Thirty One

Damian

I stormed through the vaulted palace corridors, servants scurrying out of my path. Rare temper darkened my face like thunderclouds, warding off any foolish enough to address me.

There was reckoning to be had this day. None escapes justice under my authority.

The object of my ire soon loomed ahead - the carved oak door leading to the head cook's domain. Normally a hub of activity, the kitchens now stood ominously silent, word of my black mood preceding me.

I flung the door wide without ceremony, relishing how it crashed against the stone wall. All within jumped violently at my abrupt entrance. Stern eyes fixed on the cook where she huddled whispering with her assistants.

At my thunderous expression, she paled and hastened forward, wringing her hands. "Alpha Damian! What an honor to have you visit my humble kitchens..."

I cut off her sniveling pleasantries with a sharp gesture. "Enough. I have no patience for pretense when matters of discipline are at hand."

The cook quailed u