CHAPTER EIGHT

"Okay, Bria," Beth says from opposite me at the table. "Time to play."

Brock told me he'd show me how the pack had fun, and now I am sitting around the kitchen table with him, Glade, Ethan and Beth.

Beth starts dealing cards.

I gulp.

"Why do I feel like this is the first day of school all over again?" I say.

They all laugh.

They are treating me like I belong here.

They seem to get that I'm trying my best to fit in.

They are nice people.

They put me at ease.

They help me forget my wedding...

Beth explains the rules and we start playing.

Glade is on my right. He is a giant, the biggest in the pack. He is tall and strong, but so gentle and kind. He is sweet too. He makes me feel right at home. I love how he speaks with a southern twang.

Ethan is on my left. He's sweet and funny. He teases Beth, who teases him back. I like the way they bicker. It's fun to watch.

I'd be happy to be part of their little family if I didn't have to marry Jeremiah.

But then, I'd be happy about a lot of things if I didn't have to marry Jeremiah.

"So what are you going to do?" Glade asks. "When you're married?"

Brock watches my answer over the top of his playing cards.

I shrug. "I have no idea."

"It's a big responsibility," Beth says. "Being a Luna."

She is smiling, but I know it's true.

It worries me.

They've been so welcoming, but Ana has not.

What if the rest of the pack are like Ana and hate me instantly?

Glade throws his cards on the table.

"I'm out," he says, standing up, stretching. "I think I'm gonna go get some shut-eye."

Brock throws down his cards too. "Good idea."

They leave the room together before the rest of us have a chance to say goodnight.

As soon as they're gone, Beth leans in and whispers conspiratorially.

"I hear Brock showed you his favorite tree," Beth whispers in my ear.

"I mean... we climbed trees, if that's what you mean."

"And he took you to the flower meadow."

"So?"

"He likes you. He never takes girls to those places."

I tense up.

My heart thumps.

Brock likes me?

The butterflies start in my stomach and I panic.

This is not the best time for this.

He likes me?

I realize I'm staring at my cards, but I can't focus on the game.

I can't get Beth's words out of my head.

Beth looks away and continues playing.

"You like him back, don't you?"

I think about it for a minute.

I mean, he's handsome, fun, strong and kind.

He's charming and likes to read and teach and talk.

I could see myself with Brock.

He's everything I want.

But I can't.

I am marrying Jeremiah.

I don't answer her question, but she doesn't seem to care.

"You should go for it," she says, laying down a new set of cards. "I've never seen him so happy. You've given him a whole new lease on life."

"But I'm marrying his Alpha!" I exclaim.

"Leave the girl alone," Ethan pipes up.

He gives Beth a playful cuddle.

They're a lovely couple.

I'm so happy for them.

I want that.

"How did you two meet?" I ask.

"We were paired," Beth says. She bestows a kiss on Ethan's cheek.

"By Jeremiah?" I ask.

They both laugh.

"No!" Ethan exclaims. "By the Moon Goddess. It's written in the stars who you're supposed to mate with. All wolves have a soul mate. Didn't they teach you that where you're from?"

"No," I say, surprised.

Alpha told me nothing of the sort.

Neither did my father.

Because they did not know?

Or because they knew one day I was going to be married off to a man I did not know and did not love.

"Soul mates..." I say, thinking of Nathaniel.

I loved him, but I never felt like he was my soul mate.

"How do you know you've met your soul mate?" I ask.

They gaze at one another lovingly.

"You feel it," Beth says.

"In every fiber of your being," Ethan adds.

"And then you mate," Beth says, giggling.

"Wow," I say. "How romantic is that?"

"You have no idea," Beth says.

She smiles, dreamily.

"No. I have no clue," I agree. "And I never will."

Beth falls silent.

She gets up and heads to the kitchen.

"Coffee?" she asks me.

"No, thanks," I say.

She really is a great woman.

She makes me want to be a part of this pack.

It would be so easy to forget everything and just be happy here.

Beth jumps up and takes my hand. "Come on. It's lovely at night."

I stand up and follow Beth and Ethan through the kitchen and out the back door.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"You'll see," Beth says, laughing.

The night is cool, clear and beautiful.

The moon is full and bright.

The night is perfect.

Sort of.

"This is the tree Brock brought you to," Beth says, pointing to a sturdy oak. "I saw you two climb it."

I look up at the tree and nod.

"You looked like you had a good time," Beth says, beaming.

"Yeah."

"You two looked good together," Beth says.

She gives me a meaningful look.

"It was fun," I say. "I had a good time."

"Did Brock kiss you?" Beth asks, leaning on the tree.

"No!" I exclaim.

Why won't she just drop it?

"I think you're his soul mate!" she says.

"I'm not," I say, as firmly as I can. "I'm about to be married to his Alpha."

Beth gives me a look. "And if you weren't?"

"If I wasn't, I'd be at home with my pack and my boyfriend."

"You feel it," Beth says. "I can tell. Soul mates are fated to be together. It's what the Moon Goddess intended."

"Beth," Ethan warns. "I told you. Drop it."

"It is written in the stars," she replies. "You can't fight fate."

"But you can make your own choice," he says. "Jeremiah chose Bria. So just leave her and Brock alone. I know you love to play match-maker, but it's not a good idea."

I swallow my embarrassment.

Their cute bickering seems to have turned more serious.

And I totally get why.

If something were to happen between Brock and I, it would be a disaster for the pack.

So I just have to make sure that never happens.