The Alpha's Unwanted Bride Chapter 22: A SURPRISE MEAL

Early the following day, I woke up before any of the men.

I got down from the carriage and saw that they were all asleep.

When I walked up ahead towards the green forest we had found our way through, I saw the men keeping watch by the trees.

It had not been on purpose, but they were asleep.

I couldn't find Xaden in sight.

Maybe he slept elsewhere.

I hurried through the forests and searched for mushrooms and spices.

Once I found them, I put them in the little bag Xaden gave me last night's food.

I was careful not to pick the dangerous mushrooms.

Back home in the pack, Urma, a healer, had shown me how to pick mushrooms and spices and differentiate them from poisonous ones.

Also, I had been cooking in the kitchen and knew how to make meals.

I looked for other ingredients, like pepper and onions.

It was a vibrant forest; you would think someone farmed it while growing in the wild.

When I returned, I quietly skinned the pig's cousin and opened the stomach, cleaning it and washing it all out.

Then, I mixed the spices and rubbed them into and around the meat.

I set it aside and tried to revive the fire.

When it had e back up, I put a stick through the meat and set it over the fire.

As the meat cooked on a slow heat, I turned to a large can the men had used to boil water last night and used it to make some gravy.

It smelt delicious.

I mixed some cheese with the meat and then added rosemary and herbs.

It seemed to be cooking well.

I tasted the gravy that had been cooking on the other fire, which tasted lovely.

I used a small can to collect the oil and sauce seeping from the meat and pour them into the gravy can.

Then I went back to taste it.

It was perfect.

I would have made something better if I were back home in the pack.

As I watched over the almost-done meal, I felt someone grab the back of my dress and pull me up.

I was hurled around and made to face a very angry Xaden.