Burning Desire

Chapter 5

Cara

“Child, I know I taught you to cook, but I never taught you this well! Damn, this gravy is delicious!” Mauve exclaimed.

“I can’t explain it; I just go with my gut when I cook or bake,” I replied.

“Well, that, child, is natural talent. Are you sure you want to be a teacher? Honey, you have a real gift here,” Mauve said to me.

“I’ve always had this desire to teach. Cooking and baking have always been a stress relief, something fun for me,” I told Mauve.

“You know, child, sometimes we choose our own lives, but sometimes life chooses us. What is fun can be the best choice you make in life,” Mauve advised.

“Well, let’s be real: if Luna even knew I was the one making the dishes, she would throw a fit. I’m having a hard time just getting her to agree to let me go to college to be a teacher when the time is right; there’s no way she would allow me to pursue any kind of culinary program. Sometimes, I think Luna just wishes I would stay a slave to her,” I replied.

“Yeah, well, don’t let anyone else hear you say that out loud, but I have to agree with you. She is harsher with you than with others. I know it would be her fury if she found out it wasn’t me making these dishes! So get cleaned up and get ready to serve,” Mauve instructed.

I rushed over to the omega showers, quickly wiped my face, and washed my hands to erase the signs of my cooking spree. Then I ran back into the kitchen, grabbing a tray of plates to serve to the pack.

As I approached the Alpha’s table, I bowed my head, and the Alpha gave me the okay to start placing the dishes.

“This smells heavenly,” the Alpha commented as I set his plate down in front of him.

“I gave Mauve creative control over the meals so we could come up with a nice menu for Jace’s party,” Luna explained.

“Well, I vote for this roast beef. It tastes amazing,” Jace said as he enjoyed his dinner.

“I agree. Whatever has gotten into Mauve lately with the meals she’s been making, I hope it continues. She’s always been a good cook, but these last few dishes have been phenomenal,” the Alpha added.

I smiled as I headed back into the kitchen and gave Mauve a thumbs-up.

After everyone finished eating, I cleaned the dining area and washed all the dishes. Then I decided to let Star, my wolf, out for a run.

There was a secret spot I had discovered a while ago that I was sure no one knew about. I had never heard anyone talk about the area in the pack, and the few times I had gone there, no one ever seemed to be around.

It was a hidden pond with a small stream waterfall. It wasn’t magnificent like most waterfalls; in fact, this one was more like a trickle. But it had a nice peace that surrounded it, especially under the moonlight.

I looked around to make sure I wasn’t being followed, then quickly took off into the woods toward my secret spot to let Star run.

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Jace

I was in my room, but something was bothering me. I felt a strange restlessness within myself and wasn’t sure why. I thought maybe my wolf, Thunder, needed to be let out.

As I stepped outside, I caught a whiff of something slightly tropical in the air. It smelled like a plumeria flower, but only faintly.

I decided to follow the scent to see where it was coming from. I quickly shed my clothes and shifted into Thunder.

Slowly, Thunder prowled, hunting down the scent until he found himself in a part of the woods he had never explored before.

“Where are we, Thunder?” I asked.

“We’re still on pack territory, but we’re in an unsettled area,” Thunder replied.

“I wonder why?” I mused.

“There’s a strong magic here. It feels like this is a blessed area,” Thunder remarked.

“Interesting. Wait, who is that? Is that a fox?” I asked.

A small, silver creature was running around, chasing what looked like a firefly. She appeared to be lost in her own world.

“No, that’s not a fox; that’s a wolf. Just a very small wolf. She’s cute, though,” Thunder replied.

I realized that the plumeria scent I had detected belonged to this little silver wolf. I sat there and watched her play for what seemed like an hour.

“Who is this wolf?” I asked Thunder. “I don’t recall ever seeing her during any pack runs.”

“She isn’t a rogue or a lone wolf passing through; she has the pack scent on her,” Thunder explained.

I was getting ready to approach the little wolf to see who she was when she suddenly took off and left the area.

“Did she sense us?” I asked Thunder.

“I don’t think so,” Thunder replied.

“Who are you, my mystery girl?” I questioned.