Chapter 2

The beeping of my alarm clock wakes me all too soon. I internally groan, wishing with every fiber of my being that I could be allowed to sleep in just once on my birthday. After my alarm goes off one more time, I throw my blanket off of me and sit up. As Alpha Justin pointed out yesterday evening, it's not just my birthday today, it's a few others in the pack as well. Luckily, I was able to finish the invitations last night and send them off via werewolf inter-postal mail. The werewolf community has its own postal service that's about ten times faster than regular human mail. This also means my day is basically going to be even more shitty than normal.

There's not a ton of time to dwell on it though, so I toss my oversized t-shirt on and tie the bottom in a knot so it stops just above my hips instead of hitting my knees. I tie my hair up and head to the washroom off of the kitchen. I'm not allowed my own bathroom. I gasp when I see myself in the mirror. My scars are gone. Every single one of them. For the first time in years, my skin looks clear of any acne spots, scarring, discoloration, and healthy. I can't stop marveling over the smoothness. That's when it dawns on me that I don't have a headache and my side doesn't hurt anymore either.

"Shanna, are you there?" I ask quietly.

"Lizzie, what time is it? Go back to bed." I sense Shanna give a big sleepy yawn.

"Did you heal me? Like all of me? Everywhere?" I'm still processing it all.

"Of course I did silly. Once you passed out, it only took me about twenty minutes to take care of it all. You had a very minute brain bleed though that took a lot of energy out of me to heal." She says with another yawn.

"So that was why I had headaches," I state more to myself than her.

"Yes, it would have killed anyone else. But, you're of Alpha blood. So, your natural genetics kept it at bay until I could fix it."

"Thanks, Shanna," I tell her with gratitude.

"I'm on your side. You and I against the world now." She says enthusiastically.

"Thanks, go get some more rest." I click the link off to ensure she does just that.

As I step into the kitchen, I turn the kitchen radio on to let music fill the air. I can't help but sing and hum along with the tunes as I go about preparing mountains of pancakes, bacon, eggs, french toast, biscuits and gravy, and fruit platters for breakfast. Letting the music and breakfast scents liberate me, I lose track of time, and before I know it some pack members are starting to filter in. I quickly finish laying out the last of the biscuits before grabbing my own plate and dashing back to my room before anyone could register I was still present.

Once I hear the morning chatter, clanging of glasses, and clinking of silverware die down I know it's safe to head back out to clean everything back up. The sight of Alpha Justin standing at the massive island in the kitchen drinking his coffee while reading a paper caught me off guard. If I were basically any other person in this pack and he wasn't so quick to toss me in the dungeon for punishment, I'd say he was a handsome young man. But, his crappy abusive personality and poor leadership deter any of those thoughts for me.

"Ah yes Elizabeth, there you are." Alpha Justin looks up from the paper he was reading.

"What can I do for you?" I say as politely as I can.

"Did you send out the invitations for the party this evening?" He asks curtly.

"Yes, I sent them through last night before I went to bed." I continue to answer him as politely as possible.

"Good, now since it is your birthday, after all, you will be allowed to join in the party festivities this evening. Pending you don't mess anything up or cause any trouble. Am I understood?" He looks me up and down. "You may also take a visit to the local second-hand store on our pack grounds to find something to wear. I don't need you embarrassing this pack over a wardrobe..... misunderstanding." He finishes the last part with a smirk.

I nod in understanding and gulp the lump in my throat. The shock is preventing any appropriate words so I decide to not say anything. He sets his cup in the sink and briskly walks out. I lean against the fridge and go over everything he just told me. Here I am, nine hours into my eighteenth birthday, and I have my wolf, a party I'm allowed to attend, and the opportunity for a new or at least new to me outfit for the party. So far, not as shitty of a day as I thought. At least for now. I have little hope that he won't find a reason throughout the day to tell me I don't deserve to attend, but there's a tiny voice inside me telling me I need to try. So I set off to find the Beta's wife, Anne, to assist in the party setup.

It's not long before I find her in the ballroom directing those around her where to place decorations and what they should be doing. I reluctantly admit to myself that as far as the ranking pack members go, Anne's one of the better ones. She treats everyone, apart from myself, equally and doesn't take any bullshit from anyone. One of the qualities that probably played a part in her being mated to Beta Mark. He's Alpha Justin's best friend and dishes bullshit better than most.

"You! Elizabeth! Get over here." She barks at me from across the room.

"Sorry, I'm here," I shout back as I hurry over to her.

"Good. Here is your list. I have my list. Complete your list and stay out of my way. Understand?" She doesn't even meet my eyes as she shoves the checklist she made for me into my hands.

"Yes. I understand." I reply.

"Good. Report back to me once you're finished." She doesn't even hesitate before she turns on her feet and starts in on something else.

The news of the Alphas and Betas that are attending this evening's festivities quickly spread throughout the pack. The rumor that some of them are also unmated flew like wildfire. I caught bits of random conversations between unmated she-wolves as I was running around completing the list. Some were gossiping about each attending Alpha or Beta, some were planning weddings and Luna ceremonies, and some were gossiping about how best to just seduce one into their bedroom. It takes a conscious effort on my part to ignore and not gag every time I stumble upon a new conversation. Honestly, though, they need to pay attention to who's around and who could be listening.

In addition to the rumor that there would be unmated Alpha and Betas, the rumor that the older mated ranking members would be bringing their unmated daughters along to see if one of them would be a mate to Alpha Justin began circulating as well. It truly worries me sometimes about how fast these things become common knowledge around here. I carry the last of the flower pieces into the ballroom and set them down on the last empty table. Crossing the last of the tasks off the list I approach Anne.

"Excuse me, Beta Anne?" I ask her hesitantly.

"What is it?" She replies without looking up from her clipboard.

"I've completed the list you gave me." I hand it over to her. She looks it over and takes a minute to cross reference her own list with the one she gave me. I hear her mumbling to herself about random details that honestly nobody will care about once they start drinking. Finally, she walks back over to me and gives me a nod.

"Very well. You've done well. Please go see the second-hand store for something more suitable to wear tonight." She purses her lips. "Please find something modest and something that's not embarrassing. This is an important evening."

"Yes, ma'am." I acknowledge with a nod before racing out of there as fast as possible.

It doesn't take me more than ten minutes to race the few streets to the second-hand store. I pass by the grocery store, movie theater, a few cafes, and even some young pups playing in a playground. Pack lands are intended and set up in a way that the pack can sustain itself with little outside normal human help as possible. The less risk of exposure, the better. I barrel through the glass doors into the shop and stop to catch my breath. At the counter is an old woman, not the kind you pity with their old bones and feeble limbs, but the kind who could still run an army kitchen given half a chance. She stands quite tall and slim, her short grey hair neat and likely styled with old-fashioned rollers, the kind women used to sleep in.

Her face is made up with discrete make-up except for her lips which are cherry red. If she were any paler, her lips would stick out like a sore thumb, but against her sun-kissed skin, it looks right. She makes her way from behind the counter toward me, giving me a brief up-and-down evaluation. I'm surprised when she extends her hand to shake mine. I see the soil beneath her fingernails. A gardener I'll bet. Then I notice her neck scarf, patterned with small roses. I'll bet she has the best front yard on her street. She gives me a kind smile. It reminds me of my mother's smile.

"What can I do for you?" She asks me in a kind voice.

"I.. um... I need to find something to wear for the party tonight." I stumble over my own words.

"Ah, I see. You must be Elizabeth." I watch as recognition crosses her face. I don't however, see the same disgust that most pack members here have towards me.

"Yes, ma'am. That's right." I reply shakily.

"Not to worry dear. I'm sure there's something here that will do. Let us start by getting your measurements shall we?" She motions towards an area off to the side where she has a three-fold mirror set up with a small four-inch platform and a stool with various tape measures and pins.

"Alright," I reply back as I stand up onto the small platform in front of the mirror.

"You're smaller than Alpha Justin told me." I hear her whisper to herself. I shake it off and let her take my measurements.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be impolite, but may I know your name?" I ask, again my voice shakes and almost cracks.

"Oh! My apologies. My name is Lisa. Everyone around her calls me Grandma Lisa though." Her smile holds kindness.

Slowly she starts to get me to converse with her without me realizing it. Before I know it she has me in a dressing room with a mountain of possibilities in outfits and dresses. I feel a bit nostalgic when I think about all the missed opportunities to do this with my own mother, but I shove those feelings back down. A baby blue color catches my eye from the middle of the pile. I dig through and pull out the dress and stare in awe. It's a form-fitting strapless top with a knee-length skirt that flares out at the knees. The charmeuse satin fabric slides through my fingers easily.

"Everything alright dear?" I hear Grandma Lisa call out.

"Oh yes. Yes, I'm alright. I think I found one." I holler back.

"What are you waiting for? Try it on and come show me!" She yells back excitedly.

"Alright." I step into the dress and reach behind to pull the zipper up. Once I have it adjusted I take a moment to see myself in the mirror. I've never owned or worn anything like it. I step out of the dressing room and turn to see Grandma Lisa covering her mouth with her hands.

"I think this one looks okay," I tell her shyly.

"My dear, you look breathtaking. You are wearing that tonight." She gives me a no-nonsense look.

"I doubt the Alpha would give me enough to purchase this off of you. It's almost double the budget he gave me." I tell her dejectedly.

"Oh, nonsense! I run this shop. If I tell you that you're taking that dress and wearing it, you're doing exactly that." She folds her arms across her chest.

"Yes, ma'am." I can't stop the grin that forms on my face. I do a small twirl and giggle for the first time in years. "Thank you so much. I have no idea how I'll repay you for this." I tell her.

"Seeing that smile on your face dear is enough payment for me." She wipes a small tear from her eyes.

We share a knowing look between us before I walk up to her and give her a hug. An act I haven't done since arriving in this pack.