Chapter 151 - Advance Gift
Chapter 151 – Advance Gift
Tito and I walked back to the castle before the sunset. On our way, I looked up to see the beautiful tangerine painting in the sky. A smile appeared on my face before gazing ahead through the forest lane.
"Tito, do you like the Tarsa tribe?" I asked, turning my head to my right, where Tito was walking.
He looked down and nodded, smiling as his contoured cheek blushed. "They're cute."
"You are weak into anything cute, huh?" I teased and he just bashfully gazed down. "They like you too. Toby says you are his favorite uncle. Right? Toby?"
Tito glanced at Toby in my arms, and his eyes softened. The latter was very fond of Tito, since Tito had a very soft soul.
"I like… little nephew too," came out a deep and intimidating voice. I giggled at the contradiction of his voice and expression. Surely, I would never get used to this.
"You've been knitting something these days." I pointed my chin at the large pouch in his hand where he kept his materials. "Can I ask what it is for?"
Tito lifted the pouch a bit as he gazed at it. "A gift."
"Gift?"
"Mhm. I don't have that much money, so I just made one."
"That's strange," I muttered with a knitted brow, tilting my head to the side. "Don't Hugo give you enough allowance?"
"But then, I don't have money to buy more yarns."
"Oh…" I rocked my head, rendered speechless by his argument. So, in other words, it was not that he didn't have money to buy gifts. He just spent his allowance on things he loved.
Now that I thought about it, Tito had other hobbies aside from embroidery.
Reading was one, and he often helped Nana in the kitchen too. He prepared his own picnic basket every time he wanted to spend a lazy afternoon and would take Toby with him; He liked music and dancing too — basically all genteel pursuits.
"A handcrafted gift is more special, though." My lips stretched into a bright grin, returning the misplaced innocence in his eyes with a warm one. "No amount of money will ever top your gift. I'm sure the recipient will be very pleased."
Tito pressed his lips into a thin line as he hung his head low, treading slower, and in silence. I glanced at him and noticed that the tip of his ear was red.
'He is also very shy sometimes,' I thought, shaking my head lightly. 'Unlike Winter, who is naturally shy when attention is on him, Tito is a bit different. Even so, he is like a breath of fresh air.'
The madwolf pack consisted of unique werewolves with different personalities. They were more like a group of misfits. Despite their uniqueness and flaws, I could confidently say they were a beautiful disaster. Too bad Edge had gone awol after that incident, avoiding Hugo's wrath because the alpha still hadn't moved on from that incident.
My point was, the pack was filled with individuals with strong personalities. So, Tito's softness and his inclination to more feminine activities were a breath of fresh air. He only looked very intimidating with his large physique, matched with his naturally angry voice.
The epitome of not to judge the book by its cover. He was the kindest among everyone. His physique was huge, but probably so that it could shelter his big heart.
My brows rose as I gazed down, stopping in my tracks before we exit the forest. In front of me was a knitted scarf. I furrowed my brows, looking up at Tito with confusion.
"I finished it earlier," he said bashfully, looking away from me. "This is… my congratulatory gift to my sister-in-law."
"Congratulatory gift?"
He nodded but didn't explain what was the occasion. "I'm giving it to you in advance because I'm shy when others see that my gift isn't an expensive one."
"Tito…" my eyes softened as I smiled gently, accepting the scarf by clipping it in between my thumb and index. Toby was still in my arms.
'Mama, pretty.' I looked down at Toby as he commented while looking at the pink scarf.
"Toby says it's so pretty," I muttered, adjusting the black cub in my one arm to wrap the scarf around him. "It's so pretty, indeed. Thank you. I like it very much."
Once again, I shifted my attention to Tito and saw him scratched the back of his head. He seemed pleased, checking my reaction sneakily.
"Let's head back before the night falls," I urged softly, and he nodded.
With that being said, we continued our walk and soon exited the forest. I arched a brow upon seeing Ivo and Reks standing not far away, engaged in a conversation. When they noticed our presence, the two turned their head in our direction before jogging towards us.
"Huh?" I tilted my head to the side, glancing at Tito. "Tito, is there something wrong? Why do Ivo and Reks seem they were waiting for us?"
Tito averted his eyes. "I don't know, Luna."
"You know. Tito, you're a terrible liar." I pointed out, but he already zipped his mouth shut. That only meant that he wouldn't speak even if I insisted.
"Luna, you're back?!" Ivo stopped at arm's length in front of us, sporting an awkward smile.
"Hehe. Luna, do you want to go, err… somewhere else? I can help!"
"The sun is already setting, Reks." My intrigue increased, darting my eyes from Ivo and Reks then at Tito. "Did… something happen? Why do you sound like I shouldn't go back yet?"
That was strange, I thought.
"What? No! Of course not! How can we — Luna, we are always happy that you are safe! I'm just asking if you want to go outside in case you feel a bit stuffed in the castle!" I narrowed my eyes when Reks replied in panic and awkwardly.
"That's right! Ha ha! There's no problem if you don't want to…" Ivo back up while clearing his throat.
"Ivo? Reks?" Their face stiffen and then I gazed at Tito, who was quick to look away. "What is going on…?"
"Luna… there's really… I mean…" Ivo scratched the back of his head, sporting an incomprehensible smile. "There's really nothing."
I studied their faces in silence with narrowed eyes. "Is that so? Then I'll head inside." Just as I took one step, Ivo and Reks spread their arms to block my path.
"Nothing?" I tilted my head to the side. "Didn't you say there's really nothing? Why are you blocking my way? Ivo, Reks, what is Hugo doing? Is there something I shouldn't see?"
"Luna…" both of them smiled helplessly as if they were already too stressed. "It's just that Alpha Hugo is hopeless and needs more time to prepare."
"Prepare for?"
They looked at each other as if pushing the obligation of breaking whatever news to me.. "Luna, you should just see it for yourself."