I turned seventeen two months ago and found out that no one in this pack is my mate and I am so happy for that. Although Luna Kate was quite disappointed. After all, if my mate had been in this pack, I could’ve kept cooking for them. I just wouldn’t be a slave anymore. They wouldn’t be able to hurt me anymore. The problem with that is the fact that I wouldn’t want to work for them anymore. I’m happy that my mate will be able to take me away from here. Now I just need to make sure he can find me, somehow. Tasha smiled in my head, “All you have to do is be around. He will scent you and be drawn to you.” I sighed, “I hope so. Hopefully, Luna won’t keep me hidden when there is company coming.” Tasha laughed, “Lady, don’t you know that your scent is all over this house?” I laughed, “I guess I need to walk around the house some more.” She grinned, “I was hoping you’d say that.”
I started making my chipotle sauce for sub sandwiches and then started gathering the ingredients for them. I had made several loaves of French bread yesterday, so I was more than ready to get this done. As I made the sandwiches, my potato wedges were baking and I had veggie platters ready to go. When the sandwiches were done, I took them to the table, distributed the veggie platters in different areas of the table, then went to the kitchen, pulled the potato wedges out of the oven and split them among two large platters. I took those to the dining room and called out, “Lunch is ready!” Then I went to the kitchen and grabbed the drinks. I was just setting them on the table when the first person sat down. I stood in the corner of the room and waited for them to finish. As each person finished, I took their plate into the kitchen and put it in the sink. When the last pack member was done, I cleared their spot and waited for Alpha and Luna to finish. When Alpha Ben was done, I reached for his plate, but he grabbed my wrist, “Isabel, we need to talk.”
He motioned for me to sit down on the chair next to him. As soon as I was seated, he sighed, “We are hosting this year’s Moonlight Ball and we are going to need you to cook the food for it.” I asked, “Am I going to get any help?” He replied, “There won’t be anyone available to help. Gabrielle will be working on the rooms and the other omegas will be cleaning.” I sighed, “When is it?” He replied, “In two weeks. We need you to cook for it, but we don’t want you to be seen, so you will prepare the food and set it out before the ball starts and you will stay in the kitchen until the ball is over, then you will go straight to your room.” I nodded, “I understand, Alpha.” Luna Kate asked, “Would you please get a list together of everything you need for it?” I nodded, “Yes, Luna. Do you have any preferences of what you want prepared for it?” She replied, “We love your prime rib roast. I will let you decide on all the sides, but we do want your dinner rolls, of course.” I sighed, “Do you want me to just slice the roasts and put them out on trays?” She replied, “Yes. I think that would be good.” I asked, “How many sides and desserts would you like?” She replied, “We will need at least eight sides and a minimum of six desserts.” I nodded as I processed all the information. This is going to be a ton of work. I added, “Please refrain from putting anything in the spare refrigerator. That is where I will have to put the pre-made items for the ball. I’m going to have to start preparing food two or three days in advance. Would it be possible for someone to take me to the farmers market? I was thinking of making hot-hot for the ball, but that is best with homegrown tomatoes from the garden.” Alpha Ben replied, “Yes, that is a really good side dish. I will have someone take you there the weekend before.” Luna Kate asked, “Do you not trust any of the other omegas to do it?” I asked, “Would any of them be able to smell a tomato and know if it was homegrown or from a grocery store?” She shrugged, “I think I understand. Okay. Make sure you get enough cash, in case there are any other fresh vegetables you find.” I smiled, “Thank you, Luna. If that is all you need me for, I will get into the kitchen and start planning what I am going to make, then start my list of what I will need.” They both excused me and I walked out of the dining room, taking their dishes with me.
I finished cleaning the kitchen as Tasha was growling. I asked, “What is your issue, Tasha?” She growled, “They gave in to you going to the farmers market too easily.” I laughed, “They want to make an impression on all the alphas who will be there, so they have no choice but to trust me. They wouldn’t know homegrown from store bought tomatoes if it slapped them in the face.” She laughed, “Probably not. I don’t know why they don’t have a garden here. There is plenty of room for one. They would save a lot of money.” I sighed, “I know. I think Luna just likes to shop. It doesn’t matter what it’s for.”
As I started planning my menu for the ball, I was brought out of my thoughts by Gabrielle, “Hey lady, what’s got you so deep in thought?” I sighed, “I was just informed that our pack is hosting the Moonlight Ball and that I will be cooking for the whole thing by myself.” She gasped, “Seriously?” I nodded, “So, I’m going to need to get the menu planned and a list made for Luna. I’m also working on a list of everything that needs to be done before then.” Gabrielle suggested, “I can help in the days leading up to the ball. At least I can when I have some free time. I have been told that I am preparing all of the guest rooms by myself.” I smiled, “Thank you. Just don’t let yourself get in trouble. I don’t want that on my conscience.” She hugged me, “Aw, you’re so sweet. But if I get in trouble, it’s on me, not you.” I sighed, “I know, but it doesn’t make me feel very good when you get punished for helping me.” Gabrielle smiled, “My punishments aren’t nearly as bad as yours. Don’t you worry about me.”
After finishing my lists, and preparing dinner, I stood in the corner of the dining room, waiting for people to finish, when Alpha Ben stood and the room went quiet, “My pack, I have a special announcement. We will be hosting the Moonlight Ball in two weeks! I know you ladies are upset that it may not be enough time to get your dresses, so I have invited fifteen designers and their seamstresses to come here with their latest creations. They will all be here tomorrow. Please be kind to them so they will feel better about coming back when we need them to. Gabrielle will be working on getting the guest rooms ready, so leave her alone. I will not hear complaints about your rooms not being cleaned because Gabrielle has been told to concentrate on the guest rooms. We will all do our part in keeping our own rooms clean during this time. Laundry will still be done by the other omegas, you just need to take your laundry to them yourselves. As far as food, Isabel will be cooking for the ball, so leave her alone and leave the spare refrigerator empty, so that she can pre-make the items that can be done. This is very important for the pack to make a good impression on other alphas. Anyone who does anything to mess this up will be dealt with harshly. That includes anyone who would hurt Isabel or mess with the food in any way. I am not saying this as an invitation to hurt or sabotage Isabel, it truly is a warning. This ball is important for building new alliances. Do not screw this up for us. That is all.”
After dinner was over and the kitchen was cleaned, I went to my room. Once there, I took my shower and dressed in my nightgown and fell into bed. I wonder if Alpha Ben meant what he told everyone at dinner? Tasha shrugged in my head, “I guess we’ll see.”
Thank you for being so patient with me. I will do my best to get back on track with my writing to give you daily updates. I hope you liked this chapter. I would love to read your comments.
After a full week and a half of total chaos in the pack house, I am really ramping up on trying to get my stuff together for the ball. Today is the day I get to go to the farmers market and I am so excited. I know I will be guarded; I just wonder who will be doing the guarding. After breakfast was done and dishes were washed, I went to my room and dressed in a sundress that Gabrielle had given to me for my birthday. I brushed my hair and grabbed my wallet and ran downstairs. I went to Alpha Ben’s office and knocked on the door. When I heard, “Come in, Isabel.” I walked in and smiled, “Alpha, I’m ready to go to the farmers market for the ball. Would it be possible to get the cash for the vegetables?” He nodded as he opened a desk drawer, “Here is two hundred dollars. Will that be enough?” I raised my eyebrows, “I am sure that will be enough. I would like to show you that my wallet is empty before I put the cash in it. When I get back I will make sure you get all of your change back.” He
Doug had brought in all of my purchases and I had to move them to the pantry until after lunch. The kitchen was smelling so good, I started humming as I worked. I prepared lunch and waited until Alpha Ben returned with the alcohol to serve it. After setting the table, I announced that lunch was ready and people started filing into the dining room. After everyone was done and the all the dishes were washing in the dishwasher, I pulled all the watermelons out of the pantry. I immediately put two watermelons into the spare refrigerator for the ones with no alcohol, then I sat four on the counter to wash. I washed each one, then I sat them aside, knowing Alpha wanted to help with it. I found my apple corer to help with the task. While I waited for Alpha and Luna to join me, I started rinsing the berries and sorting them. I put them in big bowls with lids after drying them on a paper towel. I put them in the spare refrigerator just when Alpha and Luna walked into the kitchen. Alpha Ben pl
The next three days were spent with Doug prepping vegetables and me making desserts that could be refrigerated, preparing dinner roll dough, freezing it, and cooking meals for the pack. Today is the day before the ball and I was able to really start my cooking and baking. I had asked Luna if she wanted me to precook the roasts or the dinner rolls, but she answered, “Neither.” So, I am going to concentrate on desserts today, so I already have my cakes in the ovens, I have already made the hot-hot and put it in a giant bowl. I covered it and put it in the spare refrigerator, then I started washing strawberries and slicing them I set aside enough for a strawberry pie. I put them in a bowl and put them in the main refrigerator. I continued slicing them until I had enough to macerate for ice cream topping. I poured sugar on those and then put a lid on them. I then sliced the rest of them and macerated them for strawberry shortcake. When the cakes are done, I set them out to cool and starte
Joshua POV “Come on, Joshua! We’re running late! We need to get there in time to get dressed for the ball,” Matthew yelled from the foyer. I trotted down the stairs carrying my duffle bag and my suit on a hanger covered in dry cleaning plastic, “What the hell, brother? I’m really not looking forward to this. You know that.” Matt’s mate, Jessie, sighed, “Josh, we just want you to find your mate. You deserve to feel complete and I really need my beta.” I rolled my eyes and laughed internally, “Let’s get this over with. I’m not crazy about that pack, but we’ll see if my mate is there.” I’ve been looking for my mate for five years and still haven’t found her. A chosen mate is not an option. It’s not fair to our fated mates, if we find them, or each other. I am beta to the Cold Springs Pack and my brother, Matthew, is Alpha of our pack. He found his mate, Jessie, four years ago and they just found out that she is pregnant with twins, so she has been more determined, now, for me to find my
Isabel POV I hid in my room for a short while, but realized that I have to get back to the kitchen. I went back and Gabrielle was still there, waiting for me. She smiled brightly at me and I was on the edge of tears. She opened her arms and I hugged her, “Why would a high ranked wolf want me?” Gabrielle laughed, “Are you kidding? You’re beautiful, you’re smart, and you kick ass in the kitchen.” I laughed, “Thanks. I just know he’s going to reject me.” Gabrielle grinned while shaking her head, “He came in here looking for you. I talked to him. Hon, he wants you. He doesn’t care what your rank is. You are a blessing to him.” I shook my head, “How can I be sure of that?” She shrugged, “You can’t; all you can do is trust the Moon Goddess.” I sighed, “I’ve trusted her my whole life. I guess I should do that now too. But, first, I need to get through this ball. I’m not supposed to be seen by anyone. Can you check the food for me”? The rest of the night went very well. Gabrielle said everyo
My mate raised his eyebrows and looked at Alpha Ben, “If you want to protect your mate, you will get her to stand down. I will not leave my mate here. She was given to me by the Moon Goddess and to reject her is to reject a gift from the Goddess herself. I will not do it.” Luna Kate turned white as a sheet and Alpha Ben replied, “She is valuable to us. She is the only one who knows how to cook well.” My mate just shook his head, “What were you planning to do if she found her mate?” I spoke up, “Luna Kate told me to reject my mate if I found him. She told me I was to never be seen by anyone outside this pack.” He asked, “Do you want to reject me?” I could see the hurt in his eyes as he asked the question and I shook my head, “No, I don’t. I don’t want to reject my gift from the Goddess.” He smiled and pulled me closer. He looked back to Alpha Ben and Luna Kate, “I, Beta Joshua Roberts of the Cold Spring Pack, accept you, Isabel Myers, as my mate and Co-Beta.” I looked him in the eye and
We decided that we would go ahead and just get to the pack and we can sit in Alpha’s office and I can tell my story. I would rather have talked about it in a private setting anyway. I got to just relax in my mate’s arms the entire way to my new home. The closer we got, the more nervous I got. Not because I was nervous about being Co-Beta, but because I was going to have to tell all of them everything that had happened to me. I was worried about being seen as weak or being looked at with pity. I didn’t want to be pitied and I felt that everything I had been through made me stronger. I started to bite my lower lip and pick at my fingernails, a habit that I had developed when I was anxious, and Joshua put one hand over my hands and gently moved my lower lip from my teeth and asked, “What’s eating at that beautiful brain, love?” I sighed, “Just stressing over what all of you, but especially you, will think of me after I tell you everything.” He responded by kissing the top of my head and t
We all sat down with a bottle of water and Alpha Matthew started, “Okay. I got the vibe, while we were at Red Moon, that you were supposed to be kept a secret.” I nodded, “I was. I spent well over half of my childhood in the dungeons.” Gabrielle and the guys nodded as I continued, “My parents were killed by rogues when I was five years old. My mother had started teaching me how to read, write and do math when I was three. So, I was much smarter and more articulate than they expected me to be. I think that might have threatened Luna Kate. I was found in the forest by Alpha Ben and he took me back to the pack house with him. For the first couple days that I was there, I was in a guest room. On the day of my parents’ funeral, I was moved to the attic to sleep on a cot with only one blanket. No heat in the winter and AC in the summer. No insulation in the walls or the ceiling. I had a desk and a broken-down dresser and that was it. Gabrielle hid two blankets in my closet and I had to make