noun ~ a hot drink made from roasted grounds from a coffee bean

NOVA

The next morning, I was up at seven, thankful I wasn't on breakfast duty after last night. My face was not swollen. It was as though a week had passed and now it was just a light purple, almost yellow bruise. The small butterfly strips were no longer needed either; just a dark line left behind. I covered everything with some make-up, knowing what awaited today. I didn't want to show up my pack, especially not to a one of the royal packs.

During the announcement last night, we were told to look and be our best for today. So I had to hide any ugliness to look good. It just had to be done.

Happy with the simple make-up and mascara, I put on some light pink eyeshadow to counterbalance the paleness of my face. My green eyes blinked back at me in a comforting gesture, pleased the makeup had worked. I looked okay... Better.

I brushed my blonde hair into a plait, pulling my hair forwards a little so it wasn't slick to my head. It was the nicest I have done my hair in a while. It was usually dry and brittle and I would be too tired to bother with it. I wore some slim-fitting jeans with a simple black long-sleeved top to hide my scars and burns. I'd rather wear joggers and a top, but for whatever reason, today was important. We had to put on a mask and parade a different persona.

Leaving my room, I wished I had a mobile so I could just talk to my parents through that. But I didn't... well, not anymore. I had saved money for one, but Sophie 'dropped' it in the river when I was out walking last spring. I missed my music and photos.

Wandering my way down the hall to the mated section of this level, I knocked on my parent's room. Mother's charming voice called me in and I stepped in with no hesitation.

"Nova, my dear! You look wonderful! I have not seen you so pretty in so long!" Mum cooed, walking over to me.

"Gee, thanks." I rolled my eyes.

Dad chuckled. "She has a point. Maybe I should ask Alpha to arrange more visits if you stop hiding yourself. You look great!"

I laughed. "You look good too, Dad."

And he did. His dark hair slicked back, as usual, wearing a white shirt un-buttoned to his chest that showed the tufts of chest hair. He also wore some blue fitted jeans and black boots, a jacket laying on the bed in waiting.

"Always a charmer, dear." Mum smirked.

Dad bickered back, so I forced myself to interrupt. "Wh-who is the alpha that's coming?"

Mum turned to me with a raised brow, so I continued.

"Everyone seemed so... worried?"

She licked her lips nervously, as though talking about it was a bad thing. Her blue eyes glanced towards my dad, who shrugged and sat down with a newspaper in his hands.

She tucked her auburn hair behind her ear and patted the bed next to her. I followed suit and sat, waiting.

"Blood Moon is a king's pack. There are three royal packs each with their own alpha; Blood Moon, Full Moon and New Moon. Full moon pack is the creative type; they are the ones to supply the riches and decorations for the royals and many other packs. New Moon pack use technology to advance our times. Blood Moon pack is fearless; enforcer warrior type. They have taken down many packs. Rumours have it... your original pack, Crescent Moon."

I frowned. "Why?"

"We don't know. They haven't disclosed the information and whatever the king says goes. He makes the laws. To defy the King is to go against everything. He's the reason we live how we do, the ranks, the policies, the arranged matings... all his ideas."

"So he's a sexist pig then." I stated.

Mum smiled sadly. "He is yeah... There has been a lot of trouble in the kingdom. He is an old wolf. In the past, King Edward was ruthless and heartless, but hopefully, when the Prince takes over, he may change it all..."

I nodded solemnly, curious.

"Now the alpha of Blood Moon is Alpha Titan. He is... the strong silent type, someone you do not want to cross. He is tough and merciless. One wrong step and you are at his mercy. His family has been the Royal's right-hand pack for centuries. They're dangerous, Nova, so we have to be on our best behaviour." She explained. "This is the first time his pack is doing welfare checks in... years. It's usually another."

Dad hummed in agreement. "He had that omega boy from Blue Skies imprisoned for treason for simply making his coffee wrong."

I gasped. "That's terrible!"

He chuckled. "Boy should've listened when Alphie wanted no milk."

"Reginald!" Mum scolded. "That boy was barely eighteen years old. He was an innocent child!"

"Yeah, yeah, now come on. Let's go have breakfast together." He chuckled, and we all agreed.

Breakfast was always a buffet style with dishes covering a large dining table at seven thirty. It was eight o'clock, so we may hit a bit of wolf traffic, which I was nervous about. Dad's hand met the small of my back as he pushed me in between him and Mum in the queue.

When it was my turn, I grabbed a plate and chewed on my lip. I avoided the glances of the other wolves as I reached around and grabbed the food I wanted. I went for toast and scrambled eggs today, sticking to just one slice and one spoonful. Just as I was pouring myself a glass of orange juice, an arm came across my shoulder and shoved a tong full of bacon onto my plate. I glanced up accusingly at Dad, who avoided my gaze.

"Wasn't me?" He mused.

I frowned down at the bacon and was about to accuse Mum, but she was off eating with other omega wolves already. I didn't want to put the bacon back out of sheer awkwardness, so made my way to a table and sat down by myself. Digging in, I eyed the meat suspiciously. A moment later, Dad came to sit beside me, coffee in hand. Mum eventually joined after having her natter and we all ate in pleasant silence.

I peeked up at my dad's chuckle, setting my empty plate aside. "What's so funny?"

"I gave you the bacon." He mused.

"So childish." I rolled my eyes with a smile.

Mum chuckled at Dad's shocked expression. "She's not wrong there, Reggie."

Dad pouted and finished his plate. "Come on, let's go freshen up. We have to act normal now."

I shook my head and followed them up to our rooms. Parting ways, I took myself into my room to calm my erratic heart. My anxiety was crawling up my stomach, clasping at my throat and not letting go. I did not know why today nerved me so much; I think it was because I felt so out of place; all dressed up and styled better. I mean, it was only a top and jeans, but I felt so exposed. They have not seen me like this in two years.

A knock on my door had me inhaling sharply. Walking over to answer, I came face to face with Sophie and Steven.

The devil had arrived.

Sophie smirked at me, and Steven cleared his throat.

"Nova, you are working today, yes?" He asked, scratching at his hair.

I nodded mutely, and he continued. "Thought so, but you are not in the kitchen today. It is last minute, that is why I am here in person. I, uh, tried to come last night, but you weren't here."

I noticed the hard stare he gave me before he glanced at Sophie, and I frowned. "So ignore the chart we made because you are no longer in utility. You are in hospitality and have ten minutes to get yourself down there."

My eyes widened, alarmed at the fact I could not hide away from today in the kitchen. I thought my mess-up at the party was enough to never be a server again.

"Is that clear?" He asked, his authority keeping up his appearance.

"Y-y-yes, Alpha." I squeaked.

He nodded with a small smile and led Sophie away, who seemed to sneer at me over her shoulder. I shut my door and pressed my face against the wood. Fighting back my nerves, I took deep breaths before practically running my way toward my parent's room.

They exited at the same time I approached. Must've sensed my nervous disposition.

"What's wrong, honey?" Dad asked.

"I-I-I'm moving j-jobs toda-ay." I hiccupped.

"What to?" Mum's hands met my shoulders. "Deep breath."

I complied and closed my eyes briefly, getting my breathing and stammer under control. "Hospitality."

Her eyes widened; she had the day off with Dad today. "Oh honey, it'll be okay. Don't worry."

"I-I'm just scared about w-w-w-

"What we said? Don't be. You are polite and careful. Steven will be there. Keep focused on him, okay?" She curled loose hair behind my ear in comfort.

"O-okay." I frowned.

Why would I focus on him? He wasn't anybody I wanted to think about, he just dropped this on me last minute!

"Now go, deep breath, concentrate. Don't be late." She kissed my forehead.

I nodded mutely, Dad kissing me too as I passed him. I scurried my way into the kitchen, noticing it was one minute until nine o'clock. He was to be here at any moment; the tension in the air was unmistakable.

I checked in with my leader of the day, Nevaeh, who told me to prepare hot water and complimentary snacks. I worked with two other girls as we compiled a tray of savoury breakfast items and fruit. As the room got thicker with tension, I knew it meant they had arrived.

We waited in anticipation for the order of their hot drink requests. Twenty minutes passed as we busied ourselves with preparing lunch.

Nevaeh approached us eventually, a small smile on her stressed appearance. "Three Irish, two dopios, two black coffees, and two cappuccinos. Three drinks each, girls!"

"Which-?"

"The alphas all want Irish coffee." She stated, "Nova, you are best at coffee. I want you to do those, please. No burnt coffee! Thank you!"

I stood wide-eyed as she left us alone again. The two other omega girls rubbed my shoulders reassuringly before getting started on the other six.

Swallowing heavily, I calmed my shaking nerves and busied myself making the drinks. It didn't take long for us to finish everything. I had lots of practice since I'm always in the kitchen for pack events or meetings and Steven always had an Irish. So I could see why he set me up for this; he always complimented my coffee skills.

The three of us silently stared at each other; me with the three coffees, Julie with the food, and Katie with the other coffees. It was a stalemate of confidence. Sighing deeply, Julie went first, and I followed behind.

I wasn't shaking as bad as I thought I'd be. The office was at the other end of the house, so I tried to calm my racing mind instead. The closer we got, the more my head swam, but I did not panic. I felt calm in a way; my worry was only being forced upon my mind.

We paused at the large double oak doors. The sense of authority was nearly overpowering. Julie and Katie had already dropped their heads because of it. Two guards stood there and glanced down at us. After a moment's pause in their mind linking, they nodded at us. Both of them opened a door each and with a faux spring in her step, Julie led us forward.

I swallowed sharply as I entered, my senses overwhelmed by the sight of the men in the room. Steven sat behind his large glass desk in charge, his father seated on his left and Beta Tobias on the right. To the side of Tobias was Jack, our Gamma.

"Girls! Glad you're here." Steven smiled.

The room wasn't tense; it was rather relaxed considering the visiting alpha.

There were five males on the other side of the desk, not facing me, but only two were sitting down. I could sense the power easily; especially coming from those two. It surprised me I didn't succumb to the smell and sensation like Julie and Katie had. Their faces were barely looking up from their trays. But my eyes, however, wandered nervously across the back of their heads.

Taking a small breath, I walked again, not noticing l had paused. Julie had already placed down the food and was helping Katie with the other drinks. I made my way to Steven and placed his coffee down ahead of him. He smiled up at me reassuringly as his hand brushed mine on the mug.

He gently dipped his head to his left, and I took the hint and handed his dad the next coffee.

Alpha Damien smiled up at me and kissed my hand in a thanking gesture. He was always grandfatherly to me, and I was grateful he had taken me in and raised me for a year himself. Only a few alphas or packs would take in a stray; it was unheard of. Damien always said they often killed trespassers or rogues. I haven't seen him in a few weeks, and he seemed paler. I assumed it was to do with why Steven was taking charge more; why Damien was on the sidelines retiring instead.

Adult wolves aged a lot slower than humans; slowing around age nineteen. However, all the time before that seems to speed up; our pregnancies only lasting two-thirds of humans.

Swallowing deeply, I walked around the desk to see the man depicted as the alpha. I kept my eyes cast downward, nerves clutching at my stomach. However, from the corner of my eye, I saw familiar brown eyes staring at me, causing my head to lift in surprise. It was the beta I spilt champagne on at the party. He gave me a small smile and watched me in what seemed to be nervous anticipation.

I hesitated. Should I be nervous too?

I turned my attention to the alpha. He was dressed in black jeans, a blood-red buttoned shirt and boots on his feet. His arms were large and tan, a multi-ringed hand clasping the arm of the sofa as the other awaited the drink on my tray.

Stopping before him, I took a deep breath as I picked up his drink.

The scent of him was intoxicating.

So intoxicating, in fact, that when I got closer to hand him the coffee, my deeper breath caught in my throat. All it took was the gentle brush of his finger against mine on the glass for my world to come crumbling down.

***********

Ahhh I low-key love this chapter

wc: 2402

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