The Fall Ball
Chapter 28

(Rose)

My heart is beating in my chest. I don’t want to answer the King with Ash present. I don’t want to feel stupid if I’m wrong, I just don’t know what is going on with my body.

The King is watching me. I feel like he is judging my reactions to being around Ash. So I try to stay calm and keep my breathing even as well as my heartbeat.

The King clears his throat. “So Rose here is feeling much better. We are just passing time while waiting for the dessert to arrive. If you are hungry I am sure the kitchen staff has set aside some for you.” The King says to Ash.

Ash nods his head and looks over to me. “Sorry for being late. I decided to take my wolf for a short run. He decided he was hungry, so we ate while out running.” Ash said

“But I would love to spend some time with you. “I’m sure the kitchen staff has created an amazing dessert.” Ash says. We all simply nod our heads.

“So how was the run? Where did you travel today?” The King asks.

Ash smiles at the memory.

“We walked to the field of flowers. It seems to be his favorite spot lately. The goofy wolf chased butterflies, then stalked a deer, and took it down.” Ash tells us.

At this I perk up. “Does the field have wildflowers?” I ask.

He looks at me confused.

“Yes it does. Lots of them. Do you like wildflowers?” he asks with a smile.

“Yes I love them, they are so beautiful and smell amazing! They are relaxing to watch in the breeze.” I tell them all, with a happy smile on my face.

“This must be something you are very passionate about. Your eyes have gotten brighter and have more of that green in them.” The king says to me.

I smile. “Yes it is, my mom and I grow wildflowers to attract butterflies at home. We keep a small field of them along the trees on the pack land.”

“Mom wanted to keep it far enough from the main path. She was worried that the smell of them would be too strong and bother the other wolves. As my senses aren’t as heightened, they never bothered me, but others would complain of headaches when they got too close as the smell is too strong.”

“Yes, I remember Kat putting in a special request for that field. At first I thought it was strange, we have lots of flowers around. The wildflowers seem to have the strongest scent though, and so we keep them at bay. But she refused to let them go. They bring us all joy, just at a distance.” Alpha Jake says.

The King smiles and looks at Ash. “We have that field at the edge of the kingdom for the same reasons. The pack loves to look at them, just at a distance. That is for Ash, he has always been attracted to them. Always comes back from his runs smelling like them.” The King says.

The kitchen door opens up and the kitchen staff brings out a cart with small plates on it. The staff place a plate in front of each one of us. I look down and smile.

Chocolate lava cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. My absolute favorite! Chocolate cake with a warm gooey center. So good! I dig right in as does everyone else.

There is no conversation as we all eat the dessert. We all end up finishing around the same time. And as we all finish, the staff comes back and clears the table again.

The king looks up at the table. “So, would anyone want to join my Queen and I, to sit on the back patio with some tea?” He asks the table.

Alpha Jake and Luna Liz agree to that, saying it sounds peaceful.

“I would actually like to venture out for a walk if that is okay with all of you? I will stay within the boundaries and with Craig at all times.” I say.

“I think that should be fine, it is supposed to be a full moon tonight. With your wolf closer to the surface you may feel a bit different. If anything strange happens, please contact your Alpha and I.” The King says to us.

“I am just going to head up to my room, and prepare for the meetings that will be coming up with the other Alphas. All the other Alphas should be arriving tomorrow. The meeting is set for Thursday, and then the festivities will begin Friday.” Ash says to us all as he stands and heads out of the room.

The King just shakes his head. “That boy is always working so hard. I hope that once he replaces his mate, he can relax. Your mate is your other half and makes things easier for you.” The king says, looking at me with a knowing smile.

I blush, and stand.

“Come on Craig, lets go see what we can replace to do.” I say.

He laughs and stands up.

“Okay, let’s go; I’m up for a run. My wolf is feeling antsy being in new territory.” He says to me.

“Well that’s not fair. I can’t run in wolf form,” I say with a pout.

Craig just laughed at me. “I can take you for a run on my back if you want?” He says.

“I have never done that, but it sounds like fun.” I say.

We both walk out the door. As we begin to walk out I hear the king talking to the Alpha. I hear my name but that is all. I turn to see what they are saying.

“Nope, come on. If they wanted you to know, they would tell you.” He says pushing me out the door.