Apple Martini

Chapter 7 - Serendipity's Friends

A/N: One more chapter before the Black Sun Pack!

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"Come, choose whatever you want!" Morgan assured Ethel as she guided her to a table and slid a menu in front of her. "You don't have to worry, your mate is paying after all." She added with a wink.

As the pack warriors took the rest of everyone's things up to their rooms, Beta Asher remained nearby, striking up some casual conversation with Morgan as Ethel examined the food options.

Her mouth was immediately salivating at the thought of tasting any of the dishes, and it took longer than she thought to finally pick out what she wanted, choosing a club sandwich with a side of salad, an Oreo cheesecake, and some mushroom soup.

Cass, who had settled opposite her, chose a pepperoni pizza and a glass of apple juice with carrot cake.

As Morgan headed into the kitchen to pass the orders to her chef, the flooding of a multitude of other scents - much less of coffee - told Ethel who it was that had arrived, much to ber relief.

"Alpha." Beta Asher, who didn't sound surprised at all that his leader had arrived at the motel in one piece, dipped his head as Regan strode into the dining area. "Did you manage to settle the problem?"

"Yes." Regan nodded, removing his jacket which had slight stains of dirt and some blood - though not his clearly. "You might have to inform Ms Nielsen that there's some...additional laundry she might have to do. I'll tip her extra."

"Understood."

While waiting for her meal, Ethel looked up as Regan approached, and experienced a pang of overwhelming guilt. He didn't seem hurt, but she couldn't help feeling bad that despite being mated to the most powerful Alpha in Soleil Sur Lune, that she was unable to support him in the ways that mattered.

Noticing this, Regan rubbed her shoulder reassuringly.

"You don't have to feel bad." He leaned closer just to murmur into her ear, and to Ethel's embarrassment it sent a slight shiver through her form. "I wasn't in any danger...I promise you."

Ethel was tongue tied for a few moments before she managed a nod, Cass watching her with an amused expression.

The food came some time later, Alpha Regan moving to sit at a nearby table with Beta Asher. The dining area was devoid of other parties other than the members of the Black Sun Pack and Ethel and Cass; Ethel couldn't help feeling somewhat self conscious sensing many pairs of eyes on her, guessing a lot of Regan's warriors knew she was their Alpha's fated by now.

All that self consciousness momentarily faded the moment the food came however.

Ethel had never eaten - not even treated herself - to such a delicious and hearty meal before. These dishes seemed more like those she and Cass had been ordered to cook and prepare for Alpha Thomas and Liana, so to see them set down in front of her for once, to be able to lean down and take a nice whiff and not get admonished or struck on the back of the head for it...Ethel almost anticipated something coming but nothing did.

She did pause cautiously and glance around out of habit, only for Cass to smile reassuringly and pat her shoulder, the latter having her own piping hot food in front of her as well.

"Go ahead."

The encouragement from her friend was all Ethel needed, and she gathered up her utensils and began to dig in.

This became the best meal of Ethel Carpentier's life. She tried to be civilised by using a knife and fork to cut the club sandwich at first, but gave in a few minutes later and devoured it with her bare hands. She was vaguely aware she could be judged for the way she was eating, but in this moment she did not care.