FOUR

The next day, I woke feeling lost and withdrawn. It wasn't a working day for me and for that I was glad. My A message popped up on my phone. It was from Jasmine.

Jasmine: Hey girl, I hope you are good. Can we meet up at the park's hall this morning? I know it's not your work day so, you don't have any excuse not to come. There is an event taking place in the evening and all young eligible girls have been invited. It's a long story though which I will tell you about when we meet.

I chuckled, Jasmine always knew how to get to me and I couldn't say no to her besides I needed to go out and get fresh air so that I could clear my head and thoughts.

Me: Sure Jasmine, I'll be there by 10. The gist better be worth it.

Jasmine: Oh, I promise you it's definitely worth it.

I smiled and stood up from the couch, stretching myself and yawning. I opened the door of the only bedroom we had in the house to check up on my mother.

She was awake and I smiled at her 'Hi Mommy, how are you feeling today?'

My mother tried to give a smile but she was weak 'I'm alright my dear, stop worrying so much about me'

'Are you sure Mom? How intense is your body pain?' I asked.

My mother gave me a warning look 'I said that I'm fine Isabel, now why do you look pale? What's the matter, love?'

Pale? I looked pale? I couldn't tell my mother all that happened yesterday from my boss who sexually harassed me and fired me afterward because I stood up to him, to Mark who dumped me after lying to me for two freaking years. It was a lot so, I gave her a cheerful smile and tried to mask the pain I was feeling. She shouldn't worry about me; I am a strong girl.

'Oh, it's nothing Mom, maybe it's the weather' Looking at her face, I could see that she wasn't convinced so I managed to change the conversation.

'So, I'm going out to meet Jasmine this morning, apparently, the park is hosting an event. Jasmine will tell me more about it when I get there'

My mom gave me a funny look and I knew why 'An event is happening in the park and a young girl like you has not heard about it? I understand that you are so swamped with work and debts but, you should have a life too aside from taking care of me. Go out with Jasmine and have fun while at it. You need to give yourself the chance to be happy and don't worry about me, I'm fine'

I nodded my head and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast and give my mom her drugs. As soon as I was done, I had my bath, dressed up, and rushed out of the house to meet Jasmine. The pack hall loomed like an ancient cathedral, its stone pillars tangled in ivy and shadows. I pushed open the heavy double doors and immediately winced at the high-pitched squeal of chairs scraping against the wooden floor. Inside, it was a storm of chaos; girls running around with ribbons, streamers, trays of glassware, and buckets of flowers that looked like they'd rather wilt than cooperate. Most of the girls there chattering amongst themselves in their various groups, they were organizing the hall or something, I wasn't sure. They were all full of excitement, I could hear words like 'Mate Selection Ceremony, Alpha' it was all so confusing.

I was on the lookout for Jasmine who I spotted at the far end of the hall holding some flowers, she seemed……well….. occupied. Jasmine was hunched over a giant vase, trying ..and…. failing to force a bouquet of rebellious roses into something resembling order.

'Work with me, you thorny devils! Oh, for fucks sake, damn flowers' Jasmine cursed as the flowers kept falling from where she placed them. One particularly stubborn stem bounced out and smacked her in the nose. 'I swear I will eat you.'

I bit back a laugh. 'Please leave the poor flowers alone, they did nothing wrong to you'

Jasmine straightened with a dramatic huff. 'Isabel! Thank goodness. Save me. These flowers are possessed. I don't know why we are doing all these things, they should just get servants to help them clean out the hall. Do I look like a slave?'

I adjusted the flowers while shaking my head 'Of course not, you do not look like a slave at all. You're just….ermm…what's the word?.... 'bad' at arranging them.'

'I'm bad at forced elegance,' Jasmine replied with a sniff. 'I'm a wildflower kind of girl. These roses have too much attitude. I told my parents that I didn't want to come here but, they refused. They said and I quote 'His people will be on the lookout to scrutinize the girls lined up in the hall for him so, you need to go to the hall and help out. Even if you don't clean, just act like you are, please. You don't know who is watching.'

'Seems like you have a huge news/gossip to share' I said after I succeeded in arranging the roses properly.

Jasmine looked around quickly, then leaned in close. 'Yes girl, I have news. Gossip. Life-changing information. Also, because, my mom thinks I need to 'be seen participating more.' She made air quotes so aggressively that one of her earrings nearly flew off.

I turned to her with a confused look on my face 'I'm confused Jas, can you kindly explain what is happening here? Every girl seems to be on their best behavior and why are you all cleaning?'

Jasmine pulled me closer and started giving me all the details 'Apparently, the Alpha is coming back to find his mate. We really don't know what he looks like but, my parents already told me all I needed to know.

'The Alpha is coming back? To find a mate?' I asked.

Jasmine nodded her head in agreement and brought down her voice in her usual gossip-like way. 'Yas Bitch!!! He's coming back here; you know he left here a long time ago after the death of his mate who died while giving birth to their child'

'I didn't know that' I replied and watched Jasmine roll her eyes at me.

'Damn girl, you don't know a lot of things happening in this park. Thank heavens you have me, without me, your life would be so boring' she said with a pout.

'If you say so anyway, tell me more' I answered as if I was interested in knowing more when I clearly wasn't.

'This information is not for free girl; you'll have to do something for me later' Jasmine said winking at me with a smile.

I gave her a funny look 'Why do I feel scared all of a sudden?'

'Don't be scared my poor baby. Okay, let's go back to the gist.' She lowered her voice to a dramatic whisper.