Events of the Day

After breakfast, the pack members dispersed, each returning to their daily routines.

The Alpha and his council had already left, their presence always marking the start of the day's serious affairs.

The dining hall gradually emptied as the remaining wolves trickled out one by one, leaving behind only the Omegas and the cleaning crew.

Matilda and the kitchen girls swiftly collected the dishes, their practiced movements fluid and efficient.

As they worked, a fresh batch of cleaning girls arrived, immediately setting to work tidying up the massive dining hall.

It was a well-orchestrated cycle, everyone knew their role, and the tasks were carried out without pause.

The kitchen staff, led by Madam Tera, wasted no time in shifting their focus to lunch preparations.

Unlike breakfast, which was served to the entire pack, lunch and dinner were more exclusive.

They were reserved for the Alpha's family, the Betas, the Gammas, and those who played a direct role in the governance of the pack.

The rest of the pack members had their own ways of securing meals, either in their homes or at smaller communal halls spread across the territory.

It was moments like these that reminded Matilda of the sheer size of the pack.

The pack house itself was structured into wings; East, West, North, and South, each accommodating different ranks and roles.

And then there was the dining hall, a grand space that sprawled across nearly two acres. If the entire pack chose to live within the pack house, it could still house them all comfortably.

With the morning rush behind her, Matilda returned to her usual chores, falling into the familiar rhythm of daily tasks.

The hours passed in quiet productivity, and soon, the evening began to set in.

As the day wound down, Nora found her, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Tell me everything!" she demanded, tugging at Matilda's arm when she saw her approaching them. "How was your first official day in the kitchen? More importantly... do you have any apple pie left?"

Matilda let out a small chuckle and pulled out a neatly wrapped piece of apple pie.

She had no idea how Madam Tera had managed to save one for her, considering she had seen the last of her desserts vanish at breakfast.

But here it was, and rather than keeping it for herself, she was already extending it to Nora.

Nora's eyes lit up, a bright smile stretching across her face. "I knew you loved me," she cooed, reaching for it eagerly.

Before she could take a bite, Lynda swooped in and plucked the pie right out of her hands.

"Don't get too personal with it," Lynda chided, cutting the slice into smaller portions. "It's for everyone."

Nora let out a dramatic sigh, but she didn't protest. Lynda distributed the pieces fairly, even setting some aside for Tina, though the girl had been scarce lately.

Sylvia, on the other hand, was given an extra piece, Lynda had a soft spot for her, even if she wouldn't admit it.

As they ate, Matilda recounted her day, telling them about the shift in her duties. She was no longer scrubbing floors or washing endless piles of dishes, she was a chef now.

It felt strange to say it aloud, but there was no denying the sense of pride that came with it.

When she reached the part about the Hillsons and Williams, Nora practically swooned.

"Oh, my crush," she sighed, clasping her hands to her chest. "He is so handsome. I swear, I'd starve for a whole month just to catch a glimpse of him."

Sylvia snorted. "You wouldn't last two hours without food."

"I would! And I'd die happy if he just said my name," Nora continued, undeterred. "Imagine that voice, saying Nora."

Matilda rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips.

This was routine, Nora's relentless fangirling, Sylvia's sarcastic remarks, Lynda's half-exasperated patience. It was familiar. It was comforting.

Their conversation flowed into lighter topics; how their day went, the little dramas unfolding in the pack, and speculations about the upcoming ceremony.

But eventually, the fatigue of the day caught up with them, and one by one, they settled in for the night.

Tina, as usual, was nowhere to be seen.

She had been coming back late recently, her whereabouts unknown.

No one dared to ask her directly... Tina wasn't exactly approachable. If questioned, she would either ignore them outright or shoot them down with sharp words.

Sylvia had commented on it once. "Just let her be. It's not like she's your long-lost sister. No need to force concern on someone who doesn't want it."

Matilda had let the topic drop then, but a nagging thought lingered. What exactly was Tina up to?