Chapter 386 Duties and promotions

Chapter 386: Chapter 386 Duties and promotions

Talia’s POV

The howl faded, and the valley settled into silence.

As the wolves began to settle, Kaelen took my hand, and we walked back to the stronghold together. The path was quiet, and the torches flickered in their brackets. I could hear the distant voices of the packs as they settled into their camps, and I could smell the smoke from their cooking fires.

We reached the pack house, and Kaelen stopped. He turned to me, and I saw the exhaustion in his gray eyes.

"I have to check on the warriors," Kaelen said. "Cain wants to go over the patrol schedules."

I nodded, and I let go of his hand. "And I need to check on the kitchen. The packs need to be fed."

Kaelen leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I will see you later." He said.

"Later," I replied.

He walked toward the war room, and I walked toward the kitchen.

I watched him go, and I felt the weight of the coming battle pressing down on both of us.

Kaelen was the Alpha. His duty was to protect the pack, to lead the warriors, and to make sure we were ready for battle. I knew he would be in the war room for hours, going over strategies and patrol schedules with Cain. That was his role, and he carried it with honor.

I was the Luna. It was my duty to make sure the pack was cared for, and that meant checking on the kitchen, the healers, and the servants. Kaelen had his duties as Alpha, and I had mine. We worked together, but we also worked separately, because that was how a pack survived.

The kitchen was busy when I entered.

I could see the cooks moving quickly, and their hands were busy with pots and pans. The smell of roasting meat filled the air, and I could hear the fire crackling in the hearth. The head cook, Stephanie, was standing at the center of it all, directing the chaos.

"Luna," Stephanie said, and she bowed her head. "We were not expecting you."

I smiled, and I walked to her. "I wanted to check on the preparations. How are the packs being fed?"

Stephanie straightened, and I saw the respect in her eyes. She knew that when the Luna asked a question, she expected a real answer.

"We have enough food for everyone," Stephanie reported. "The Stoneclaw Pack brought their own supplies, but we are supplementing with our own. The Thornwood Pack has been asking for more bread, and the Moonshadow Pack prefers fish, but we are managing."

I nodded, and I felt the warmth spreading through my chest. "Good. Make sure the Alphas are served first. They are our guests, and they need to know that we honor them."

Stephanie nodded. "Of course, Luna."

I walked through the kitchen, and I checked the pots and the stores. Everything was in order. The cooks were working hard, and the food was plentiful.

"Thank you, Stephanie," I said. "You are doing a wonderful job."

Stephanie smiled, and I saw the tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Luna."

I left the kitchen and walked to the servant’s hall.

I walked through the servant’s corridors, and I sent word through the household staff that I wanted to meet with all of them. The message spread quickly, because by the time I reached the servant’s hall, the servants were already gathering.

Nora was among them. She had been working in the kitchen with Stephanie, and I saw the flour still dusting her apron. She looked up when I entered, and I saw the surprise in her eyes.

"Everyone," I said, and my voice carried across the room. "Thank you for coming. I have an announcement to make."

The servants fell silent, and I saw the curiosity on their faces.

"I have been watching all of you," I said. "I have seen your hard work, and I have seen your dedication. And I have decided that it is time for a change."

The servants began to whisper, and I heard their voices rising like the buzz of bees.

"What does she mean by change?" A young wolf asked.

"Maybe she is going to replace Stephanie?" A female servant added. And I recognized her, as one of the servants who were not nice to me when I newly came into Blackmoor Valley.

"Do you think someone is getting dismissed?" A soft, shaky voice, asked from behind.

I held up my hand, and the whispers faded. I could feel their eyes on me, and I could feel their nervousness. They did not know what I was about to say, and they were afraid.

But I was the Luna. It was my right to promote and demote, to reward and to punish. And I had decided that Nora deserved to be rewarded.

I looked at Nora, and I saw the confusion in her eyes.

"Nora," I said, and I watched her step forward. "You have been a loyal friend to me. You helped me when I needed it most. And I know that you have the strength and the wisdom to lead."

Nora stared at me. "Luna?"

I smiled, and I walked to her. "I am promoting you to chief housekeeper. You will be in charge of the household staff, and you will be responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly."

Nora’s eyes widened, and I saw the tears streaming down her face. "Luna, I do not know what to say."

"You do not have to say anything," I said. "Just do your job, and make me proud."

Nora nodded, and she wiped her tears. "I will, Luna. I promise."

I turned back to the servants. "Nora is your new chief housekeeper. You will answer to her, and you will treat her with the respect she deserves." I said with a firm voice. "Anyone who goes against her, has by default gone against me. And the person will have to answer to me."

My voice was firm, and I saw the servants straighten. They knew that when the Luna gave an order, it was not a suggestion.

The servants nodded, and I saw the acceptance on their faces.

"Nora," I called, and I turned back to her. "I have one more task for you. The Alphas are our guests, and I need you to make sure they are housed comfortably. They are important allies, and we need to show them that we honor them."

Nora nodded, and I saw the determination in her eyes. "I will make sure they are comfortable, Luna."

"Thank you, Nora," I said, and I squeezed her hand. "I know you will."

I left the servant’s hall and walked to the healer’s wing.

The healer’s wing was quiet, and I could smell the herbs and the salves. The chief healer, Elena, was standing at a table, organizing supplies.

Elena looked partially at the door, and back at the table. "Luna," Elena called, and she looked up fully. "What brings you here?"

I walked to her. "I wanted to make sure we are prepared, Elena. The battle is coming, and we need to be ready."

Elena looked at me, and I saw the respect in her eyes. She knew that my concern was not just for show.

"We have enough bandages, salves, and herbs," Elena said. "But we could use more silver antidote. The corrupted wolves use silver, and we need to be able to treat the wounds."

I nodded. "I will make sure we get more. Is there anything else?"

Elena was quiet for a moment. "We need more hands. If the battle is as bad as we think, we will need more healers."

I looked at her. "I will find you more hands from our pack, and the allied packs. But you need to train whoever you can right now."

Elena nodded. "I will, Luna."