Chapter 42: “My grandfather’s Will?”
The test four of the five foot restaotait was set up for open dining, with dozens of different sized tables set up for a variety of customers. From couples out for a romantic shining experience, to patents with a brood of pips, to a large gathering of friends. To maximize customer space and comfort, the kitchen of the restaurant took up the entire basement level of the building
There were several large elevatous that led from the kitchens to all the different floors. A set of large elevators dedicated to customers only were in the large girst lobby behind the host’s desk. This was to maximize serving efficiency and customer comfort as well as service.
The second through hith doors were where the private dining rooms were located. There were only sixteen large corner balcony rooms that could accommodate a party of twebe, more with the addition of balcony seating. There were two smaller side bakony rooms in between each corner balcony room. There were thirty-two of these smaller rooms and they osuld weat a party of six, or more with the use of balcony seating.
In the center of each of the upper floors were two conference style dining rooms that could seat twenty to thirty guests in each. These right conference style dining rooms could also be divided in half, to accommodate several smaller business meetings as well. When the rooms were not peserved, they could be used an open dining rooms. This allowed the restaurant to operate at full capacity throughout the day.
The restaurant provided its own training to its staff and paid a high wage for their lowest paid position. A part time worker could make enough to pay tuition and the living costs of a decent one bedroom apartment. There was a small luxury apartment building down the street that was reasonably priced.
Alora knew all this because she wanted to work for the restaurant at one point, the income would have been enough for her to purchase a vehicle. Unfortunately, Alora knew if she had gotten a job at this place, Sarah would have found some way to either sabotage it or take away all the income she would have made from it. The income she earned from Will’s Bite Burger Palace was too piddly for Sarah to care about.
There was also the added protection of the fact that Sarah luted the food there, always complaining about how the food made her gassy and bloated every time she ate there. Sure, Alora had to settle for a lower income, and she went home smelling like french fries. However, at least she was able to keep all her money and Sarah rarely came to her workplace to cause trouble:
Alora was abruptly brought out of her brooding thoughts as Luna Ember let out a joyful cry when they stepped into dining room thirteen. “Finally, there you three are, Alora my sweet girl its so gosd to see you?” She said before she wrapped Alova up in a tight and unexpected hug.
Alora felt so much warmth raduting from Luna Ember with that hug, she couldn’t help but smile and enjoy it. After giving her another squeeze Ember let her go. Alora then got another unexpected hug, this one from Alpha Andrew. This embrace was different, this one made her feel like a beloved pup, and not the abused one
she was
“No matter what those people who claim a blood relation to you say you are eighteen and you have rights that any other adult Pack member would have.” Alpha Andrew told her.
While Alora was confused as to what prompted the Alpha to tell her this, they gave her a much needed comfort. “Thank you, Alpha Andrew.”
Behind Alora, Luna Ember was absolutely gushing over Serenity. Making the poor females face turn the same shade of red as her hair. After the bug, Alpha Andrew and Alora stood there and watched Luna Ember welcome her family’s newest member.
“Oh! You are just darling! As pretty as a sunset and that bhash just makes you absolutely adorable!” Lama Ember was not acting as Luna Ember, she was acting as Ember Moonstar, mother of Darien Moonstar.
Daner looked embarrassed and volbed a desperate plea trying to rescue his mate from his mother. “Mom, you’ll chase her off before I even have the chance to get her to accept my mark ”
Alora suppressed her laughter, not wanting to interrupt what had turned into an ansusing show for her. Alpha Andrew smiled widely as he too was highly amused by his mate, their pup, and their pup’s mate.
“I will not, now stop worrying.” Ember said to Darien, brushing away his complaint. “Now Serenity, I want you to know that unless we are at an official event, you can call me mom or mom in-law. I don’t like being so formal all the time, it’s too exhausting”
Now that Serenity was over her initial shock over the very normal, mother in-law meets her child’s mate greeting, she was smiling and giggling. “Okay.” She said, readily agreeing with what Luna Ember said.
Once Serenity started smiling and giggling, Darien seemed to relax. Although there was still a bit of nervous energy about him as he pushed the two females towards the set tables and made sure his mate had everything she needed.
The large round wooden table had enough seats for ten guests, Placed in the center of the table on oscillating three- and five-tiered serving trays, were all kinds of appetizer type dishes from around the world. Alora sat in between Luna Ember and Alpha Andrew. Serenity sat between Ember and Darien, the rest of the table
was empty.
Darien was asking Serenity which dishes she wanted to try and filled her plate. There were several diverse types of cold drinks on the table, and a drink menu was provided with other drink options including a lot of hot drinks. There was a whole page for coffee and one for tea, and they were fully customizable.
“Now I have already talked to your mother Serenity, her, your father, your brothers Kain and Galen and your cousin laxon will be joining us for the dessert portion of lunch. This will give your parents a chance to meet Darien as your mate.” Ember said, in a bright and chattering manner.
Alora giggled, amused at Darien’s reactions to Ember’s wonds, next to her there was a deep chuckle from the Alpha. Alora looked up at him, Andrew’s eyes were dancing with amusement as he watched Darien’s noment of panic knowing he would be meeting his new in-laws. Andrew was hiding his smile behind a cup of black
Alora was drinking sweetened mint and dandelion tea, she had been told it was good for the digestive system. Being able to quickly digest her food so her body could turn it into energy was important to her today. As she had several fights during the next round of the exam.
Andrew set his tea down and gave Alora a decisive look that had her setting her own down to pay attention to whatever it was the Alpha clearly had to tell her. “What is it, Alpha?” Alora asked him curiously.
With a grim expression on his face. Alpha Andrew told Alora of the conversation that took place between Bettina, Sarah, and Allister in the school parking lot. He told Alora about the horrifying details of the torture she suffered at the hands of Bettina, and the malicious plans they had for her. All this was revealed in a parking lot and overheard by a bystander.
While Alora was okay with no longer hiding the abuse she had suffered all these years, it was an entirely different matter to be confronted with details of that abuse. Details that she herself had not personally revealed. The events happened to her, so it should be at her discretion what she revealed about it, and when. Alora’s complexion had gone pale, losing most of its color.
Alora forced herself to give this moment a silver lining. If the details of her abuse had to be overheard by anyone, at least they were heard by someone who would not use that information against her. Instead, he gave the information to his Pack Alpha and Luna out of concern for her wellbeing and safety. Alora knew that Principal Jonathan had no malicious intent toward her, and only released that information to protect her.
With her ears ringing. Alors forced her emotions under control and her mind to function. Alora rubbed her left flank where her birth drown in those awful memories. There was a reason for the Alpha to tell her about this conversation, and she forced herself to pay
was and tried not to
I’m assuming
“I are.” Alora said, looking away from the Alpha to gaze down at her cup of tea. ‘Maybe I should switch to chamomile after this” she thought returning to the Northmountain’s home is not in my best interest today?” Alora pressed her lips together in annojatice when her question came out a little shaky.
“No sweet girl it’s not.” Ember answered, sounding sad.
Alora turned to gaze into Ember’s eyes, they were soft and loving with a touch of sailorss, but no pity. Thank the Goddess she found no pity in Luna Ember’s eyes, Alora felt she wouldn’t have been able to take it if there was even an inkling of pity in that gaze.
Alora swallowed as her suppressed emotions threatened to choke her. “What should I do?” Alora asked her.
“First things first.” Alpha Andrew said, regaining Alora’s attention. “We need to talk about your grandfather’s Will.”
Alora looked at the Alpha with wide eyed curiosity. “My grandfather’s Will?”
Alpha Andrew nodded. “Yes, your grandfather’s Will was a big reason for approving the change of your surname to Heartsong. It was one of the steps you had to take in order to claim your inheritance.”
Alora looked at the Alpha with a disbelieving expression on her face, she was questioning whether she had just heard what she thought she had.
Alora blinked a few times before she hesitantly asked, “Claim_my_inheritance?”
