Chapter 25

Isla POV

My jaw clenched

“I know enough. And I’m here to learn what I don’t.” Murmurs rippled through the crowd and he paused as I walked deeper into the kitchen, brushing past the glares.

“Let’s start with the menu. What’s planned?”

The head cook slammed a notebook onto the counter.

“Roast stag, spiced hare, seasonal fruits, the usual array. Nothing that hasn’t been done a hundred times.”

I scanned the list and resisted the urge to laugh, it was a bland list.

Safe and predictable, exactly the kind of thing Rhea would approve. But safe wouldn’t make them respect me.

“ Do you want to do something you always do” I asked and he frowned looking at me and then away

“ What are you suggesting”

“We’ll keep the stag,” I said.

“Add venison sliders with modern seasoning—garlic aioli, roasted peppers. And a vegetarian option. A quinoa salad with wolf-safe herbs.”

The cook blinked like I’d spoken another language.

“This is a werewolf banquet,” his assistant sneered.

“Not a hipster café.”I raised my chin.

“It’s a gathering for the packs. Which means every kind of wolf. Some of them will want lighter fare. Some will want something new. We’re not here to feed bellies—we’re here to show variety but unity.”

Silence.

The room watched me and the cool trying to decide who would win this fight between the two of us. I was almost interrupted him then the cook gave a grunt.

“She has a point.”

I caught Lilly’s wide-eyed look of surprise before as I grabbed the menu again, adrenaline fueling me.

“Good. Then we’ll also set up tasting platters for the elders. Smaller portions, beautifully presented. Our banquet isn’t going to just be about eating—we’ll be making new memories”

The chef nodded grabbing the list

The assistant muttered under her breath, “Viviana never had to prove herself this hard.”

I froze.

What would I have to do to get rid of that name.I turned to her slowly.

“ I’m the one here. Not her, if you do find her, get her here for me, I'm waiting “ Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t apologize.

I walked toward her and leaned into her lowering my voice so only she could hear.

“You can keep reminding me of who I’m not. Or you can do your job. Which will it be?” She stared at me, her lips pressed tightly with rage and then she looked away.

I pulled away from her, it was a small victory but it was victory nonetheless.

“ Alright let's get going everyone, move move” the chef hustled and I smiled moving away from the space so they could work.

The afternoon blurred into a whirlwind of lists and orders.

I left th kitchen to the capable hands of Manny who was more than excited to experiment dishes and I had gone to the decorating,

I walked through the great hall, directing where the tables would go, how the centerpieces should be arranged.

I corrected a servant trying to place the elders seats from the North wing near the West packs—two factions who’d been at odds for decades.

“Do you want blood on the table before dessert?” I snapped, pulling the place card from his hand. His ears reddened, but he moved the chairs without complaint.

By evening, I was exhausted but oddly satisfied with my work and the process. For every snide remark, I had met at least an couple or three who were eager to help and make the banquet a success.

All through my working that even it still felt like someones eyes were watching me.

It was likely Kieran, even though I never saw him anytime I turned near the corridor window.

By evening I collapsed into my bed, my whole back aching with the strain,Lilly slipped into my chambers as I rubbed the ache from my temples.

She set down a tray of tea, her expression soft.

“You’re pushing yourself very hard my lady” she said. I gave a humorless laugh.

“If I don’t, who will ” I asked and she hesitated, then lowered her voice.

“They’re making it harder on purpose, you know. “ She mumbled and I shrugged

“I figured,” I murmured.

“Don’t let them.” Her eyes glimmered fiercely.

“I’ve served in this house long enough to know when someone has fight in them. You do. Don’t let them see you bleed.”

For the first time all day, warmth flickered in my chest

“Thank you, Lilly.” She smiled faintly and offered him a blanket he pushed the thought away.

“One battle at a time.”

Kieran POV

I had been watching Isla for days it had become a past time that I really should let go of. I still couldn’t figure out what made her tick though,she wasn’t like the women I knew—certainly not like Viviana. Viviana had always thrived on admiration and attention from other people, and she used her beauty like a blade.

Isla… Isla was something else entirely.

She wasn’t glamorous in the way Viviana was, she didn’t preen or pose, or bend to win approval of other.

Despite being bullied by the servants she had still managed to take the house, and staff that had been openly hostile toward her under her control . I watched her as she stared Chef Marty, who was the most abstinent man in the mansion, and down in the kitchens his own person domain.

I had known him since I was a child and he didn't take to control well even aunty Rhea with all her posturing still had to beg him for extra meals so to see Isla talk him brown had left the entire room silent and him silent.

An omega of her stature shouldn’t have been able to do that, everyone knew that red omegas were not really useful, too weak, talentless and mostly infertile.

But Isla it seemed despite her background wasn’t just a weak omega and if my brother didn't get his head out of his ass soon then he was a bigger fool than I already knew him to be.

I leaned against the stone arch of the balcony outside my room, arms folded, watching her move below in the courtyard.

Her hair caught the light as she spoke to Lilly, her hand slicing through the air as she gave instructions.

“…the flower arrangements will arrive by noon, and I expect them in place before sunset. No delays.” she ordered and

One of the maids spoke up, her tone sharp

“And if they wilt overnight, my lady? Who will take the blame?” she asked and Isla didn’t flinch. She met girl's gaze squarely.

“If they wilt, then you chose poorly when you placed the order. But don’t worry—I’ve already confirmed the supplier myself. Try again.”

The room went still, then filled with quiet murmurs. I almost laughed.

Goddess, she was good.

She moved down the list, correcting, assigning, redirecting until the staff dispersed. When the last of them left, she leaned against the table with a sigh, rubbing her temples. The staff might still despise her, but they listened now. And that kind of quiet power was far more dangerous than they realized.