Chapter 0154

“Sam told them that Sierra and I were evaluating their performances during patrols and they came

to ask for help. I guess they are worried about failing if Kaley’s dad can't rig anything in their favor.

They’ve probably never had to truly work for something before” I shrug, turning to put my book back

in my bag.

“Huh. You need to eat something, you are not gaining weight fast enough and you are tiny enough

as it is."

He slides a tray with a sandwich, chips, veggies, fruit and water on it towards me, then turns and

just leaves.

I just blink and take another deep breath and try to remember that he is taking care of me in his own

caveman way. It’s a sign of him trying to mend fences that he came over in the first place and as

much as I want to throw it away to show 1 am still angry with them and I don’t want to prove he is

right.

But I am hungry and the doc said I wasn’t eating enough for my activity level, so I eat everything,

quickly, then get up to throw my stuff out and head to our next class without a backward glance. The

presence of six bodies behind me tells me I have a full escort this time.

The next couple days are more of the same mundane routine, but I really don’t mind routine.

Sometimes with all the chaos, having expected things happen the way they are supposed to is

calming and reassuring.

Marnie took my advice and while she wasn’t any better, she wasn't as big of a pain as she was on

day one and she seems to be really trying. Sierra said something similar about Jeanie Friday

morning.

“So after training tomorrow morning we are getting ready in the Luna's suite for the mating ball. You

have zero choices in this matter and I don’t want to hear about it. We also have to be ready by 7pm

because Martha wants to see us at the diner first before we head over to the ball.” Sierra looks over

at me like I might explode at her for telling me what our plans are for this stupid dance. The casual

way she just throws more things we have to do before actually attending the ball is wearing my

nerves though. She has talked of nothing else all day and I don’t think we have discussed the same

thing about the ball twice as we walk between classes. I am also doing the mental math and do not

understand the amount of time she has allotted to get ready either.

I have made my peace with going with her and the guys and I have determined myself to have a

good time, even if it is for Sierra’s sake alone. I can see her almost vibrating with excitement about

the whole ordeal. We have one more class for the day and then I can get to the gym. Sam, Mateo

and Sierra have been taking turns ‘hanging’ out with me there.

After what happened last time no one, including Luna Ava and Delta Kyle trust me in there by

myself. None of us really talk, just work. The twins and Oliver have yet to take their turn though and

I can’t decide if I am more happy or disappointed in the amount of space they are giving me. |

Tonight was Sierra’s turn, she asked if we could use the packhouse gym for convenience, and the

topic returned to the ball. This time we are discussing the after party that seems to be happening at

the packhouse. We apparently have to have a different outfit for this party than the dresses we are

wearing to the dance.

“The Luna has us covered though. She told me this morning that our ‘after- dresses’ will be hanging

in your room and we should be able to quickly doa wardrobe change before anyone notices we’re

missing.” She keeps rambling as my eyebrows rise farther into my hairline and | am momentarily

stuck mid squat.

“Are you serious? I am already wearing one dress that you chose for me. Why does there have to

bea second monkey suit?"

“First, monkey suits are for the boys. Second, I don’t argue with the Luna.” She giggles at me and I

can’t help but crack a smile, knowing full well there wasn’t a fight at all.

I just roll my eyes and get back to my leg workout. An hour later, Sierra and I emerge from the

dungeon of the packhouse to find all the guys conveniently hanging around the island of the kitchen

as we come out. Sam and Mateo make eye contact and give mea half smile, the other three just

stare, no expression on their faces. Oliver slides a shaker to me full of a dense brownish concoction

without a word or a second glance then heads out of the room. A few minutes later I hear the soft

whoosh and snick of the front door opening and closing.

‘He had to get to his patrol shift.” Sam says by way of an explanation. “He said you still need to put

some meat on your bones."

I take the shake rolling my eyes and head upstairs. I don’t bother going back to the Beta house

tonight, I have an early morning, and I am going to need plenty of rest to deal with these as*holes

all day tomorrow.

For the first time in a long time, Sierra doesn’t follow me. Maybe she thinks I’m safe here in the

confines of the packhouse. And since there is no other babysitter following me, everyone else is in

agreement that I’m not a flight risk and need to be monitored.