AUTHOR'S POV
"NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Scott barked at the lobby of Diana's residence glaring at the the three hitch hikers asking for a ride. The sun had just rose from the sky, and as soon as he arrived at the 16th Building, he was bowled over to see Lucas, Cory and Austin waiting at the central space of the building along with their packed bags and belongings. Today is the first day of the moon festival, and every member of the pack are going back to their old town. Hitching a ride with the Alpha has been part of their itinerary. Hinting that Diana would be joining too, they all took the initiative to appear at her place as early as possible so they won't be left out. Thus, their Alpha blackballed all three of them immediately after their eyes met across the lobby.
When Diana appeared at the elevator, Scott scurried in, startling his Luna for the sudden rush. He instantly closed the doors and went down the basement parking leaving the pack at the lobby. Diana wondered what's the hurry about, as she check the time on her watch. They can't be running late, she believed. Glancing up the ceiling with a sharp exhale, Scott turned to Diana with the corners of his lips quirked up. "Can you keep up?", his eyes flickered, as he snatch Diana's duffle bag from her hands.
It was a race. The pack rushed down the emergency stairs to the basement parking, chasing the Alpha and Luna to their car. It's not about the tradition of hitching a ride anymore. It's more of their desire to officiously intrude their Alpha's life after he spent the night with his Luna. They scurried their path paved with nosy intentions in quicker strides and faces all lit up. No perfect chances should be missed, as they whoop in delight.
The elevator dinged a bell, and the doors opened to an empty and quiet well lit basement parking. The packed haven't reached farther down, Scott thought. Hand in hand, Scott and Diana darted out from pillar to pillar until they reached one of Diana's cars. Scott insisted to use hers instead, to mislead the pack who would surely go for his car. Diana unlocked the doors with a click on her car keys, and hopped in. The swift run made her heart pound, as Scott start the car's ignition... relieved that it was as easy as she thought. Her eyes wandered when she noticed Scott's expression hardened. It was as if Scott felt something closing by. In no time, the pack appeared out of nowhere and circled Diana's car. Immediately, Scott locked the doors, and ensured the car windows of Diana's midnight metallic off-road pick-up truck are shut as well. Diana had her brows puckered up on how they were easily tracked by the pack.
"Scott!! Brother! How can you say no to me? I'm your best friend!", Lucas said as he knock several times on the car window of the driver's side.
"Alpha!! I have so many snacks with me to share with you and Luna.. You won't hear me chew, or not let a single crumb fall on the floor!", Cory was carrying a large brown paper bag full of chips and snacks.
"We won't snore!! We will not even sleep! Pfft!! And we'll be quiet like we're not even there", Austin laid on the truck's hood spreading his arms to prevent Scott from driving away.
Diana laughed at the three men who kept on knocking, and pleading before them. She doesn't mind riding with them at all. However, Scott, who looked forward all night for their first road trip, was not willing to share his Luna with anyone... especially the pack.
"Please say yes, I don't really mind. Perhaps, It would be fun to travel with your friends.", Diana said, as she smile at Scott. Those eyes which Scott find it the hardest to refuse appeared again. It was like a weapon that's used on him to say yes in all things. After last night, Scott couldn't say no to Diana's every request. Especially wearing matching black outfits for today.
"I mind! They just want to gossip about us.", Scott held her cheek then tucked her hair behind her ear. The three made a theatric cry and screamed Scott's name louder. They didn't mind the people around as they make a scene in the basement parking.
"Please?", Diana felt sorry for them and asked Scott to let them in.
Scott grunted as his girlfriend sides with his friends over him on day one of their relationship. 'This will be a great trip', he sarcastically thought. With a face of defeat, Scott unlocked the doors as he narrow the corner of his lips. "I hope I won't regret this.", he buried his face on the steering wheel as the boys hop in the truck.
"Don't be overdramatic.", Diana chuckled while soothing Scott's back. "Welcome aboard, boys.", she greeted.
"I knew you wouldn't say no to me", Lucas said as he ruffle Scott's hair.
"Nahh, I just make the cutest and most compelling puppy eyes", Cory said as he bat his lashes.
"Alright, where's my pillow?", Austin started to mess with the other two.
Smiling ear to ear, Diana stared at Scott who's rolling his eyes as he step on the gas. "This will be a long ride", he said, as Diana soothe Scott on the shoulder.
The four and a half-hour road trip became a six hour drive because of several stopovers for the trio's calls of nature, carsickness, and need for more food. At first, their journey was full of singing at the top their lungs, laughing out loud and interrogations about the lovers. Scott warned Diana not to say a thing to these three, to which Diana happily obliged.
The trio would grin at each other whenever Scott grabs Diana's hand at the moment that he shift gears. They move closer upfront when the lovers talk to hear what Scott says. Sometimes, they even butt in if it takes Scott so long to reply. It was fun for Diana, but for Scott... it was more like a punishment. He wanted a peaceful and romantic trip with his Luna, and yet, here he is, suffering with three troublesome pack members.
Cory munched loudly and even spilled his snacks in the car. Austin snored like a pig, and he even talk while he's asleep. Lucas' phone kept ringing every ten minutes. He receive calls from girls, and other relevant people about business relations. The group cringe each time he flirts with one girl after another. Finally, after hours of unceasing uproar, the car finally silent as the three drifted off.
The silence was a gift. It was the moment that Scott could freely hold Diana's hand without blunders of chaffs. He could only wish that it would keep up until they reach the town. Driving in the narrow roadway, Diana glanced at the rough road with dead oak trees that they just passed by. 'That place look familiar', she thought. Scott noticed Diana as she furrow her brows on that direction.
"Been here?", Scott asked, as he rest his warm hand on Diana's thigh.
"I'm not quite sure", she said with a timid smile as she clutch on Scott's hand. Scott then took Diana's hand and kissed it. "It does look familiar".
Cory, who suddenly woke up, couldn't help but make a broad smile at the sight of his Alpha being so madly in love with the Luna. "I can't wait to meet my mate. I think, tomorrow is my lucky day", he daydreamed with his head forwarding between Scott and Diana.
"What's tomorrow?", Diana asked.
"Tomorrow's the full moon, Luna", Austin whispered with his eyes closed. "Different wolf clans will all gather at the heart of the forest to moon bathe", he added and snored back in slumber.
"Moon bathe?", she wondered.
"We all get naked under the proud moon to restore and strengthen our bodies. Then, we shift to our wolf form to run free in the woods.", Cory explained. "For wolves who have imprinted, they have… OWPP!!", Scott hit the brakes that made everyone jerk forward. Clearly, Scott doesn't want Cory to finish off what he's saying. Lucas bursted in laughter seeing Scott's face turn red.
"We're here! You can all finally drop off", arriving in the town plaza at high noon, Scott unlock the doors for the trio.
Diana opened the window to admire how festive the quaint town looks. The people are busy putting up strings of colorful flags and hooking up round lanterns that look like the moon. There were also several stalls selling various things like trinkets, ornaments and food. The gray cobblestone paths and the establishments made of wood and bricks give off a funky and nostalgic vibe. So many bushes and trees around, making it seem breathable and light.
"Later?", Lucas uttered at Scott as he glance at the rear view of the mirror, to where Scott just nodded. "Luna, I hope you enjoy your stay here", he said with a smile before stepping out of the Car. He was followed by Cory, who winked at Scott, and Austin who sleepily went down and mumbled thanks before he shut the car door.
Scott sighed deeply. "FINALLY, alone with you", he immediately grabbed Diana from the back of her head and kissed her on her lips.