
As promised, Stefan introduces Grace and Chloe as temporary members in their herd. The older members did not comment much except staring at them, some with probing and judgmental looks, while the more junior ones looked excited, including colleagues who worked at the herd restaurant yesterday.
"Welcome, Grace and Chloe!"
"Hopefully at home."
Lilian nudged Bram. "Well, you only talk about that? The other dong."
"Uh ... If you need help, call me or Lilian."
"We can help too." Sean followed Bram's timid voice. Mia who was beside him nodded in agreement.
There were a few other junior members talking, but Grace had not known all of them yet. He felt quite happy that their arrival was well received, except for some of the most senior members, who increasingly looked disinterested and tended to ignore the young people's exclamations.
The gap in their age group is also seen very clearly, only the oldest and youngest– except Stefan. They do not see Iris or other members who have an age range like that woman, so Grace can realize that there is something strange about it, as well as Chloe, who is also a girl, but they didn't talk to each other and just exchanged glances secretly.
After all, Stefan also looked relaxed and did not say anything about the lack of members in their herd.
"Well, once again, welcome to our herd, Chloe and Grace. We really appreciate your arrival."
"Thank you, Stefan."
"Please guide her."
The man's smile looked wobbly, not missing your half-hearted tone, before saying. "Either. Come on, let's eat first."
Their introductory event continued on the joint meal. Some people who took care of the restaurant, such as Mia and Lilian, were ready to arrange dishes filled with food. While Sean with some male members, preparing a glass filled with drinks. You help distribute food to each member.
Grace distributed the food to the senior members, who kept receiving the food plates from her well, before being stopped by someone who looked familiar.
"Are you Grace?"
"Yes, I'm Grace."
The man immediately smiled faintly. "I'm Greg, Uncle of Stefan and Lilian. I'm sorry I didn't welcome you yesterday."
"It's okay. Chloe and I also came too late, so we can understand that not everyone comes as welcome as now."
Actually he also did not think too much about it because last night was too tired, especially with Stefan who had not told him about the concealment of his identity as a female partner for many years.
The man who almost touched middle age nodded. "Is that so? How was your first day? Our young members certainly gave you a prior briefing."
"That's right. No problem means, we're just not used to the day at the restaurant."
"alright, great. I seem to have held you off for a long time." He looked satisfied with Grace's reply so he patted her on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Welcome to join you and your friends, Grace."
"Thank you, Greg."
Some of the members listening to their conversation instantly turned their eyes away, while Grace could feel her heart pounding violently all of a sudden. His gaze was immediately directed at one figure who was most likely the cause, but Stefan was already seen walking away first, leaving his plate of food still full.
.
After the meal is over, the members of the herd begin their own activities. Grace and Chloe head to the restaurant for duty, again helping the young members of Stefan's herd who have opened the restaurant first.
"Are you guys okay in there?" Sean approaches Grace as she and Chloe finish changing clothes. "I'm sorry we had to leave you when the banquet wasn't over."
"Ah, they are. Is such a state very different from the state of your flock?"
"Not really. From the beginning our remaining members were indeed more women, so it was not too different from here." Grace wore a special mask for cooking before staring at the man. "I didn't catch your question wrong, did I?"
"No, that's what I'm asking."
"Good."
Ryan looked at the two of them in turn. "When are you familiar?"
"Bas stupid, Sean's an expert at socializing."
"Zee...."
A girl younger than the twins let out a loud sigh. "Yes, yes, I've kept my mouth shut. Don't pick me up again, please."
"I'm not going to pick you up if you don't make a fuss, Zee." The man turned to Ryan. "Ryan, you don't have to say that out loud either, we have to be familiar."
"If Lilian had listened, you would have been finished in her hands." Mia interrupted while shaking her head. Lilian was not in place because she had been replaced by Mia.
Ryan could only bow while muttering apologetically. Sean calms the boy down, while Zee returns home as he is replaced by Grace. He did not feel at all guilty for making Ryan like that and instead said goodbye cheerfully to all of them.
Grace is a bit confused with the twins and Theo, Hans, as well as the other members in the herd, but of course she has no intention of escaping the responsibility. Maybe asking them here sometime would be a good idea, even if later Chloe would be against it because she was out of her mind.
The girl considers taking advantage of Stefan to give them some more leeway, but her mind is stopped when Mia starts talking to him and Chloe.
"By the way, please help her, Chloe and Grace. The first day I haven't met you guys, have I?"
They serve customers interspersed with chatting. Mia is the oldest among the young members, her time of change is also near so that she is more mature than all, although still more relaxed than the younger Sean a year. Arguably, the chick was the right mix between Sean and Zee, even though they were not from the same parents.
Restaurant customers grew back in a matter of hours, restaurant service activities eventually became their main focus before Grace said goodbye to meet Alpha from their flock.
.
Stefan was waiting next to the restaurant with his favorite motorcycle. The man waits for Grace, who has agreed to come with him to discuss their problems and other important matters that cause Stefan to feel hesitant to tell.
"You only have a vehicle like this?"
He almost jumped when he heard Grace's sudden voice. The woman's face look so objected because the bike has a higher seat and a large body. He did not know what to answer so could only shake his head.
"Hah .. how else. I'll hold on to your shoulder, please don't make me fall."
"Yes." Yeah."
Grace climbed up and put on the helmet she was given without much talking, her hands already coiled around her waist as the man turned on the motor.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm holding on for fear of falling off this high bike."
"I know, you don't have to explain it to me."
Grace only grunted softly at the man's calm tone, while Stefan tried to hold back his heart pounding too hard because he could be this close again to his partner.