The Dinner

Emilia’s POV

Once I finish decorating, I pull back and look at my handiwork. This is the best they are going to get, but I must admit—it looks damn good to me, especially considering my fingers didn’t stop shaking the first hour as my body slowly warmed up.

I check the time on the clock above the door and let out a sigh. It’s time to head back and get started on dinner. I imagine my attendance is going to be required at this dinner too, which means they are going to expect me to wear my ‘nicest’ clothes I own and serve them and their guests.

Once again—it’s fine. I am used to it.

The issue? I don’t like surprises and Luna Ismalda didn’t tell me which Alpha they are expecting. Some of the Alphas they host are downright fucking cruel. The company they bring with them, like their heirs, are even crueler.

There was once this one Alpha who came with his twin Alpha-heir sons. They were having a mild disagreement, so they decided to come up with a way to settle their little tiff. How did they settle it, you ask? Yep, you guessed it. The fucking slave everyone thinks they can pick on. Soooo….they took turns seeing who can make me scream the loudest.

I shudder as I think about the despicable things those boys did to me.

Goddess, if you are out there, I pray, please don’t let it be those two again. I don’t know if I can handle another run in with those bastards.

I move around the kitchen in a daze, not paying attention to anything going on around me as I think about the dinner tonight and the ball tomorrow. Guests from all over Canada and United States are going to be travelling to our pack to attend the mating ball. This ball happens four times a year, once in each quarter.

Usually, the Black Claw pack is chosen to host the one at the end of the year, around the Winter Solstice. Luna Ismalda usually goes all out for this ball. The only bright side for it is I will get an entire serving team comprised of different Omegas to help with the finishing touches, the food, and the serving.

As wolves, we can find our mates at any given time. However, we are pack animals and for the most part we don’t like to travel—at least not in that sense. Usually, the Alpha and the rank members travel to summits and other shit throughout the years. As my dad used to tell me, the regular pack members don’t get the opportunity to travel, not in the way most of us hope and dream. So, these balls that take place intermittently throughout the year are our only way of having the chance of meeting our mate.

Unless you are the pack that is hosting the ball, you have to pick which of your pack members you are choosing to take with you to the ball. Normally, each pack only brings fifteen extra attendees, with most of them being the warriors.

I have lost any hope of finding my mate. You can’t have your mate without your wolf, and I am wolfless…my wolf hasn’t come to me. And I don’t think she ever will come to me.

Maybe the Moon Goddess has forsaken me in the same way everyone else has left me. It’s okay, though. I don’t need anyone to save me. I am my father’s daughter and he made sure I knew to never rely on a man, even my mate. He wanted all of his children to be self-sufficient, not worrying about having to wait on someone else to make sure we are safe and secured.

I let out a long sigh as I make the finishing touches on the desserts for the dinner tonight.

Now, it’s perfect.

*****************************

I stand in front of the dingy full-length mirror in my room and take in my reflection. Luna Ismalda made me wear something ‘decent’ for the dinner with the visiting Alpha, even though I am only serving and not attending the dinner as part of the family or even the pack.

My black blouse hugs my figure a little more than I like, showcasing the few curves I try to hide on a daily basis. My skirt flows around me each time I move, making it look like I am a Disney princess.

I don’t understand why she wants me to dress nice for this dinner. It isn’t like I am going to be part of the dinner. I am just the server.

All the time packs have ‘servants,’ better known as Omegas, who attend to them during meals. Last I checked, they are not made to look nice and upkept, even when guests are coming.

Maybe Luna Ismalda feels like she has something to prove.

“Emilia!” the Luna’s voice drifts up to me. I sigh and turn away from my reflection. There’s no point in dwelling on the whys. I am meant to be the lowest of the low in the pack. I am not supposed to matter to anyone.

I make my way downstairs from my tiny room in the attack and head for the main part of the pack house. I have to grab my serving apron from the kitchen here before I make my way to the ballroom where the dinner is being held.

“Emilia!” Luna Ismalda’s nasally voice comes from behind me. I stop in my tracks and gulp.

Fuck, she sounds angry. What the hell did I do this time?

Her hand wraps around the back of my neck as she slowly turns me to face her.

“When I call for you, I expect for you to come immediately. No dillydallying.”

“Yes, Luna,” I mumble.

“I have been looking for Ozara’s suit, where the hell is it? You were supposed to have it dry cleaned before tonight.”

I try my hardest to stop my eyes from rolling. Ozara doesn’t like wearing those ‘monkey suits’ as he calls them and always tries to sabotage his mother’s plans. She is just too caught up, or stupid, I will let you decide which one she is.

“I did have it dry cleaned. I placed it on the back of his closet door, hanging up in the garment bag, as requested.”

She squeezes the back of my neck a little harder and I have to fight the tears that are trying to form in my eyes.

No, they can’t see your tears. You are NOT weak.

I repeatedly repeat that in my head as I try to ignore the pain shooting from the back of my neck. She finally let’s go, pushing me away.

“Good, get the hell out of my face. I don’t want to see you again until the dinner and I swear to the high heavens, you better not embarrass the Alpha and me. Otherwise, it will be the last fucking thing you do, you understand me?”

“Crystal clear, Luna.” I remark softly as I scurry away. Each day I continue having to deal with her, the harder it is for me to fight the instincts to be a complete and royal asshole to her. Or to be snarky. The Goddess knows how much I love my snarkiness. Being snarky though, gets me punished. And I am trying to avoid punishments.

All I have to do is get through this dinner tonight, redecorate the ballroom, and then tomorrow. Then, I am free…hopefully.

Dad always told me; wolves are pack animals, and they don’t like being packless. They turn feral when they are without a pack for too long. At the point, I will take being feral over being verbally and physically abused for another day.

Dad wouldn’t want me to stay here if he knew the hell I am going through. He would tell me the exact same thing. Leave. Don’t look back.

The only difference?

Dad would tell me to burn the place to the ground for how they have treated. And honestly? That doesn’t sound like too bad of an idea. As tempting as it is, I know I am not going to do that though.

I quickly make my way to the kitchen and grab my apron and rush over to the ballroom where the dinner has been set up. Hopefully, all the food I spent the day making has been taken over to the room and put on the warmers, waiting for me to get them ready to be served.

*************************

The dinner is in full motion. Well, kinda. Alpha Jackson, his ranked members, and their families, as well as a few of the higher-ranking warriors are here. The mysterious visiting Alpha has yet to make his appearance.

I have been told to hold off on the appetizer and to only refill everyone’s drink until the visitors arrive to join us.

In my opinion, I should probably stop serving the drinks. Alpha Jackson, his son, and the Beta are pretty tipsy, and I am sure with another drink or two, they are going to be drunk.

I gulp as I think about a drunk Alpha. When Alpha Jackson gets drunk, I become the object of his attention, and it is never good attention.

Alpha Jackson raises his arm up again, indicating he is ready for another drink. I internally roll my eyes and pick up the shaker with the remaining of the last alcoholic drink I mixed for him, and I start walking to him. Right as I get to the table, the door bangs open, and everyone freezes as our heads collectively turn to see who is coming in.

My breath hitches as I take note of the dark green eyes staring back at me. I will never forget the face of the man standing before me.

“Emilia,” Alpha Jackson snaps, “what the fuck are you waiting for? Seat our guests.”

I take a deep breath and remind myself I am going to be okay. I can feel the familiar tell-tale sign of tears as images from that night filter through my head against my will.

“Come with me,” I tell the guests as I stop in front of them, careful not to make eye contact with any of them. I keep the anger and pain out of my voice. I briskly turn back on my heels and walk back to the table with them following me.

“Here is your seat, Alpha,” I say quietly, but firmly as I pull out the seat next to Alpha Jackson.

I turn around and look at the rest of the party the Alpha brought with him, paying careful attention to not look directly at him. “You may sit where you please, there is no seating arrangement for the rest of the Alpha’s guests.” I tell the rest of the waiting party.

“Emilia,” Luna Ismalda snaps. “Hurry up and start serving the appetizers. I am sure Alpha Kade and his party are famished after their long journey.”

I gulp and walk away, heading straight for the table where I have the appetizer to keep it warm. I motion for the other servers to help me serve the rest of the party while I take care of the Alpha’s family and Alpha Kade.

I make my way back to the table and carefully lay the food out for everyone. As I turn to leave, Alpha Kade grabs my arm, forcing me to turn back towards him.

“Is your Omega defective, Jackson?” Alpha Kade sneers. “Why doesn’t she look at anyone? All of our Omegas are required to make eye contact. I find it disrespectful when they don’t.”

“No, our Omegas are not defective. I have them trained to not make eye contact unless they are being directly spoken to. Isn’t that right, Emilia?” Luna Ismalda interjects, not giving the Alpha any time to respond.

I turn my head to meet her eyes, doing exactly what I know she expects of me, even though if this was any other normal day, she would find me looking in her eyes to be disrespectful.

Alpha Kade doesn’t respond, only giving the Luna a curt nod and roughly releasing my arm, shoving me away from him.

I slowly walk away, fighting the urge to rub away the sting from where he was gripping my arm. I refuse to look weak to anyone, including Alpha Kade.

As the dinner is starting to wind down, Alpha Kade rises from his seat. “My party and myself has travelled a long way to be here. It is time for us to retire.” He turns his body, so it is facing me, and his eyes continue to bore into Alpha Jackson’s. “I expect your Omega to be attending the ball tomorrow evening.” His deep voice rumbles, leaving no room for argument.

It takes everything in me to not say anything, to not react to his words. He doesn’t know what he is saying. He doesn’t want me at this ball.

He can’t.

Tomorrow is the day I run away from this place.