CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.

(MELIORA'S POV)


This morning, after we had prepared and served the pack's breakfast, the Luna called for us girls to come see her. When we arrived, she gave us a stern warning.

"Listen up," the alpha female said sternly. "Even if any of you should get mated at tomorrow's ceremony, you girls should know that it does not remove you from your tasks of cooking for the whole pack. That is the only way you can help contribute and remain part of this pack."

She looked each of us in the eye before continuing. "And none of you should even think of trying to seduce or steal a wolf who is already married as your mate. All married males are completely off limits to you. Is that clear?"

We all nodded our heads quickly. "Yes, Luna. We understand."

"Then you may leave now," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. We dipped our heads respectfully and hurried out of her dwelling.

Once we were outside, Beth let out a frustrated groan. "That's unbelievable! What if a married wolf really is our destined true lover? Does that mean we just have to reject him? Then we'll be doomed to stay single and rejected forever."

Anna shook her head. "I don't think the Luna is worried about taking any other married wolf. She's worried about her own wolf- the alpha. And she's insecure now that Liora is here, because she fears the alpha himself might take a liking to her."

I felt my face flush at her words. "What? Why would you say the alpha would like me and not any of you wonderful girls?"

Martha gave me a pointed look. "Because anyone with eyes can see the way he looks at you whenever we go serve food in the dining hall. He watches you closely."

I glanced around at them all, feeling flustered. "But...but he's just observing me to make sure I'm not causing any trouble, since I'm still a newcomer to the pack!"

Suzanne reached over and patted my arm soothingly. "Whatever the reason, you're not to be blamed for anything, Liora. Let's just hope we all get mated to available, single wolves tomorrow. Who would want to be just a concubine or second mate after all?"

The others murmured in agreement, and I gave a hesitant nod as well, trying to push aside the flutters of nerves Anna's words had sparked within me. Surely the alpha had no undue interest in a lone zeta like myself? That seemed highly unlikely.


After that, we made our way to start cooking the afternoon meal. As we worked in the kitchen, we could see through the windows that the rest of the pack was busily decorating the main square where the mating ceremony would take place.

Strong male wolves were cutting and stacking large piles of firewood in the kitchen chamber, ensuring we'd have plenty of fuel to keep the fires burning for all the cooking needed.

The hunters who had gone out hunting early, had returned lugging the carcasses of freshly killed deer, elk and other wild game.

We chatted among ourselves in amazement as unmarked jars of what looked like beer or mead were brought in by some unfamiliar wolf faces.

"I heard some single wolves from the neighboring packs will be coming to try to find potential mates here too. Those must be some of them arriving already," Beth said, nodding towards the newcomers.

Suzanne peeped her head to get a better look out of the window. "Wow, I can count up to five really good-looking, strong males just from here. And there'll probably be even more arriving by tomorrow evening!"

Martha frowned as she kneaded a large mound of dough. "Well, with all these extra visitors, the food we're preparing is going to be far too little for everyone."

Anna shook her head. "Don't worry, I'm sure other women will join us in the kitchen once the celebrations really get going. We'll make at least five different kinds of soup and bake large amounts of bread, pies and other dishes."

Later that evening when we served the pack their supper in the main dining hall before the pack crowded in, the alpha stopped and addressed us.

"You girls have been working hard," he said in a kind voice. "Now that we have visitors amidst us, we wouldn't want them thinking you are just servants. Please change into clean clothes and join us all here at the main table."

We exchanged excited looks, barely able to contain our happiness at being invited to dine among the alpha and his esteemed guests.

"See, I told you the alpha is very generous and kind!" Beth whispered as we hurried off. "It's just the luna who can be mean at times."

We quickly changed out of our cooking smocks and into fresh, casual dresses made of simple but clean linen. When we returned to the dining hall, we pulled out chairs for ourselves at the main table.

As we took our seats, I couldn't help noticing the weighing stares of many of the males - both those from our own pack, and the unfamiliar visitor wolves. Their eyes lingered perhaps a bit too long on me in particular before sliding over the other girls.

Throughout the hearty meal of roasted venison, fragrant mushroom soup and fresh-baked bread, the atmosphere remained light and filled with anticipation for the next evening's festivities.

The alpha and luna made polite conversation with their visitors, while the rest of the pack chatted and joked freely all around us.

Yet I couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort from those piercing male gazes. Were they simply admiring my appearance, or was there something more judgemental, even predatory, in their appraisals?

I found myself hunching my shoulders inward self-consciously and keeping my eyes more often downcast than not.

Thankfully, the dinner soon came to an end and I feel relieved going to bed.


By the time I finally curled up on my mattress that night, I had made a decision. For my own sake, perhaps it would be wiser to sit out the actual ceremony itself rather than allow myself to be paraded before staring eyes and subjected to all that romancing madness.

I wouldn't want any men to fight over my attention. At least then I could retain some dignity and control over my own fate, whatever it might hold.

With that determined resolution, I snuggled down into the blankets and let the weariness of the day's labors finally whisk me into a deep, dreamless slumber.