Chapter 11 At Stake

Anna Marie

Lucas was not beside her when she woke up. He didn't show up to drive her to work either.

A twinge of disappointment bloomed in her heart but she knew he couldn't always be by her side. He was a Dragon King for Christ's sake! She was sure his realm needed him more than she does.

His note and flower made up for his absence and his masculine musky scent had calmed her.

Last night...Goddess. She did it.

For the first time, she slept with a man. They didn't do anything, except cuddle and hug but it was satisfying. She had to admit she had doubts at first when she saw his chiseled and perfect body in his drawstring, however, it was all dissolves by how he was gentle with her. Combing her brown hair with his fingers and caressing her back soothingly until she fell asleep.

Could they do it again tonight? Maybe in his bed? Nah. Too soon.

A text or call would suffice to let him know about her plans for tonight. She yearned for him to agree. But seeing him soon won't hurt either.

In fact, she was looking forward to it.

"So, you and my brother, huh?" Indali nudged her shoulder, her tone playful. This was the first lunch service she was joining them.

Rie couldn't believe a rich young lady like her could be so down to earth and knew her way around the enormous kitchen.

The qualms she harbored in relying on her but Indali could confidently hold her own on the meat station. This young beauty had impressed her last night during her first official dinner service.

Made her wonder why Indali had to tease her today. She and Lucas had been transparent about their budding relationship. So, everyone around them knew. "Yeah, your brother claimed me as his soulmate. I hope everything is doing well at home?"

The apprentice's forest-green eyes widen a bit at the concern written all over Rie's face and she shook her head right away to assure her. "Oh yes! Everyone is busy at home. There's an interior designer that flew in from Paris to redesign the master suite. And, o vasiliás mas, was called for an important meeting by the High Council. Something about the Elven elderly couple asking for assistance. He was in his study all morning with my brothers and their Argetlams."

"O vas...what?" She would like to hear their language and learn it. Her new sous chef smiled at her encouragingly.

"It means Our King in Greek. I'm sure you will be an expert at it in no time." She nodded. Deep in thoughts. So that's what kept him occupied all morning.

Hmmm, she was not his official Queen, so that meant she was out of his circle of confidants.

At least she knew where she stood. There was no need to tell him everything either.

***

This was a rare thing for her. In fact, this was the first time she had indulged in a glass of vintage wine before dinner service.

Pft...It's just a glass of port. It even tasted like juice. Sweet and heady. Nothing to be alarmed about. She should have done this sooner to ease her nerves.

Rie washed her face to cool down her flushed cheeks and donned her new black and maroon chef's jacket. Her light brown depths eyed her ensemble critically. Plain Jane. Hair in a pony, no makeup, no lipstick, and in her usual serviceable flat black clogs. Perfect.

No wonder he didn't want her company all the time. Fate had obligated them to be together and he had no choice. If he had...

He would definitely not have chosen her.

To hell with it. She wouldn't change for anyone. Not even for a Dragon King.

Squaring her shoulders and with careful strides, she took command of where she reigned supreme. Her kitchen.

***

"Why the hell there aren't enough dressing on the Caesars Salad?" Shit! This fucking night was not going as planned. The usual flawless service had a bad start.

First, all of the clams and oysters were no longer fresh. She forgot to submerge the seafood in salt and ice. Second, the choux pastry for the beef and lobster Wellington did not rise.

She had to redo all of the shit in under one hour.

Now, the starters were up to standards. It's either soggy or lacks dressing.

"Sorry, chef. I'll redo it." Ren approached warily.

Everyone has been walking on eggshells around her. Shit!

Rie took a deep breath. This couldn't go on. She needed to man up and calm down. Personal shitty problems be damned.

"It's ok, Ren. I'll do it. Please go back to the seafood station. I need the lemon butter seas bass and salmon confit perfect, ok?" The sous chef nodded reluctantly and scurried over to her area of expertise.

Rie noticed Indali throwing her unsure glances from her corner. Afraid to say a word.

It was Rie's fault. She should have known better and kept her cool.

"Everyone. Eyes on me, please." All movements halted. They nervously look at each other. "I'm sorry team. I've been a bitch since this afternoon and it has deeply affected a perfectly synchronize production. Forgive me?"

She had to admit she was tactless but she had never been deliberately rude to other people. Not to her staff, family, and friends.

Their eyes brightened and the tension left the room with their smiles.

"You know we've got your back, chef. If something bothers you, we are here to listen." Her new sous chef smiled at her shyly.

"I know," she sniffed. Damn! "Group hug!"

They all squashed into a circle of bodies, chuckling, and giggling.

"Ok! Enough sappy nonsense. Refire station."

With her foul mood out of the way, the hot atmosphere has lightened significantly.

Orders began to fly out of the kitchen with no lapses.

Desert for tonight was indulgent eclairs filled with vanilla French cream, the shell glazed with melted Belgian white chocolate infused with different flavors.

All in all the night has ended with happy customers singing their praises.

"Chef, His Majesty the Dragon King, and his entourage would like to personally thank you for the wonderful dinner. His words, not mine." And her satisfied glow vanished.

Leopold, the handsome vampire maître d' awaited her response with uncertainty. He had been a target of her tantrums earlier.

"Tell him I've gone home. And if he wants to see me, he can set up an appointment." She stated firmly. He couldn't summon her anytime he wanted. She was not his servant.

She was her own person and no one is allowed to make her feel unimportant. Not when her sister Anna had done everything to make her and Mish the way they were right now.

Successful and confident.

Rie made sure to use the back entrance so she wouldn't leave the restaurant without bumping accidentally into anyone.

The mansion was quiet when she got home. She left specific instructions to their dear butler, Baxter, she was not receiving visitors tonight. He raised his brows in surprise but didn't say anything.

She needed ice cream to cool down. And a big jar of Nutella. Yeah, that's a great idea.

With murmurs and curses under her breath, she was choosing among the tubs of creamy goodness, undecided.

Mint and chocolate chips? Or Reese overload? What the hell. She will have both.

"Either it's the time of the month or it's your first lover's quarrel." Oh shit! She was hoping she could escape her family and go hide in her room. And it's Alexie. Of all people.

"Hey, Lex. How are you gorgeous? Ice cream?" Rie smiled innocently and sidestepped to the kitchen island.

Alexie snorted and selected her ice cream before she occupied the seat opposite hers. She hummed and licked her spoon, enjoying her Häagen-Dazs.

"Spill, Rie. And don't bother denying it. I can smell the liquor in your breath. Port, eh?" Damn, lycan senses.

"I don't know what you are talking about. And why are you up this late?" She began to attack the food before her and stuff her mouth full to avoid talking.

"Ah uh, we are not changing the subject, young lady." Alexie admonished and waited for her to swallow. Ouch! Brain freeze. Rie covered her right eye. "Serves you right for keeping secrets from your sister."

There was no use in evading the inevitable, Alexie would bother her all night if she has to.

"I'm confused as hell."

"Aren't we all? Start from the beginning, Rie." If anything Alexandria was an expert when it came to relationships. She and Michael had been mated for more than sixty years. Went through ups and downs but their love for each other was as strong as ever.

So, she told her everything. From the day they met to the night they slept in each other's arms.

And how she avoided Lucas' summoning tonight and went home straight.

Alexandria listened and never interrupted her rant. She didn't know she was doing it until she saw the she-wolf grinning at her. "You are frustrated, Anna Marie."

"Huh?" Am I? How?

"Yes, dear. You had expected to wake up beside him, maybe cuddle and have breakfast together. Problem is he was nowhere to be found when you woke up. No calls and texts for the whole day. You felt neglected, that's why you denied his request tonight to get back at him. Oh, and a little bird informed me that you were a bitch with your staff tonight. And you also escape via the back entrance. Did I miss anything?" She raised her perfect brow.

Rie knew her face was as red as a ripe tomato from guilt and Alexie's stern look made it even worst.

"I don't know what you are talking about?"

To her surprise, she threw her head back and laugh. Well, she was glad someone was enjoying her predicament.

Alexie wiped the tears of mirth from her bottomless vibrant grays. "Don't worry, I am not here to lecture you, Rie. In fact, I'm on your side. Keep up what you're doing. It's good to knock the Dragon King's arrogant ass a notch or two. And you are doing it with flying colors."

"I don't know how to deal with the mate bond, Lex. I feel like he is obligated to want me because of it and not because he wants me for me. You know what I mean?" Alexie was the best person to confide in aside from her sisters.

"That's why you have to keep him on his toes. The Dragon King shouldn't rely much on the bond, he should do his part as well."

"So, this is ok?" It's a shitty thing to be clueless.

"Yes. It's more than ok. At the end of the day, supernatural or not, we are all women. We all expect to be swept off our feet whether we admit it or not. We should be worshipped. Human or mate bond, it's all the same."

***

Trigger Warning 18+

"Anna Marie, you look so pretty." She whimpered in fear at his lecherous face. Her uncle leered at her small form.

At nine years old, thin and brown, she huddled with a sick Mish at the corner.

Closing her eyes tightly to utter a prayer. Hoping that this time she will be heard.

"Open your eyes, girl. I have something for you." She shook her head. She wanted to vomit when she touched him. No! Why did she have to go out of their room?

My sisters and I haven't realized that we would be in hell if we stayed with our only living relatives.

Anna had left us to look for food. We have been starving for days. We barely see our Aunt and she doesn't care if we rot in a corner.

"If you don't open your eyes, I'll show this to your little sister instead. I know she will like it."

No! Her eyes opened at his words and she watched horrified at the jutting flesh in between his thighs. Rie fought the urge to gag.

"Come here!" He licked the saliva from his lips.

"No," she shook her head, tears and snot covered her face. No!

"No?"

"No...please...no..."

"Then I will play with Michelle."

"No!"

Loud screams echoed in her room. She didn't know it was her until warm arms surrounded her shivering body. Fearing the worst, she began to thrash and kick whoever it was that's holding her.

"Little chef...it's me. You are safe, sweetheart. It was just a bad dream." Lucas. She sagged on his body and surrendered to his embrace. Her cheek on his hard chest.

He held her securely, murmuring words of endearment. It had been a while since she had dreamed of that hellhole.

"Wanna talk about it, Rie?" He whispered gravelly on her disheveled hair.

No. She was not ready. "Maybe next time."

"Do you always have nightmares, Βασίλισσα μου?" She saw his beautiful hazel eyes shining with concern even though her room was shrouded in darkness. (my queen)

"At times. Why are you here and how did you get in?" She asked to divert his attention from her.

Lucas sighed heavily. He knew she deliberately avoided his question -- he let it go for now.

Rubbing his nape in a sheepish gesture, he answered softly. "Through your veranda. I miss you, sweetheart, and I came because you are mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you?" She uttered in a small whisper and at the same time she tried to disengage from his embrace but he wouldn't let go.

Lucas was seated with his back on the headboard and she occupied his lap. Her upper torso leaned towards him.

She could feel his heat from his thin shirt. Enough to distract her but she remained rigid in his arms.

"Something important came up today, Rie." He murmured seriously.

That's it. No further explanation. And he expected her to accept it and leave it at that.

She looked at him. Looked at him. His face was masked and his luminous hazel eyes were veiled.

Lucas was keeping something from her.

"Okay. You may go." At midnight, she didn't give a damn if she sounded petulant.

"Sweetheart," He groaned, nuzzling her neck. It was so hard to suppress her shivers.

"You know what, Dragon King, I don't know much about relationships or mate bonds but I am damn sure couples shouldn't lie or keep secrets from each other." Or ignore them the whole day, she mentally finished.

Her arms folded and she tilted her stubborn chin away from him.

He rubbed his hands on his face and cursed under his breath. "Okay, you win. Before I tell you, promise me you will let me deal with this alone and you won't do anything stupid."

That got her attention.

"Promise me, sweetheart." Lucas toned down his voice. His rough palm massaging her nape.

She nodded and began to loosen up. Ready to hear his explanation.

"An elderly elven couple had sought entry to New York City today. They need help in locating the body of their eldest daughter."

"Why the body?" Her confused gaze narrowed when he hesitated.

"Their daughter's familial bond was torn. It means she's either severely injured or..."

"Dead." She finished for him. Her stomach tightened with the tension. She had to know. "And you know their daughter."

It was not a question. He nodded. His face was grave and his jaw was ticking from pent-up rage.

"It's Cecile of the Red Tree Elves. Your missing sous chef."

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