JUST ONE MORE THING (FOR SAVY)

The thing about being the Alpha Princess was that I really wasn't ever going to have a normal teenage life ever again. I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me sooner, but it was brought to my attention today.

Mostly because my Alpha Dad was being SUPER OVERPROTECTIVE TODAY. How was my Alpha Dad overprotective? Well, let me count the ways…

There was that bit at the picnic where I had to be accompanied by a pair of warriors everywhere - and stick with him during the walk about across the road.

And the entire "don't go near Jude." I mean, okay, I wouldn't go near Jude, even without Dad saying so, but the point was that Dad did pretty much everything he could think of to make sure it didn't happen. Even going as far as tag teaming Mum to make sure I returned directly home from the dungeons, and the diadem to prevent any accidental dream traveling slips.

And don't get me started at the way he had been steering Bell as far away from me as possible. It's like he thought the moment Bell and I touched we might immediately be all over each other for mouth to mouth resuscitation. Hahaha.

And now this entire fuss about a little drink. Actually, I ate a lot of Savy's tiramisu and I had never passed out over it.

Short of banning me from ever going to a party every again, I was just going to have to bring the entire underground army with me every time I go out. Haha, no, not really, but close.

From now on, I must always be accompanied by at least one beta whenever leaving packlands. Two betas if I was attending an event with more than 10 other guests. My security detail would be 2 to 6 Special Team Delta depending on the risk assessment. There would be a designated taster, who thank goddess, did not have to actually taste everything, but would be trained to recognize possible poison threats by sight and smell.

My betas present would strictly ensure that I would not receive anything edible except from their hands. I may receive stuff like flowers and cards, and even food gifts like chocolates - but my betas must promptly remove them from my hands. In case there was wolfbane in the flowers or something like that.

Like one of those infomercials, I just feel I have to say, "BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!"

Besides the betas and personal security detail, there would also be a pre-event security check, an on-site security team to keep tabs on the venue, and based on risk assessment, specialized undercover agents who would be able to quickly neutralize any threats behind the scenes.

You know, just in case a mildly alcoholic drink should ever be lurking in the shadows to jump out and splash me.

"What about I just stay in my room for the rest of my life?" I offered.

"Good idea." Dad said.

I hated Dad's dapper mode.

"What about events in Gate City?" Savy asked innocently, "Like New Leaf Academy's Equinox Concert?"

My sister who very rarely speaks in front of other adults was just curious. Nothing suspicious at all.

Mum narrowed her eyes at Savy, but Dad answered thoughtfully, "I suppose the same should apply, since we are expecting a large number of visitors."

He looked at Beta Lucas who immediately checked his phone, "Yah man. The visa office will be opening for extended hours all through till May. The concert wasn't even the biggest headache. The High Council Emergency Meeting was going to be held in Gate City, and there's also Luna Bell's investiture at the end of March and Sam's inauguration in April."

Seasoned travelers would know that the Night Leaf Office was much faster at granting visitor visas than the Lorent Office. Plus the Lorent Office was rather huffy towards humans and wolves from minor packs and pretty much everyone who wasn't as glorious as their Glorious Lorent Pack.

Because of this, we had been receiving the bulk of Gate City's temporary visitors applications. It was important for businesses, so it was important to Dad's plan for Gate City's success.

If Savy had let it go, we would have forgotten that she had spoke at all, but I think Savy really wanted something.

"Even coffee after with Sam's friends?" Savy asked again.

"Oh." Mum seemed to realize, "Well..."

Mum looked at Dad, "If your dad thinks it's alright..."

Wait... I was joking about just staying in my room - Dad knew that right?

"I have to go!" I wasn't going to take any chances, "I have to urm... build interpack relations!"

Yeah. I was that desperate. I guess Savy must have been pretty desperate to see River too.

Dad shrugged, "With the appropriate security on hand, I don't see why not."

Whew!

"Thanks, Dad!" Yay! I still got to go out with my friends.

But I underestimated Savy. My little sister was much sneakier and more ambitious than I had given her the credit for.

"Oh, I see." Savy said like she was understanding a new math word problem, "So it's like that. What about in our Packlands? Is Sam still allowed to throw parties for the Youth Club?"

"I suppose parties at the Packhouse or Alpha House among our own wolves should be alright." Dad was actually being really cool about me throwing parties. He looked at Beta Lucas.

"Yah man, why not?" Beta Lucas was quick to agree, "It's for a good cause. The youth club has been doing a lot of good work."

I don't think the two men realized it yet, but Savy wasn't really asking about Youth Club initiatives.

Mum realized it. In fact, it was because I noticed Mum's lips pursed that I realized that Savy was probably up to something and Mum was racking her brains to figure out what.

"What about if our friends invite us to a party?" Savy asked in all innocence, "Like on Packlands with our wolves?"

Dad frowned, but it was his thinking frown. I guess Mum decided she had better field this one, "Well, that would depend on what kind of party."

Dad nodded.

"Maybe we can take parties on home ground on a case by case basis." Mum suggested.

On one hand, I think I must have levelled up. Normally, I probably would have gotten through dinner without even realizing that Savy was after something. On the other hand, I was still noob, because I blurted out the moment the realization hit my mind, "Oh, is there going to be a party? Like a real party?"

That was exciting.

"Is it like a night time, dancing, teenager, someone's parents not around party?" I've only ever seen those on TV.

Savy was shaking her head at me.

"Am I invited?" I asked, "Who's throwing a party? Is it someone in our gang? I wanna go! Who else is going?"

Savy face palmed.

Mum's mouth was pressed down again, so IF there really was such a party, we weren't on a good start.

"Can we go?" I immediately turned my puppy eye power on Mum, "Please? I've never been to a real party… just birthday parties and stuff that parents organize. I want to go at least once. I'll take care of Savy. I want to see what its like."

"Hoo boy." Beta Lucas commented to Dad, "Looks like Sam's growing into a party animal."

Not helping Beta Lucas.

"Oh, Sam." Mum sighed, "I don't think you're ready…"

"Yah man. You came home sloshed last night." Beta Lucas was being VERY unhelpful here.

"I was not sloshed." I argued, "I was just sleeping."

Dad's thinking frown deepened, and his head started to shake.

Oh no, I was totally ruining it for Savy. I cast her a side glance. I would NEVER EVER go to a real party, and neither would Savy because Mum and Dad never let her do anything without me. I really hoped Savy had more cards up her sleeve.

But Savy only shrugged, "You don't even know who's throwing the party Sam. Why do you want to go?"

"BECAUSE SAVY!" Wait, even Savy was against me? "I want to just see it! Like I always see it on TV or read about it in webnovels…"

"And nothing good ever happens there." Mum cut in. Which, come to think of it, was a very valid point, but I wasn't going to be put off. I shook my head, "No, Mum. I'm just going to look. I'm not going to be the protagonist, but one of the background characters in the party."

I wasn't really joking, but Ki turned to cough into his hand, and Harvey was wearing a wry smile.

"You know, it isn't going to be anything like the fancy party you went to yesterday night." Savy said. I'm really not sure who's side she was on. I only knew that there was definitely a party, and I wanted in.

"Yeah, but I want to go to a real party." I pressed my case, "If I always go to the fancy ones, I'll never know how a normal teenager party is like. I want to experience a normal life too."

"Do you even know who is throwing the party?" Savy shook her head at me, "You can forget it. Mum and Dad would never agree."

"Why? Why not?" I felt a little desperate. How could Savy give up so quickly?

"Tim and Angela's parents aren't home this week." Savy said, "They're throwing a party without their parent's permission."

"Hoo boy, you pups." Beta Lucas shook his head.

"You can't tell on them!" I was quite alarmed about Savy leaking this to the adults, "None of you adults can tell them!"

"Well, why not?" Beta Lucas shrugged, "They're always throwing parties when their kids are away."

Wait, what?

Apparently, Delta Felicity never grew out of throwing parties, and would occasionally leave her kids overnight with their grandparents at Morning Light to do so.

"But don't tell her kids." Beta Lucas added as an afterthought, "And remember, I said NOTHING."

I nodded. Beta Lucas was my greatest source of NOTHING.

"I'm sure there wouldn't be any adult supervision." Savy continued.

"We can bring Ki." I suggested, "Ki is above 21."

Savy was really playing on the wrong side tonight, she shook her head, "As much as I like Ki's company, everyone knows Ki is more likely to help you get in trouble than stop you."

"I'm just going to look. I'm not going to get in trouble!" I flared now. Even my own sister acted like I was some kind of hooligan, "Look, if not Ki, we can bring another adult. Like Wolfgang - he's responsible right? He can come as my security."

Savy was unconvinced, "Even so…"

"What now?" I was seriously annoyed. Why was Savy being so difficult?