The Luna Behind The Chains

Chapter 9 - A Crush And A Condiment War

Isabelle POV

We head back to the garden. We didn't have lunch as taste testing was more than enough for me. We tried so many amazing dishes. I now know so many types of food.

“You seemed to enjoy yourself in the kitchen.” Alesha says pulling me out of my reminiscing.

“Yes I did, it's amazing how many different foods there are and oh so many flavours. They're amazing. I would love for Kiera to teach me some of the dishes. I also have a thought. I don't want to break Preston's heart but I think it might be best if I stay in this pack. That's if the Alphas would have me. I am willing to learn skills and educate myself. I just don't think I can go back home. Well it's not even a home really. Maybe it once was before mum passed but after meeting Kiera, I think I could be happy here.” I suddenly blurt out to her.

“It is a thought honey and yes I saw you, I think I spent most of the afternoon watching you rather than trying the food haha. You just seemed so absorbed in learning and trying the food. I am so glad you had fun, just take some time to truly think about what you want. I will be happy to stay wherever you choose to stay.” She smiles as she says that to me.

“Thank you Alesha. I would be useless without your impact on my life. You taught me as much as you could about the world, yes I still don't know a lot but you did the best you could and that will stay with me forever. You do not have to come back with me. You are an omega and you need to live in peace and happiness. I honestly wish you to just be happy.” I tell her honestly.

“Honey my wolf, Covey, adopted you as a little sister years ago. I will follow you anywhere. Thank you for your concern. But I will be on my healing journey along with your own. Covey wants to be with you to make sure you're safe and happy.” She tells me earnestly.

“Thank you for that Alesha, I appreciate it so much! Can I tell you something?” I hesitantly ask her.

“You can tell me anything you want, nugget.” She teases me with the name. I laugh because I loved the chicken nuggets so much but Kiera says chicken nuggets are not a dinner party food but she will have some made for lunch tomorrow.

“Well, I don't know how to explain this but here goes. I think I like the king. I tried not to stare at him in the meeting but it was hard not to. It was like my eyes were glued to him. He is just so good looking.” I blurt out to her.

“ooo, looks like you have your first crush. Did you get a stirring feeling in your stomach? Or were you just mesmerised by him?” She asks.

“No funny feelings, it just felt like a pull. I noticed everything about him. From his hair to his facial features. He just seemed to take all of my attention. Maybe I'm just being silly. It might change tomorrow right? What if I find my mate? I'm not recovered, I'm too skinny and timid for a mate.” The sudden realization sent me into a panic. I started to hyperventilate.

“Hey hey breath nugget breath. In, that's it and now slowly out” Alesha instructed me. I did as she said and when I calmed down. She looks me in the eyes.

“If you find your mate tomorrow he will be a fool to reject you, whoever he is. A mate is your other half and they will be stupid to reject their other half. A mate is the perfect compliment, not just a partner but a confident, a cheerleader, a therapist and most importantly a rock. Someone you can call home. That is what a mate is. So don't stress and just enjoy the day. The king has been searching for his mate for 5 years, so you may not find them tomorrow, okay?” She advises me.

I nod my head and realise we have been in the garden a while. “Is it time for dinner?” I ask.

“Yes, it seems to be, are you okay to head in?” She asks me. I'm glad I have Alesha, she is amazing. I wish she would find her mate, she is so kind hearted and I don't know who is more deserving of a mate than Alesha.

We head into the pack dining hall again and line up for dinner. As we waited, a pack member that I had seen in the kitchen came up to us. “Hi I'm Emory, I saw you in the kitchen earlier with Kiera. I saw how much you enjoyed the nuggets and I asked Kiera if I could bring some out for you tonight. I know it's not on the menu but I just wanted to introduce myself and my mum taught me the best way to make friends is to pay attention to what people like and say.” She says very fast. I instantly liked her though, she seems very forward and I believed she truly wanted to be friends with me.

“Hi Emory I'm Isabelle and this is Alesha. You can call me Izzy though. Thank you so much for this. I wish I had something to give you. This is amazing!” I say accepting the plate of nuggets. Like genuinely it was just a whole plate full of nuggets, Emory is like an angel from the heavens.

“I don't want anything in return. But if you need anything, just ask someone to link me or I can give you my phone number.” She offers.

I felt self conscious then as I don't have a phone and I didn't know if Alesha did either. I froze then not knowing what to say.

“Thank you Emory, we will ask someone to link you as we haven't arranged getting phones just yet. We appreciate you being accepting of us though.” Alesha responds for me knowing I was out of my comfort zone at this point.

“Okay no worries, I best get back to Kiera though now. Nice to meet you!” She says walking back to the kitchen.

Alesha leads us to the head table where the Alphas, Alpha king and their betas and gammas are sitting, we both bow and she asks where we would now be sitting as she didn't want to assume, now the Alpha King is now here.

“No it's fine, we have adjusted some of the seating but you both are still welcome to sit on the end along with Preston as guests here in our pack. Also did Kiera let you know the plans for dinner tomorrow?” Harry responds.

“Yes she did thank you so much for that Alpha, I appreciate it so much. Also may I say that Kiera is so amazing. She was patient with me and introduced me to chicken nuggets, they are so so good!” I exclaim. Completely forgetting the plate in my hands.

“I'm glad she gave you a thorough introduction to the world of food. I can also see your love for nuggets with the plate you are adorning.” He winks at me. To which I feel embarrassed and heat rises in my face. “It's fine honestly. Go sit and enjoy your nuggets, may I say they are even better with sauce, tomato ketchup is my go to but Grants is bbq, he swears by it.” Harry advises.

“Thank you Alpha, I think I will try both and come back to you with my verdict!” I respond to him utterly serious, as I feel nuggets deserve some level of seriousness.

Myself and Alesha go and sit in the same seats we sat in this morning. I take a proper look at the table and notice it seems longer. The Beta and Gamma seem to be a few seats further down and the Alpha king and his Beta and Gamma are not seated yet. I stop looking and turn to Alesha.

“Which do you think I should try Ali, tomato or bbq first?” I ask her, hoping to get her advice.

“Hmm I don't know, I usually have mayonnaise with my nuggets.” she says.

“Okay I'll try them all.” I say. I look at all the condiments at the table. There was a white one, a red one, two brown ones and even a yellow one. I try and read each label so caught in my own thoughts making sure I get the 3 right condiments that I never noticed the alpha king enter the hall. I hear someone say my name pulling me out of my thoughts.

“How was your planning in the kitchen today Isabelle?” The king asks me.

“Huh, yes sorry sire.” I bow my head and bare my neck, total reflex even though I know most alphas don't expect this in the dining hall, unless it's for special occasions. “I enjoyed my time in the kitchen very much, Kiera introduced me to so many foods and spices and we have the whole dinner planned for tomorrow!” I respond to him energetically, loving getting to see his amazing chocolate/muddy coloured eyes.

“I look forward to it, and I am glad you had a good time. I see you got introduced to chicken nuggets.” He refers to my nugget filled plate.

“Yes they are amazing, I am trying them with different sauces to assess the best pair for the nuggets. Alpha Harry likes tomato sauce, which I have just read is also called ketchup. I don't fully get that but who am I to judge the condiment gods. Alpha Grant likes bbq, Ali likes mayonnaise. I am yet to ask Preston his preference. But what is yours sire?” I request off of him.

“This seems like an important investigation. I myself am more inclined to have bbq but I don't mind the odd mix of ketchup on my chicken nuggets. As for your question about the word ketchup, I believe it derives from a Chinese word in the 17th century and over the years it has eventually evolved into the work we use today.” He informs me.

“Oh that's amazing, words are cool, thank you for this information sire.” I thank him.

“You are most welcome.” He tells me and again I swear I see a glint in his eyes. But I brush it off and go back to my condiment investigation.