CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE.

(MELIORA'S POV)


The preparations for the evening's mating ceremony feast began much earlier than usual that day. By 2 o'clock in the afternoon, we were already hard at work in the kitchen.

Elder Abigail was running the cooking operations with her typical stern efficiency. She barked out orders for the different soups, roasted meat dishes, and fruit salads that would need to be prepared in large quantities.

To assist us girls, several of the married she-wolves who didn't normally work in the kitchens had been enlisted as well. With so many extra hands, there were at least a dozen of us bustling about chopping vegetables, tending fires, and monitoring the huge iron pots.

"With this many mouths to feed tonight, there'll be no time for gossiping and dillydallying!" Elder Abigail shouted over the clatter of spoons and knives. "Keep those soups and stews simmering, you lazy ladies!"

Not long into our tasks, the Luna herself swept into the kitchen to inspect our progress. Her sharp eyes immediately zeroed in on the row of steaming cauldrons along the back wall.

"You'd better ensure those soups are tasting pleasing," she said in a low, stern voice to Elder Abigail. "We can't have our esteemed guests being unimpressed on such an important night."

The old woman bobbed her head respectfully. "Of course, Luna. Flavor and quality is my highest priority, as always."

As the alpha's mate turned to sweep her assessing gaze over the rest of us, I noticed a younger she-wolf lingering just behind her.

She looked to be about my age, with the same golden eyes and bony features as the Luna. It was unmistakable - this must be their daughter I was seeing for the first time.

Anna seemed to notice my curious staring, for she leaned in and whispered, "That's Selene, the alpha's daughter. I didn't realize she'd be attending the ceremonies too."

Beth overhead and quickly added her own commentary in a hushed tone. "Of course she is - didn't you know she's been sent away to study in the city these past few years? I think she's come of age and decided to get herself a mate too at the ceremony."

I frowned slightly as I studied the younger she-wolf more closely. There was no mistaking the confidence, bordering on smugness, the way she carried herself.

Head held high, shoulders thrown back...it was the unmistakable posture of someone robust and boastful and who felt they had every right to be respected all around her.

Yet to my eyes, Selene did not possess half the beauty of her mother, the Luna. Her features were still rather unrefined, her figure underfed and lacking feminine curvaceousness.

I could only assume she expected her status and bloodline to bewilder potential suitors, rather than any true physical allure.

My inspection was interrupted as the Luna suddenly spoke again in a tone that carried across the room.

"Selene, come inspect this progress for yourself. You'll want to ensure our finest provisions are being prepared for your introduction this evening."

The younger she-wolf lifted her chin a fraction higher before gliding across the kitchen in her mother's wake. As she passed by the fires where I was working, our eyes briefly met.

I couldn't help staring perhaps a moment too long - it was the first time I'd seen the alpha's offspring up close and I only sensed trouble.

Selene's lip curled ever so slightly, just enough for me to catch the disdainful sneer. Then she turned her head sharply and continued after the Luna without a word.

I felt the weight of Beth and Anna's eyes on me and gave an infinitesimal shake of my head. Already it seemed the alpha's daughter was looking down upon we lowly servant girls with thinly veiled contempt.

The last thing we needed was to earn her heightened ire by appearing too brazen or inquisitive.

For the next few hours, we worked diligently and in relative quiet beyond Elder Abigail's occasional barked orders and the general sounds of cooking.


Even Beth and Anna kept their usual whispered jokes and gossip to a minimum with both the Luna and Selene making periodic sweeps through the kitchen.

By the time the great meal platters and chafing dishes were loaded onto wagons to be transported out to the main square, we were all utterly drained yet exhilarated.

Straightening my aching back, I glanced out the window to see that the sun was about to set.

The lively sounds of drumbeats and ceremonial pipes drifted in from the common green, accompanying the mouth watering aromas of the soups and roasted venison we had prepared. I couldn't help feeling a small thrill of anticipation tingeing my exhaustion at those entrancing notes.

No sooner had we stepped outside than Suzanne grabbed my arm urgently. The other girls were already hastening ahead, bundles of dresses and cosmetic chests clutched in their arms.

"Come on, we don't have much time at all! We need to get to Madame Celestine's chamber so she can work her beauty enchantments before the celebration truly begins!"

I stared at her blankly for a moment before the memory surfaced. Of course - I was going to escort them to be "primped and painted" for the event.

Allowing myself to be tugged along, I hurried after the others toward the visitor's chamber adjacent to the village green.

My friends were already clustered outside a closed door, bouncing impatiently from foot to foot.

"Finally! We were afraid you'd gotten lost back there, Liora," Martha chided as we approached. Her tone softened as she regarded me with an impish grin. "Or did you simply lose your nerve about Madame Celestine's makeover mastery?"

I huffed out a laugh, shaking my head firmly. "No, but I already said I was only accompanying you..."

"Nope, we'll have you primped too," Suzanne giggled. She rapped briskly on the door. "Madame Celestine? It's us, your lovely customers for the celebrations!"

The door swung open to reveal the wizened old woman, resplendent in a vibrant patchwork shawl and strings of tiny silver bells that tinkled with every movement. Her cheery grin was framed by a veritable blizzard of shining white hair.