Chapter 11: Issues over breakfast

“I wouldn’t call them useless,” Bella objected.

“When it comes to rogues, they are,” he said. Bella couldn’t argue with that.

“There has never been a rogue attack in the city,” Bella tried to calm him.

HEI had rented out the entire hotel where Graham stayed for the summit and the discussions were to be held in the different conference rooms the hotel offered. This made things easier for Graham and her, Bella thought as she guided him along the streets. He had his arm wrapped around her waist. It felt like a habit already.

“I need to go to my room to shower and change,” Graham told her as the hotel came into view.

“You do that. I’m going to have a look at the venue to see that everything is ready for the first topic,” she told him. Just then, her phone dinged, and she looked at the message and sighed.

“Scratch that. I’m heading to the restaurant. Apparently two of the alphas are not getting along. I need to mediate,” she said, quickening her pace.

“Is that really your job Ellie?” Graham asked her, worried, he had no problem keeping up with her.

“It is, at least until alpha Sam arrives in five minutes,” she told him.

“Then I’ll come with you. I don’t want you to get hurt,” he said.

“No, you need to get ready. Two of our guards are waiting for me in the lobby, I’ll be safe. I promise,” she tried to soothe him.

“I don’t like this. You are my mate. I don’t like the thought of you being placed in the same room with two alphas that are in a bad mood.”

“It will be okay, Gray. I’m used to deal with irritated alphas” she tried to smile. “Look, there are my guards,” she said, pointing towards Tom and Nile. Both were dressed in classic black suits, white shirts and black ties. Graham eyed them over.

“They are both unmated,” he complained.

“What does that matter? They are just here to be my muscles,” she said.

“That does it. I’m coming with you,” he decided.

“You will not. You will march straight up and get changed. When you are done, I’ll join you and your men for the first topic,” she told him stubbornly. Placing a kiss on his cheek, before walking over to the two guards.

Bella could hear Graham grunt and mutter something under his breath. But he did as she asked and headed towards the elevator. Bella joined the two guards.

“So, boys, who is pissed with who?” she asked.

“Alpha Noa thinks that alpha Greg disrespected his luna,” Nile told her.

“Oh boy. This will be fun,” she said. “Where is luna Anne?” she asked as she started walking towards the restaurant, handing her bag to Tom.

“She’s next to alpha Noa,” Nile responded.

“Well, small blessings, I guess,” she said, looking around. It only took her two seconds to spot the two alphas. They were at a standoff at the breakfast buffet.

Bella felt happy that the hotel was owned and run by wolfs. All humans had been given the week off so that all staff were wolves. Otherwise, things could have been even more complicated.

“Good morning alphas, luna,” Bella greeted them as she got closer, inclining her head. “What seems to be the issue, gentlemen?”

“This bastard cut in line in front of my mate,” alpha Noa growled angrily. Bella saw that his mate was holding on to his arm, gently stroking it to soothe him.

“Alpha Greg?” Bella asked.

“His luna was talking to someone. I just quickly grabbed two eggs,” he said, not breaking eye contact with the other alpha.

“Luna Anne, did you get bumped or did he scare you?” Bella asked gently.

“No, not at all,” the blond woman stroking alpha Noa’s arm replied. “This is my fault. I got distracted talking with one of the other lunas about a tv show. We were holding up the line, I’m afraid. I wasn’t insulted by the alpha’s action at all. I have tried to tell Noa as much,” she continued.

“That’s good” Bella smiled.

“He shouldn’t have cut in line,” alpha Noa stated.

Bella sighed internally. It was a food thing. All werewolves had a thing with their mates and food. It was an important part of their culture to make sure their mates were well fed. As usual, the alphas were more protective of their mates than any other wolf.

“I can see why this angered you, alpha Noa. But, as your luna has stated, it was a mistake. I beg of both of you to let this issue be. Let’s forget about it and focus on the important topics of today,” Bella tried.

“Please listen to her darling” luna Anne cooed to her mate. His eyes got softer and finally he looked down at his mate.

“If you say so, honey,” he agreed, kissing her. He then looked at Bella. “You’re the assistant,” he said.

“Yes alpha, I’m Bella,” she nodded.

“I’ll let your alpha know that you were very helpful,” he told her before taking his mate’s hand and walking her away. Bella was a bit surprised at his comment but kept the smile on her face as she turned towards alpha Greg.

“I hope this is okay with you as well, alpha,” she asked.

“It is. I appreciate your help, miss. Tempers tend to flare when we alphas get together,” he smiled. “Won’t you join me for breakfast?” he then asked, making Bella even further surprised.

“Thank you alpha, but I have already had my breakfast and I need to tend to some things before the first discussion,” she answered, still smiling.

“What a shame. Maybe you’ll join me for lunch then?” he suggested.

“I’m planning to have lunch with my mate. But I’m flattered by the offer,” she tried diplomatically.

“Now I’m really upset, just my luck to meet someone like you and then you are already mated,” he said with a sigh. He then smiled at her and walked away.

This day was not turning out as she had thought it would, Bella thought as she made her way over to the manager of the restaurant.

“I think we need to put up some kind of barrier so that people can’t cut in line at the buffet. Like a rope or something like that. We also need someone over there to make sure that the line moves along. It has to be someone that can do it in a discreet and polite way,” Bella told the manager.

“I’ll have the head waitress handle it. She is good at that sort of thing,” he agreed.

“Thank you. Let’s hope things will move smoothly from now on”

“Thank you, Bella, for handling that,” he said.

“No problem. Now I need to go to the main conference room, if you excuse me,” she told him, grabbing her bag from Tom.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were mated, or was that just an excuse?” Nile asked her as they headed out of the restaurant.

“It’s a recent thing. I found him yesterday,” she told him.

“It’s a destined mate?” he said, surprised.

“Yes”

“Oh man, half of the unmated wolf in the pack will be devastated,” Nile said gloomily.