SIR WOLFGANG'S TUTELAGE COMMENCES

I found myself alone in the living room with Mum and Wolfgang. There was a part of me that felt a little surprised to be left alone by my betas. Had I really gotten used to being accompanied so much that I felt abandoned when Ki left? I looked to Mum, my Luna Mother, my Mother Dear... Please don't abandon me either!

Mum was still smiling, "I hope Sir Wolfgang might join us too?"

It occurred to me at this moment, that my Mum was not without her charms. Wolfgang nodded stiffly, "If Luna wishes."

Mum nodded, "Please do. Our home is an informal space for the most part, although I'm sure you must have noticed by now. Our pack has a very relaxed atmosphere overall."

Wow, everyone slow clap for my Mum. She just told Wolfgang, "We don't do stuffy formalities here. We are obviously barbarian wolves. Quit standing around like a formal statue and chill."

(Or so I imagine.)

Mum poured tea for Wolfgang, "Would you like sugar or milk with your tea, Sir Wolfgang?"

"Just milk, thank you, Luna." Wolfgang said politely.

I watched as Mum prepared Wolfgang's tea. Wolfgang sat impassively in the adjacent sofa from mine.

"Thank you, Luna." Wolfgang intoned politely when Mum placed his tea cup and saucer in front of him. Omo. I think we were playing out one of those boring serious scenes in one of those boring serious movies I never watched. I had tried, they were usually award-winning, and sometimes romantic too, according to Lizzy anyway. But I never stuck around long enough to see any romance blossom.

I never liked movies where everyone just sat around talking seriously.

Okay, here's the plan. I shall gulp down my tea and excuse myself to the hot bath and cadence preparation awaiting me. Sometimes, genius was in simplicity.

"Sir Wolfgang, I must thank you again for taking Sam under your tutelage." Mum began the conversation after Wolfgang took his first sip of tea.

"It is my privilege and honor to be entrusted to guide your daughter, Luna." Wolfgang demurred.

At this point, I have to say, the way Wolfgang drank his tea was fascinating. I couldn't help but notice, and then I couldn't help but stare.

You know how there was a teacup? Today, like the teapot, it was made of clear glass. There was also a matching glass saucer and rose gold teaspoons. The entire setup was very delicate. Ever since Ki came to our home, we had lots of fancy setups, but this one was a little different.

It was very scaled down from Ki's usual fancy. No tiered trays of finger food. No laced dollies. No special surprises like artisan gelatos on the side.

We could actually see the surface of the coffee table - quite a lot of it actually. All we had was a tea tray with a clear glass tea set, a candle-lit glass tea warmer, matching rose gold teaspoons, a small glass bowl of cubed sugar, a small glass jug of warmed milk, and neatly folded squares of white napkins.

Just plain squares. Not swan-shaped or flower-shaped or fan-shaped or whatever Ki magic often did to our napkins.

I only noticed after I started staring at the way Wolfgang drank his tea. I mean, I don't usually notice how people drank their tea. Lots of women have tea with Mum at our home and I never thought twice about it, but from the first tiny clink sound, I looked over and couldn't look away.

I had no idea that the sound of a teacup being placed on a saucer could make such a perfect sound. Like a clink, but quieter.

The only other times I had fallen in love with a sound was when I shot my first arrow, and when Bell laughed.

And then I noticed how the teacup looked so perfectly placed in a man's hand. Most of the men I knew would prefer coffee - preferably in a large mug so they didn't have to keep pouring.

And how was it that Wolfgang could grasp the delicate glass handle with his fingers and hold it just so... or how he sat very straight, but still look relaxed, or how when he returned the cup to the saucer, it would clink together perfectly like the feeling of when a piece of the jigsaw finally snaps into its place in the puzzle.

I looked at the way I was holding my own cup. It was a very normal way to hold a cup. Forgetting that I had meant to down everything in one gulp, I carefully put down my cup, hoping to imitate that perfect clink sound with its saucer.

It didn't happen. I was so careful about it too! Hm... I frowned at my cup and saucer. It looked exactly like Wolfgang's - even the amount of liquid was similar. Why didn't it work?

"I've always felt that I could do more for her, but I'm never sure exactly how to go about it." Mum sighed, "Sam has always been free-spirited, and whilst I know that she is growing up, as her mother, the last thing I want is to stifle her exuberance or bind her to a life dictated by excessive etiquette."

Please slow clap for my Mum again. I mean, I've always known my mum was good with her words, but seeing her in action was like watching a masterclass on tack and diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Wolfgang had lifted up the teacup again. He paused, just before putting the cup to his lips and lifted his brows at me. He caught me staring.

I shrugged, refusing to look away. Hurry up and put the cup back down! There had to be a trick to making that perfect clink. I don't believe it was just a coincidence.

Wolfgang decided to pretend he hadn't noticed me staring and continued with his tea drinking - which he only did with a single perfunctory sip before returning the cup to its saucer each time.

"Luna is a commendable mother." Wolfgang answered, "It is obvious that your daughters are all brought up with natural elegance and all the pack knows the Alpha daughters are kind as they are lovely..."

As he lowered the cup, I sat straighter. I waited till the cup touched the saucer. Clink. There it was again! A perfect and quiet little clink.

I picked up my cup, positioning my hand to grasp its handle between my thumb and the next two fingers. It was surprisingly comfortable to hold the cup this way, so I must be doing it right.

Like a fight drill move, even if it seemed unnatural at first, I'd know I got it right when the movement followed through smoothly.

I think the trick had to be in the way he held his cup so that he could return it to the saucer at just the right angle for the clinking sound.

I didn't even bring the cup to my mouth, lifting it up from the saucer and then attempting to return it just like Wolfgang. I was extra careful about the speed and force I used too.

I was a black wolf, if it was a physical movement that required some kind of coordination and control, I would probably be able to imitate it.

I know it was a black wolf trait most commonly credited for their ability to master different fighting styles. But I've used it in many other aspects of my life too - like learning a new dance move, or a cooler-than-thou shrug. I felt quite sure it could be applied to anything really.

But the moment I placed my teacup down on its saucer, I knew I messed up. Although it was a very quiet sound this time, it wasn't the clear clink sound. It just didn't have the same clear ring in it.

I tilted my head and regarded my drink. What could I have been doing wrong?

"Your words are too kind, Sir Wolfgang." Mum said, "And you couldn't have come at a better time. Sam is due to visit Night Forest next week. It would be her first trip there on her own and I honestly worry about her adjusting to the culture of a more traditional pack."

In what way would I be on my own? I was going with Bell, Ki, Ben, Lola, and Delta Felicity, and the whole GAP Analysis Team.

"She also starts schooling at the Lorent's Girls School the week after..." Mum sighed, "Having you to guide and prepare her at this time is goddess sent."

Wolfgang picked up his teacup again, and brought it to his mouth... Was it because I didn't lift up the cup high enough? And then lowered it.

Just as he was lowering it though, he looked me in the eye and turned his wrist so I could see the side of the cup facing him!

That's it!

Wolfgang calmly returned his cup with the same quiet little clink. It was almost inaudible, but that was the beauty of it! So quiet, yet so clear.

And I knew how he did it now!

I picked up my cup, this time careful to only hold the cup by its handle and not let any of my fingers rest on the sides of the cup. Not even a little bit! And then once again without drinking, replaced it onto its saucer. This time, it touched down with a quiet and dignified little clink.

Ah ha! I did it! I grinned at my tea. I win!

The trick was in not touching the cup so that it might ring clear like a bell. And then obviously to place it down gently at the correct angle so that it would not clink loudly.

"You have nothing to worry about, Luna." Wolfgang told my mum, "Your daughter is an intuitive learner. All she needs is the right exposure and a little guidance."

"I feel relieved to hear you say so." Mum said, then she turned to me, "Sam, I hope you would take this opportunity to learn everything you can from Sir Wolfgang so that no one will ever have reason to look down on you."

So far, Wolfgang's idea of a lesson was making everyone suit up and come down to welcome me home you know.

I'm not sure why Mum was worried at all. We've been to Night Forest before. I know how to hold a fork and knife... and they know I was from a barbarian pack. And it's not like Alphas should care about what others thought. If those dumb girls wanted to mess with me, I will give them papercuts!

I shrugged, "I'm the Alpha no matter how they look at me, I'm still stronger than they are."

I flared a little just to make my point.

"That may be true, Princess." Wolfgang smiled at me, "But an alpha who knows how to hold a teacup is not inferior to an alpha who doesn't."

I looked down at my teacup. Gah! He knew I was trying to mimic the clink? So he turned his hand to show me on purpose? That was sneaky!

Just like what he was saying. By saying the alpha who knows was "not inferior" he was making me deduce for myself who was the one who was inferior.

Grrr... How dare you teach me without me knowing!