Chapter 2

Tara and Clare recommend that we meet together for lunch since the ball didn't provide us much of an opportunity to converse.

at an eatery for people.

I endured salads and the main course, and right now, while I sip my drink, I'm trying not to ask my own sisters whether their husbands are aware of where they are.

"And that's what they were discussing at the Ella," said the speaker. Clare snaps, gesturing with her palm toward my face.

“Sorry. It's too many mimosas. That is false. I've had two of those, and I'm not even drunk. I make an effort to pay attention to what she says. She said something about remodeling her master bathroom. 

You said before that they couldn't knock down a wall.

"Are you alright?" Tara questions me sincerely.

Do I tell them that after the ball, my head is all over the place? Because I'm unsure of my place in the pack? Because if my closest friends don't trust me after that, my sisters may not either. Their spouses also don't appear to be great supporters of the new monarch.

And it's difficult to feel as though my sisters' friends aren't sitting at the table with us invisibly.

"I'm good. I just…" As I shrug, I chuckle. "The whole remodeling thing is beyond me. or household items. Not because I don't care. I just cannot connect.

Clare reminds me, "Yet." Have you hired a planner for the event? Lupercalia is almost approaching.

“Um.” I scan in between them. "I'm not sure,"

Clare dismisses me. “Sorry. I'm going in front. Every hour between then and today is presumably filled with preparations on Mother's part.

“Exactly.” I'm glad I have a reason to steer clear of any possible Ashton discussion.

I'd rather not be with him. I'm not as thrilled about finding a partner as everyone else is.

Tara adds, gulping down some water, "Besides, she has the entire year." "Lupercalia is on the full moon this year, and they can't perform the mating ritual until after her first transformation."

"At this time, secure the party. Clare continues, "The sooner the better. When everything is resolved, "Mother and Father will be so relieved."

I approached her head-on after trying to divert her but it didn't work. What kind of relief?

She averts her gaze as if I were a baby. "Ella, you're not a fool. You are aware of this since you conducted the prank by using that excuse.

I correct her, "A right, not a loophole," and I interrupt.

She ignores what is being said. "—we're all hoping Ashton can be a calming force for you," she said.

I start off, squeezing my hands under the table, "A stabilizing—"

Do you intend to attend the full moon ceremony? Like it's even possible to shift the topic at this point, Tara asks.

"Yeah, um." Tara could be asking because she wants to be prepared since my own sisters don't want to be seen with me in places where werewolves frequent.

 "I want to go before I have my first metamorphosis. If I don't cause the family too much shame.

Before Clare responds, "We're not embarrassed to be seen with you, if that's what you think," Tara and Clare exchange a glance.

“Really?” There are no werewolves to be seen as I scan the eatery. So why aren't we at Minelli's right now? The Chophouse, perhaps?

With a snort, Tara explains, "Because every time we go to the Chophouse, Clare orders something she doesn't like and then she whines about it throughout the entire meal."

Although it is true, it is not the cause.

At least Clare is brave enough to be open and honest with me. 

Ella, you placed our whole family in a very uncomfortable situation at the ball. Since Frost's claim to the throne is strong and well-respected within the pack, Ashton's father could interpret your actions in that way.

“How?” I laugh. "I just returned,"

"You just got back from London," Tara counters.

This is really absurd. Would you quit behaving like I'm a member of a global surveillance ring, please? It was only one dance! And you said that he had a crush on Amber.

Your only dance was.

 As if I need to be reminded, Clare says, "With the king.

"Until I went to the fucking ball, I didn't even know who he was!" I snap. What exactly are you concerned about? 

Or do you just repeat what your husbands command you to say?

That's unfair, I say. Tara creates her own expression of pain.

It could be effective on Mother, but not on me. "What was expected of me? No, tell him. Tell the leader of our pack, "I don't want to dance.

My sisters don't say anything.

There was Ashton. He had the option of speaking. He could have intervened," I say.

He is more vulnerable than you are. Clare scowls, as though baffled that I wouldn't get it right away.

Which is absurd since I know exactly what she means when she says that I should put everything on the line for my putative soul mate rather than the other way around.

I suddenly become aware that they are both total strangers to me as they both just look at me in silence. They are not the same individuals they were before I left, before they began dating and living the mature werewolf lives we must all lead for the sake of the pack.

Everything I feared has come true. I am aware that after Ashton and I are married, I will be expected to support and concur with everything he may decide to do or say.

 And these expectations won't just be for him; everyone around me, even my sisters who have previously objected to that kind of conduct, will think I'm not doing my job as a pack member if I don't follow the rules and be the perfect partner. 

I reply, channeling the best of our mother's passive-aggressive, "It's been great getting together," But I must go.

I lean back in my chair and get up as a crackle of electricity draws my attention to the restaurant's entrance.

Before I see him, I sense him. It makes me nervous. However, I turn my attention to the door because I know Owen Frost will be there. And it's obvious that he senses my presence as well as our eye contact as he enters.

Five years ago, I used to question my sisters about whether or not I was indeed experiencing that attraction. However, I am unable to d

o so at this time. I can't rely on them to keep my secrets from their friends.