The Wannabe Warrior
Chapter 177

Zane POV

Letting Madison out of my arms was one of the hardest things I have had to do. Seeing her rush out the door and hunt for a bathroom, had me suddenly getting up and doing the same thing.

The cheeky little minx had rubbed her butt on my morning hard-on, and I thought it was going to be difficult to pee with this erect part of my body that was still throbbing with need.

Dam, woman.

I chuckled to myself as I headed to the room that men use in the morning, though clean and not too bad a smell, it is still a little odd room to use, and if you needed to do more than pee, it could be awkward.

If I was injured, how would I use it?

None of it made sense to me.

So much of this place just does not add up, the people moved around doing their tasks, but it all looked staged, as if it was something they had rehearsed many times, rather than an everyday occurrence. Maybe I will speak with Madison and see how she feels about the place. Earlier, when I was coming out of the bathroom, I could have sworn I smelt bacon cooking, yet it was not in there beginning to be cooked or even on display, only making this area even more suspicious.

What is Zeek hiding?

I met up with Alex and Zakary, who were sitting enjoying a bowl of stew and soaking it up with some very fresh and soft bread.

‘Morning, how was your night?’ Alex asked as he offered me the only thing I really wanted at the moment.

Coffee.

Thank the goddess they had some here, I was starting to think they had some other concoction to replace coffee.

‘Well, having Madison in my arms certainly helped.’ I answered honestly.

‘Yes, it was good you did not have to try and break in, by the little bit I heard, they were waiting for you. can’t wait to hear how she escaped, though it does not surprise me, as that girl is resourceful, the best war mind I have seen or heard in a very long time.’ Zakary said, offering me a bowl of stew, this one had more meat in it that the one we had last night.

‘Thank you, but I think I will just have the coffee for now. I will wait for Madison. Maybe we can talk to one of those cooks over there to let Madison cook me up a pancake or some more morning food for me.’

Alex roared out with laughter, followed shortly after Zakary.

Madison walked towards us, looking at the food each person was eating before she reached us and she did not look impressed, any more than I did, at what was on offer.

‘Hey, Good morning, um is that what is for breakfast?’ Madison asked with her nose scrunched up, to the men as she looked at what they were eating too, and it was no better than those she had past.

‘Zane said you could whip up some pancakes for us instead.’ Zakary informed her, before I could ask, and that was a little cheeky of him.

‘Sure, do you think the ladies will let me into their kitchen?’ What kitchen? It was a pot over a fire pit.

‘Let’s replace out.’ Alex said and they all stood up and I followed with Madison at my side, holding Madison’s hand in mine. She was shaking a little and I wondered why, but did not ask.

‘Helga, would you mind if our girl here made some pancakes? They are not too keen on stew for breakfast?’ Zakary asked, kindly, and the older woman looked at Madison and then me and it felt like they were laughing at us, that was just not right, we are being played here, I am sure of it.

‘Sure, flour over there, eggs there, pan over there.’ She pointed to the area where the food was and Madison nodded and gathered what she needed, with a soft smile and humming one of her favorite tunes. I have heard her hum a number of times before, and I am not sure if she even realises she is humming.

It was not long before the smell of pancakes wafted through the cave, bringing some of the Blue River warriors out of their sleeping chambers and heading over to Madison with big grins.

‘Hey, guys, Madison is making pancakes.’ One of the Blue River men called out to his buddies, and suddenly we had twenty Blue River Warriors, hanging around Madison for some of her pancakes. They had had her pancakes before and knew how good they were.

Madison worked for a while, making enough for everyone who asked for some. The pancakes were the best, soft and fluffy, and she had found some jam and lemon juice and cinnamon and butter, and whipped cream, and a sort of maple syrup, and other stuff that could be put on the pancakes, something for almost everyone’s taste. Even Alex and Zakary grabbed a pile of them. Madison popped some into her mouth as she cooked more, until no one else asked for some more. Just as she had finished and was sitting eating a nice pile for herself, Zeek came out and asked if there was any left. He said he had not had pancakes in years and they smelt delicious.

Madison offered a couple off her plate, but he liked them that much, that Madison had to make a new batch so he could have his fill, and boy did he eat a huge amount of pancakes, more than even I had eaten, and I ate quite a few.

‘Thank you Madison, that was delicious,’ Zeek said, and the others all chimed in with words of thanks and gratitude for not having to eat the stew.

‘Come, let’s go to the office and discuss yesterday’s events and how we will proceed from here.’ Zeek said and got up from where he was seated and we all slowly got up to join him. Madison looked around the room before following. I think she was not happy leaving all the dishes for someone else to clean up, but after a little nudge from Alex, she nodded and took my hand and followed the Alpha to his office.