Among The Wolves

Cornbread

This chapter contains descriptive scenes of violence. If you are sensitive to these things, you may want to skip this chapter.

Also, a quick apology in advance for a very long chapter.

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“Is this the last one that you have?” I asked the Pi (executive chef), putting the last cookbook given to me back on the counter.

She gave me a side eye, “That's all we got.”

The Rho turned his back, and I heard him huff. "One does not simply make bread out of corn. It just does not work."

I tried to sound as neighborly as possible. “Then thank you kindly for letting us go through them. Come on, Lins.”

Lins took my hand, and we walked out of the central kitchen. “How can we make cornbread Kejy, if they have no recipe for it?!”

“I can think of one other place we can look for a cookbook, we can check the library.”

“Oooh, I like going to the library!”

I smiled fondly at Lins’ exclamation, “I'm afraid that this one is not like the one we used to go to, but maybe there will be good books for you to read.”

Lins smiled and skipped ahead, asking where it was at. I caught up with her, took her hand and we walked over to the main packhouse. I mostly ignored the unsatisfactory stares although there were still some curious looks. I knew that I was getting more comfortable with just walking around. I kept my smile up and we walked on, once we reached the steps and then Lins was in quiet awe of the picture. I noticed that she had turned her voice down when she entered the building. She was conscious of the attention we brought.

We made our way up the steps and I immediately noticed Próta Epsilon Ty'Bin and who I figured to be his mate, the bouncy hair woman that looks just like Duo’Lae, having a serious conversation just outside of his office. While the former seemed serious the latter seemed more upset. “She keeps asking for that but I won't have it. The humans are not good company to-”

The woman stopped when the judge held his hand up, noticing us stepping away from the steps. I gave them a nervous smile and bowed apologetically, rushing Lins into the library where we would be out of sight of the two. Although it was probably unnecessary, I took Lins to the end of the library. Ensuring she could not hear the rest of the conversation which I feared she heard clearly what the she-wolf said. Although, I hoped I was wrong.

We walked through the aisles of books, greatly confused. It was organized in a way we had never seen before. It was not alphabetical nor numeral. Many of the books seemed to be sectioned with strange symbols, similar to the ones I had seen on the Alpha's office door.
My gaze followed some of the books. Skimming over titles until I saw one of interest. The binding was greatly worn,  color faded, and the cover peeling in the corners. It looked like it was a book once popular. The title: Matebonds.

I fingered the old book, studying the strange symbols that were also on the binding. I wondered if I should take this book to learn more about what was going on with me. Particularly between me and Obsidian. Perhaps I could learn more about him. That prospect alone sealed the deal. I gripped the book.

“Does that topic pique your curiosity?”

I looked to the side, and the Judge was there, forward leaning on the shelf at the end of the aisle. My heart pulsed with shock.

I jerked my hand back from the book, not wanting to get in trouble for perhaps touching a sacred book of theirs, if even they had one. I glanced back at the book. If any wolfblood knew I was looking up about them and their habits, they might report it and take me as a spy. Even though I was one, by occupation. “Uh,  um… no.” I fumbled. “I don't understand these symbols on the b-binding.”