CHAPTER THIRTY.

(MELIORA'S POV)


"Well, I'm glad you two aren't asleep already," Beth's loud voice rang out as she came barreling into the room. "Because if you were, I would have to wake you up anyway!"

She strode into the room with purpose, a self-satisfied grin plastered across her flushed features. Depositing herself onto her mattress, Beth didn't even bother to contain her excitement as she made her announcement.

"You'll never believe the news, ladies! A strong and handsome beta wolf near our pack courted me this evening." She paused dramatically, clearly savoring being able to revel in the revelations.

Anna and I waited for her to continue. "Apparently he had lost his mate to illness some moons ago," she said, her tone taking on an unconvincingly somber affect.

"And he's been in desperate need of finding a suitable new bride to continue his lineage."

She arched one immaculately groomed eyebrow meaningfully. "Luckily for him, I agreed to take pity and join him as his wife!"

Anna clapped her hands together gleefully at this proclamation. "Does this mean you'll be leaving this pack too? Oh, how marvelous for us both!"

The blonde bombshell grinned toothily and gave an emphatic nod. "You'd better believe it, my friend! Come tomorrow and I'll no longer remain shackled to these servant quarters any longer."

That was a reminder and I couldn't help grimacing slightly at the reminder of our lowly status here.

"Just imagine - you and I, starting fresh lives in whole new territories! With exceptionally outstanding wolves to top it all." She added.


"Oh I don't think I'll be able to sleep a wink tonight because of all this excitement!" Beth practically sang as she got out of her ceremonial dress, leaving it in a crumpled heap on the floor.

She flopped back onto her pallet, chest still heaving with excitement. A smile played across my lips as I watched the normally blonde come utterly undone by the evening's whirlwind of romance.

"My, my...what enchantments did you ladies use to bewitch all those amazing suitors?" I couldn't resist teasing lightly, arching one eyebrow in mock curiosity.

Anna let out a peal of laughter, shaking her head emphatically. "Spells and trickery had nothing to do with it! We simply got incredibly lucky."

She leaned in conspiratorially, ready to impart a secret.

"You see, the majority of those handsome visitors from abroad? They only came for the esteemed Princess Selene herself." Anna rolled her eyes dramatically.

"So we humble serving girls just got fortunate that there were enough leftover grooms to go around since Selene can only choose one man, and they'd hate to return empty handed and unchosen."

Beth snorted indelicately at this, shooting Anna an impish grin. "Yes, remember last year's mating festival when all the bachelors picked riper girls leaving us the younger ones behind."

She shook her head ruefully. "I can only imagine how Selene must be boiling over with rage right now. Knowing that even us lowly, unprivileged girls managed to catch the eye of a few of her would-be suitors."

"Oh, absolutely!" Anna agreed with a vehement nod. "She'd wish they would return empty handed rather than choose us!"

A fresh peal of laughter bubbled up between the two at this, causing me to join in despite myself. As their mirth tapered off into sporadic giggles, I seized the opportunity to press for more details.

"Well if Selene's own friends missed out on snaring mates too, I pity them even more than her," I began innocently. "But did each one of them get mated after all?"

The gleam in Anna's eyes sharpened instantly at the prospect of being able to indulge in some fresh gossip.


She opened her mouth, clearly ready to divulge more news only to be cut off by the slamming inrush of another figure barreling into our quarters.

Suzanne stood framed in the doorway, her beaming countenance lit by an inner glow of pure, radiant joy. Even Beth and Anna's riotous giggling instantly stuttered to a halt at the vision of our friend's elated state.

"Well? What marvelous news got you looking like you're about to explode with joy, Suzanne?" I prompted gently when she didn't immediately divulge her tidings.

Her brilliant smile somehow managed to stretch even wider as she crossed the room in two long strides to join our huddle.

We all watched in rapt fascination as she extended her left hand, allowing an ornate silver ring to wink and glimmer in the candlelight.

"Oh, you fox - don't tell me he's finally..." Beth breathed out, eyes widening in dawning comprehension.


"That's right, girls - I'm to be mated too!" She announced with a brilliant, triumphant smile. "And you'll never guess who has claimed me for his own..."

Another deliberate pause for dramatic effect. When none of us rose to the dangled bait, Suzanne huffed out a mirthful breath.

"An alpha, ladies! A full-fledged, distinguished alpha from a close neighboring pack has chosen me as his second mate!"

My jaw dropped in astonishment even as Anna and Beth immediately broke into a cacophony of shrill squeals and congratulations.

"Oh Suzanne, how did you catch the eye of an alpha?!" Beth exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, Beth and I got a handsome beta and a warrior. You are most lucky!" Anna joined in.

"So where does his pack lie?" I asked my friend with a bittersweet realization that she's leaving.

"A day's walk East of here. I think we could still see each other, if you're still choosing to stay unmated, Liora." Suzanne explained heartily.

"Where's Martha?" Anna cut in looking at Suzanne who must have left her behind. "Oh she's off to her lover's chambers. It's Hunter Brian who courted her. I always knew he liked Martha, anyway." Suzanne answered.

"Yes, that's right. She's still lucky. Brian is handsome and nice. He'll treat her well." Anna replied.

Before the gist could further into details, Beth finally raised her voice to be heard over the commotion.

"Alright, alright - that's enough squealing from you banshees for one evening!" She announced in a tone of exaggerated long-suffering.

"Unless you'd all like Elder Abigail herself to come marching in here and scolding us for disturbing the entire village with our ruckus?"

Her words finally seemed to douse some of the wild celebratory energy, though the electric atmosphere of giddiness still clung to the air.

"As if you can even sleep, Beth." Anna teased. "Well, I'll try." Beth replied to her.

With that we all began settling back onto our respective pallets in preparation for getting some rest.

No matter how desperately I might wish to fall into a blissfully dreamless slumber, my mind continued to whirl and churn.