AFTER THE MEETING

We ended our meeting on a good note. Refreshments got wheeled in and the Packhouse Kitchen outdid themselves - it was like a full-blown fancy high tea buffet spread. Like the sandwiches were all open-faced (yes, I do think open-faced sandwiches were fancier than normal ones - even the ones without crust), and there were loads of mini baked goodies - I smelled chicken pie, but it was in little mini cups. And there were these little golden croissants filled with smoked salmon and avocado. And I had chocolate chip cookies where the chips were more like chunks and the insides were warm and soft and chewy and the chocolate was a melty gooey bittersweet mess. It was to die for.

Like I'd run another meeting just to eat it again.

"Come, everyone, come and eat." Alpha James waved his wolves over to the buffet table. His wolves hesitated before moving forward.

Did I tell you how cautious Lorent wolves were? I mean, even over the mindlink, they felt very guarded. Maybe that was why Bell liked to keep his side of our mating bond blocked off. Maybe it was a Lorent thing. Ki always felt very open though, but now I think Ki was only very open to me... Or he was just more subtle about what he kept blocked off.

"You must eat more. Do not offend our hosts." Lady Amber scolded, which was all the push the Lorent wolves needed to fill up their plates. Lol. So funny. Were they trying to empty the trays? They were in Night Leaf, trying to empty the buffet trays here was like trying to drink the whole sea.

That would go against everything Mama Rosa and the ladies in the packhouse kitchen believed in. If our packhouse kitchen had a motto, it would probably be, "Never let a wolf go hungry."

Wait no, I think it would be more accurate for their motto to read, "Never let a wolf go until they are minimally 120% full."

No matter how much we eat, these trays were going to refill. I knew this by experience.

But anyway, it was fun watching Lorent wolves stuff their faces so as not to offend us or rather Lady Amber... I think they were more afraid of her.

It was also nice to see the tables mingling. Like Dad and Beta Lucas went over to look for Roy. It was so weird... seeing them standing together like that. At one point, Beta Lucas said something and then laughed and slapped Roy's back too hard - repeatedly. Roy laughed and coughed till his face turned red. Dad had a hint of a smile and his hand in his pocket... and suddenly, I just flashbacked to when I was very small, like when adults all looked like mostly legs, and I was running to these three pairs of jeans. I hugged one jean-clad leg, "Uncle Omega, read!"

"Oooohhh Roy Boy. She's alpha commanding you. You better do as she says." The other pair of jeans sounded a lot like Beta Lucas.

"Ah...yes. Okay." Roy bent down to scoop me up. I had to push my face off the leather jacket. Grrr... these guys were really rough - who scooped up little girls like a sack of potatoes?

"NOW." I ordered, poking Roy on the collar of his opened jacket to make my point, "The one with gardens and castles. And you better read every single word."

I had always known I was a bossy pup... but the flashback made me remember, there used to always be three men. My dad, Beta Lucas and Roy. And also, that my Dad used to wear jeans... and leather jackets... because you know, they used to ride bikes (with me behind it sometimes when Mum was busy.)

How did I forget something like that? Because it all happened when I was about the size and weight of a sack of potatoes?

Back to the present, Beta Gerald was talking to Cornelius and the both of them were extolling my excellence because you know how Beta Gerald had somehow concluded that I was some kind of Alpha Prodigy, and now he wanted to hear all about Cornelius's astute observations about my leadership and in turn, share more examples of my shining brilliance.

I decided not to go near them because it was likely to be embarrassing.

Dad had moved on to talk to Alpha James. Meanwhile, the ladies had gathered an assortment of pastries and invited Luna Edith and Lady Amber to join them for tea. I wondered if I should go over and take shelter in the safety of Mum and Mrs Beta.

But I noticed Bell seated with a plate of untouched delicious things at his table. Our eyes met.

{Mate! ~ ❤️}

His new leadership sat with him. Dom was chatting and eating next to him - it was again a completely one-sided conversation where Bell just frowned and Dom continued happily as if Bell was interested in the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. And I knew that was what Dom was talking about because I found myself quite automatically at Bell's side

All he did was look at me, and I was immediately at his side. No self-control whatsoever. I didn't even have any conscious thought about going over to him. It was like, one look and poof, I'm at his feet. Gah! I'm such a pushover when it came to Bell!

I didn't even go over for the food. (What's his is mine, right?)

I can't believe someone could make me not notice food.

Ki stood up the moment I got to the table and drew out his chair for me. The other Lorent wolves got to their feet to bow.

I shook my head and quickly changed my mind and sat.

Normally, I wouldn't ever take Ki's chair. Like where would he sit now? But I knew that the Lorent wolves weren't going to sit until I did. I honestly felt bad at interrupting Dom's singularly fueled conversation. As far as I could tell, only Delta Oran was nodding politely at the young gamma's analysis for the perfect blend of latte.

Ben came over with a can of coke for me. And then my betas withdrew a few paces away to huddle, standing with their phones in one hand and coffees in the other. #betalife.

"Hi." I smiled, "Whatcha talking about?"

"Coffee, princess." Dom answered amiably, "Do you drink coffee?"

Even though I was clearly holding a coke.

I shook my head, "I don't like bitter things."

"Oh." Dom said, "I see."

Oh great. How was it that I could be so awkward that I killed a conversation with Dom? I mean, Dom was running a conversation all by himself... until I showed up!

"And I don't like sweet things." Bell intoned, his voice like the depths of the ocean. He draped an arm around my chair and pushed his plate of food closer to me.

{Mate! ~ <3}

Oh! Now that I was properly looking at his plate, I realized it was piled up high with sweet things. Cookies, and custard fruit tarts, and strawberry cheesecake with what looked like jelly on top? I considered his plate, and then I put the two and two together, "Is Ki mad at you about something?"

"What do you mean, Princess?" Bell asked.

I took a bite of that heavenly chocolate chip melty chewy gooey cookie. Maybe Fluffy was like this cookie - totally messed up inside, but really good.

"Ki always serves what you hate when he's mad at you." I informed my mate. Just like he served Harvey milk the other time.

Next, I ate this chocolate thing... it looked a bit like a round ball of poop, I won't lie, but it turned out to be brownie balls with chocolate lava inside. I think this had to be Ben.

"When was Ki ever angry with you, Princess?" Bell asked. He made it sound like he hadn't thought it was possible.

"Not me. Ki never gets mad at me." I made my way to the strawberry jelly cheesecake. That was really good. Everything about it was good. This one was Ki,

"Of course not." Bell remarked wryly.

And yes, I was matching my wolves to the desserts on my plate. Harvey's the chocolate mint mousse. I didn't take that though. I didn't like the taste of mint. I mean, it always smelled great, but I didn't like the feeling it would make in my mouth.

"I wonder if it's even possible for anyone to become angry at my Princess." Bell shrugged, "Even my old man was so quickly appeased."

Yeah, cos he really treated me like his own daughter. And if there's one thing I knew, wolves were particularly doting to their puppy-eyed daughters. Not my Dad though, but I've seen my friends work it.

But Bell's conclusion was highly inaccurate. Lots of wolves get mad at me at one point or other, most notably, Mum, or Ben, or Bell. I mean, Bell used to be ALWAYS mad at me. Now he only gets mad when we're alone. Unless we're kissing... GAH! Why did I think of that?

"What is it princess?" Bell looked concerned. As if I was going to tell him!

"Is it something in the desert?" Dom asked, "Once I bit into an eggshell while eating cake...."

I quickly shook my head lest anyone should think our packhouse kitchen would do something as disreputable as leave eggshells in the batter, "It's nothing. I just remembered something I forgot."

Wow. My conversational skills were witty and bright as always.

Bell reached out to soothe my flaring hair. And then he changed to the subject, "I didn't know Delta Emerson is your archery coach."

Did you even know I learned archery? But of course, I didn't say that. Not in front of his wolves.

"Yeah. But Coach Em works mostly with the competitive team. I'm just a beginner so he only guides me a little." I said.

"Once you come to the Lorent Girl's team, I'll be your direct coach, Blue." Coach Em spoke up suddenly. Like he was just holding his coffee and staring off into space a moment ago, and suddenly snapped back to the present conversation. Welcome back, Coach!

"Here, you're assuming that I'll make the team." I grinned at Coach.

"You're already on the team, Blue." Coach Em said, "The Lorent Girl's School only has a competitive team. Most of the girls have been practicing archery since they were pups, so we only select the best to represent the school."

Wait... what?

"But I just started this year!" I protested.

"Yes, yes, Blue. Your talent is amazing. I know." Coach Em brushed it off, "But the other girls are talented too, so you'll still have to work hard if you want to win."

As if I would lose to some Lorent Princess in a short skirt who had private archery lessons!

"Like try to show up for all the practices, at least." Coach Em continued.

WHY? I missed practice ONCE... okay, maybe more than once, but I had good reason for the other times! Wait, no, that wasn't the point.

"You try clearing my schedule to fit in all the practices!" I flared.

"Fine, fine." Coach sighed like I was very troublesome. But I was happy. I preferred Coach Em this way, "Tell you what, Blue. You shoot for all gold in any one practice, and I'll close an eye if you missed the next one."

I stopped flaring, "Wait, like for real?"

"Would I lie to the Alpha Princess?" Coach Em asked.

"I don't know. Would you lie to your future boss?" I asked back.

Hahaha, but it sounded like a good deal to me - almost like two for the price of one, "Anyway, it's a deal. Don't go back on your word, coach."

After that, it felt like everyone played musical chairs and swapped tables.

Beta Gerald, Cornelius, and Wolfgang (let's call them the Alpha Sam Fan Club) wanted to talk to Coach Em because they "couldn't help but overhear" about my amazing talent. Coach Em was quite obliging at first, telling them that I was a quick learner, my form was very natural... like a very professional coach.

But this then inspired the other men to take turns sharing their own stories about how quick I was as a learner, or how natural I was as a leader, or whatever they thought I was natural at... I had kind of backed off by then, but Coach Em couldn't get away, so he was just bombarded with glowing testimonies of my wonderfulness. Poor guy. They're going to try to make a convert out of him.

"Want anything to eat, Sam?" Ben came over to ask.

"No, thanks. I'm full." I had already eaten everything on Bell's plate, besides the minty one. I noticed Ben's plate was empty, " But I won't mind checking the rest of the food out. You can help me taste test."

Ben shrugged and said in his usual monotone, "Yeah, okay."

But I knew he was happy.

While we (mostly Ben) sampled the buffet, Coach Em managed to escape the Alpha Sam Fan Club, but now they were talking to Harvey and Fluffy. Fluffy was speaking and while the others wore rather somber expressions, Fluffy was smiling so hard I was sure his face was going to tear.

"Oh no." I said under my breath.

"What?" Ben barely looked up from the mini cocktail sausages. For Ben, mini foods were just one of those annoying inefficiencies in life.

"I'm scared to think what Fluffy is saying about me." I told Ben.

"Let me check." Ben went on mindlink, "It's nothing. Fluffy's just talking about your performance in school today. Don't worry. He knows the hunter incident is on blackout."

I watched as Harvey started speaking... I couldn't hear but it looked like he was affirming what Fluffy had said and was now adding his own embellishments to the tale.

I wasn't sure how to feel about that. Like part of me would have preferred that Fluffy talked about the vampire hunter incident than about me singing at the talent time. We didn't even win. Remembering it made me feel disappointed all over again.

"What, Sam?" Ben asked, his mouth was full because he had just squashed two opened face sandwiches together and into his mouth in one go. Ben had a very big mouth.

"I hate not winning." I told him. But it wasn't the not winning. I couldn't quite verbalize it yet, not on the spot anyway, but what I really couldn't stand was the fact that the entire competition was over even before I got started.

Maybe archery would be a good fit for me. At least in archery competitions, there were real target boards, and the points would correspond to where your arrow landed during the actual competition. No one was going to say, "This year, we are going to focus on the blue ring, so even though you scored the most points, we're going to give your prize to the first runner-up."

Maybe I should give coffee a try. I seemed to have grown to appreciate a bit of bitter.