She slid the cake into the roaring oven, the heat biting at her face.
The news ripped through the kitchen like a sudden draft, chilling the already stifling air. Olivia's hands, steady moments before as she coaxed the final flourishes onto the cake, trembled imperceptibly. An Earl. From The Earl's house. The blue-gilded carriage, the earthly brown wolf crest—whispers carried down the servant corridors like a fever. This was not just a guest; this was a storm.
Panic rippled through the cooks. The meticulous planning for a simple celebration of the Alpha's granddaughter now felt laughably inadequate. Every dish, every serving, every detail suddenly had an unbearable weight. The Alpha's temper was a known beast, but the Earl's presence was an unknown, far more dangerous, entity.
Olivia's gaze flickered to the grand cake, now waiting on a cooling rack, majestic and fragile. The celebratory symbol of the Blood Moon lineage, now under the shadow of a higher power. Her private anxiety for Simon's results, for the truth that might bloom in the school hall, suddenly fused with this public, terrifying demand for perfection.
Outside, the clamor intensified. Carriages groaned to a halt. Noble voices, usually a distant hum, now carried with sharper clarity into the kitchen. The grand hall, typically a place of formal pride, would tonight become a stage for an unexpected drama.
Alpha Walter and Lord Andrew, alerted by the frantic servant, would already be steeling themselves. The Earl, a being of greater prestige, whose very presence was an unspoken challenge, would surely scrutinize every aspect of the Blood Moon's hospitality, their order, their control.
Just then, the grand doors to the mansion swung open. Alpha Walter, accompanied by Lord Andrew, emerged, their expressions fixed in what they hoped was confident welcome. The first of the Earl's retinue stepped down from the blue-gilded carriage, then another. And then, from the depths of the opulent interior, a figure emerged that silenced even the murmuring crowd.
Earl Alpha Matthew.
He stepped onto the paved drive, his presence radiating an authority that dwarfed Alpha Walter's own. He was a wolf of undeniable power, his movements fluid, his eyes sharp and assessing. The air around him seemed to hum with leashed strength. The shock on the faces of Alpha Walter and Lord Andrew was stark, briefly shattering their carefully constructed composure. This wasn't a formal visit from a representative; this was a direct, unannounced inspection from the very top.
Alpha Walter immediately stepped forward, executing a slight, deferential bow. "Welcome, Lord Matthew," he said, his voice a practiced calm despite the tremor of surprise that had just passed through him. "Please do come in."
He and Andrew moved to flank the Earl, subtly guiding him towards the mansion's dedicated receiving area for important guests. A glance, a barely perceptible gesture, was all it took. The servants appointed to receive guests, initially stunned by the Earl's unexpected appearance, immediately took the hint. Like shadows, they disappeared, scrambling to prepare the room for a visitor of such unparalleled rank.
The servants moved with practiced urgency, their footsteps muffled upon the stone floors of the east wing. There, in the manor's most secluded quarters, a room was made ready — its hearth lit with a gentle flame, the linens freshened with lavender, and the chamber adorned in deep hues of burgundy and gold, fit for a man of the Earl's station. Every detail was seen to: a decanter of aged brandy, a basin of warm water, and a chair placed by the window that overlooked the gardens — all prepared should he wish to rest and recover from his journey in peace and solitude.
As tradition quietly dictated in such noble circles, another arrangement had been discreetly made. From among the most graceful and well-mannered young women of the household — all of virtuous standing and trained in the courtly ways — a small selection was presented, each adorned in modest finery, their presence meant to honor the Earl's status and provide him company, should he desire it. They awaited his word in a separate chamber, calm and composed, instructed only to serve with dignity and deference, as was customary in the house of such high lineage.
They finally arrived at the lavishly appointed receiving room. Without a word, Earl Alpha Matthew strode directly to the head of the long, ornate table and took his seat, his gaze sweeping over the room as if assessing its very foundations. Alpha Walter and his son Andrew quickly settled into seats on either side of him, their posture stiff, a silent tension humming between the three of them. A servant, moving with practiced, almost invisible grace, immediately began pouring tea from an exquisite silver pot, the delicate clink of porcelain the only sound in the suddenly hushed room.
Earl Alpha Matthew lightly sipped his tea, his eyes still sharp over the rim of the cup. "The Bandits in the empire have gotten rather active lately," he began, his voice smooth, carrying an undercurrent of steel. "And His Majesty the King has appointed me as one of those in charge of assembling a force to purge them once and for all. As you have contributed a lot to the prosperity of my domain, Alpha Walter, I thought to involve you as well."
Alpha Walter also took a sip from his cup, a calculated pause before he spoke. "Thank you for granting me this opportunity, Lord Matthew. We are always eager to serve the King and the Empire." He then continued, pressing his advantage, "Would His Lordship grace us with his presence at tonight's dinner? I am hosting it for my granddaughter, to celebrate her passing her very first exam."
Earl Alpha Matthew paused, considering, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "Sure," he finally said, "but I have to leave soon."
They spoke further on matters of the empire, the conversation formal and clipped, punctuated by the delicate clinking of cups. Just as the tension in the room began to settle into a strained rhythm, a soft knock came from the door. A servant's respectful voice broke the silence: "Alpha, all the guests have arrived." The servant then left quietly, leaving the three Alphas to rise.
Together, they headed towards the main hall, a cacophony of light music and the low hum of excited conversations filtering through the grand doors. As they entered, the room, alive with the vibrant colors of noble attire and the soft glow of countless lamps, fell into a sudden, reverent silence. Every head bowed deeply at the sight of Earl Alpha Matthew. Alpha Walter, seizing the moment, led the Earl to the central table, where Andrew's wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Liana, already sat. With a practiced flourish, Alpha Walter raised his glass, his voice booming with a forced cheer. "Let the Feast begin!"