Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future novel Chapter 7

I make a four-course meal of Caesar salad, bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizers, beef wellington with braised Brussels sprouts for the main dish, and a key lime pie for dessert. I also make bruschetta, crostinis, tomato fritters, mini calzones, assorted veggie trays with dip, and chocolate truffles to serve for the party. I finished the desserts and veggie trays between breakfast and lunch so there was less for me to worry about now.

I realize Lex's advice of finding happiness in cooking has helped me enjoy making this dinner. Maybe because I'm serving people other than my pack or maybe it's because I'm making special food, not just the regular stuff I make for the pack? Either way, I don't mind my work today. I felt a sense of pride in it.

There are servers for dinner service since it's a formal event. I stay in the kitchen and make sure everything is plated and going out the door in perfect condition. I'm in the zone, as they say.

I peek out from the kitchen after each course is served. People seem to really enjoy the food, which is a relief. I notice Alpha Graham is getting pretty drunk. Luna Caroline keeps taking his glass away from him, but he keeps ordering the omegas to give him more. The dining room is extra crowded, so I don't get a better look at Alpha Bronx Mason. Beta Lenora sees me peeking out from the kitchen and gives me a wink and thumbs up. I smile and give a little wave before pulling my head back.

I help the servers take the party food to the tables at the edges of the ballroom. I also make sure the bars in the corners are fully stocked. The DJ is finishing setting up and colorful lights are sliding across the floor. Party balloons and streamers are hanging all over the place. The first few guests are starting to wander in which is my cue to duck out the back door.

Luckily, the dinner servers will clean up dinner service tonight, which gives me extra time to restock pantries. I head upstairs to the stockroom and load the cart up. I'm humming to myself as I go room to room. I feel an odd sense of calm as I go.

"You're in a good mood," Lex says.

"I guess. I'm not sure why though. My back is still killing me and my feet are killing me too."

"Well, I'm happy that you're happy for once. This version of you is pretty cool."

"Thanks, Lex. You're not half bad yourself."

I finish stocking the ranked pack members' rooms on the fourth and third floors. Then head to the second floor where the guest suites are. The cleaning staff has cleaned the rooms and bathrooms. I just need to restock the toiletries, pantry items, and refrigerators.

I make quick work of the rooms. I remember to stock the Betas' room with more bottles of San Pellegrino, refresh the flowers, and leave a little tent card with a handwritten smiley face on the kitchenette counter.

It's almost midnight now, everyone is still in the ballroom partying the night away. I close the door to the Betas' suite and move to the Alpha's suite door. It's the last room left for the night. I know he must be at the party too, but I knock first just in case. I lean my ear against the door and don't hear a reply. I'm not sure if he has been in the room yet, but I need to check and make sure just in case it needs to be restocked. I slip the key card in the slot and open the door. From down the hall, I hear footsteps.

"Hey, you! What are you doing there?" A gruff voice calls from down the hallway.

I assume he's a security guard, so I start to reply that I'm part of housekeeping. I mean, I have a giant cart full of snacks and drinks. I'm also only five feet tall and not even eighty pounds. I don't know how much of a threat this guy thinks I could be.

I look up from under my hat at two security guards walking quickly toward me. One of them is much bigger than the other. I notice he's dressed really nice for a security guard. Actually, he's the most handsome werewolf I've ever seen in my life. He's probably six foot, six inches tall and close to two hundred fifty pounds of solid muscle with broad shoulders. He has tattoos covering his neck and the backs of his hands. His slicked-back black hair and olive completion makes his green eye look the color of a crisp Granny Smith apple. His other eye is covered with a black eye patch. The smell of coffee and dark chocolate fills the air and I'm rooted to the spot. I slowly pull my hat up from my eyes just enough to get a better look at him.

Lex is jumping wildly in my head as he pushes past the guard, "It's him! It's him!"