The Poisoned Bond

Opening Ceremonies

Chase and I took advantage of the peace and quiet. We spent most of the week out on the lake with my grandparents' old sailboat, feeling the gentle tug of the sails against the wind and the rhythmic rocking of the water beneath us. The boat had been a sanctuary for me as a child, a place where I could be free from the troubles of the pack and just be Maggie. The sun kissed our skin as we laid on the deck, sharing stories and laughter. We were in no rush to go anywhere or do anything. Just being together was enough.

At night, we'd sit by the fireplace in the library, our fingers entwined, as we talked about our futures and the changes coming to the Black Water Pack. We didn't have any more steamy make out sessions, but Chase spoke of his vision for the Blue Moon Pack, how he wanted to strengthen the bonds between the packs and bring peace to the region. His words painted a picture of a brighter future, comforting me against the lingering sadness of Uncle Henry's passing.

Unfortunately, Friday came much quicker than I had hoped.

The air was perfumed with the sweet scent of ripe fruit as we wandered through the orchard. The branches of the apple trees bent under the weight of their bounty, and the peaches glowed like embers in the dappled light. We picked our fill, our fingers staining with juice as we bit into the fruit. The taste was heavenly. We decided to have a picnic out in the orchard and found a cozy spot under an ancient apple tree, its branches stretching out like a canopy above us. The sun painted the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the picnic blanket. We had packed sandwiches made with bread that was still warm from the oven and a chunk of the leftover cake from the night before.

Chase and I were laying on the blanket cuddling in the shade staring up at the clouds. They were like cottony giants playing tag across the vast blue sky. We pointed out shapes that we saw in them; a dragon chasing a knight, a mermaid lounging on a cloud throne, and even a wolf howling at the moon. We laughed at our childishness, but it was a good laugh, the kind that comes from the soul. It was a rare moment of peace in the whirlwind of pack politics and grief. I felt my heart swell with affection for him, his strong arms holding me tight, his warm breath tickling my neck.

"You ready for tonight?" I asked, breaking the serene silence. Tonight was the opening ceremony for the season, a grand event that took over the town square. There would be dinner and dancing, games and music, a celebration that brought the packs together. I knew Joyce had pushed for the date to be the last Friday of June, so it would fall before my birthday, effectively excluding me from the festivities. It was a petty move, but one I had come to expect from her. She is so childish.

"Yeah. I have my suit for this evening." He grumbled into my hair on my shoulder before nuzzling into me. Chase's warmth and closeness was comforting.

I couldn't help but laugh and rolled over away from him across the blanket. "None of that or we won't make it back in time," I warned playfully, smacking his shoulder. He chuckled, a deep rumble that vibrated through his chest.

"But it's going to be so boring," Chase mumbled into the blanket, his voice muffled.

"You don't know that" I told him, scooting closer to rest my hand on his back. "Tonight, could be...really fun." I tried to sound convincing, even though the thought of him attending the event without me filled my stomach with a strange emptiness. The mating season was a time of excitement for many in our community, a chance for unmated werewolves to find their destined partners. It was a tradition steeped in hope and anticipation, the chance to find your one true mate. but I don't want to say it out loud - I don't want our time to be over.

He turned his head to look at me, the corners of his mouth lifting in a half-smile. "How can it be when you won't be there?" His eyes searched mine, and a heat began to rise up my cheeks.

"Chase," I said, trying to keep my voice light, "you know the rules." It was a feeble excuse, but the truth was, I was not old enough. My birthday was in three days so I would be at the ball Uncle James was hosting in the packhouse. Tonight's events were taking place down in the square by the library.

The bell tolled, a solemn sound that echoed through the orchard. It's 4pm. Tonight's ceremony was important and even though I wasn't allowed to go, the anticipation was killing me. It was like a town fair, but for werewolves. The opening night was usually full of excitement and a bit of drama as everyone showed off their finest attire and tried to relax and have fun.

I climbed to my feet and reached down to pull Chase up. "Time to face the music." Chase murmured before taking my hand and standing up. His hand was warm and rough in mine, and for a moment, our eyes met. I could see the unspoken words in his gaze, the regret that we couldn't spend the night together. But we both knew our places and responsibilities. We had to play by the rules, even if we didn't like them.

With a sigh, Chase turned and gave me a kiss that I could feel all the way down to my toes. His lips were soft and warm. When he pulled away, I was left with a tingling sensation and the faint taste of peaches on my lips. He stroked my cheek and turned to head back down to the house.

I folded up the picnic blanket, stuffing it into the basket with the empty plates and glasses. As I stood to leave, Pepper came barreling up the hill to the orchard, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide with panic. She was one of the Omegas who worked in the kitchen, and she had always been like a sister to me.

"Maggie. Please. You have to help me," she gasped out as she reached me, her breath coming in short bursts.

"What’s up, Pepper?" I asked, setting the basket down and preparing to catch her if she fainted. She looked terrible, her cheeks were as pale as the moon and her hands trembled slightly.

"Jaime is sick," she managed to say, her voice shaking. "Puking her guts out; I can't have her anywhere near the kitchen. I'm short one server for tonight's events down in the square and I was hoping, since you won't be attending as a guest, that you might don an apron and help us out?" Her words tumbled out in a rush, and it took me a moment to piece together her situation.

Jaime was one of the youngest working Omegas in the pack, and she had been training to be a server for the past few months. The opening night of the mating season was the biggest event she would have worked, and now she was stuck in bed. I know she will be disappointed. "Of course, I will," I assured her, stroking her back gently to calm her down. "You made it sound like an actual disaster. Just let me put this in the barn and change before I head down." I retrieved the basket from the ground.

Pepper shifted from foot to foot, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"What is it, Pepper?" I asked, noticing her hesitation.

"Well," she began, fidgeting with her apron strings, "Joyce has insisted we all wear black tonight, and I know that you only have the black...erm...dress from last week's funeral, so I thought maybe you would consider wearing one of mine?" She suggested, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yours is…. nice...but.”

I couldn't help but laugh, holding my hand to my heart in mock offense. "Are you saying my dress...is...ugly?" I teased, the corners of my eyes crinkling. Joyce had picked it out - and she never wanted me to stand out - so of course it was ugly.

“Understatement.” Pepper said. “We can stash this basket in the laundry room until tomorrow.”

With a grin, I handed over the basket and followed Pepper back down to the house. The path was lined with colorful flowers, and the cobblestone walkway felt cool under my bare feet. I loved the old timey feel the property always had. It had been my mother’s dream to live somewhere like Pemberly. She came pretty close. Its towering windows and arched doorways spoke of generations of wealth and power...you would never know it was barely 25 years old.

Inside, the manor was a hive of activity. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meats and baking bread wafting from the kitchen. The Omegas bustled around, preparing food for the feast that would be served in the town square. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of being a part of it, even if I’d just be serving the guests.

Pepper's room was a small, cozy space nestled in the back of the packhouse, far from the prying eyes of Joyce and Natalie. She had a collection of dresses and aprons hanging from a wooden wardrobe. The scent of freshly baked cookies and a hint of vanilla filled the room, wrapping around me like a warm hug. I loved this room.

"Here, try this one," Pepper said, pulling out a dress from her wardrobe. It was a simple black tea length dress with delicate black lace accents.

I slipped into the dress and Pepper helped me zip it up. The material was silky soft against my skin. "It's perfect," I said, turning to face her. The dress hugged my curves in all the right places, making me feel elegant and mature. "You have the best clothes. This material is like butter." I ran my hands over my body, feeling the soft lace.

Pepper beamed at me. "I knew it would look great on you!" She handed me a clean apron with a lacey trim. "Now you just need to tie this on,

and you're all set."

***

I love the way the square looks when we host events down here. The gazebo in the center was adorned with several varieties of colorful flowers that created a kaleidoscope of colors against the deep night sky. There were thousands of fairy lights draped everywhere twinkling like a thousand tiny stars, casting a soft glow that danced along the cobblestone pathways. It was straight out of a fairy tale, a place where hobbits might hold their grand celebrations and wizards would come to shoot of fireworks.

The catering tent was buzzing with activity, the air thick with the aroma of roasting meat and vegetables, freshly baked bread, and fresh fruit. The omegas bustled around, their hands a blur as they worked to ensure everything was perfect for the opening night of the season. The pack members and visiting Lycans were out on the square mingling, their laughter and chatter a steady hum that filled the air.

I tightened my apron, the fabric of Pepper's dress swishing around my legs as I took up a tray of shrimp balls. They were a pack favorite, a delightful blend of spicy and sweet. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the fray, the music from the band playing -setting the rhythm for my steps. The square was a sea of moving bodies, the dance floor alive with Lycans, from the formally dressed alphas to the more casual omegas and betas. I always loved the unity with these main events. Everyone mixed instead of being separated by station like some of the private events hosted by different packs and families.

I snuck up behind Chase. He was standing with a group of his packmates and a few of our warriors over by the beverage station, looking overwhelmed and slightly uncomfortable. I leaned in with a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Want some of my balls?" I whispered in a husky voice, leaning in close so only he could hear.

He whipped around, eyes wide with confusion. It took him a moment to recognize me in Pepper's dress and lacy white apron. His eyes roamed over me, taking in my appearance. I felt a shiver run through me as his gaze swept over my body. My hair was down and out of its usual braid and pinned back from my face with a black bow. Recognition dawned, and he burst out laughing, a sound that was music to my ears. "Maggie? What are you doing?" He laughed and pulled me into a half hug - careful not to spill my balls.

"One of our kitchen girls is pulling an exorcism and Pepper was about to have a stroke trying to remap everyone's party zones so I thought I would lend a hand." I moved the tray back in front of him. "Balls?" I asked again with a giggle.

Chase took one and popped it into his mouth. "Mm-mm. Balls."

We both laughed. It was a bit childish, a little joke in the midst of the sophistication of the event.

Pepper cleared her throat behind me. "You two are going to get me fired," she said in a playful scolding tone, though her eyes twinkled with amusement. "You're not supposed to be flirting while on duty." She added.

"We're not flirting," Chase protested, though his eyes never left mine. "We're... networking."

"Right," Pepper said with a snort. "Keep telling yourself that. Now – Chase should go mingle - and Maggie… balls…. circulate your balls.”

We both started laughing. Pepper rolled her eyes. "You both are 12-year-old boys I swear." I looked back to see she was also trying not to laugh. "Just don't offer them to any of the other guests like that or Joyce will have my ass."

I saluted her with my free hand. "Aye, aye sir." I turned back to Chase and offered him the tray again. He took a few more and ate them. "Well, I should make the rounds." I stepped back and slipped into the crowd.