Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

I blinked in surprise as the cook handed me a list of breakfast items to prepare.

“Breakfast duty?”

This was new. With a quick glance at the list, my heart sank as the weight of its meaning settled in. There were roughly a dozen options on the list for proteins and hearty meals. It dawned on me that I would be responsible for feeding the wolves undergoing training, and I felt a mixture of excitement and confusion.

“But… I’m banned from the training grounds…?”

Wiping his hands on his apron, the cook shrugged nonchalantly, as if the situation didn’t bother him at all.

“Not anymore.

This morning, the previous Alpha Gavvyn arrived and lifted the ban. You’re still expected to complete some chores around the pack house as a form of punishment, but you’re now allowed to head over to the training grounds.”

As I processed his words, a knot tightened in my stomach, causing a wave of unease to wash over me. Uncle Gavyn had lifted the ban? Given all that had occurred, would Zeke have truly approved of such a thing? It didn’t make sense, like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. I pondered whether this was a deliberate punishment or a sincere gesture to grant me another opportunity.

With a lump in my throat, I nodded at the cook, mustering a feeble smile

“Thanks.”

As I made my way inside the kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the sound of sizzling bacon, adding to the turmoil in my mind. What was Zeke trying to accomplish? Did he genuinely believe that I could effortlessly let go of all that had occurred and revert back to the way things were before, as if nothing had occurred?

Upease clung to me, persistent and unsettling, my restless wolf prowling within. Nevertheless, I found myself without any alternatives. Zoke had finally lifted the ban, a small but significant step forward.

With a deep breath, I prepared myself and started working, pushing my sleeves up as I did. The air was filled with the mouthwatering scent of sizzling bacon, blending with the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee. My hands moved mechanically, creating a rhythmic clinking sound as cracked eggs into a bowl and whisked them together, my mind racing with thoughts of what awaited me at the training grounds.

The first item on the menu was a sizzling plate of fried salmon with a side of fluffy rice, a comforting combination that never failed to uplift the mood. carefully sprinkled a mixture of aromatic spices onto the salmon Filts, enhancing their flavor. As the fish made contact with the hot skillet, the sizzling sound instantly brought back memories.

Next up was a big pot of chill, its rich aroma filling the room and making mouths water. With practiced precision, I chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic, the rhythmic sound of the knife against the cutting board filling the kitchen. With each scoop of ground beef added to the pot, my mind filled with thoughts of the zesty heat that would soon envelop my palate. With my ladle in hand, I carefully stirred the chili, savoring the occasional taste to ensure the onions were cooked to perfection.

Finally, I turned my attention to the veggie quinoa bowls, a colorful and nutrient-packed choice for those looking for a healthier meal. I diced a medley of eye-catching vegetables-carrots, broccoli, zucchini-and cooked them until they were tender, releasing a tantalizing scent. The kitchen was filled with the enticing scent of nutty quinoa as it cooked on the stove, creating an atmosphere of wholesome and nourishing goodness

With each layer, the bowls came to life-the fluffy quinoa, the vibrant sautéed vegetables, and the perfectly boiled eggs on top. Stepping back, I took a moment to admire my work, feeling a satisfying sense of accomplishment. The fried salmon sparkled with a delectable golden brown hus, the chil emitted an enticing bubbling sound in the pot, and the veggie quinoa bowls radiated a vivid array of colon

As I carefully packed the food I had prepared indo separate disposable trays, the sound of the plastic lids snapping shut echoed

While was focused on my Lask, I could hear the clattering of pans and the shue of footsteus as the other cooks ing kitchen s eager to lend a hand. With gratitude, I nodded, acknowledging their help as we enciendly divided the food fala trays, scouring and prepared for serving. In the midst of the lively kitchen atmosphäre, en undercurrent clonese

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A quick scan of the area revealed that Sammy was nowhere in sight. As I felt a pang of worry shoot through me, I couldn’t help but feel the familiar presence of guilt lingering in the recesses of my mind. Sammy hadn’t come home the previous night, leaving me with a nagging worry about her whereabouts and well-being.

But then again, maybe Sammy was with her True Mate. With a firm shake of my head, I brushed away the relentless doubts and fears that were clawing at my mind. I had unwavering faith in Sammy’s strength, knowing she would consistently choose the right path, even when it required difficult decisions,

As I stole a quick glance at the clock, the ticking seemed to grow louder, reminding me that the meals were nearly ready to be served. With a sense of urgency, I meticulously inspected each tray, making sure that every item was meticulously arranged. The kitchen staff moved with precision and efficiency, their synchronized movements creating a symphony of organized chaos as we readied ourselves for the upcoming feast.

With the last tray packed and labeled, I finally had a moment to breathe, using the back of my hand to wipe away the sweat on my brow. With a nod of gratitude to my fellow cooks and kitchen staff, I grabbed the stack of trays, feeling their warmth against my palms, and carefully placed them in the oversized bags before heading towards the training grounds

The training grounds came into view, and instantly my ears were greeted by a cacophony of grunts, exertion, and the unmistakable clanging of metal. Engrossed in their drills, the members of the Blackacre pack had expressions of determination etched on their faces as they pushed themselves to the brink. Despite his usual carefree and playful nature, Axton was completely focused on his training. His muscles bulged as he strained against the weight of the iron chains constricting his chest and logs.

As I watched him, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration. His determination was evident in the way he moved with such fluidity. Despite the glistening sweat on his brow and the visible strain on his face, his eyes burned with an intense fire of determination. There was no denying his commanding presence, his warrior spirit, and the undeniable chemistry that sparked between us.

But as quickly as the thought entered my mind, I forcefully banished it, berating myself for allowing such notions to take hold. The last thing I wanted was to make our relationship more complicated by adding romantic emotions into the mix. Furthermore, he had little time to spare due to his demanding training, and I had my own work to attend to.

1 shook my head vigorously, trying to dispel the fog of thoughts, and redirected my attention to the task at hand. As I made my way towards the tables, the sound of chatter and laughter grew louder, blending with the clinking of plates and silverware. The dishes were artfully arranged, serving as a visual representation of the extensive preparation that had taken place.

As I worked, my attention kept getting drawn to Axton, who was fully engrossed in a rigorous workout alongside his pack mates. Every time he moved, his muscles rippled with strength, showcasing his unwavering determination evident in the determined set of his jaw and the deep furrow of his brow.

He was incredibly attractive, to the point of annoyance.

I stiffened as someone cleared their throat abruptly behind me. As I turned around, my heart s k p e d a beat, and I found myself unable to look away from Zeke’s piercing eyes. There was a seriousness in his expression, a weight that seemed to hang heavily in the air between us. As soon as I laid eyes on him, my stomach churned and a knot tightened in my chest, overwhelming me with nerves.

Usually, I could read Zeke like an open book. His face was like an open book, revealing every emotion he felt, making it easy to understand his thoughts. Staring into his eyes, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was looking into the eyes of someone I didn’t know. Strangers with memories, I thought bitterly, memories of a time when things were simpler, when our relationship wasn’t tainted by hurt and betrayal.

“Hey,” Zeke’s voice was filled with unease and strain as he spoke, his gaze locked onto the trays of food. “The food looks great”

“Uh, thanks.”

With my heart hammering in my chest, I mustered a small polite smile. I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, barely reaching their cars. The words fell flat, lacking any substance or sincerity. The tension between us intensified, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that seemed to stifle me,

We stood there in silence, the weight of unspoken words filling the space between us, creating an uneasy atmosphere. Lcould feel the intensity of Zeke’s gaze on me, his eyes piercing mine and making the fidget with discomfort. The silence in the air was suffocating, and I yearned to say something, anything to shatter it. But my words seemed to get trapped in my throat, overwhelmed by the storm of emotions in my mind

With another clearing of his throat. Zeke remained stoic, his true feelings hidden behind a mask of unreadability,

should get going,” he said, his voice distant I just wanted to say good job

133 Sat, 15 Jun

I nodded, my eyes fixed on the ground, unable to meet his penetrating gaze.

As Zeke turned to leave, I felt a wave of melancholy crashing against me, its weight threatening to pull me under. Seeing him like this was a painful reminder of the growing distance between us, a wound that seemed impossible to heal. I had a realization that the situation had changed forever, and there was no possibility of returning to the previous state due to the irreversible damage.

As I turned to leave the training grounds, ready to put some distance between myself and the awkward encounter with Zeke, a sharp whistle pierced through the air, causing me to stop in my tracks. My heart pounded in my chest as I turned back, only to be greeted by the sight of Axton jogging towards me. His face was sweaty, but he wore a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Without warning, he embraced me tightly, his arms wrapping around me with an unexpected intensity. The scent of his sweat, mixed with the earthy aroma of the training grounds, wafted into my nostrils, yet surprisingly, it didn’t bother me. Instead, I found myself laughing, the weight of the previous tension dissipating as his embrace filled me with warmth.

“Hey there, Chesnut.” Axton said, his voice breathless from exertion. As he pulled back slightly, a mischievous sparkle danced in his eyes as he glanced down at me. “Missed me?”

My eyes rolled, but a smile fought its way onto my face, tugging at the corners of my lips. I playfully teased him, my fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from his forehead, causing him to chuckle. He reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, leaving streaks of dirt across his forehead. With a playful grin, I swatted his hand away, wrinkling my nose in mock disgust.

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

And just as he was about to reply, a thunderous growlerupted, causing the ground to tremble and freezing both of us in our tracks.