The Wannabe Warrior
Chapter 78

Madison POV

At first, I was confused by the food issue. Anton had said they were almost out of food, and had been living on rations, but that did not seem to be completely true. Maybe it was true in Anton’s eyes, as he was a growing boy and not getting what he used to, he had made some judgments of his own, but we were willing to share what we could, and when I got a chance, have Mary to make up food boxes to take to them, if Ezekiel allows this.

The trek back to the packhouse was quick, maybe, because I was so ready for a real shower and my bed, I was so tired, the work of clearing the tunnels and caves was arduous, and everyone was tired.

When I saw the packhouse I almost burst into tears, I was so relieved to be back.

It was dark, and dinner most likely had commenced, but I could not approach the dinner table till I had had a shower and removed the smell from my body. I doubt anyone would want to eat with me sitting unwashed at the table. I was offending myself, so I am sure I would do the same for others.

I snuck up the back of the packhouse and climbed into the shower, turning it as hot as my body would accept. My clothes, I would most likely burn. I didn’t think the smell would even be removed from the fabric. The shower was wonderful. Shampooed my hair three times before I was satisfied, I had got it clean, and I scrubbed my skin till it was red and raw.

Once I got out of the shower and was dressed, I covered myself with so much perfume, I think I over did it, but that smell did not seem to want to leave my nose. I tried sniffing lavender to remove it from my nose, but all I managed to do was sneeze a few times.

Satisfied I could do no more to make myself feel clean, I headed downstairs for some food. My stomach was ready for filling. Now I am home.

I felt bad every time they gave me a roll or fruit, in the cave, wondering if I was taking food from someone else’s mouth. They had so little, though the young people did manage to get a number of rabbits for their dinner tonight and I am sure they will have a celebration, now they are no longer trapped in the caves.

The dining room had a number of ladies seated around the room, Luna’s and Beta’s wives, waiting for their mates to return.

I walked past them all and sat at the head of the table, where the empty chairs were. Dad and Zane and Alpha were not back yet.

Last I heard, it will be a few more hours before they will return.

They have started to build pyres.

We will have ten burns sometime tonight, and some warriors will man it all night, making sure all the bodies are burnt and reduced to ashes.

A few of the ladies tried to make conversation with me, but I remembered the last time I had seen most of these ladies and I was not yet in the right mind to talk with them.

I filled my plate and ate in silence, not even looking around the table.

I was missing my mate and I needed to see my dad and my twin, to make sure they were okay. They would have had a lot of emotions going on in their heads, and then I remember Graham had a mate, and I decided to look around the room for her.

She was seated at the end of the table, alone and looking forlorn.

I picked up my plate and walked down the table and placed my plate on the table and sat next to her.

Surprised by someone sitting next to her, she looked up at me wide-eyed.

‘Hi Addsion. Do you remember me?’ I asked.

‘Graham’s sister?’ she replied as a question.

‘Yeah, how are you doing?’ she seemed to be lost and lonely,

‘Worried, I guess, I miss my mate, you know?’ she replies, dragging her fork through her mashed potatoes and looking lost.

‘Yep, I understand, now take the chin up off the floor and get eating. When Graham gets back here, he won’t want to see a glum mate, he will want to see his mate, who has looked after herself and kept herself busy while waiting for him to return. That way, he won’t be worried about his mate every time he has to leave to do his job and put himself at risk, because his mind is on his mate and he is worried about her.’

‘Do you know when he will return? She asked and I could not help noticing others at the table leaning in to hear our conversation.

‘They will be back in a few hours, they are packing up, as we speak, though they may have to go back out in the morning and finish mopping up the mess left out there.’ I say with compassion.

‘Was it bad?’ she asked, curiously.

‘Never ask those questions. You don’t want your mate reliving it if it was, you need to be smiling and loving and patient. If he wants to share, he will, but remember he is a top warrior and his job is dangerous, so you need to keep the home happy and carefree, for when he returns, no mate wants to come home to a nagging woman.’

‘Okay, I will try.’ she sounded disappointed and accepted my advice, though where I am getting all these ideas, I have no idea. Maybe I read about it, or heard someone telling their daughter who was missing her mate to be brave and confident for her mate’s sake.

‘Right as you are my sister-in-law, I will have tasks for you that will keep your mind off of your mate when he is out and about doing pack work.’

‘You will, thank you, I need to be kept busy. I did not know what to do, and I don’t really have a lot of friends. Most were Kyles’ friends.’

‘Well, as the future Luna of this pack, I am going to keep you very busy. I am going to need an assistant. We have a ball to get organised, so I will get a few ladies together and replace out who does what and gets things rolling. I know Mary does all the catering and a woman called Sheila who is organising the decorations, and Matilda is the head house keeper, so tomorrow you and I are going to track them down and make sure all is in order. Well, l can’t let a little rogue issue get in the way of the ball.’ I laughed, and Addison chuckled too. She dug into her meal with gusto, and her stress seemed to fall away as we talked.

Addison was eager to be accepted and, being my assistant, would make sure this girl was not walked on by the bullies and other ladies who acted above their station.