Chapter Six
The following morning, I got up earlier than I would have liked.
Even though we were just barely past the summer solstice, which around here meant sunrise was shortly after five a.m., it was still dark outside as I quickly showered and dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt.
I didn’t bother with socks and shoes yet.
The wolf in me wasn’t a fan of wearing so many clothes, and staying barefoot until guests arrived was a fair compromise.
Not that most of the guests would care if I stayed barefoot through the entire gathering, but I had to give some nod to formality.
Toward the east, the sky was brightening when I got to the kitchen, where Chloe and her assistants were already hard at work.
I stayed out of their way as I went to the coffeepot at one end of the long counter.
The pot, of course, was full. Chloe always kept it that way at the Winthrop house, and I was relieved to know it would be the same here.
“Tobias, do you have a moment?” Chloe didn’t turn away from whatever vegetable she was chopping. “With everyone here, I want to make sure the instructions are clear.”
“Sure.” I didn’t want to go over instructions, especially when I hadn’t had even a sip of coffee yet.
However, with three humans who had no idea what they were getting into standing in front of me, clarifying things wouldn’t be a bad idea, caffeine or not.
“Do you want me to just go over the plans, or do you have specific questions?”
“I have a question.” The human who spoke, Dorney, was a man in his early to mid thirties. His reddish-brown hair was caught up under a net while he smoothed something on a slab of meat. “What is all this? Who are we cooking for, and why are there so many of them?”
“That’s more than one question.” I couldn’t resist the response, especially when his attitude set me on edge. I would have to keep an eye on this one, or at least have the guards do so.
He wasn’t even asking about anything the temp workers hadn’t already been told.
I’d informed my new hires that we were all werewolves.
There was no way to hide it, especially since they would be on site for full moon night.
Unfortunately, Dorney was the one I’d had to compel to keep his mouth shut, so his interrogation didn’t really surprise me.
It did, however, make me wary. Each time I mentioned werewolves was a time that one of the humans might decide to go against their promises and tell others about us.
Maybe I would have to go a step beyond nondisclosure agreements and compulsion to silence, and use compulsion to block their memories of us once their employment with me ended. Something to think about while we got through the controlled chaos of the next few days.
“This is the national gathering of the arkhons and alphas of the United States.” My voice seemed to echo in the room.
I would give the same introduction to my guests during the first meeting of the gathering, which would take place the next day after breakfast. “You’re cooking for the leaders of the twelve regions of the United States, the leaders of every werewolf pack in the United States, and any guests they choose to bring.
There are so many of them because the United States is a large country, geographically and population-wise, so there are a lot of werewolves. Does that answer your questions?”
“Yes,” Dorney mumbled and went back to whatever he was doing to the poor defenseless slab of meat.
“Dorney, if you don’t feel comfortable here, you’re welcome to leave,” Chloe said. “The rest of us can handle things without you.” She looked at me with a slight nod. I nodded back. I was in charge overall, but Chloe was in charge of the kitchen, and I would back any decisions she made.
“I’m fine,” Dorney said.
“Good.” Chloe slammed her knife through a potato with such force that Solana and one of the other women, Olive, jumped.
“Then show some respect to Tobias. He’s your employer for the next few days.
And all those werewolves he just mentioned?
He is in charge of all of them. The ones who will be here and the ones who won’t be attending. Every single werewolf in the country.”
“Werewolf president,” Olive whispered to Bonnie, who stood beside her. They both snickered.
“Essentially, yes, I’m the werewolf president,” I said.
Both women stared at me, open-mouthed, then quickly went back to their work.
I chuckled. “In case I forgot to mention it, werewolves generally have stronger senses than most humans. Including the sense of hearing. Don’t worry, you weren’t being disrespectful.
I’ve used that comparison myself a few times. ”
“We all work for you, Tobias,” Chloe said. “And we’ll all treat you with respect and do what you need us to do. Would you give us an overview of what to expect? I’ve filled them in a little, but obviously my experience with the former Anax was different.”
“Yes.” I hoped to hell it was different.
I didn’t want to be anything like Hezekiah Wheelwright.
That was what had kept me from integrating the Anax power for so long.
“Beginning late this morning, our guests will start arriving. The arkhons—the regional leaders—have private planes, so most of them will fly directly here with any guests they’re bringing.
The alphas and their guests who are coming from farther away will be flying commercial.
I’m sending people to the nearby airports to pick up those who need rides.
The alphas of the nearest packs will drive here with their guests.
So it’s a little tough to predict when everyone will show up, but all of the guests will be here by tomorrow morning at the latest. That’s when our meetings start. ”
“Meetings?” Dorney asked.
“Hard to explain and not necessary for your job.” I wasn’t inclined to give any more information than that.
“For today and tonight, I just ask that you have food available. The dining room is set up for buffet-style eating, and that’s pretty much what we’ll be doing throughout the event.
It’s too complicated to try to get five or six hundred werewolves to sit down for a meal together.
Today and tonight, people will eat when they eat.
Starting with breakfast tomorrow, there will be scheduled mealtimes.
I ask that you keep the tables stocked with snacks throughout the day, since some of our guests need to eat more frequently than others.
The day after tomorrow, once you have the buffet set for supper, the five of you will go to the guest house you’re staying in.
You’ll be there until the following morning.
It’s best that you plan to stay inside for that night. ”
“Will we be in danger if we leave the house?” Solana asked.
I didn’t want to scare them, but I couldn’t lie.
“You could be. None of my guests would intentionally harm any of you. Most will have better control, and it’s against our laws to attack a human while in wolf form.
But on full moon night, intention doesn’t always have anything to do with it.
The wolf side of us takes over. A lot of us were changed because we were in the wrong place at the wrong time on a full moon night.
So please make sure you have whatever you need in the guest house.
Turn on a movie or something. And no matter what you hear outside, don’t go out. ”
“We won’t,” Chloe said firmly, looking at each of the others in turn. “That’s one of the requirements here. Follow directions, including not taking stupid chances on full moon night.”
I nodded. “Thank you. Back on the subject of food, you’ve noticed that there is a selection of vegan foods.
Chloe will show you where those go in the buffet, and we have a sign to label them.
My mate—my fiancé Kyle is vegan. Those foods are for him, since he won’t eat anything else.
Most of the others will leave them alone, but just check occasionally to make sure there’s enough. ”
“A vegan werewolf?” Olive said. “How does that work?”
“Pretty well for Kyle,” I said. “If you have any questions or concerns, talk to Chloe. She’ll come to me if need be.
If you have a concern about Chloe, you all met Mandeep when you had your interviews.
Go to him. I’ll address issues as I’m able, but since this is my shindig, as Kyle puts it, I won’t be available very much.
Are there any other questions?” I had a feeling there were, but I really wanted to just sit down and drink my coffee and set my brain for what lay ahead.
Fortunately, all of them mumbled some variation of “no.” I let out a relieved breath.
“All right. A few of the guests might leave on full moon night once they’re able to shift back to human form.
Most will leave the next morning, but breakfast will be necessary.
Some guests will be staying for a couple of days longer, and a few will be arriving on Saturday afternoon.
Kyle and I are getting married on Sunday, and Chloe will direct you on food for the wedding reception.
After that, you’ll be free to go.” Once I did a final check-in to make sure none of them would go out into the world blabbing about werewolves.
“I’ll check in later today to make sure you have everything you need,” I continued. “Thank you all for being here and for the work you’re doing.” I paused. None of them said anything, just went back to their tasks.
I motioned for Chloe to follow me into the dining room. “Have you noticed any issues with Dorney?” I asked, keeping my voice down so the humans were less likely to hear.
She shook her head. “He’s a little bit of a jackass, to be frank, but mostly he’s been doing what he’s asked. Then again, other than his interview, I’ve really only been around him since last night when he got here, so I don’t know if this is his usual self.”