The hours go by, and I can feel the tension rising within our pack’s building. Everyone is anxious about this meeting. Vince came down to check on my work five times within the last two hours. But I am proud of everything I have done and even feel somewhat confident about the dinner.
“Nora! Stop daydreaming!”
“So... Sorry, Alpha. But I’m almost done!” I defend myself, showing the completed dishes.
Vince nods, but won’t compliment me. Then, he looks at me and clicks his tongue. I glance down. I spent all afternoon cooking, and thus, my clothes were dirtied. They weren’t pretty, to begin with, but now... I look like a beggar. Even my hair is messy.
“I will change into new clothes as soon as I’m done.”
“Whatever. Just go to your room, and don’t you dare come out tonight. I don’t need the Blood Moon leaders to see your... face.”
His eyes are set on where my scar is, behind my hair. I was careful to braid my hair the right way so my curls would hide it, but it’s no use, he knows it’s there. I avoid his gaze and lower my head.
At the same time, a group of pack members walks by to go to the recreation room, laughing and jokingly pushing one another. Alec is among them, and he stops as soon as he sees me. He goes from a smile to a pissed-off look in no time and keeps glaring at me. I know my brother still thinks about this shift, but it’s way too late now. I wonder why he wanted tonight’s money so badly. Is he having money issues again?
But he can’t say anything right now; Vince is still facing me and watching my every move like a hawk, making sure I finish in time. I feel, however, that this will only delay Alec’s punishment for opposing him...
An hour later, I’m in the kitchen with my completed dishes, giving instructions.
“...And this is calledcrème brûlée. All you need to do is burn the sugar on top a little when you serve it like I just did.”
Jill and Maria are frowning, trying to remember it all. They will be the ones to serve tonight, as Vince doesn’t want anyone that is not part of the pack to see me. Jill and Mariaare my age, but they are way prettier, though they are not really smart.
“Wait, why did you have to make a Russian dessert?” Asks Maria while playing with her blonde hair
“It’s not Russian, it’s French! Vince said the Black Family is originally from France, so...”
They give me suspicious stares, but I don’t care. All I need is for them to remember a few names and how to serve it!
Thankfully, about ten minutes later, I think they finally get it. I hope so... They leave upstairs to get ready, and I can finally clean the kitchen.
It’s almost time. Everyone is ready, and it is time for me to go hide in the basement. I’m so exhausted from cooking all afternoon, I just lay flat on my familiar couch. I’m about to fall asleep when I can hear it. The people from the Blood Moon Clan are here!
I get up, totally awake, and run across the room to the small window. I climb on top of a rundown drawer to reach the opening. I need to stand on my toes to get to see something. My eyes are at ground level, and, for a while, all I can distinguish are feet and paws. But I can clearly hear Vince’s voice.
“Welcome! Welcome to the Jade Moon Den. I am Vincent Greene, and this is my Beta, Peter.”
I can distinguish his big brown boots among the crowd, and Peter, in his wolf form, next to him. Actually, a few members of our pack shapeshifted, too, before the guests’ arrival, just in case... I suppose both sides can’t trust the other.
However, facing them, the Blood Moon pack members are easy to recognize, even from my position. All of them are in human form and wearing dark suits and classy blackleather shoes. Look like some mafia gang has arrived! I’m shocked not even one of them is in their wolf form. Are they that confident? Or just trying to act arrogantly? One of them replies with a gentle voice I didn’t expect.
“Thank you for having us. You have a lovely turf indeed... How lucky of you to be able to enjoy a run in the forest anytime you want.”
His tone is peaceful, so why is it his words seem so... menacing? I feel like he is threatening instead of thanking! Vince must be tense, but he won’t show it.
“Oh, we are very attached to our land. My family has protected it for generations. But the forest is everyone’s, of course, so please do not hesitate to come whenever you want to escape the city!”
I don’t believe they would wait for permission...
Vince finally invites them in, and I leave my spot to go put my ear against the door. The basement is next to the kitchen and close to the dining hall. I can hear all the chatting as they go by, with Vince introducing some pack members and showing them the way. He is the only one talking; none of the Blood Moon can be heard. I wonder what they look like...
I listen to them enter the dining hall, and then the kitchen goes quiet.
Meanwhile, I change quickly into some clean clothes. I grab a clean pair of jeans that I have left in the old wardrobe and put on a dark blue sweater that’s too big on me. At least I feel clean.
I’m putting my messy hair into a low bun when I hear some steps coming from the kitchen. Jill and Maria came to take the first plates, chatting as always.
“Gosh, I could barely breathe in there; everyone is so tense! If only they would relax a little,” says Maria.
