An Idol for the Omega

Chapter 18: Pack Dinner

Braden

In rather high spirits, I lead Jae back down to the main level. The giant kitchen that takes up one of the back corners of this floor was specially designed for large volume. It hosts several stove tops, a wall of ovens and three commercial size fridge combos with freezers. There are also three split sinks, a large-scale dish washing setup, four microwaves and a counter dedicated to a plethora of small appliances.

The main dining room, right off the kitchen, is set up with three enormously long trestle tables paired with benches. A large server equipped with electric chaffing dishes for food that is frequently prepared throughout the day. The entire pack can't fit just in here so there are several other, smaller dining rooms, set up with round tables and chairs, branching off the main room.

With the delicious food smells wafting through the pack house, I lead a silent Jae through the halls until we reach the largest dining room. Pausing at the doorway, it looks like a few of the pack are still trickling in. The pack members are bustling around, standing in clusters or hauling food in from the kitchen. Small bodies of pack children are running in and out of the crowd, laughing and chasing each other, some even in wolf form. Suddenly, two small figures break through the crowd and nearly run into our legs.

A sibling pair, five-year old Mickey in his human form, wearing shorts and a shirt with a cute little dinosaur on it is, riding astride his older sister's back, using her wolf speed to get through the crowd. I notice that he's carrying several cookies in his hand, something that I know his parents probably didn't approve, thus their hurry.

Phoenix tries to turn when she sees we're in her path, her small claws digging into the slippery wood. She manages to change direction, but not forward momentum, sliding sideways into Jae's legs. I scoop Mickey up into my arms before he can tumble to the floor, holding him comfortably on my hip. He carefully inspects the cookies in his hand before looking at me with his signature happy face.

"Bra'en!" he lisps, "'ook, 'ookies!"

"Before dinner?" I raise my eyebrow and try to look stern, but it only causes him to giggle, shaking his little body. Below, Phoenix has sat herself on her back haunches, but has the decency to at least roll her eyes at Mickey's enthusiasm. I crouch down and set the boy down on his feet.

"It's too crowded to run around like that in here. Plus, you're drawing more attention to yourselves, better to calmly walk away," I wink conspiratorial. Giving me matching grins, despite one being a wolfy grin, they take off again. This time at a much slower pace, Mickey grabbing Phoenix's wagging tail as they disappear out into the hall.

Standing up, I can sense Jae's guarded gaze on me, causing my cheeks to heat up. I'm pretty comfortable with the children of the pack but I wonder how that interaction was viewed by my mate. With effort, I send my gaze around the room, until I land on the Alpha and Luna, standing off to the side of the large doorway leading to the kitchen.

There isn't much of a hierarchy, with everyone eating together. Warriors, men and women, that will need to go out the protection shift change soon are already eating with groups or with their families, scattered in among the tables. Families with young children usually start, but who's ever hungry can line up once the food is out.

I start to make my way through the crowd, Jae hastening to follow behind. The pack members move out of our way easily, most casting friendly or openly curious looks towards us. Whoever hadn't seen Jae's arrival, and subsequent faint, has definitely heard about it now. A lot might recognize him from all the pictures and videos I've show around, too.

When we reach the pack leaders' side, I notice Miss Charlene of the kitchen staff enter from the kitchen and give a nod to the Alpha. Food's ready. Miss Charlene's message goes out through the pack link, obviously the most effective method in the loud bustle of the room. The crowd seems to turn as one and start lining up. Jae's eyes are as wide as saucers at synchronized motion. His jaw even drops open, causing me to laugh a little.