The Women Between

Chapter 16: Caught Snacking

Cassandra slipped into the massive blue and black tiled kitchen that is the size of a large dining room. She was too awe-struck to do more than gawk for a moment as she looked at everything. There are too many ovens, sinks, and fridges to count, making her jaw drop at the sight of its gleaming surfaces. There are three light blue tiled islands that are immaculately cleaned off bearing no utensils or containers. It is all on the white counter lining the left wall looking clean, too. The dark brown cabinet lining above and below stretches from the door to the grey pantry door. Not too far away is the outside double door built mostly of pane glass and a little bit of wood showing the darkness outside.

She came out of her stupor and moved towards the multiple fridges, letting the relief come back to her. She had only snuck away for a respite and some ice cream to celebrate her victory on her first appearance in the pack. Technically, it is her first public appearance with the kings at her side, showing their future Queen of the Wolves. She wanted to rehash everything said and done by her and others to make sure that it went well.

She really has no idea about rogues other than they are dangerous and deranged for the most part. A few show something of having their senses about them. It seemed to go over well with the councilmen and made the beta slightly ashamed of questioning her about it. Then, there was the act that she had put on, where she seemed to know what to say and when to say it to some that were asking her questions.

She walked to one of the metal fridges in the far corner with a smile on her face and a grateful heart to her grandmother. She had told her to watch how a person reacts to things before speaking her mind fully. That is when she could say part of or all of what she thinks about a subject. Those two years away have been an eye opener for her as well as a way to learn different things that her mother never taught her. Like her fighting skills and weaponry are the two biggest no-no’s her mother set down. She was never allowed to learn or touch anything like that. Her grandmother’s neighbor did not see it like that and had taught her many things while getting her on a workout schedule. It was like she had been opened to an entirely new world like now.

Cassandra is almost crowned a queen with two mates (not one) and the experience is intriguing for her. She does not know how she is going to come to a consensus about it. Her mind keeps revolving around making one of them become jealous of the other. Of which, they still haven’t talked about that yet.

That is another thing that is bugging her as she frowns after choosing mint chocolate chip ice cream. She walks to the kitchen drawers under the counter, remembering how Gregory and Thomas had her sit on their lap. They acted like it was normal, while she felt awkward about it. The thoughts of both of them with her at one time sound too much like a fantasy and not a reality. Also, there is her place with them which seems impossible to have other than producing their babies.

A Luna is supposed to be the mother of the pack and aid the Alpha in raising the pups well. She, also, has political and social functions to attend that will benefit the pack and her mate, but they do not seem to need her support. The wolves literally seem to be eating from their hands. It made her disappointed that she really was not going to do hard work with them.

She was lost in her thoughts when the pantry door opened with her holding a spoon in her hand. She was about to pop the lid on her ice cream with it, but a young woman that looked to be about sixteen or eighteen came out of it. She stood frightened at the sight of her. A reassuring smile tried to come to her face to ease the tension, but that woman held her slim shoulders tensely. Her dark grey dress shook with her nerves while her blue eyes remained wide, and her slim face slackened in horror. It is almost like she is caught sneaking cookies from a cookie jar, which made Luna giggle.

“If you don’t tell, I won’t tell,” Cassandra responded to her look as she raised the small tub of ice cream.

That seemed to relax the girl’s shoulders a bit, but it was like she still did not trust her. Her fingers tightened onto the chips bag showing that she saw her as the enemy. Did she hear about her hatred of packs? The girl’s fear cannot stand like this, she thought, as she hopped onto the closest island and sat on it.

“Come,” she called with a smile and a glance at what was in this wolf’s hands. “Sit with me and eat. I’m celebrating a job well done for me.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, managing to lose her fear. She scratched her head and pulled a few strands from her braided dull red hair to fall around her tanned face. “We had a celebration for you becoming our Luna.”

“Yes, for those of you who want me here,” Cassandra pointed out with a smirk that made the girl understand her meaning. “There are always sharks in the waters no matter where you go. It’s how you conduct yourself that matters.”

“So, you faked sincerity and gave them what they wanted to hear?” she asked as she slid up to the counter with her.

“No, I artfully spoke my mind,” she corrected, wincing at the way she indicated that she was fake. “It is hard to lie to a werewolf, so I said the truest thing possible instead of my belief on some occasions. Others were very sincere. They seemed like genuine people that were happy to find me as their Luna and mate to their alphas. It is the others that I noticed did not want me here and were not so discreet about it. I still have to talk to them regardless.”

“Oh,” she said with a nod.

“There you are, Luna!” Simon snapped as he marched into the kitchen.

The girl nearly fell off the counter when he snapped at her. She jerked in fright, too. The livid look on his face did not help as this girl rushed to get to her feet. Cassandra's brows were furrowed while looking between them, noticing that Simon's eyes had darken on this little omega. She only smiled as the omega bowed and bared her neck in submission.

“Simon,” Cassandra called, sounding almost like she was laughing, “I am celebrating my first ever public function as an official Luna. Would you like a bite of mint chocolate chip to cool down?”

“No,” he growled, glaring at her.

“Oh, come on!” she said, scooping a large bite out and waving it in front of him like she could tempt him. He looked at her with a “really” look and crossed his arms that only tightened her smile towards her. She enjoys making him uncomfortable. “It will not kill you.”

“Fine, just one,” he grounded out and opened his mouth for her to put it in.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Cassandra laughed and ate the bite. “You’re not my mate, so I cannot feed you.”

“That was just wrong,” Simon said, unable to resist smirking at her playfulness. “But truly, Luna…”

“Cassandra,” she corrected, frowning at him. “There is no one here except for this girl and me, so it is Cassandra or Cass.”

“Maggie, you can leave,” Simon ordered gruffly, giving a roll of his eyes.

“Maggie, you can stay a moment,” Cassandra said with a smirk. She did not like the tone he used with her. It almost sounded like he was frustrated with her or irritated by her presence. She will not tolerate that kind of disrespect towards another. "I like you. You seem nice.”

“Thank you, Luna,” she said very softly, which was not how she spoke a moment ago.

“I’m sorry,” she said, giving a scoffing laugh. “I could not hear you. I think it’s the loudness of the dinner that diminished my hearing. Could you, please, speak up?”

“I said thank you, Luna,” Maggie said, boosting her voice slightly.

“Well, I see I am going to have to work on you speaking normally to me,” Cassandra said, dismayed by this. “At six thirty, I am going for a jog. I expect you to be at my door by then and ready to go.”

“Your Majesty,” Simon said, giving a small wince at the severe look she threw his way. “I don’t think it is wise for her to tag along.”

“Why?” she asked with her face scrunched up. She did not see the pained look on Maggie’s face that said she knew she was not wanted by anyone. “Is there something ugly about her in the morning that I am supposed to be ashamed of? Does she have bad breath? Eww! I think brushing her teeth would be better and as for ugly… Well, I am a sight for sore eyes, too, that early in the morning, but no. I do not see anything wrong with taking her along with me.”

“She’s wolfless, Your Majesty,” Simon said, as that explained everything.

“So?” Cassandra snorted, wondering why that is a problem. “I’m a human. What does that have to do with a run in the morning?”

He curled his lips under looking like he wanted to say more about it, but instead, he dropped the subject. She looked satisfied by that. She gave a hump before turning to this young girl, who seemed to be dejected by her pack. She does not want to say that officially until she finds out more about her.

“How old are you?” she asked curiously.

“I’m twenty, Luna Queen,” Maggie answered quickly, sounding like she was shaken.

“Are you worried about jogging with me?” Cassandra asked with an arched brow.

“No, Luna Queen,” she answered quickly.

“There is no one around to hear you call me Cassandra,” she pointed out, feeling frustrated. “Please, use my name.”

“We… We are not allowed to,” she stuttered her answer. “No omega or even the hierarchy or a human is allowed to call you by your name, whether in private or not. It is the rules.”

“And I assume there is a punishment,” Cassandra sighed heavily at the ridiculousness.

“Confinement of their wolf or confinement,” Simon answered for her with his voice deepened and sharp. “No one likes to have either punishment, because it will last a month long with trips to the bathroom and food.”

“If you’re lucky,” Maggie muttered.

The young woman’s voice was really low when she spoke it, but Cassandra heard her. Her brow arched and was wondering if she was going to have to find out what exactly she meant by that. Right now, though, she feels like she is on a sugar high with her mind buzzing and a smile on her lips. It seems nothing is going to burst her bubble.

“Head Gamma, I want you to inform Janet that Maggie is going to be with me tomorrow morning,” Cassandra stated firmly. “She will be able to do her chores after we go on a jog together.” She turned to her new friend, who looks too little to be a wolf. “And don’t worry, I made a promise to both doctor and my mates that I would not exert myself so soon. That means, I will only be jogging a couple of miles instead of ten.”

Maggie’s eyes nearly bulged hearing that she would be going a couple of miles. It almost made her laugh at the way she reacted to that. She wanted to see what this wolfless woman was made of and to see how the pack had treated her. Females and males like her get treated like slaves when they are supposed to be pack members. They should not carry the entire weight of the pack on their shoulders, she thought sadly.

“I think we should go to your mates, now,” Simon said, waving to the door. “They are still saying good-by to the remnants of tonight’s celebration.”

“I know, I know,” Cassandra said laughingly. “Bad Luna.”