The Characters of Clayton, Rya, Kennedy, Dallas, and the Valentines belong to Rachelle. The character of Cora is expanded on with Permission from Rachelle, and is written for the pleasure of the International Wildflower Pack, the WhiskeyQueenn fandom. #WildflowersUnited #iwp

:: a special thanks to Rachelle  for the use of her characters and narrative::

Part 3  

Home Sweet H3LL

Cora's POV

The mixture of rain and sleet beat against the rental trucks windscreen and wiper-blades as I pulled into Adams pack territory. I didn't go to the pack house offices. I drove straight home, parking my small moving van behind my brother's. Charlie stepped out on the porch, holding up his hand in greeting. I walked through the storm into his arms for a brief hug. The alphas had given us our parents' house. Inside, the living room furniture was still covered in dust drapes, giving the house an old, haunted feeling. Some rooms were empty, others were trashed. Dad had moved into the pack house after mom had left. 

As we sat in the barren kitchen, clutching mugs of steaming coffee, neither of us spoke. We just listened to the central heat click on and off and the wind howl outside. Finally, a knock. Someone had come to rescue us from our isolation. Clayton, Lance, and a few others had come to help us unload. I would take the master suite downstairs, giving Charlie the entire upstairs. I couldn't live up on that side of the house, looking at where we had spent so many afternoons playing as children, at where she no longer lived. I missed her.

Memo to me: go see Rya's mom at the territory's edge.

All my boxes were meticulously labeled, and quickly placed where they belonged. Charlie's weren't and most of them ended up in the living room or mom's empty office. While I cooked dinner from the groceries Luna Catherine had sent with Clayton, the males laughed and cursed as they tried to put together the furniture I had purchased from IKEA. I loved IKEA, and if you purchased the movers warranty, they would take back the assembled furniture and replace it with stuff to be put together after you moved. This was the reason I had a 10 foot moving truck, neatly stacked and organized, while Charlie's was considerably larger and looked like a frat house had vomited into the back of it.

Clayton fetched another white ale out of the refrigerator, for some reason I had grown a strong dislike for the smell of anything made with hops. Leaning on the counter, he watched as I made home style french fries and quick chili con queso to go with the burgers out on the grill. I said nothing while he watched me work. I had nothing to say.

Finally, he sighed, "I'm sorry for what happened to you, Cora."

Tears threatened, my wolf growled, but I answered coldly "As you know it happens, males want what they want, and they don't care who gets hurt. One piece of she-wolf tail is as good as the next one. It's all about the prettiest or meekest one, isn't it?" I twirled a knife between my fingers, focusing on the blade before chopping an onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and several peppers into pico de gallo as fast as I could. I was glad I had brought my herbs container gardens with me. I couldn't imagine cooking without fresh ingredients, I had enough bitterness in my heart, I didn't need to compensate for the bitterness of dried spices in my food.

Clayton just shakes his head, "So this is how it's going to be between us?"

I pick up the plate of sliced pepper jack and start out the door, "You're my brother's friend Alpha, not mine." He is still standing there when I return with the burgers. Dog can't take a hint! My wolf huffs.

"I could be your friend again, Cora. We could be, Kennedy and I both." He says and I snort. "She's changed, Kennedy realized that what you said about caring for lesser wolves was true. Watching you save those pups from that bear, hearing from Mother about how you fought rogues to save the Urban's next Luna, and helping the unpacked wolves and getting nothing for yourself but trouble in return. it made her think about things, about her duty as Luna. It made us both think about things." He sounds so sincere, as if he truly believes what he is saying.

"But nothing has changed here," I say, plating the burgers with restaurant efficiency.

"Change takes time, when I am Alpha and Kennedy is Luna..." he starts.

"Kennedy will never be my Luna, I know you don't want to hear that but it is true. I can not begin to conceive that she has changed enough to make a good Luna. And honestly Clayton, it sounds like you are trying more to convince yourself than me... bring the condiments."

Clayton catches my arm, "Just give her a chance, she's trying, we're trying."

"Here's the thing Clayton, since my rejection. I don't know if I could give her a chance if I wanted to. I don't know if I have it in me to forgive her or you, now that I know how R..Rya f... feels. I thought my mate would p... pick m... me, I w... was wrong." I stammer and my stomach flip-flops. I need to go to my room, my appetite is gone for the day. His eyes hold such sadness, I don't understand why.

I carry the 6 plates of burgers into the dinning room, before shouting up the stairs at my brother and his buddies, "Wash up! Time to eat, beasts!" Back in the dinning room, Clayton waits for the others.

Charlie side-arm hugs me, "Thanks sis."

"I'm going to bed, it was a long drive. Good-night fellas, thanks for the help." I say sincerely, Charlie looks at me for a moment then nods. I can hear them talking through the walls, the hideous pale mauve walls. I really need to paint over my mother's favorite color. I listen as Charlie tells them about Mark and what happened between us, biting my pillow so they don't hear me crying.

Memo to me: get sound proofing installed in my rooms.

A gray dawn breaks, the world outside is white and frozen, there is a stillness that creeps into my soul. My wolf leans into me, we are alone. My stomach shows the toilet its bitter bile. I get in the shower, letting the water cleanse my ache. The house is very quiet but I can hear Charlie and someone else asleep upstairs. No new voice mails...

I change my outgoing message: "You've reached Cora, if you need information about Community Cooks Culinary Program, classes are suspended indefinitely. Leave a message and someone will get back to you with future program information or call the Flatirons Charity offices."

I put my auto-response on my text messages. "Due to recent events, I am unavailable."

At least if Mark texts or calls, he'll get some kind of response. The Kincaid family hoped that "I" would come to my senses and join Mark at their pack, not going to happen. I should have ended "us" before it should have begun.

My wolf sighs, 'It's a shame really, Shotgun had kind of grown on me.' My wolf is so weird sometimes.

I hear a giggle and peak around the kitchen door, Charlie is kissing a pretty blonde, he waves as she runs out through the pristine snow and gets in a 4x4. I am holding a coffee cup out to him when he turns. He looks surprised and guilty and... surprised... My wolf laughs at him, his wolf gives us the smug shrug.

"Really Alexa? You know Max is going to murder you," I tease, he flushes bright red but takes the cup I offer.

"It isn't like that," he grumbles over the lip of the cup.

"Isn't like what? Because you should really put on a shirt to cover her bite marks, if you're going to try to lie to me," I smirk. He groans and I can't help but laugh at him. My brother, captain obvious!

"You can't tell Cora," Charlie says.

"Oh, I think you need to tell because Commandant Amaxille will kill you for sure if he finds out through someone else," I warn. Max is now in charge of the majority of wolves in law enforcement and his baby sister following his career path is his sorest subject. If he found out that she is playing mates with one of his former trainees... That would be bad, like Cora-geddon bad.

"We're mates, and if anyone in Vanguard finds out, they will make her quit her job. She-wolves of child-bearing age with mates are not allowed to work in the field. She has worked for years for this. I won't take it from her. I mean it Cora, you can't tell anyone." Charlie is begging me and I can't say no. I know how badly Alexa wanted this. I know what it is like to fight for a purpose only to be punished for it.

So I just nod, before growling, "Fine, but if I have to cover for you two, then you better give me a heads up. I don't like surprises or lying." The things a she-wolf does for family...

~

Together, we bury our father, our mother doesn't attend. Charlie says a few words, Alpha Adams does most of the talking. I just keep my head down. Clayton and Kennedy stand holding hands in the frigid air. There will be a meal at the pack house later honoring my father's 27 years of service to Adams pack. I don't want to go, I don't want to pretend that I loved him and was proud of him because I didn't and I don't. Most of the pack has no idea of what our family is really like, they only saw the facade. But I go because it is my duty. At least, I won't have to cook for this event.

~

Luna Catherine has started having a mid-month brunch for the mature females of the pack and visiting Lunas, while Kennedy has one at the end of the month for her court and the attention starved status seekers who want to be part of it. So literally the day after we bury my father, I prep the menus for them and for the Alpha's monthly poker game. Now that they have a master chef in the pack they are going to show it off. Goddess, I hate these pretentious wolves! Violet is going to be retiring soon, so I will taking over all pack kitchen daily duties plus managing all functions, it is going to be like running a hotel and catering service. I really need to upgrade the pack kitchens, one of the ovens it older than Gretchen.

As my crew set out trays of petite breakfast pastries and pitchers of passion fruit mimosa, I rapidly make crepes. While I am plating the crepes, Becky waltz into the kitchen already drunk. It is the first time I've seen her since I've returned.

"Mom! You can't be in here. Violet, please tell Luna Catherine, service will begin in a few minutes." I don't need this distraction. Mandy and I are plating and dressing dozens of servings of crepes and fruit.

"Oh, I can say hello to my only daughter, it's fine... it's fine," she slurs. She picks up a pitcher off Violet's tray refilling her glass. She tries to set the glass carafe on the counter but misses completely, only Violet's excellent reflexes saved the mess.

"Okay mom, why don't you sit here and we can talk while I finish?" I steer her to a bar stool Fred had magically produced out of thin air, better for her to sit down than fall down.

Mandy glances her way as she drizzles chocolate and passion fruit puree over the crepes, Becky catches her and snaps, "Don't you dare look at me, you wretch."

"Mom, stop. She was looking at me to approve her garnishes," I snap. I wave the trays out the door, Mandy, Fred, and my two other wait staff flee to deliver the main course.

Memo to me: Don't put the alcohol out where Becky can get to it before the food is served.

"Oh of course, my daughter, the brave gamma, trained to be a famous chef, returned home to bury her dear dead father." Her silvery tongue lashes slowly, and I wait for it. "Look at you now just a short order cook rejected by her own mate, just like all the other omegas." And there it is. She doesn't know it doesn't bother me in the least. I'm immune to her silver.

I sigh, "Becky, you need to go lay down, you're drunk." I try to help her stand, but she throws her glass on me.

"You can't talk to me that way, you're beneath me now, Cora," She hisses. "Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to go have brunch with the Luna."

She staggers past Kennedy, who is standing in the door, smirking. So much for Clayton's claim that she's a changed wolf. I wipe the juice and champagne off with a hand towel.

"Cora, I need you change the menu for my brunch, crepes are just not my thing, they are too old-fashioned. I was thinking something exotic from your travels." Kennedy inquires with faux-sweetness.

"What did you have in mind, Kennedy?" I will not call her Luna, I won't do it.

A frown creases her flawless brow for a moment, then she smiles malevolently, "Luna Susanne took me to this cute little place that had the most adorable little Chinese dumplings, I want those. You can make those, can't you? Did she ever take you there?" Her tone has my wolf wanting to rip her throat out, but the human in me laughs malevolently.

"No, she didn't, but it's called Wu Chow, and the dumplings are dim sum. Is that what you want?" I answer. She nods, eyes sharp. I sigh like it is a big hassle, "I can do them buffet style for variety..."

"Oh no, I think it would be nice for those wooden round things the dumplings come in to be on the tables." She is getting more and more excited. She wants the dumpling steamers on the tables next to everyone, to cook the dumplings at the tables for each guest. Don't laugh, just ask, better to be sure.

"You want them table top? The zhēnglóng on the tables?" I pretend to be surprised. ( Zhēnglóng are traditional bamboo steamers used for cooking rice, dumplings, etc, they sit over a pot or pan of boiling water.)

She grins, "Yes of course, but I mean if you can't do it, Cora?" Her tone is sickly patronizing.

"No, I can do it, Kennedy, if that's what you want? Um, what kind of teas?"

"Tease?" she looks a little confused.

'I dare you to roll your eyes.'  My wolf is determined to get me in trouble.

'Shut up,wolf!'

"Breakfast dim sum are traditionally served with hot teas, like green tea, oolong, jasmine, chrysanthemum, or some other type of floral tea?" I asks in a sincere tone.

 It is getting hard to keep a straight face with my wolf cackling like an old witch in my head, and feeding me images of the princess and her court with their hair ruined and make-up melting because of the bamboo steamers filling the large dining room with fog.

Memo to me: double up in the antiperspirant for Kennedy's brunch, it's going to be a sauna.

"Whatever... you're the chef. I have to get back." She flits back to Luna Catherine's brunch. Oh well, I was told to keep the princess happy and if the princess wants table top dim sum and tea, the princess shall have it. It will all taste excellent, and true traditional treat, and be hot and humid as h3ll.

~

I laid out a spread of man-food for the Alpha's monthly poker game; mainly sliced, seasoned meats, hardy cheeses, and a variety of sturdy breads with a single vegetable tray. An assortment of beers were chilled. Fred would handle the service and clean up. Alpha Adams smiled at me and I bowed my head as expected. Clayton came in with Charlie, and several older wolves. I tried to get away before the Beta arrived, no such luck.

"So Cora, I understand your mate chose not to come to Adams. That must have been terrible," he said smoothly. Either Clayton or Charlie growled, but the Beta's tawny eyes didn't leave my deep blue ones. We were prepared for this, for him, and we didn't even flinch.

My wolf smirk at his wolf's surprise that I don't shrink from his power as I answered nonchalantly, "Well, not all male wolves appreciate having a female who can fight. Most males like weak, pretty females." That time he growled slightly. Our wolves stared at each other. To divert the topic away from my little dig at his daughter, I added, "And the western packs don't seem to think much of our pack, our proud history, our traditions, or our choices."

This time the alpha growled. The silence could have been cut up into bricks. The Beta reached up and pushed aside, the neck of my cardigan, I did not shudder when his filthy paw touched my skin. "Your mark is fading."

I shrugged, never looking away from his eyes, "True but as my mate learned, my fight never will."

Then I very slowly turned my gaze to Charlie and Clayton, "See you boys tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" Clayton asked.

"I'm helping Charlie, we going to show off some of the things I learned while traveling, it's not a safe world we live in, out away from the safety of the pack, or even with a pack close. Rogues get bold. Too many rely on their wolves to fight for them, instead of with them." The older wolves glance around at each other. Again I smiled, adding in a light tone. "Have a nice poker game."

Downstairs in the large pack kitchens, I glance over Violet's menus and prep list, soon this kitchen will be my second home, my home sweet h3ll.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9.2018 - CLAYTON is published!!!

Clayton (The Wildflower Series) by Rachelle Mills https://www.amazon.com/dp/164034487X/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_S8sbDbB084P46 via @amazon

2.2019- DALLAS is published!!!

Dallas (The Wildflower Series Book 2) by Rachelle Mills https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MXRVB7M/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_o9sbDbPFY61NH via @amazon
Find them on Amazon

::Thank you to Rachelle for allowing this CLAYTON Fanfiction to be published.:: 

If you are reading this on a site that is not Wattpad, it has been taken

and published without my permission.