Moon Bound

Chapter- 25 Take A Hold of Your Scents

The den's massive kitchen was a bustling cacophony of barked orders and clanging metal as the large staff worked together in an impressive display of organized chaos. I watched with fascination at what was almost akin to a choreographed dance happening in front of me.

Aster and I stayed close to one another as we carefully skirted our way around the perimeter of the room drawing a few curious glances —and far more annoyed glowers as we went. The strained expressions and somber mood made it clear the occupants of the kitchen were also feeling the effects of the melancholic energy that continued to hang heavy in the air.

As we neared the ovens, savory aromatic notes of braised meat and herbs wafted up making my stomach growl and reminding me I hadn't eaten since breakfast. My eyes burned with my wolf and my nose raised to sniff the air. Momentarily preoccupied by my sudden, almost primal need for food, I realized too late the smell had drawn me right into the busy walkway.

An angry shout rang out behind me and I quickly side-stepped tumbling back into Aster only narrowly dodging a collision with a cook hefting an enormous pan of roasted vegetables.

"S-so sorry!" I stammered out.

He shot us a withering glare as he passed, "you shouldn't be in here," he growled.

"You okay...?" Aster asked, helping me right myself.

My lips twisted into a perplexed frown, and I glanced back towards the source of the smell. Nervous knots joined the hunger pains in my stomach. I suddenly wasn't feeling myself —or perhaps I was feeling more myself.

I wasn't really sure, but I was definitely out of sorts.

"Yeah...I'm fine," I smiled weakly, pushing the confused thoughts from my head, "I just realized I haven't eaten much today. I guess I was distracted by the scent of the food."

Goddess, I really was starting my imitative heat cycle....this is so not good.

I anxiously scanned the crowded space eager to find Blanca. My stomach's protest of its empty state were making me feel a bit nauseous. I needed to feed myself before I went feral from hunger.

Finally a flash of silvery blonde caught my attention. Her petite frame was almost completely hidden behind a group of waitstaff gathered at the back of the room near the service hallway. I could just barely make out the top of her hair that was knotted into a bun and piled high on her head.

"There she is!" I pointed her out to Aster, "there in the back."

Carefully, so I didn't cause anymore mishaps, we made our way over to her. When she saw us she smiled tightly in greeting and waved us over. She was overseeing the meal preparations for the Alpha Council's dinner service, carefully checking each dish before sending it down the long passageway to be served.

"They're taking their dinner in the council's private dining room tonight." She informed us, her eyes carefully examining the last of the dishes, a spiced lingonberry sauce with a delicate almost citrusy aroma.

My mouth watered.

She nodded her approval to the young waiter, sending him on his way before she turned back to us her large blue eyes round with worry. "I doubt many of them will have much of an appetite tonight though." She said on a sigh.

"Speaking of which..." Aster's eyes pinned Blanca with a questioning stare, "do you know what's causing this"—She waved her hands around for emphasis— "depressing energy?"

"No," she shook her head. "The doors were sealed and no one, not even the guardians, were allowed in or out once the meeting was called to order. Whatever it was they were voting on...it must have been serious." She absentmindedly chewed her bottom lip as she glanced around, "I'll have plates fixed for us. We can eat in here. If one of the servers happens to overhear anything, the kitchen will be the first to know." She lifted her hand gesturing to one of her waitstaff then swiped a bottled of chilled wine from a bucket and poured each of us a glass. "Courtesy of his Highness," she grinned mischievously, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.