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

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

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

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

After visiting a while longer, everyone left and Joshua and I were left alone for the first time since we got out of the car. He asked, “Are you hungry?” I smiled, “I am pretty hungry. I didn’t eat breakfast.” He cringed, “I’m sorry. I didn’t even thing of that when we left. I just wanted to get you home.” I smiled as I hugged him, “I’m glad you did. I’m used to skipping meals. It was happening quite frequently. What did you have in mind?” He smiled, “I want to take you to my favorite restaurant here. Are you ready to go?” I smiled, “I am.” He led me out of the pack house and to a Jeep Wrangler. He helped me into it and got in his side. We went to town and I instantly fell in love with Main Street. The street had nothing but small businesses on either side of the street. There were no nationally known corporations on this street and it was really nice. He smiled as he watched me look around in wonder. He took my hand and smiled as soon as he parked the car. I asked, “What’s so funny?”