Chapter 5

“Promise me you will find me at dinner!” Ali says as we ride the elevator past the first floor.

“I will try, but I have a feeling I will have to sit with the rest of your pack since I am technically a “Maid' with the Royal Pack.” I answer, creating air quotes at the word Maid. Ali frowns at this, but agrees that I may be right. He elevator chimes, signalling we had reached the second floor, and I wave to my friend as she gets off, promising to spar with her later tonight after the welcome dinner, before the elevator doors close, and I find myself alone.

I sigh, the unease feeling that has been growing since arriving at this pack has not settled down, but it hasn’t grown either since the spar with the Beta Female; that at least is a good thing. The elevator dings, letting me know of my arrival on the royal floor, where I promptly exit the metal box and make my way to my room.

Once inside my room, I remove my clothes and take a quick shower. My parents would expect me to be ready early to go down as a pack and make our way down the stairs together, and I would have to be ready before they are.

Once clean with a fluffy towel wrapped around my body and my hair now smooth from twenty minutes of battling it with a blow drier and brush, I search through my luggage for something appropriate, landing on a cream blouse and black slacks as well as a pair of black heels, something mother would instantly approve of the moment she sees me.

 “Bella, I am coming in.” Speaking of my mother, I finish pulling the slacks on just as she enter my room, her eyes scanning me from head to toe with surprise clearly on display.

“So you do know how to dress like a Queen.” She comments, smiling at me with satisfaction as I roll my eyes and slide my feet into the heels, my door opening once again, and I snap my gaze in its direction, ready to yell at the intruder, only for my father to walk in.

 “Sorry Bells, your mom said you were dressed and I just wanned to give you a heads up about tonight’s dinner.” He apologizes right away gaining an eye roll from me.

 “It’s okay, I know our interactions are limited with me incognito.” I answer, waiting for the explanation. My parents take a look at each other before sighing, this action telling me the plan is not ideal.

“Since you are pretending to be part of the maid group, you will be sitting with what this pack considers 'Omegas' in this pack. You will, unfortunately, appear weak to your mate if he is here. It’s not ideal for you.” I see my father’s point and frown. If I look weak, I may be rejected. Hopefully, that isn’t the case at all, and if my mate is in this pack, he sees past everything and allows our bond to grow and get to know me before I reveal my true title.

“Do you think you can handle this Isabella?” Mother asks and I nod, determined to see this dinner through.

“I have no choice. Being that I am here to find my mate since coming of age, I have to do this.” I answer honestly, seeing the worry in her eyes.

“Just promise me that no matter what happens no one will know my identity, even if I am rejected.” I state. I can tell they do not like this idea at all but I need their reassurance before leaving this room. Even if I am rejected, I cannot have my mate knowing my true identity in case he changes his mind in favour of power.

“Fine.” Father agrees finally, mother giving a nod, albeit reluctantly, as well. Happy with their reassurance, the three of us join the rest of the Royal Entourage, my father opening the group link and explaining once again that no one is to let slip my true identity. I am Bella the Maid, not Isabella the Princess. Everyone responds with various forms of agreement, and I join the maids brought along on this trip, happy to see my outfit is similar to theirs, with black slacks and various colours of blouses. With a quick look from my parents, our entourage descends the four flights of stairs, and I instantly curse the idea of wearing heels. How my mother can wear these twenty-four-seven and not be crying in pain by the end of the day amazes me.

“Your Majesties!” A deep voice calls out as soon as my parents reach the first floor making my heart beat faster than ever. Being at the back of the entourage I cannot see the owner of the voice but the uneasy feeling increases.

“Alpha Damon, glad to see you are here for dinner.” My mother answers, her voice holding a slight hint of contempt, one I know all too well from being in trouble for various reasons growing up. But I learned the owner of the deep voice is Alpha Damon, and some instinct urges me to see him as soon as possible.

[You okay, Bells?] Liam, my friend and a guard that I usually train with back home, asks with worry.

[Yeah, Li, I just have this feeling.] I state, giving him a lopsided smile. Liam nods at me, giving me a reassuring smile as his blue eyes scan our surroundings before turning back to face forward. He knows the plan, that if anything happens on this trip, he is to reach my side and protect me without any other orders. I am the priority as the next Queen.

“I am sorry for not welcoming you this morning, Queen Lisandra. Unfortunately, unexpected pack business came up.” Alpha Damon explains, his voice once again captivating me from my unfortunate spot at the back of the group. I am itching to push my way to the front and see who this man is, see why my heart jumps and skips a beat with his voice alone, but I must play the part and stay where I am, tortured by the heels and hoping to be able to sit soon.

“We understand Alpha, Rogues are no joke. Were you able to rescue the she-wolf?” My father replies, always the political man and slick at changing a subject.

“Yes, we were. Thankfully, the she-wolf was able to steal a knife and fight her captors until my team and I arrived.” Pride swells inside me for some unknown reason while small talk is made. I stayed as silent as the others, playing the part of a perfect, well-behaved maid.

“We may be a warrior pack, but the ones in charge of the kitchen have created an amazing feast. Come join us.” Alpha Damon finally says, and it takes everything in me not to sigh with relief. With my parents taking the lead and Alpha Damon beside them, our group enters the dining hall of the pack house, tables marked for our pack empty and waiting in areas designated by rank. Passing by the area where the Alpha and my parents stood, a lingering scent causes my steps to falter, the smell of dark chocolate and pine catching me off guard.

[Bells keep up.] Father mind links me as I catch him looking back for a moment. I nod in understanding, quickly getting in line with the Maids and acting as if nothing happened. My parents join the head table, Alpha Damon, Beta Malcom, and Ali being the three to converse with them while the maids and I make our way to the back of the dining hall, passing by males and females that sneer at us, some commenting how weak we are. I do see the women from the training ground, and I thank the Goddess, not wanting them to expose my strength at this dinner. Of course, I want to yell at these wolves, to show my true strength and not be looked down as a true Alpha of all of them, but the plan to find my mate takes priority. Our table quickly fills, and I frown, realizing there is no room for me to sit.

“Sorry, Bella.” Martha says, frowning, trying to figure out where to sit, until a voice from the next table calls out.

“You can sit with us!” I turn to see a middle aged she-wolf sending me a warm smile, one that reminds me of a grandmother showing her grand child some warmth of familial love. I give Martha a reassuring smile and turn on my heels, making my way to this friendly she-wolf and sitting beside her.

“Thank you, I have no Idea what I would do if I couldn’t find a place to sit.” I say gratefully, sighing as I the weight of my body is lifted off of my feet, cursing the heels once more. Next time I plan to wear flats.

“It’s not a problem, dear. I am Silva.” The she-wolf introduces herself, and I smile, taking her outstretched hand.

“Bella, pleasure meeting you.” Silva smiles at me, her grey eyes reminding me of a calm sea before a storm, both beautiful and dangerous. I instantly like her as a woman with depth to her is someone that I can get along with.

“Is this your first time traveling to our pack, Bella?” Silva asks as I pour the two of us a glass of water.

“Yes. Normally, I am back at Nightlock Thorns doing odd and ends for the Princess, but was requested to join the entourage.” I answer as honestly as possible, taking a sip of my water while I look at the spread on the table. Each table has the same amount of food in the center positioned in a way to have a mini buffet so that each table can converse and not have to leave to get the food. This causes me to frown, as back home we have a buffet-style setting across the back wall closest to the kitchen entrance. This way, our pack members can mingle and converse with each other. It seems like this pack is very systematic in how things are done.

“Don’t mind me, but I am curious, does your pack ever do a full buffet style for you all to mingle?” I ask as Silva and I begin to plate our food.

“Yes, but that is during the pack bonfire at the end of the month. Usually, we just grab a quick meal at our own home or something quick that the cooks leave out. This formal setting is only for visiting Alphas and Royals.” I smile at Silva’s honesty, and the two of us quickly get into a quiet conversation about our packs. As I serve Silva and me from the food in the center of our table, getting introduced to the three elderly sitting with us, I feel a pair of eyes staring at me from across the room.

[Bells, Alpha Damon is observing you.] My father links me. I tuck my hair behind my left ear, a silent signal that I understand, while Mathew, Silva’s mate, tells a story about how the two met after explaining I hope to find my true mate one day. I enjoy the company of these wolves, hearing stories of the pack before the rule was set were only warriors are accepted as mates.

“So you are telling me that you were once an Omega and spent your days in the kitchen cooking?” I ask Mathew, looking over the six-foot-tall male with silver hair and a very muscular build.

“Yes. Silva was originally on an exchange program, and we met by accident. It was love at first sight, and when asked to come here with her, I agreed without hesitation.” Mathew turns to his mate after his answer, the love in his eyes so strong that I long for the same bond displayed in front of me. Throughout this exchange, the feeling of eyes on me never fades, causing me to become nervous.

“May I have everyone’s attention please.” That deep voice of Alpha Damon causes small shivers to run across my skin. At once, the quiet chatter ceases, and everyone turns to the main table where Alpha Damon and my parents stand.

Finally, I see the man everyone fears and respects. Alpha Damon and my father standing side by side, for once, my father shorter than the other. Standing at what I assume is six-foot-five with piercing green eyes and a stoic expression, I can see how his looks are the bane of every she-wolves wet dream, but his looks don’t end there. Tanned skin from working outside alongside his pack and a muscular body that even his clothes can’t hide, causes me to blush with his thick chocolate brown hair that my hands itch to feel.

“As you know, King Jonathan and Queen Lisandra are here for official business to help with the problem we have been facing with the Demon Clan. So tonight I would like to welcome them and the rest of their envoys with open arms as we discuss measures to protect not only our pack, but our nation!” The wolves of Frost Moon let out a loud cheer at his words, my own pack joining them in the clamor. I smile, taking a sip of my water, waiting for the wolves in this room to settle down. I have a feeling my father has something to say, and that feeling is right. My father holds up his hand, the crowd slowly quieting down until you can hear a pin drop on the floor.

“As Alpha Damon stated, we are on this tour to hear from every leader in our nation to see what we can do as a team to fight the impending war the Demons have been planning. We know they are using Witches and Rogues to attack our borders, individual packs’ territories, and even the Royal Pack, so we must come together to fight them. As such, there will be a conference in three months, one that will take place every year to maintain our nation’s safety.” I smile at my father’s words, surprised yet happy to know he took my proposal from last month to heart. With these announcements, Alpha Damon finishes with allowing our packs to mingle around the hall, Frost Moon members taking this as a sign to leave their seats as some begin to seek out their friends in their pack, while others walk to members of mine and begin a conversation. I take this time to stretch, making my way towards the head table now that the dinner has become a social event.

I wish to be anywhere but here.