The Forbidden Alpha

I practically flew down the hall as I rushed against time. I had two minutes to get there and when the elevator doors opened, I pushed the button an insane amount of times. I pushed the thoughts of Odis and the encounter with Leo aside and decided to focus on the cakes and enjoying every flavor.

When the doors slowly opened, I squeezed through the space and moved faster than I knew was capable. I ran straight, and curved to the left, and came to a stop. My chest rose and fell and I soothed my clothes and headed into the kitchen.

The kitchen staff smiled at me as I walked in and I nodded at them. “Thank you so much for your help today. I appreciate it.”

Sasha stands among the help but doesn’t say anything. I haven’t had any issues with her over the past few months. I’m not going to make a big deal out of her if she doesn’t make a big deal around me.

“There is no need Luna. It was our pleasure to be able to be a part of this.” The brunette I remember speaking to about their assistance today speaks. “We will be here in the kitchen if you need us,” she said.

I nodded to her before I spotted Kristina in the eating area.

“Good evening, Luna,” Kristina greets me. She wore a long black dress that curved around her body, a long purple scarf that landed along her thighs, and her hair was slicked back in a low bun.

“Good evening, Kristina. I’m sorry for being late,” I said, as I try and fail to keep my breathing even. She waves me off.

“The staff and baker from Tres Le Cheria set up with your kitchen staff. They only left a few moments ago and I have to say, I’m excited to get started,” Kristina said with a smile. She gestures towards the tables set up behind her.

My jaw drops and my eyes widen.

Across from the dining table, there are two tables lined together with beautiful two and three-tiered cakes. Some cakes are decorated in white cream, others in red and brown cream. A bouquet of flowers decorates both sides and the middle of the tables. There’s also a bouquet of flowers on the dining table along with different cream-colored table clothes.

“Take a seat Luna, I’ll bring a few samples to you and we can try them together,” Kristina said.

I moved to sit in the seat she offered. I watched as she walked over to the nearest table and grabbed a laminated sheet. She picked up four small slices, walked over, and placed them in front of me.

Kristina took a seat next to me and handed me the smallest sampling fork. She placed the laminated sheet in front of me. It had a list of cakes and images next to them along with the name and description of each cake.

“The two I’ve brought for us to sample first is a cheese vanilla cake with mixed berry compote and crushed raspberry cream and the second is a lemon-scented cake with classic cream cheese and lemon zested cream,” Kristina says as she points from the white and red layered slice with a dark purple cream to the yellow and white layered slice.

I push my fork into the first one and take a bite. I sigh when I taste berries and cream followed by a sponge-like finish. I’m thoroughly impressed. I eye the lemon-flavored cake suspiciously but am pleasantly surprised by the slightly tangy taste. Kristina looks up at me in approval.

“These are delicious,” I tell her.

“They are,” she laughs. “Out of these two, which one do you prefer? We’re going to go through the process of elimination.”

“I enjoyed them both but if I had to choose, I would choose the mixed berry one,” I said, and take another bite.

She pulls out a sharpie and circles the cake on the laminated menu. I watch her stand and walk over to the table. She brings back six plates and I now have three cakes to sample.

“Here we have the coconut cake with chocolate mousse and white cream, the classic vanilla cake with passion fruit curd and passion fruit cream, and the toasted almond cake with chocolate mousse and crushed raspberry cream.”

“Ooh,” I say, and my eyes widen like saucers.

After I try each cake we are left with three options; the cheese vanilla cake with mixed berry, the espresso cake with espresso and vanilla bean cream, and the chocolate chip cake with vanilla bean and chocolate cream.

“You’ve got a tough choice ahead of you, Luna,” Kristina said. “These are definitely the best of the samples we’ve tried today. Do you know which one you’d like to choose?”

“I honestly don’t know. They’re all so good!” I exclaim.

The kitchen door opens and Ethan stands in the doorway. I smile and want to dance in excitement but hold it back. I didn’t expect to see him today but this is perfect. Kristina stands and gives a slight bow and Ethan gives her one in return before striding over to me.

“Having fun, my love?” He asks. He leans down and presses a kiss on my forehead. His scent washes over me.

“Yes! Kristina and I have been eating our fill this evening,” I tell him, and point to the table of half-eaten cake samples.

I hand him my fork and he grabs it.

“These are the ones we’re choosing from,” I said.

He looks at the slices and I almost squeal when he plunges the fork deep into the chocolate chip cake with vanilla and chocolate cream. He licks his lips and chews. I watch him as he proceeds to try the other two.

“I’m not a fan of the espresso cake but the other two are to die for,” he said. “I think you should also consider presentation since you can’t decide between taste.”

“These are the two cakes you are deciding between,” Kristina starts, “The tier can be changed but the vanilla cake with mixed berry comes with light pink roses made of cream, and the chocolate chip cake with vanilla and chocolate cream has a modern linear ruffles finish.”

“Do you like one more than the other?” I ask Ethan.

“I don’t mind either, you choose. This is your day,” He says.

“I’m going to go with the Vanilla cake with mixed berry.. The two light pink roses are the perfect finish!” I tell her.