Alexa’s Point Of View
“Why did you do that?” I asked Xena as soon as we left the elders council.
“Do what?”
I held her arm and pulled her back. “I told you to stay back.”
“And watch you kneel for those old geezers?”
“So? What’s it to you?” I snapped and she turned to me.
“Don’t you get it? I…” She paused.
“You what?”
Her gaze lingered on me for a while and she huffed as she yanked her arm away from my grip. “I’m obeying the alpha’s order, okay? My job is to protect you. Preventing you from looking like a fool is also protecting.” She said and continued to walk.
I know she was trying to help but I had it under control. Why would she do that for me anyway? I thought she didn’t like me. I flipped my hair away from my face and turned in the direction of my residence. I looked up at the sky. It’s evening. Gosh, the dinner is tonight. I can’t believe I’m about to spend about thirty minutes with that girl. I hope I don’t snap.
“Alexa,” I heard Cyan call telepathically.
“What is it?”
“Gosh, you sound angry. What’s with you and that mean looking girl? She also growled at me like an hungry tiger when I saw her.”
“You saw Xena?”
“Yeah. I’m on my way to find you.”
“Do you know where I am?”
“I can find you, don’t worry. I’m hungry, Alexa. I’m thinking of… wait, isn’t that your alpha and the snake?”
I stopped in my tracks. “What?”
“Wait wait, let me hide. Wooow, this is nice.”
“What… what is happening?”
“I think you need to get rid of this girl more quickly, Alexa.”
“What is she doing?” I asked impatiently.
“I don’t know how they got into this position but your alpha’s arm is around her waist. Ah ah, I know now. She almost fell so he caught her but the thing is her hand is moving to his neck.”
What?
“Where are they?” I asked as I quickened my steps.
“They are at… oh, they are leaving.”
“What? Jeez, you should have called me sooner!”
“What in the… am I supposed to know where your alpha goes? I just happened to see them.”
I huffed and groaned. “I swear if she gets handsy with my man again, I might cut her fingers off.”
Rubbish! I hope I don’t poison her food tonight.
I pushed back my thoughts and resumed my walk to my residence. Coincidentally, I met Akira and Alice on the way.
“Alexa,” Akira called smilingly as he came to me. “You left so hurriedly I had to look for you. Where did you go to?”
She forced out a smile. “Nowhere.” I turned to Alice and when our eyes met, she bowed. “Your highness.”
“Where are you guys coming from? Together?” I questioned.
“I met her on the way while I was searching for you so she offered to look together.”
“Ah…” I drawled, my gaze lingering on Alice.
“Yes. We were just talking about dinner tonight. I thought having dinner with Akira would be nice so I told him to join us.”
“He’s… joining us?”
Akira nodded. “I decided to join when she told me you both would be doing the cooking. I’d love to eat a meal prepared by you.” He grinned as he took my hand. Right. Let me just use this medium to show Akira my cooking skills.
“We’ll start cooking by six.” Alice said and I nodded.
“Tell my maid when you’re ready.” I said and she nodded. I linked my arm around Akira’s arm and pulled him along.
“We’ll be leaving now.” I said to Alice as I walked away with Akira. I didn’t fail to see the glare in her eyes. I smirked smugly and tightened my grip around Akira’s arm.
“You look pleased.” Akira said and I grinned.
“Do I?” I sang and he nodded.
“Yeah. Your eyes are glimmering mischievously.”
“I’m just happy?”
He hummed, clearly unconvinced. “I’ll take it as that then. Where are we going?”
“Have you eaten this afternoon?” I asked and he shook his head.
“No, I’m famished.”
“Come with me then.”
I pulled him along with me to the kitchen and I walked to one of the pots on the stove. I picked up a plate and got some shrimp soup from the pot into the plate.
“What’s this?”
“Shrimp soup. I made some at midnight when I was feeling hungry.”
“You sneaked out of your room to have a midnight snack?”
I nodded poutingly. “I was just so hungry and I didn’t want to bother Raya. She was fast asleep you know?”
He snickered and I slapped his shoulder. I raised a spoonful of food to his lips and I opened my mouth. “Ahhh.”
He glanced at the soup then at my face. “Wh.. what? You don’t want it? Don’t you like it? If you don’t like it I can..”
“No.” He interjected. “Of course I like it. Who doesn’t like shrimp soup?”
I grinned and put the soup in his mouth. He chewed on it slowly and I anticipated his reaction.
“How is it?” I asked and he nodded with a thumbs up.
“Have another.” I said as I pushed another spoon of soup into his mouth. He took it and smiled. “It’s good.”
“You can have more if..”
“I gotta go.” He suddenly said.
“What? Why?”
“Alpha work. Xena just mind-linked me. I have to go.”
“Okay. You’ll be back for dinner, right?”
He nodded with a smile. “Yeah. I gotta go.”
He pecked my forehead and rushed out. I hope everything is okay. I looked down at the soup in my hands. Should I make this along with dinner? He seemed to like it.
***
Evening came and Alice came to my residence for the dinner preparations. I changed into a cooking gown and Raya also joined to help. Something is bothering me though. The ingredients are too much for three people.
“Alice,” I called.
“Yes, your highness.”
“Are you planning to store some food? The ingredients are too much.”
“Oh. That’s because mother and the elders are joining.”
My eyes widened at her statement. “What?”
“Yes. I invited them too.”
“And you’re just telling me this because…?”
“I’m so sorry. I had a lot on my plate since afternoon. Forgive me, your highness.”
I sighed and shook my head. “No worries.” I said and proceeded to knead the flour for cookies. We made cookies, cup cakes, chicken soup, rice, roasted turkey and pudding. After we were done with all that, I proceeded to make the shrimp soup.
“What do you wanna make?” She asked me.
“Shrimp soup. For Akira.” I said smilingly.
“For… Akira?”
She nodded. “He likes it so I’m making it for him.”
“Ah…” She trailed off. “You’re right. She likes it. You should do well to make a lot.” She said and I nodded. She watched me closely as I prepared the soup. It’s not like I’d put poison in it or anything. Why is she watching me?
I was done with it in no time and placed it along with the other dishes for the dinner. After cooking, I went to my room to wash up and dress appropriately for dinner. The elders and mother would be there. I should dress to impress. I put on a black glittery strapless evening gown that had a slit up to the knee. I waved my hair and let it fall down my back. I applied a light make-up to my face.
Raya accompanied me to the garden as my personal maid. When I got there, I met Akira, mother and the elders already seated. The maids were arranging the dishes on the dinner table. Akira smiled adoringly at me as I approached the table. I took seat beside him and he whispered in my ear. “You look gorgeous, my Luna.”
I blushed and held his hand under the table. “You’re looking ravishing, alpha.” I said and he chuckled smugly.
“I greet you, elders.”
“You look beautiful, your highness.” Elder Dinah said and I smiled.
“Of course, she is. Our alpha has eye for good things.” Mother said and the elders laughed.
“Good evening, elders.” I heard Alice say and I turned. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Alice was wearing the same thing I was. The dress, down to her shoe. Everything was all the same. The only difference was the way she styled her hair.
“Wow…” Elder Northwolf gawked. Akira shock filled eyes turned to me.
“This is such a nice coincidence.” Elder Gerald said.
“Your highness.” Alice said in surprise. “Wow… I can’t believe you’re dressed in the same dress as I am.”
Dressed in the same way as you are? As in I copied you?
“It looks beautiful on you, your highness.” She said in adoration and I forced a smile. “it… it looks great on you too.” I said and she giggled. She sat opposite Akira and crossed her legs.
“It’s so nice to see you, elder Dinah. I don’t think we’ve talked since I arrived.”
“Ah no. I almost ordered the guards to bundle you to see me. Didn’t you realize I missed you?”
“Aw, apologies. I’m here now and I’m here to stay for a very long time.” She said. I looked down at my hand. She is doing it again. She is making a fool out me again. She’s making it seem like I copied her outfit. I balled my fist in anger. Why does she do this? I felt Akira’s hand on mine and I raised my head.
His eyes held worry. I forced out a smile and he nodded. Let me not ruin this dinner. Let’s get through it, Alexa.
“So tell us, Alice. What are the things you saw on your expedition?” Elder Gerald asked.
“Ah… I saw many. I passed by Gemma village and gosh, the state there was terrible. There was no water and food there was scarce. I had to stay there for months just so the quality of life can improve. It wasn’t easy but we were easy to pull through.”
“Of course, it’s you. What can you not do?” Elder Dinah said proudly.
I ignored them and continued to eat my dinner. I just want to leave here soon. I feel suffocated. The maids came in the shrimp soup and served it for all of us. Akira’s portion was placed in front of him.
“Wow, this soup smells nice. Who prepared it?” Mother asked and Alice replied.
“Her highness did.”
“It looks good, dear.”
“It tastes good too. Have a taste.” I urged. She took a spoonful and hummed in satisfaction.
“It’s very nice. I could eat this everyday.”
Everyone digged in and began to slurp the soup. They all looked like they enjoyed it. I turned to Akira and he was also eating. I felt pleased.
“So, your highness, you’re from Raven Pack, right?” Elder Northwolf asked.
“Yes.”
“How was growing up like?”
“Honestly, it was rough. I didn’t get to have a nice childhood like other children. You see, my father…”
Just then, Akira coughed violently. I turned to him and my heart almost dropped. Akira’s face was red. He was choking and scratching his neck.
“Akira!” I exclaimed as I reached for his neck.
“Akira, are you okay?”
He tried talking but he could only cough. He fell to the ground and Alice rushed to him.
“Akira!” I called, shaking him violently.
“What’s wrong with him?” Mother demanded worriedly.
“Wait, what did you say was in the soup again?” Alice asked and I looked at her in confusion.
“She.. shrimp.”
“Oh goodness! He’s allergic!” She cried as she pulled me away from him. In the course, I tossed over a hot plate of soup and it poured on my lap as I fell. I cried I pain as it burned my skin.
“Akira! Akira, answer me!” Alice kept yelling. “He’s had half of the plate. He’s in critical condition!”
“Call the physician!”
“Why would she make shrimp soup when she knew he was allergic?”
I stayed on the floor.
Motionless and in shock.
He is allergic.
But I didn’t know.
Alice knew, but still watched as I made the soup.
I…
How did everything turn out to be such a disaster?