Shadows of the flame

Leah’s POV

The warmth of the kitchen embraced me as we continued to chat, the hum of activity transforming into a calming rhythm. For the first time in a long while, I felt at ease—not the fragile, temporary kind, but a warmth that settled deep within my chest, wrapping itself around me like a protective shield. 

The cooks, despite their sharp tongues and playful banter, shared a bond that made me feel like I wasn’t just an outsider, like I belonged here in some strange, fleeting way.

Rosa leaned against the counter next to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she pointed out the quirks of everyone in the kitchen. “Mira might act tough, but she once cried because someone burned her pie crust.”

“Rosa!” Mira snapped, spinning around with her ladle raised like a weapon, her cheeks flushing with annoyance. The rest of the crew burst into laughter, the sound bouncing off the walls, filling the room with life and warmth. Even I couldn’t help but smile as I watched the scene unfold.

“She’s not lying,” Esme said, smirking as she grabbed a handful of herbs to toss into the pot bubbling on the stove. “You should’ve seen it, Leah. She was inconsolable for hours, like someone had stolen her firstborn child.”

“I was not crying over the crust!” Mira short back, glaring at Esme as she waved her ladle threateningly. “It was the principle of it! Do you know how hard it is to get the perfect golden brown?”

“Oh, here she goes again,” Celia said with a dramatic eye roll, her voice dripping with playful exasperation. It earned another round of chuckles that made the tension in my shoulders ease a little more.

I let myself relax, letting their lighthearted teasing wash over me like a gentle wave. It felt strange—good, but strange—to be part of something so normal amidst all the chaos that had consumed my life recently.

A few moments later, Bella emerged from the frying station, holding a plate piled high with golden-brown meat, the steam rising  it in tempting spirals. She placed on the counter with a triumphant grin, revealing perfectly fried pieces of meat, their golden crust glistening with oil in the dim light.

“Help yourselves,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron with satisfaction.

“Oh, Bella,” Rosa exclaimed dramatically, immediately grabbing a piece. “You’ve outdone yourself this time. Truly, you’re the savior of this kitchen.”

I paused as the others reached for the meat, their movements quick and practiced, like they were used to snatching food before someone else could claim it.

“Don’t be shy,” Bella said, nudging the plate toward me with a wink.

“Thanks,” I said, taking a piece cautiously. As I bit into it, the flavor burst across my tongue—a perfect blend of seasoning, crispness, and the savory richness of well-cooked meat. It was heavenly, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes briefly to savor the taste.

“We shouldn’t be eating this now,” Olivia said softly, though she still reached for a piece herself, her hand moving quickly as if she feared it might vanish.

“We’re just… testing the quality,” Esme said with a sly grin, popping a piece into her mouth and chewing with exaggerated satisfaction.

“Testing the quality, right,” Rosa shot back,  rolling her eyes as she grabbed another piece. “You mean to say we’re stealing from the Alpha’s stores, as usual.”

“Stealing?” I echoed, my brow furrowing as I glanced around the group.

Esme chuckled,leaning closer as if to share a delicious secret. “It’s not stealing if you’re the ones cleaning up after everyone. At night, when the kitchen’s empty, we roast what we can—meat, bread, anything that’s going to waste. It’s our way of… survival.”

“It’s survival,” Celia corrected, her tone more serious as she leaned against the counter. “We work like dogs all day and barely get scraps for ourselves. This is the least we deserve.”

Rosa waved a hand dismissively, her grin mischievous. “It’s fine, Leah. No one notices anyway. And trust me, it’s worth it.” She passed me another piece, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

We ate in a huddle, the sound of our laughter filling the room as we cracked jokes and shared stories. The smoky, savory aroma of the meat mingled with the light-hearted energy, and for a brief moment, I forgot where I was—forgot about the looming threat of Alpha Keal, and the chaos swirling around me.

Then the knock came.

It wasn’t just a knock—it was a thunderclap. The sound reverberated through the room, causing the plates and utensils on the counter rattle ominously. We froze mid-laugh, our smiles fading as our eyes darted toward the door.

“OPEN THIS DOOR!”

The voice was unmistakable. Deep, commanding, and furious. Alpha Keal.

My heart leapt into my throat, hammering wildly against my chest as the air in the kitchen turned cold. The laughter and warmth vanished in an instant, replaced by a suffocating tension that pressed down on my chest like a weight.

“Oh no,” Olivia whispered, her face pale as she clutched the edge of the counter like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

“Quick! Hide the meat!” Rosa hissed, her voice low but urgent as she grabbed the plate and shoved it toward Bella.

We scrambled in a chaotic, shoving the plate into a nearby cupboard and wiping the oil from the counter with our hands shakin. Bella kicked a stray piece of meat under the oven, her movements frantic and uncoordinated.

“Someone get the door!” Esme whispered harshly, her voice barely audible over the sound of heavy boots stomping outside.

Celia darted forward, her face pale and her hands shaking as she unlatched the door. It swung open with a loud creak, revealing Alpha Keal.

He didn’t just enter—he stormed in, his presence consuming the small kitchen like a storm cloud blotting out the sun. His eyes burned with fury, scanning the room with a sharpness that sent chills down my spine. His jaw was clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might shatter, and the tension in his shoulders made it clear he was moments away from snapping.

The cooks reacted instantly, dropping to their knees with their heads bowed, their fear palpable in the trembling of their hands and the way they refused to meet his gaze. Rosa, usually so bold and defiant, was trembling as she knelt beside me.

But I didn’t move.

I couldn’t move.

Alpha Keah’s gaze swept across the room, his expression darkening with every passing second. When his eyes finally landed on me, they narrowed, and his lips curled into a snarl.

“Leah,” he said, his voice sharp enough to cut through steel.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure as I met his gaze.

His nostrils flared, his chest rising and falling with the force of his breathing. He took a step closer, towering over me like a predator ready to strike.

“What,” he growled, his tone laced with barely restrained fury, “are you doing here?”