“I can come with you if you really need to, but I don’t want to leave you.”
“I’ll be fine, honestly. It’s just my staff down there, and you met Oliver earlier, I think. I’ll be fine and head up once they’re all ready.”
“Molly, you’re the future Queen now. You don’t have to work any more.” he tells me, and I know he’s trying to be kind, but that really hurts.
“I’ve never been required to work. I actually had to convince my dad to even let me have this job. I really enjoy it. It’s how I’m able to contribute to my pack.” I tell him, but I realize that in my hurt I’ve said more than I meant to. I have complicated feelings about my role in this pack and I didn’t mean to spill them out before him.
“Ok, Molly. I understand. At least let me walk you to the kitchen so I know you’re safe, please.” and I know his request is genuine and he just wants me to be safe, but with more people leaving the ceremony and coming around, I don’t want anyone to see. I nod at him, but release his arm. “It’s this way, I tell him and start walking toward the direction of the service stairs.”
I can feel his irritation at me for releasing his arm through our bond, but I continue and he doesn’t say anything. We reach the bottom of the stairs when he suddenly grabs my arm and sniffs the air. He sniffs again and then pushes me against a door and sniffs my neck slowly. His body is pressed gently against mine. He’s so close and towers over me and his scent has enveloped me and I’m beginning to feel completely overwhelmed.
“Everything down here smells like you” he finally tells me.”It’s so strong.”
“Oh, uhh, yeah. I spend all my time down here. The kitchen is down that hall and my office is there. The door behind me is the one to my suite.” I tell him.
“Show me. Please” he says, and I consider it for a moment. He’s so close and it’s making my heart race, and then he pushes himself against me the slightest bit more and kisses the spot on my neck where a mate’s mark would go. I almost cave, but we’re too close to think clearly and I need to tell him the endless list of problems with us being together. “Later” I whisper out because it’s as much as I can squeak out with him so close. I hear him take a deep breath as he pushes his weight off me, but he still stays where he is towering over me.
“Later” he whispers back to me while we both take a moment to regain our composure. “Are you ready?” he asks after a moment, and all I can do is nod. He steps back and waves his arm out motioning for me to go in front. I walk to the kitchen door with him behind me and turn to him “Thank you for walking down with me”, I tell him.
“You’re welcome. Are you sure you’ll be up for dinner?”
“Yeah, Dad will drag me up there if I try anything.” I tell him and he smiles.
“Good. I can’t wait to see you again.” He says, grabbing my right hand and bringing it to his mouth for a kiss.
“I’m surprised you weren’t in here sooner” Oliver says with a smirk as I step into the kitchen. “I can’t believe you’re making another appearance. Don’t you trust me?” he says, faking hurt.
“Oh, Oliver. You know that I don’t.” I respond jokingly and stick my tongue out at him.
“How was the ceremony?” He asked.
“It was an Alpha Ceremony. Nothing amazing, kinda boring, there’s a new Alpha.”
“Oh really? Because I heard our dear Alpha Robert punched an Alpha visiting from another pack.”
“Umm, technically that happened before, so he wasn’t Alpha Robert… yet.” I tell him with a smirk. “And it wasn’t exactly a punch.”
“You want to talk about WHY Robbie was punching people you walked by just before being named the Alpha?”
“No. Not really. But you know how it is being me. Someone always says SOMETHING.” I’m just so exhausted from the day and I don’t want to think about being a broken wolf for a while. “So, how’s it going for dinner? Can I help out?”
“Molly, I’m capable of running this.”
“I know, I know you are. I’m here to help if you need. I’m not taking over for you.”
“I think we’re good. Honestly. Someone decided to delay the dinner a few hours while they were running away from their very attractive mate and gave us more time to prep. I assume you’re not ready to talk about that?” he questions me.
“No. I’m absolutely not. I’ve not had a moment alone to even really think about it myself. I think tonight is the first full moon that I’m glad to be left out of.”
“If you want me to stay with you to talk just let me know. I really don’t mind.”
“I appreciate it, Oli. But I think I just need some time alone to just think. It’s been really overwhelming.”
“You’re really not going to mention that your mate is the Prince?”
“Nope. I’m not ready to even think about that.” I tell him, looking around and everything appears to be going very well for my brother’s dinner.
“Molls,” Oliver says to get my attention while I’m looking around the kitchen, “Why don’t you sleep in tomorrow and I’ll handle breakfast.”
“I’d hate to do that to you. There’s a lot of people with all the visitors staying tonight.” I tell him, feeling guilty at the thought of throwing a second meal service on him.
“Honestly, I’d really appreciate the chance to show the Alpha that I’m capable of filling your shoes. When you’re marked, you’ll be moving with Seth and I want to be able to prove I can handle this.”
I hadn’t considered leaving with a mate, ever. I’m sure Seth will come to his senses at some point and finally reject me, but Oliver is right. He’s not had many chances to prove himself as head chef. I know he’s completely capable and deserves the chance.
“Ok, Oliver. Breakfast service is yours. And if, by some miracle, Seth doesn’t reject me, I’ll put in a good word with the Alpha- though I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” I tell him with a small giggle. It’s so weird to think that my brother is the Alpha we’re talking about. I turn to leave but have an idea for tomorrow. “I’m just going to check and see if we have stuff to make something tonight during the run and then I’ll leave.”
“Thank you.” he says. “I promise, it’ll be amazing.”
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