CHAPTER TWO

My mind races as I eat. I'm so focused on my thoughts, I can barely taste the food.

"What's wrong with you?" Sarah asks me.

"Nothing."

"You've barely eaten a thing. Are you sick?"

I shake my head. "I have a lot on my mind, that's all."

I glance back over at the handsome Alpha.

Could it really be I've found my soulmate?

Once the meal is over, the higher ranking pack members leave with the Alphas for their planned activities. They're going to hunt in the forest and discuss politics more.

I take the lull to go to see the main Beta, Eric. He is the one who assigns all the roles within the den. I want to know whether it's true that Alpha Maxwell is looking to hire a chef.

He looks up as I enter and frowns.

"Hannah? What do you want?" he says gruffly.

He's not used to lowly Omega's bothering him. He must be busy; there's a stack of papers on his desk.

"I hear a rumor," I begin. "About a trade between our pack and the Blood Moon pack."

He narrows his eyes. "Nothing stays quiet here for long, does it," he mutters. Then more loudly, he says, "What did you hear?"

I step closer, ringing my hands.

"I heard that the Alphas are going to allow people to cross between the packs for work. People from our pack will go and work for Maxwell and vice versa. Is it true?"

He sighs, wearily. "Yes, it's true."

"Then I'd like to apply."

"I'm sorry?"

"I'd like to apply for a job. I'm a good cook, and I think I can represent our pack well."

He tips his head back and barks out a laugh. "The trading is for our best and brightest!" he scoffs. "There's no way an Omega like you would be allowed to work in their pack."

I'm offended. "But I'm the best chef here," I say.

"You're an Omega," he states, simply, as if this is any kind of explanation. "Alpha Maxwell will have a chef. It's talented people he needs. An artist or shoe makers or something."

He goes back to his papers.

"Cooking is considered an art by some..." I say to no one.

Suddenly, someone appears at my side.

It's Alpha Nico.

"I thought you went out hunting," I say, as a jolt of fear strikes me.

Has he overheard me?

I don't want him to think I'm ungrateful.

"Hunting is a young man's game," he replies with a chuckle. "What are you doing in here, Hannah?"

Eric looks up from his papers. "She wants a job," he states.

Alpha Nico looks confused. "What do you mean? You have a job, don't you?"

I open my mouth to explain but Eric beats me to it.

"She wants to work for Maxwell. As a chef."

"Really?" Alpha says, surprised. "Why do you want to do that?"

I grimace. This is so embarrassing.

"Sir," I stammer. "I'm just curious. I've never had a chance to see how another pack works. I've never traveled. I am just excited at the thought of living and working elsewhere, and I am a good cook so I thought maybe that would be what I could offer."

Far from insulted, my Alpha seems impressed.

"And why do you want to be a chef?"

"Food is an expression of love," I say.

"Food is an expression of love," Alpha repeats. Then he smiles. "I think you must be a romantic."

"I guess so," I reply. "I've never had a chance to find out."

Alpha Nico laughs, but to me it's not funny. He has Luna Tatiana. He has true love. I may never feel it.

Alpha turns to Eric. "What do you think, Eric?"

"It’s not up to me," Eric replies. "You know that."

He seems disgruntled.

"Of course," Alpha replies. "Sorry, old chap. It's a condition of the agreement that Alpha Maxwell gets to choose." He turns back to me. "I forgot about that."

My mind whirls with this new information.

But I hit on a sudden idea.

The Alpha is here for the night.

Tomorrow he will be fed a buffet breakfast.

If I make the best dish ever, maybe he will choose me to come and work for him!

"What is Alpha's favorite dish?" I ask.

Eric and Alpha look at me perplexed.

"How should we know?" Alpha Nico asks.

"Why do you ask?" Eric adds.

"I'd like to cook him a breakfast fit for an Alpha," I say.

Alpha Nico chuckles to himself and leaves, shaking his head,

Eric gives me an unimpressed look. "Scram, Omega. I've got work to do. I can't stand around talking to you all evening."

I scurry away, my mind racing with ideas.

Hope isn't lost yet.

I still have a chance to prove myself.

I'll make a feast so delicious that the Alpha won't be able to resist me.

I'll show him what an Omega like me is really capable of.

And then maybe my delicious food will be the way to his heart?

I return to the kitchen and start trying out different dishes, caught up in my daydreams.

As I chop the vegetables, I can't help but wonder what he'd say if he saw me like this.

He's an Alpha.

An Alpha wolf who is strong, smart, powerful.

And I'm a lowly Omega.

An Omega wolf who is weak, timid, confused.

Why would he ever be interested in me?

I doubt Alpha Nico will hand pick me from a group of applicants, but he might if I set myself apart.

All I need is an opportunity.

I want to surprise him.

I want to delight him.

I want Alpha Nico to be my Alpha.

I want to make him fall in love.

He has everything. He is my perfect match.

And I need him to want me.

I need him to want me to be his mate.

My heart pounds.

I'm not just an Omega.

I'm an Omega with a dream.