ‘he hadn’t heard anything.’ Even when I pressed, he promised he didn’t.

I could tell when he would get upset at me. When I would push myself and train longer than he wanted or help the pack members when there were other people able to help. He was always looking at me as if I were about to break and he needed to swoop in and put me back together. Every time he looked at me like that, it stressed me out even more.

I tried to hide it from him when I was getting anxious or stressed. I would consciously slow my heart when I started to think about the horrors about to come. I knew he could hear when my heart started pumping and that’s when he would treat me like a baby bird.

“You ready, Luna?” Greta said, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yup. Sit back and watch.”

“That I can do!” Greta said as she flopped into the closest chair. She miraculously had a beer in front of her that she cracked.

I raised my hands to the room and let the magic flow through me. The decorations lifted and started dancing in the air. They untangled themselves from each other and went to their respective places. Lights hung from the ceiling, making the room glow. The pine trees lined the front of the dining hall and decorations added themselves. The tables rearranged, pushing themselves into the formation that I drew up before.

“Hey!” Greta shouted as her chair slide to where her table now sat.

I slowly started to walk outside as the tables started to set themselves with the newly ordered plates, glasses, and utensils. The garden’s lights shifted to the perimeter, flickering on making the space glow. The fire pits took their formation and blazed on. Benches were decorated with the same garland to match. Lights were hung above the space making it look like stars.

As the finishing touches were being orchestrated, I lowered my hands and looked at the work in front of me. It matched exactly what I wanted it to look like. The inside and outside screamed cozy, but festive. No one would be chilled outside. When the doors were open people could flow easily, enjoying a breath of fresh air and still dancing, drinking, and being merry.

“You did good.” Greta said now standing next to me. She sipped her beer. “I don’t know why you needed me.”

“Comedic relief?” I shrugged.

“Very true.” She walked outside to see the finished spaces. “This is perfect, having a bar set up outside is genius.”

“I just wanted everything to be perfect. Simon did say that as long as the drinks didn’t run out it was going to be a success.”

“I did say that didn’t I.” Simon said as he strode over to us, he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my mate mark, it sent shivers through my body.

“How does it look?” I turned my body so I could look at him.

“This looks amazing. The other Luna’s are going to be pissed that they need to top this when it’s their turn.”

“It does look good.” Jared said, pulling Greta into his arms. Simon turned to him and stared. “I mean it looks great. Amazing.”

Any comment coming from Jared that didn’t involve me being a witch was a good one. He was still tentative around me, but he finally relaxed and talked more. “Thanks.” I smiled.

“What’s next on the to-do list?” Greta said.

“I’ve already gone through the food and drink list. Stella has her team starting with the marinating and she will start cooking the day before the event. She told me to stay out of the kitchen.” I turned to Simon. “But I think that’s more your doing, than what she wants.”

Simon took a step back and raised his hands in surrender. “I can one hundred percent say that I had nothing to do with Stella wanting you out of the kitchen.”

I looked over to Jared, who nodded in agreement.

“Ok then.” I said, turning back to my work as Simon wrapped his arms around me again.

“We’re done then?” Greta asked.

“Yes, I am done.” I emphasized the word ‘I.’ “You did nothing but tangle the decorations and drink a beer.”

“And kept you entertained in the process.”

“And kept me entertained in the process.” I repeated rolling my eyes.

“Perfect Beta!”

I looked over to Jared. “Next time I have to plan a party, you’re helping me, and Greta can go help Simon.”

“Don’t pawn her off on me.” Simon said with a laugh.

“Yeah, she’s not good with paperwork. She’ll mess up my organization process.”

“Hey! I’m right here!” Greta yelled. “I’m capable of helping.”

“No offense, but you’re like a bull in a China shop.” I said, giving her a tight smile.

“Offense taken!” She crossed her arms over her chest.