CHAPTER 217: PRECIOUS LITTLE SISTER

(Author’s POV)

To commemorate Brave’s good health, Nora decided to prepare a lavish dinner for her family. The household has been under a lot of stress and chaos in recent times and she wanted to ease some of the tension by sharing a proper homely meal with everyone.

When she used to live with the Smiths, her adoptive parents, to impress them, she had honed her cooking skills. She may not be on the level of a Michelin chef yet but it delectable.

From the tender age of eleven, she had started cooking and by now her culinary skills were top notch. Though, those abusive parents of hers didn’t appreciate her enough for it. Whenever Nora tried something, they never praised her, they just brushed her feelings of saying, "You are a girl. It should be in you to prepare meals that are doable. Otherwise, who will even marry you. That is the only worth you will have after getting married."

Their taunts kept haunted Nora. She even wanted to quit at some point.

But then there was Myra and her family. Whenever Nora was in a sulky mood, she used to go to Myra’s house and help Sandra. Most of her cooking skills were thanks to Myra’s mother, who helped her like a mentor. Sandra never shouted, was always patient with her, even if she repeated any mistake multiple times. She encouraged her saying, "Not just a girl but everyone should know how to cook and clean up after themselves. These are not gender based skills, but life skills, survival skills. Don’t be disheartened dear."

Even William cooked, so this really encouraged Nora. Myra’s family have always been there for her in every way possible.

Sara was quite surprised when Nora told her that she wanted to prepare dinner for everyone. She tousled Nora’s hair gently and cupped her face dotingly, "Sometimes, I forget that you are already old enough to know all these things."

"But for you, I will always be a child, your baby," Nora cuddled in her mother’s arms. Her warmth seeping through their affectionate hug.

Sara pulled away and said, "Should I help you? It will be our mother daughter bonding time. Although, I haven’t really cooked in a long, long while and my skills are mediocre at best."

"No, mom. You just have to rest for the day. You have been travelling from the past few days and last night you haven’t even slept properly. Don’t worry, I will take care of everything. Trust me," Nora tried to convince her mother.

Although, Sara was reluctant but she eventually agreed. With nothing to do, she took the elevator and visited the fifth floor. She went straight to Brave’s room.

Brave has been on medication, so he was resting at that time. Elio was by his side, so right now he looked more like a panda than a wolf. The bags under his eyes were visible and anyone could tell that he hasn’t had any proper rest since days. But that guy has refused to leave Brave’s side.

Sara gently knocked the door and went inside. She looked at Elio’s haggard face and said, "You need to take a break, Eli. Otherwise, you will get sick." Her voice was laced with motherly concern.

"Mother, I am totally fine," Elio tried to down play his exhaustion.

"No, you are not. Look at yourself. Is there anything that’s troubling you?" Sara asked. She has sensed he has been a bit moody these days which was quite unlike him. Her heart ached looking at her youngest son.

"It is nothing like that. What will even trouble me?" Elio shrugged off once again. But Sara was his mother and knew him well enough to tell something was definitely off with him.

"If you don’t want to share, I won’t push it. But you should prioritize your health, Eli," Sara said, her eyes turned misty.

Elio walked towards Sara and holding her hands, he said, "Mother, I promise. I won’t neglect my health, hmm," he assured her. "By the way, what is Nora up to, she said that there is a surprise she is planning with you."

"A surprise should remain a surprise. You will know soon," she smiled at him.

"What secret are you both sharing? Won’t you tell me?" Brave’s raspy and sleepy voice erupted.

"Brave, did we disturb your rest?" Sara questioned.

He sat up in his bed and said, "Ahhh~ I have been sleeping and resting since morning. By the way, what were you both talking? What are you guys whispering amongst yourselves? Let me in on your secret?" He said playfully.

"Ohh, it isn’t a secret between me and mother. Instead, it is between Nora and mother. They are planning a grand surprise for all of us and unveil it tonight," Elio explained dramatically.

They chatted happily amongst themselves and soon it was dinner time.

Noah and Dion were already home. Nora had strictly warned everyone to be on time. It was again Alaric who was stuck in his office, conducting a meeting for redevelopment project.

The dinner was set up at the pack’s greenhouse. Everyone was settled at the table as Noah asked, "Why did you called all of us so urgently, Nora?"

"Everyone has been busy these past few days, so I just thought, I will cook a proper meal for all of you," Nora said bashfully. Her head lowered. Then she mumbled, "And soon I will be interning at the company. So~"

"Ohhhooo .... A meal prepared by my little sister. That’s is why~ .... My stomach has been growling," Dion rubbed his hands together and looked at the dishes with admiration.

"You made such a feast? Alone. Woah. I am impressed, kiddo," Elio teased her. They were bickering when suddenly Sara asked, "Why is Alaric not home yet?"

As soon as she said this, Alaric’s voice entered, "I apologize. I was in a meeting." He settled beside Brave, "How are you feeling now?"

"Good as new," Brave replied with a smile. Alaric nodded in acknowledgment.

Noah asked, "How did the meeting go? Has the plan been finalized?"

"Yes, father. It has. I have instructed my secretary to schedule the flight for day after tomorrow," he explained.

"Why not tomorrow?" Noah asked.

"I have a lunch meeting with Sterling Organization’s head set for tomorrow," Alaric uttered. Noah nodded.

"What are you both talking about?" Brave interrupted.

"It is about the redevelopment project," Alaric said.

"So, you are going to Damona?" Sara questioned.

"Ahhh~ yes," Alaric said with a straight face.

Dion was quick to say, "Can I join you on your business trip, Brother Al?"

Everyone was stunned to hear him. The words seemed foreign from his mouth.

Brave laughed and asked, "What happened to you all of a sudden? Why are you so eager? It is business trip not a cruise party." He said in a teasing tone.

"I just wanted to gain some experience with this," Dion said with a serious face.

"It is good that you are taking you job seriously," Noah commented. Alaric nodded and said, "Clear your schedule then."

Dion was thrilled and so was his wolf, Drey. They could finally go to Damona and see Myra. But he maintained a straight face.

"Damona?" Nora said with a low voice. "Wish I could go with you. But tomorrow is my first day at the office."

"We can just reschedule it," Alaric suggested.

"Nooooo, don’t. I want to be a regular employee and lay low. I will go some other time. Don’t pull any strings, brother Al. It will look bad on me," Nora said with a sulky voice.

"Don’t get disheartened. Next month, you and I will go to Damona. How does it sound?" Sara suggested.

"Of course. That will definitely do," Nora replied, trying to match her energy but her face clearly showed sadness.

Elio wanted to go to but with Brave still recovering and no solid reason to give, he couldn’t ask to join as well. So, he kept quiet.

Sara clasped her hands and said, "Now, no one will be talking about work. The food is getting all cold." She gestured for the maids to start surviving.

As if remembering something, Dion looked around him and frowned. Yona wasn’t amongst the maids which was unusual. She was always around Everests brothers to garner their attention.

Sara looked at him and asked, "What are you searching for?"

"Ahhh~ nothing, mother. I didn’t see the assistant maid. Has she quit?" he questioned in casual, almost uninterested tone.

"You mean Yona? She is on leave for two days. Why are you asking for her?" Sara inquired.

"Just asking," he shrugged casually and continued with his dinner. He peeled a lobster and took a bit and exclaimed, "Nora, you can even replace our head chef."

"Don’t exaggerate, brother Dio," Nora chuckled, her face crimson listening to his praise.

"No seriously. Though, the chef is good. I haven’t had such a meal in quite a long time. You deserve the praise," Alaric complimented.

Listening to their genuine and heartfelt words, Nora sniffed and burst in tears. Everyone looked at her with shock and asked with worry, "What happened? Why are you crying?"

"Nothing. I am just so glad that you guys are my family," Nora confessed between her broken sobs.

Her brothers walked towards her side and gave her a group, suffocating hug, "We are glad that you are our precious little sister."

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .