I ran into the pack house. I asked, “Where is Karina?” Someone said, “Umm they are on the third floor. First door on your right.” I clapped animatedly, “Thanks!” I ran up the stairs and knocked repeatedly until someone answered.
Bradford opened the door and was clearly annoyed. I wondered why. Freya snorted, “Yes, why would Bradford possibly be annoyed about his door being knocked on repeatedly?” I answered, “I don’t know. He could’ve walked faster, Freya… choices with were made.” My wolf howled with laughter.
Bradford asked, “What in the hell….?” He cut off when he saw me then asked, “Muffin Luna?” I greeted, ‘Hi! I need to see Karina.” He looked behind me and greeted my aunts, “Luna Melinda and Luna MaryBeth.”
I sighed because I’d missed their Luna ceremonies too. I was busy so I didn’t get to watch them. Well, busy… I was being punished. I shoved that from my mind. I said, “Yes, these are my aunts… where is Karina?”
Bradford answered, “Inside.” I pushed past him and found Karina sitting there. I frowned when she paled. Why would she pale? Was there danger? I could take it on. Freya said, “Probablybecause Karina could think you are upset with her.” I asked, “Why would I be upset?”
I shook that off and said, “YAY! Look guys! It’s Karina, just who I was looking for. Well, obviously… Bradford did say you were here. You guys are so cute. I’m so glad you guys worked everything out.”
“I was not above kicking his butt again. I’d have done it… but I’m glad I didn’t need to. You look like there’s danger, but I don’t sense any. Have no fear… if there was… I’d take it out. Drunk me is very cutthroat… and definitely into eighty-sixing people.” Bradford snorted.
Melinda asked, “Doing what to people?” I whispered, “I totally eighty-sixed T’s crazy ex. SHHHH! It’s a secret… I don’t think he knows… did I tell him? Hmm. No, I think it’s possibly still a secret.” All of them were looking at each other. Melinda snorted, “Yeah, I’m not telling him.” MaryBeth agreed, “Me either. No way.”
Bradford asked, “Does eighty-sixing people mean killing people?” I answered, “Obviously… what else would it mean?” Bradford hummed, “If you stay here and not kill people so Alpha Alexander doesn’t give me a headache, that would great.”
I waved, “Sure thing… unless someone who need to be eighty-sixed pops up.” Bradford groaned. I continued, “Anyway… you and me Karina…we need to talk.” Karina now looked confused. Bradford asked, “What exactly do you two need to talk about?” I answered, “A bakery. I like to bake. My aunt’s pointed out Karina makes really good cookies… it’s obvious now.”
Bradford admitted, “It’s really not.” UGH! People needed to get on my wavelength. MaryBeth smirked. Melinda offered, “It’s hard to get on your wavelength because you’re a genius.” Curse talking out loud when you don’t mean to.
I explained, “I can’t open and run a bakery myself with the whole the day to day thing; however, Karina could. We could bepartners! I could cook when I have time. We could create some new things… together… and separately. We would need a name for our bakery.”
“Black Mountain Bakery isn’t taken but it’s somewhat boring. I feel I can’t do that… since my mate has Fairy blood. K & M Creations has potential. I’m not sure if that’s it though. We can debate it later… that’s a thing… and we can both come up with ideas.”
“Depending on the funds, I’d say we could start turning a profit in four months. My muffins are pretty popular… already…. your cookies are popular… and have been for years. So, I’m pretty sure we’d kill in the bakery market.”
Karina frowned, “My cookies were popular because of the spell ingredient.” I snorted, “Uh no they weren’t. I’ve heard Eric say he doesn’t even really like peanut butter cookies, but he ate them because they are good.”
“Robuffoon didn’t just pick you because you’re beautiful. He picked you because you make good cookies. He’d been here enough to know that…..and you were who he chose. He had other choices which is just obnoxious because he’s annoying.”
“Robuffoon picked you with a purpose in mind. He didn’t just stumble onto you. Plus, you shouldn’t let him make you doubt your skill. I don’t lie to people. Well, I do… but they know when I do… and they laugh at me. No one’s laughing… which clearly means I’m not lying. I know we can do this. I think we’ll be great. Zoe can even help us in her spare time. Look at this.”
I began to draw up a business plan. Melinda asked, “Is she….?” Bradford interrupted, “Using a napkin to propose a business plan? Yes, she is.” I could use my program with ILYX but I’d have to talk to the program, and these blabbers would blab about its name. Freya snickered in my head.
I muttered, “You use what you have… drawing on your table would’ve been rude, therefore… I’m using napkins… theyare disposable… so it’s better than the table.” Freya agreed, “Definitely better.” Karina whispered, “You think we could do that?”
I nodded, “We can cook together at some point… I’m in the kitchen a lot… and you probably are too. I think we could create some really good new desserts. You had people around here eating cookies with ingredients they don’t even like.”
“That’s really impressive… when you think about it… and it’s not like Eric’s not a harsh critic… he’s not an easy man to impress… so… that’s a thing. Plus, like I said, I don’t tell people they are impressive if they aren’t.”
I whispered, “Or if try… people know I’m lying… so I stopped… because it was apparently offensive… and insulting… when you try to tell people their attempts at fighting were not sad and pathetic… because they know you’re lying… so I just tell them directly… it was sad and pathetic.”
Melinda snorted, “Oh my god. I would’ve paid to see that.” Bradford said, “That’s true though. The Muffin Luna doesn’t sugarcoat things. You can do this, Karina. I asked you just this afternoon if you could do anything what it would it be. You said baking.”
I squealed, “See? It’s perfect! We could be the dream baking team! Ohhh that’s a name option too.” Bradford snorted, then asked me, “Do you just have this innate ability to give people their dreams?” I said, “Uhh no. I see people’s talent and I usually point them in that direction. In this case, it also helps me. I like money… and making money… and I’m really good at it. That was bragging… but it’s true… so it’s ok.” MaryBeth snorted out a laugh.
Karina asked, “Why would you want to help me? Or work with me at all? Your suffering was my fault.” I turned to face her asking, “Did you watch me get shot and taken from my home?” Karina answered, “No but…”
I cut her off, “Did you help torture and beat me? Or suppress my wolf?” Karina acknowledged, “Well, no.” I reasoned, “Then you had nothing to do with it. You were taken advantage of… like I was. We were exploited and used.”
I clapped, “Ohhh Survivors Bakery? Hmm, no… still needs work. We’ll get it. Second Chances Bakery! I don’t know… You know what? We can brainstorm later. I said that earlier, but sometimes things just come to you.” I kept writing out the plans until my eyes were drifting shut.
Karina agreed, “I’ll do this with you, Muffin Luna.” I snorted, “We are going to be business partners, so… you should probably call me Melanie… and don’t worry… I’ll get Bradford a good nickname.” The man himself snorted again. He snorted a lot.
Karina wiped her eyes admitting, “I never thought, even in this pack, I’d get a chance like this. Especially after everything that happened.” I said, “You’ll be an inspiration to the Omega’s here then. They will see your example and believe they really can do anything. I’m positive EJ would’ve given you the start up for a bakery if you’d asked.” Karina’s eyes filled with tears. We talked a little more when my eyes refused to stay open any longer.
I woke up slowly the next morning and stretched on the bed. Freya linked me, “You are lucky Werewolves don’t really get hangovers.” Former Alpha Nathan did after Cassandra died. I heard people talk about it.
