One month had passed since Toby transitioned into a human. It had also been a month since the Tarsa tribe had entered their slumber. During their sleep, Hugo and I agreed to build homes in the forest for the tribe's settlement.
In this case, once the Tarsa tribe shifted, they have their homes ready. There were still many questions from Hugo and werewolves about this phenomenon. But I only told them to ask Bowie.
So now we're here.
"What do you think? Good?" Hugo tilted his head to the side, batting his eyes at the tribesmen.
When we came into the bear's den where they hibernate, they were already in their human form. Fortunately, we brought a lot of clothes and blankets for them to wear. Their confusion was still evident on their faces.
Understandable, since they were still confused about how they shifted. And now, they were staring at the huts the werewolves built for them.
"Bowie! This is what Papa, and I built!" Toby, who was in Hugo's arms, frail his little chubby arms. "Everyone helped because we only have a month!"
"The werewolves had done all that...?" Bowie was a middle-aged man whose physique was almost as huge as Tito, with hair as dark as coal with white streaks on his turfs. He also had a long bear of the same mixed color of his hair.
"What? Felt moved?" Hugo smirked arrogantly, but it was obvious he was quite pleased to see their reaction. "Well, this is nothing. Compared to the wounds the werewolves inflicted upon the tribe, this is nothing. Save your thanks."
Hugo turned his back against them, facing the huts with the side of his lips stretched into a proud grin. I could tell he was pleased with the outcome since everyone had been busy finishing these in a short time.
"Good thing Rinnie said you might be giant like people. So, we used Tito's physique as the average size of your people. Wow... you people are huge. No wonder Tito thinks he was born in the wrong race."
As Hugo reminisced about how the new homes of the tribe were built, I could not help but smile. I stood on the side, watching them approach the huts to check. There were already necessary things for them, although I was certain the Tarsa tribe could survive even without our help.
Still, it was better since the Tarsa tribe and the werewolves were starting to get along. While Hugo and Toby led Bowie and others to their respective huts, other werewolves also helped the rest of the tribesmen.
"Luna." I looked to my right when Ivo suddenly stood beside me. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be the one showing them, since this is your idea?"
"I enjoy watching." I set my eyes back to everyone, peals of laughter soon caressed my ears along with the amused gasped. "Not long ago, the werewolves are at war with the bears. But now, it's different."
"That's all thanks to you, Luna."
"No." I shook my head, holding my hand behind me. "I was simply the bridge. How things went this way... it's all thanks to the werewolves and the Tarsa tribe's effort. If Hugo didn't listen to my voice, and if the Tarsa tribe didn't open their hearts, nothing will change."
I cast Ivo a side-eye, seeing him hold his hand behind his head. "I'm glad that Belcoot is in peace again."
"Luna, you changed." My brows rose when Ivo glanced at me. "I don't know. You act and speak the same, but somehow, I can't help but notice that you changed."
"Change is the only constant thing in this world, Ivo. If I don't change after my experiences, then I am nothing but pathetic."
"You've also grown fierce and cold."
"That... I doubt."
Ivo arched a brow as he looked at me with doe eyes. "I doubt it too, but my instinct says otherwise."
"You shouldn't focus on me too much." I frowned. Hugo was already keen, but Ivo's sharpness was of a different caliber. I didn't want him to pry or have his attention on me too much since I already planned to live just like how I was.
"Why not, Luna? Scared I will uncover something?"
"Scared?" I laughed while staring at his prying eyes. "Yes, I am."
"Damn... am I wrong?" he scratched his head while I shook my head. "Have I been thinking too much lately? Or was it the lack of sleep?"
"It's probably stress. You should rest. Everyone had been so worked up, especially now that the wedding is close." I sighed, casting him a lazy look. The proposal was Ivo's idea and Hugo simply got invested in it.
With my upcoming union with Hugo, everyone was anticipating our wedding. So, whilst building the huts for the Tarsa tribe, others were also busy preparing for our wedding. The reason the north was busier than before.
"Luna, you do realize that Alpha Hugo wants to give you the wedding you will never forget, right?" A complicated look dominated his face, looking at me in disbelief. "Then after your wedding, we will have to set off to the capital for the mating season."
I pressed my lips into a thin line, watching Hugo exit the hut with Bowie. When they stepped out, Bowie looked in my direction and smiled.
"Rinnie, congratulation on your engagement," Bowie expressed when they stopped at arm's length in front of me. "And thank you for inviting us to witness your union."
"Thank you." I smiled, shifting my gaze to Hugo, who winked at me.
Bowie looked at me in silence, making me raise my brows.
"Bowie?" I tilted my head to the side and then knit my brows when Bowie suddenly went down on his one knee. I glanced at Hugo and Toby in his arm, and then at Ivo. They all looked puzzled as well.
Bowie placed his palm across his chest. "I am aware that you are now the Luna of the pack in Belcoot. But please, allow us, the Tarsa tribe, to serve the Luna of the mad wolf pack."
"..." I pursed my lips into a thin line, casting Hugo a look. He was surprised at first, but then the side of his lips curled up into a pleased smile.
"Bowie, are you saying you only want to serve my wife-to-be?"
"The Tarsa tribe can only have one master. You will only feel threatened if you bore malicious intent to our master," Bowie explained without looking away from me. "We want to protect our savior and be her own people. I don't doubt the wolves' intention, but if your Luna is important, then please. Allow us to serve her."
Hugo laughed and glanced at me. "I don't mind having my Rinrin have her own people. Whatever decision she makes, then I will fully support it."
"Hugh..." my eyes softened before I set them back to Bowie. 'Be it then or now, the Tarsa tribe always does this. I can't remember how many times I ignored them.'
"Bowie." I extended my arm and offered my hand to him. "You've always been my people since the beginning. Stand up now."
He smiled wearily, concluding that I refused him politely. He accepted my hand as he stood up, sighing heavily.
"I will count on you then, Bowie." He snapped his eyes as I chuckled. "If the Tarsa tribe wants to serve me, then I won't stop them. All I ask from you is to keep Belcoot and everyone safe; the Tarsa tribe, too. Keep safe."
"Luna..."
The side of my lips stretched, seeing the softness in Bowie's eyes. I looked at Hugo and Toby, and they grinned at me. Ivo also seemed pleased while rocking his head.
If this happened under a different circumstance, I would pretend I didn't hear the desire of the tribe. But... if I wanted to keep Hugo safe from harm, I would need the strength from the Tarsa tribe. Bowie probably knew that, that was why he proposed right in front of Hugo.
Sneaky Bowie.
That day, we had a bonfire with the Tarsa tribe. All the lingering awkwardness between the two races dispersed with the presence of booze and food. They danced, laughed, shared stories, fill each other's curiosity, and many more.
After that night, the Tarsa tribe slowly adjusted to their human form and living. They also helped talk to the other tribesmen who were still beyond the border.
Time was fleeting and before we knew it, a week had already gone by and it was the wedding everyone had been waiting for.