Banquet Of Chestnuts Novels & Stories

Several Christmas trees glittered in different corners of the open space, but the main one reached nearly two stories high, decorated with crystal ornaments, golden stars, and a bright silver angel crowning the top. Pine garlands wound along the staircase, their scent fresh and sharp, tied with thick red velvet bows. Staff moved smoothly through the crowd, offering champagne, mulled wine, and trays of canapés. The dining area brimmed with indulgence: roasted turkey, glazed ham, towers of seafood, and an entire dessert table with a flowing chocolate fountain. A pianist in the corner played carols, accompanied now and then by a small string quartet that filled the house with soft music.

Tables were packed with plates and cutlery, meats and roasted vegetables, greens and desserts. They were laden with flowers spread among the dishes, decorations gracing the tables. The festival was a show of immense wealth meant to impress the shifters present. The food seemed endless, and staff continued to refill the dishes as they ran low. A constant stream of replenishment streamed from the kitchens to the grounds where the feast was set up. The tables of food were standing throughout the courtyard in the back of the castle. More tables stood in the fields beyond, benches attached for the participants to eat after their day of travel. All of the tribes had arrived and were mingling throu

At least a hundred people were in the mansion and several more had shown up during the past twenty minutes. White stockings with all their names embroidered on the folds hung from the mantle in the living room. The hardwood floor was shimmering from a fresh buff. There were people on every piece of furniture in the room. The seven-foot-tall tree was a real pine that made the room smell the way the tree did. White bulbs and angels hung from the branches. There were hors d'oeuvre trays everywhere. And a larger buffet was set up in the dining room. Three waiters were working the party, carrying trays of hot chocolate, champagne, and wine.

~Ralph The courtyard was suffused with a golden glow from the lanterns strung across the towering oaks. Every inch of the space screamed celebration, from the rows of white chairs adorned with garlands to the lavish buffet tables groaning under the weight of every delicacy imaginable. The scent of roasted venison mingled with the earthy aroma of the forest, a stark reminder of the traditions I detested. This wasn’t just a wedding; it was a statement, a spectacle designed to broadcast power and unity. My power. But I had no intention of letting it end the way they all hoped.

[Xavier’s POV] It was finally the day of the banquet, and all the people of the high class in our Pack had gathered in the Luscious Garden, the name given to a beautiful garden in the Palace which was filled with butterflies, and a lot of beautiful flowers. Instead of renting out a place to use, we had all agreed that it was the perfect venue for the outdoor banquet.

I dropped the crate of apples in my arms to the floor, heading out. Shouts of people moving here and there as they hurried to decorate the packing halls filled the air. Laughs and giggles from men, ladies, and children made the atmosphere more lively than it would have been on Christmas. I shook my arm, my muscles aching in protest to the heavy lifting I was doing. Tonight was the final preparations for the banquet we were hosting. The alpha's son was returning from his training, and as the biggest pack, second to the king's, tonight's banquet was a huge one.

The Banquet Hall The long table) was decorated with crystal chandeliers hanging above, glimmering gold light refreshing the fine china and fragile glass. The clink of champagne glasses was accompanied by laughter, and anticipation vibrated in the air. Background chatter about the new mining project spread among the business elites and the wealthy influential — each voice a power broker and a bank account. I took a seat in one of the empty chairs, letting out a soft sigh as I readjusted my mask. And although there were people everywhere, a peculiar loneliness coiled in my chest.

Ruby beamed at her, while Nathan held several packages wrapped in hunting cloth. "Surprise!" Ruby exclaimed. "We brought dinner!" Emma appeared behind Vivian, her expression immediately cooling. "Oh. I didn't realize this was becoming a pack gathering." Ruby's smile dimmed slightly. "We can leave if we're intruding..." "No, no," Vivian said quickly. "Please come in. Emma and I were just having some wine." Nathan stepped forward, his alpha scent carefully subdued around Vivian. "We brought freshly hunted venison. It's traditional during the Winter Moon Festival."

By that evening, I was stuffed into a tuxedo that felt two sizes too small after eating all that junk food on the road, suppressing a yawn behind one hand as I pinched the stem of a champagne flute in the other. The banquet itself was pleasant enough. The sitting Alpha King had gone all out on the spread, providing a vast array of delicate hors d’oeuvres and drinks that passed by on trays carried by waiters. The banquet hall was packed with men in tuxedos just like mine and women in fine gowns, all mingling, laughing at jokes, flirting behind hand fans.

I looked at them and shouted, "Let's have our banquet party!" A loud howl echoed through the Nightshade Pack. Some rushed to grab beers from storage, others brought out a large table, placing it in the center, while people from the kitchen brought out various kinds of dishes. Some strung up more sparkling and dazzling nightlights that shone even in the darkness. Lucien and I watched as they busied themselves for our banquet. "It's so lively," I commented, leaning against his broad chest. His hand on my waist tightened. "It's been a while since we had a banquet. After all, we usually have them after we win a war."