Chapter 27

Noah watched as servants transformed his dining room into an elegant hall for the family banquet. With the most elite werewolves of the Pack and their families attending this intimate gathering, he wanted to ensure everything was perfect. Besides, anything that kept him away from Hannah at the moment felt like a blessing.

Ever since seeing Hannah at that party, dancing with another man, Noah had been constantly irritated. Technically, she hadn't done anything he hadn't agreed to. She had warned him she planned on dancing with other men, and he'd begrudgingly agreed. But still, it bothered him.

He'd been finding fault with everything she did, becoming overly critical. He'd even snapped at her that morning simply for wearing a dress he thought the wrong color for the event. He told himself it was because she was his Luna, and he wasn't used to seeing her with other—admittedly handsome—young men. Yet, something deep inside told him there was more, something he didn't want to admit, something he didn't even want to consider.

"You there!" he yelled at a servant hanging a blue banner. "We agreed on red and gold, not blue and gold!"

I stood beside Zoe as she prepared dinner for the banquet. Adam sat in the middle of the kitchen, playing with his Transformer toy while the adults worked and talked.

"Could you chop up the garlic for me?" Zoe asked, stirring a large pot simmering on the burner.

"Of course."

I cut into my first clove of garlic, my nose wrinkling at the smell. I'd never liked the smell of garlic, and I liked it even less now, struggling with an eating disorder. Nevertheless, I persisted.

"You know, I was surprised when you and Noah invited me to this banquet," Zoe said, adding a spice to the pot. I should have paid closer attention to what she was doing if I wanted to learn how to cook.

"Oh?"

"Yes, especially after… well…"

I knew what she meant. I wasn't sure how much of the argument between Noah and me at the charity ball she'd overheard, but I was sure it was enough. I waved my hand dismissively before returning to chopping the garlic.

"Bygones," I said. "Really, I appreciate the help with the cooking. I don't spend much time in the kitchen."

Zoe smiled slightly. "It's no trouble at all. I love it." She paused.

"I'm grateful for the company, honestly," she continued. "It seems that Drake is planning to visit the Drake Nightcrest Pack soon."

Zoe said that with such disdain that I hesitated. "He is, is he?" I asked.

Zoe nodded, a scowl spreading across her delicate features. "It worries me." She glanced at my small pile of garlic. "Go ahead and pour that into the stew."

I followed her instructions, my hands trembling slightly as I tried to prevent anything from falling. Zoe smiled approvingly as I stepped back, and she began to stir the stew. She took a sip and exhaled contentedly.

"Delicious." She offered me a spoonful. "Want a taste?"

My stomach knotted. I shook my head. "No, thank you."

Zoe shrugged, looking disappointed. "You know," she said, moving to the other side of the kitchen, "one of the best things about cooking is that you get to sample your creations while you're working."

My stomach tended to disagree with that.

"I'll have to take your word for it."

Zoe frowned as she took a pie tin from a cupboard. "Would you mind getting out the mason jars of peach slices I brought for the peach pies? There should be three in my tote bag on the counter."