Chapter 8

• When it was our turn, I grabbed a plate and chewed on my lip. I avoided the glances of the other wolves as I reached around and grabbed the food I wanted. I went for toast and scrambled egg today, sticking to just one slice and one spoonful. Just as I was pouring myself a glass of orange juice, an arm came across my shoulder and shoved a tong full of bacon onto my plate. I glanced up accusingly at Dad, who avoided my gaze.
• “Wasn't me?” He mused.
• I frowned down at the bacon and was about to accuse mom, but she was off eating with other omega wolves already. I would rather not put the bacon back out of sheer awkwardness, so made my way to a table and sat down by myself. Digging in, I eyed the meat suspiciously. A moment later, Dad came to sit beside me before Mom eventually joined, and we all ate in pleasant silence.
• I peeked up at my dad's chuckle. “What's so funny?”
• “I gave you the bacon.” He mused.
• “So childish.” I rolled my eyes with a smile.
• Mom chuckled at Dad's shocked expression. “She's not wrong there, Reggie.”
• Dad pouted and finished his plate. “Come on, let's go freshen up. We have to act normal now.”
• I chuckled, but followed them up to our rooms. Parting ways, I took myself into my room to calm my erratic heart. My anxiety was crawling up my stomach, clasping at my throat and not letting go. I didn't understand why today nerved me so much; I think it was because I felt so out of place; all dressed up and styled better. I mean, it was only a top and jeans, but I felt so exposed. They have not seen me like this in two years.
• A knock on my door had me inhaling sharply. Walking over to answer, I came face to face with Lizzie and Stephen. The devil had arrived.
• She smirked innocently at me, and Stephen cleared his throat.
• “Ember, you are working today, yes?” He asked, scratching at his hair.
• I nodded mutely, and he continued. “Thought so, but you are in the kitchen today. It is last minute, that is why I am here in person. I, uh, tried to come last night, but you weren't here.”
• I noticed the hard stare he gave me before he glanced at Lizzie, and I frowned. “So ignore the chart we made because you are no longer in utility. You are in hospitality and have five minutes to get yourself down there.”
• My eyes widened, alarmed at the fact I could not hide away from today in the washing machine. I thought my mess-up at the party was enough to never be a server again.
• “Is that clear?” He asked, his authority keeping up his appearance.
• “Y-y-yes Alpha.”
• He nodded with a small smile and led Lizzie away, who seemed to sneer at me over her shoulder. I shut my door and pressed my face against the wood. Fighting back my nerves, I took deep breaths before practically running my way toward my parent's room.
• They exited at the same time I approached. Must've sensed my nervous disposition.
• “What's wrong, honey?” Dad asked.
• “I-I-I'm moving j-jobs toda-ay.” I hiccuped.
• “What to?” Moms hands met my shoulders. “Deep breath.”
• I complied and closed my eyes briefly, getting my breathing and stammer under control. “Hospitality.”
• Her eyes widened; she had the day off with Dad today. “Oh honey, it'll be okay. Don't worry.”
• “I-I'm just scared about w-w-w-”
• “What we said? Don't be. You are polite and careful. Stephen will be there. Keep focused on him, okay?” She curled loose hair behind my ear in comfort.
• “O-okay.” I frowned.
• “Now go, deep breath, concentrate. Don't be late.” She kissed my forehead.
• I nodded mutely, Dad kissing me too as I passed him. I scurried my way into the kitchen, noticing it was one minute after nine. He was to be here at any moment; the tension in the air was unmistakable.
• I checked in with my leader of the day, Nina, who told me to prepare hot water and complimentary snacks. I worked with two other girls as we compiled a tray of savory breakfast items and fruit. As the air got thicker with tension, I knew it meant they had arrived.
• We waited in anticipation for the order of their hot drink requests. Twenty minutes passed as we busied ourselves with preparing lunch.
• Nina approached us eventually, a small smile on her stressed appearance. “Three Irish, two dopios, two black coffees, and two cappuccinos. Three drinks each, girls!”
• “Which-?”
• “The Alpha's all want Irish coffee.” She stated, “Ember, you are the best at coffee. I want you to do those, please. No burnt coffee! Thank you!”
• I stood wide-eyed as she left us alone again. The two girls rubbed my shoulders reassuringly before getting started on the other six.
• Swallowing heavily, I calmed my shaking nerves and busied myself making the drinks. It didn't busy me long enough, as soon as we were all done. I had lots of practice since I'm always in the kitchen for pack events or meetings and Stephen always had an Irish. So I could see why he set me up for this; he always complimented my coffee skills.
• The three of us silently stared at each other; me with the three coffees, Julia with the food, and Katherine with the other coffees. Sighing deeply, Julia went first, and I followed behind.
• I wasn't shaking as bad as I thought I'd be. The office was at the other end of the house, so I tried to calm my racing mind instead. The closer we got, the more my head swam, but I did not panic. I felt calm in a way; my worry was only being forced upon my mind.
• We paused at the large double oak doors. The sense of authority was nearly overpowering. Julia and Katherine had already dropped their heads because of it. Two guards stood there and glanced down at us. After a moment's pause in their mind linking, they nodded at us. Both of them opened a door each and with a faux spring in her step, Julia led us forward.
• I swallowed sharply as I entered, my senses overwhelmed by the sight of the men in the room. Stephen sat behind his large glass desk in charge, his father seated on his left and Beta Tobias on the right. To the side of Tobias was Jack, our Gamma.
• “Girls! Glad you're here.” Stephen smiled.
• The room wasn't tense; it was rather relaxed considering the other alpha.
• There were five males on the other side of the desk, not facing me. I could sense the power easily; especially coming from two of them. It surprised me I didn't succumb to the smell and sensation like Julia and Katherine had. Their faces were barely looking up from their trays. But my eyes, however, wandered nervously across the back of their chairs.
• Taking a small breath, I walked again, not noticing they had frozen me still. Julia had already placed down the food and was helping Katherine with the other drinks. I made my way to Stephen and placed his coffee down ahead of him. He smiled up at me reassuringly as his hand brushed mine on the mug in comfort.
• He gently dipped his head to his left, and I took the hint and handed his dad the next coffee.
• Alpha Darien smiled up at me and kissed my hand in a thanking gesture. He was always grandfatherly to me, and I was grateful he had taken me in and raised me for a year himself, as only a few alphas or packs would take in a stray. I haven't seen him in a few weeks, so assumed it was to do with why Stephen was taking charge more; why Darien was on the sidelines, retiring. He seemed paler.
• Adult wolves age a lot slower than humans; slowing around age nineteen. However, all the time before that seems to speed up; our pregnancies only lasting two-thirds of humans.
• Swallowing deeply, I walked around the desk to the man described as the alpha. I kept my eyes cast downward, nerves clutching at my stomach. However, from the corner of my eye, I saw brown eyes staring at me, causing my head to lift in surprise. It was the beta I spilled champagne on at the party. He gave me a small smile and watched me in what seemed to be nervous anticipation.
• Should I be nervous too?
• I turned my attention to the alpha. He was dressed in black jeans and a blood-red buttoned shirt. His arms were large and tan, a hand clasping the arm of the sofa and the other awaiting the drink on my tray.
• Stopping before him, I took a deep breath as I picked up his drink: the scent of him was intoxicating. So intoxicating, in fact, that when I got closer to hand him the coffee, my deeper breath caught in my throat. All it took was the gentle brush of his finger against mine on the glass for my world to come crumbling down.