Wolf’s Bane

“Hey Eron, are you already here at the lumberyard? I really need to talk to you before the workday starts.”

He got Jack’s call as soon as he finished helping Diwa layout and display her dishes and desserts on the vacant table of her choice. Even as the staff surrounded the widow and her offers, he would hear his mobile phone ringing and there was his boss’ name flashing on the screen of his smartphone.

“Hey, Jack. Sure boss, just wait for me, I’m already walking towards the office building.” Eron answered as he waved a short goodbye to his landlady, as Diwa suddenly looked his way upon hearing him on the phone. “Just wait a moment, ok?

“Sure, I’m not about to go anywhere. I really think we should deal with this now before we begin the day, so I hope you don’t mind…”

Eron heard the slightly apologetic tone in Jack’s voice as he entered the large and spacious two-story office building of their workplace. He climbed the metal stairs hurriedly so he could get to his employer right away since he was suddenly iffy about the man’s request to talk to him.

“Ok, I’m already at your office door. I won’t knock anymore, all right,” the former assassin said into his phone’s receiver as he turned the heavy knob and pushed Jack’s office door open. “Hey Ja…”

Eron never got to finish his enthused greeting. The first thing he saw as he entered the room automatically caused him to growl inwardly, which he hid with a long and deep sigh. Now, he understood what was behind his superior’s tone, and it made his blood slightly boil. Slowly, he closed the office door and placed his high-tech mobile in one of his leather jacket’s inner pockets.

“Good morning, newbie. But I’m kinda wondering if it is really good since you’re here in front of me right now…”

“I believe I can say the same to you, Maxie. So, what’s up?”

+++

Meanwhile, back at a farmhouse that’s almost out in the middle of nowhere…

“V says the food is ready. Wanna go back inside, Alicia? And please, think about what I told you, ok?”

“I will, Helena. Go ahead and get to the table, I’ll just step into the kitchen for a moment,” Alicia said as they walked back into the house.

The delicious and delectable smells guided Helena to the loaded dining table, and to the two proud cooks that stood beside it.

“Well, Mr. Wall, I’m very impressed with this spread. Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to cook for us!” Helena exclaimed with an ecstatic smile as she looked at everything that was served on the table.

“It wasn’t just all me, though Luna. Your mate also helped me with all of this,” H humbly pointed out with a happy and content smile.

“Come on, bro! Don’t sell yourself short now, hehe…” reminded V with a short but loud laugh then quickly confessed, “I helped with slicing some veggies but that’s all I did, princess.”

‘The princess’ was so happy with what she saw that she wasn’t able to hold herself any longer so she took her phone out to snap a couple of pictures. “They really look and smell delicious, you two! I hope prepping all of this wasn’t too much of a bother for either one of you,” Helena repeatedly praised.

The men were now truly glowing with pride.

“Definitely not a bother, Luna. I hope you like how it all tastes as much as it all looks… the food, of course,” Hero said, teasingly, which earned mischievous side looks and a naughty smirk from his friend/assistant cook.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“Where is Alicia though?” Virgil asked, “And how was your… talk…?”

“Pretty successful,” Alicia answered as she entered the dining area, sniffing, her eyes and nose slightly red. “After lunch, I’ll pack for the kids and me, and we’ll be joining you at the packhouse, Alpha Camden.”

Helena, Virgil and Hero looked at each other intently, wondering what had suddenly happened for her to change her mind, but that wasn’t what mattered to them. The very fact Alicia had finally agreed to what her husband had been begging her to do for months had now made their special lunch a celebration of their victory.

They ate, talked, and laughed, enjoying the fall-off-the-bone soft meat on the ribs, the mashed potatoes combining perfectly with the decadently rich, sweet, and tangy sauce that was actually the ribs’ juices mixed with the beer and orange peels that Hero cooked them with. Meanwhile, the fresh special salad that was made with baby arugula, apple, raisins, nuts, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and cucumber flowers with a dash of toasted sesame seeds and the sweet and sour vinaigrette was the perfect siding for their delectable main course.

And no, Alicia would be bringing the humongous eggplant along with her for another dish in the future, along with most of the vegetables that would go bad once they left the farmhouse behind. She hated wasting any sort of food that way and she knew that the packhouse kitchen would be welcoming her humble contribution to their food supply.

The meal didn’t last as long as it usually would since everyone was enjoying the dishes so much. When it was finally over, they didn’t even mind that there wasn’t any dessert since they were too full to have any.

“I’m definitely impressed, guys. This was amazing,” Helena said, with a wide and fully satisfied smile.

“It was great, thank you both for a wonderful meal,” Alicia praised, but now back to her dead serious tone again. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll pack so we can leave as soon as possible.”

“Baby, I’ll help H with the dishes. If you want, please go and help her pack,” Virgil mindlinked Helena, who nodded and left after Alicia.

“Hey Sorah, I’m really glad that you agreed to this. I know how hard it’s this decision to make, but I assure you that it’s the right one,” Helena softly said as she caught up to her friend on her way to the bedrooms.

“I know, girl. And I thank you for taking the time and effort to make me realize it,” the former human lady murmured, remembering the talk they had before their delicious meal…