Juliana POVFrom that day forward, I was in the manager's good grace. Whenever I pleased, I could enter the kitchen and provide a hand to Chef Pierre. I'd earned this position and wasn't going to squander it away. Though he was prideful initially, after proving myself, the chef grew to appreciate my presence. My tasting spoon was on the ready, and I used it wisely, assisting Pierre with spice balance, and even adding my own touch to improve recipes. He was more willing to take my suggestions into account, though it wasn’t one hundred percent of the time approved. As time passed, the kitchen’s former atmosphere of exclusion and condescension metamorphosed into the welcoming arms of an old friend. Behind the stainless-steel line and plethora of pots, my feeling of belonging gradually increased. The kitchen had a rhythm; I was becoming at ease with the instruments, and it showed. Our guests often had four or more course meals. Most enjoyed a light appetizer like my scallops
Chester POV continuedWhen I opened my eyes, the transition to wakefulness was confusing. Like in my dream, I was on my couch, my face turned to the right. Of course, I wasn't injured like I was in the dream, but everything else was spot on. All that was missing was the mysterious woman who had visited me every time I closed my eyes, lately. The first time I had the dream, the sense of familiarity and loss when she dissolved from my woken eyes, made me feel gutted. Although it only happened sometimes in the first month, it soon ramped up. And I had no idea how more intense the feelings would become.Soon, the dreams increased from a few times a month to several nights a week. And now, they were so powerful that after only an hour of sleep, she was forcing her way into my subconscious with her mystic presence. It was both unnerving and rapturous. Disjointed pieces of my dream clung to my fractured consciousness. My perception was so clouded that I thought I could fe
Immediately, I felt my skin flush with embarrassment. I couldn't help but cover my face for a moment, tittering. Not only was I feeling awkward about thinking I was a candidate, but my passion for Chasel elicited an uncontrollable reaction in front of Felix. "Oh, Juliana, please don’t feel embarrassed. You are the daughter of an alpha, after all, so of course, your assumption made sense." Felix's assurance melted my self-consciousness away. Lowering my hands, I clicked my tongue, shaking my head at myself. He chuckled."This Chasel has captured you, wholly, and if you don't mind me saying so, I expect that's quite a feat. I hope to meet this dashing wolf someday."He glanced up and down at me curiously. I blushed again and then averted my eyes, shyly twisting my toe on the ground. When I picked up my head, he lifted one eyebrow."He's the best man I've ever met. You'll see,” I said softly. Felix made a motion like he was tilting a hat to me."I have no doubt," he
To say I was astonished was an understatement. Memories of the last day I spent at the villa in Gold Valley soiled my optimism. I felt gut-punched, remembering all the times she stole my thunder. Crossing my arms, I glanced up and down at her, but she hadn't noticed me yet. Did I even want to make eye contact with her? All that was going through my head was the ten years she had slowly weaseled her way into my family. What was she doing here, anyway? She said she was in love with Carl after I found them in bed together. Despite her salacious relations with my ex, she wasn't with him now. Or maybe she was here behind his back. Had that simply been another way for her to take something of mine just to prove she could? With the wealth and status of potentially being the Alpha King's princess, her greedy mind was too tempted. What a manipulative, superficial gold-digger. She just couldn’t get enough. Her strapless dress was silky, skin-tight, and ink-black. She could
At first, I was confused. Staring into Felix's mahogany irises, I tilted my head back and forth, hoping he’d explain. "Cook for him?" I asked, "You mean again tonight? There's plenty more in there." I threw my thumb behind me toward the kitchen. “No, not exactly,” Felix said. Suddenly, I was aware that the entire room was watching us. Felix gave me a pleading smile as he clasped his hands close to his chin. "I mean, stay and be a permanent part of our team. With our Alpha so impressed with you, only good things could come of it. I can't imagine how many other irresistible delights you have tucked under your toque."My chefs collectively chuckled, appreciating his sentiment. Arlene was still fuming, however. This was her worst nightmare, but I didn’t care. A couple of chefs patted me on the back. After nodding at them, I turned back to Felix. Instead of continuing to put me on the spot, he brought me aside. "I'm serious. Please stay with us," he said wit
The breath left my lungs. I'd never expected to see Chasel, period, much less in the castle. I could barely contain myself as I rushed up and hugged him tightly. He was here!"Oh, Chasel, my love! Where have you been?" I was nearly squealing, pressing him to me. “What in Moon Goddess's name are you doing here?" My heart was racing. ”Not that I don’t want you here. I’m so glad you are!” Instead of the affection I'd imagined, yearned for, and craved, I got nothing. No warm embrace or expression of pleasure. Instead, he pushed me away from him. His rejection felt like the cutting wind of a cold winter's day. Why was this happening?All this time, I'd been pining, unable to stop thinking about him, and this was the last thing I expected. I couldn't wait for him to be a part of everything I'd done, but this wasn't the Chasel I knew. He stared at me with a slight squint of bewilderment, like he couldn’t see me. I was unable to reconcile what was happening. "Who are you?" he as
Chester POVJuliana...her name represented a part of my past, and when I thought to myself, I heard it in a whisper. This was a special experience for me. Since I'd been born, I knew I was Hartford's successor and now, the new Alpha King of the future. My name was known and never questioned. I came with notoriety. The Hartford Alphas were respected and revered. Most people avoided us. While I didn’t prefer being in public when I was, nobody approached me. If anything, they dreaded my cold stare. People only ever feared or admired me. Nobody took care of me like Juliana did. She did it without thinking. Here I was, the alpha, and this little girl was as free as could be around me. She didn't feel self-conscious or intimidated. Of course, she had no idea of my true identity, but something told me she wouldn’t alter her behavior, and I liked that about her. However, there was that risk, and I didn’t want to take it. Without my memories she could very well be manipulating
I was shocked at their accusation. Leaning against the stainless-steel countertop, I took a moment to gain my bearings. Was I being accused of this crime for real? I felt faint; this was so sudden. The warriors converged on me, using their height and muscular bodies to box me in. "Poisoned a princess? How could you believe such a thing? I'd never do that–""Save your breath. You're the head chef here and our number one suspect."They cuffed my wrists, roughly jerking me out the door. As we left the kitchen, they led me down the marble stairs, by the fountain, to their car. Carelessly, they shoved me inside. I stared at the serene scene that Chasel and I had visited nightly. Did this mean I wouldn’t see him again?Heartbroken, I asked, "Where are you taking me?" "To the prison. That is where criminals go." They laughed in unison at his sarcastic drivel. I tried swallowing, but my mouth was dry from panic. Why would someone poison a princess? Surely, there wa