Chapter 5 Cherry

　　Our whole pack was seated around a huge banquet table, draped in crisp white linen and decorated with candles and flowers. A feast of rich dishes rested along the middle, which the pack had all pitched in to make, and were all enjoying now. 　　Despite the festive mood, my own was strained. I sat to the left of Dylan. He was to the right of his father, while Heather sat to Chris’s left. I felt like Dylan, and I were supposed to be the mirror image of our Alpha and Luna, but creeping shame built in me. I couldn’t help noticing how often Heather leaned in to talk to Chris or patted her husband’s arm and other little signs of affection that marked the pair as a proper couple. 　　Whereas Dylan and I had barely exchanged two words all night. Dylan mostly talked to his father about pack business. The only time I managed to speak to him was to ask if he’d tried the salmon or venison and other dull things. 　　A sheen of sweat beaded along my forehead as I dwelled on what everyone must be thinking as they watched us. My skin crawled, and I felt as if the whole pack’s eyes were on me, despite everyone being too busy enjoying themselves. 　　The banquet was to die for. Heather, our Luna, had spared no expense in celebrating her husband’s fiftieth birthday. The whole pack was gathered in the huge open-plan reception room of our Alpha and Luna’s house. The building was a converted barn, but none of its agricultural roots showed. The airy, high-ceilinged space would have looked at home in the richest areas of downtown Seattle. We were on the second floor, with huge balconies on either end, thrown open to the starry night sky. 　　I fidgeted with the strap of my dress. I’d been blown away as I’d put on the silver number tonight. It hugged my every curve, falling around me like a waterfall in the moonlight. But I was uncomfortable because Heather had given it to me. She’d told me she’d worn it at her Moon Ceremony, saying it would mean a lot if I wore it tonight. But now, it only added to that hot, prickly feeling washing over me. I was a pale imitation of what Heather was. I didn’t deserve to wear this because Dylan didn’t want me as his mate. 　　A lump rose in my throat, but then Bert’s voice sounded beside me, “Do you think John’s ever gonna lay off the ribs?” 　　I followed my friend’s gaze, biting my lip to hide a smile. John, one of the older members of the pack opposite, was tucking into his third plate of red meat. The man had terrible gout but was notoriously bad at restraint. John often joked it was his wolf’s appetite. I smothered a laugh as John’s wife nagged him. 　　Bert’s steady stream of chatter had been tonight’s saving grace, the only thing able to distract me from my worries. 　　But, in a second, my amusement vanished. Chris, our Alpha, pushed back his chair. He tapped the side of his glass quietly. Discomfort sluiced through me. 　　It was Chris’s birthday. There was no reason for my nervousness. The pack was here for their Alpha. 　　“As you know, I pride myself in making my speeches like my wife, short and sweet.” 　　Laughter tittered through the pack at the familiar joke, but unease crawled across my skin. I couldn’t shake the fear that I was about to be dropped into the limelight. Heather’s eyes met mine, a warm smile on her face as if to say we had so much in common. Because I shared her petite build, I’d been able to borrow Heather’s dress. But we weren’t the same. Not in what counted. 　　My eyes crept towards Dylan, only to find his dark eyes staunchly turned away from me. Sadness cloyed at me as I saw again how indifferent he was to me. 　　Our Alpha’s speech continued, “Nothing makes me happier than seeing the whole pack together and having my loving Luna and wonderful son and heir beside me. 　　“But, perhaps, there is one thing to make me happier still, something that I’ll take the opportunity to share now since we’re all gathered together. Nuu-Chah has made it known to me that our wonderful Cherry will soon officially join our family. I’d like you all to join me in toasting Dylan and Cherry, whose Moon Ceremony will take place in three months.” 　　My heart rocketed into my throat. Its furious thumping seemed to compete with the gasps and applause erupting around me. 　　Our pack’s smiling faces pressed in around me, and I realized they were raising their glasses to drink to Dylan and me. “To Cherry and Dylan,” the words engulfed me, my gaze tracking to my “mate.” 　　I felt my brittle smile falter as his jaw clenched. Tension stiffened his wide shoulders, and his gaze hardened as he looked my way. 　　I longed for the floor to swallow me whole. I couldn’t stand this. 　　Our Moon Ceremony would happen in three months, and still, there was no sign of Dylan’s feelings changing towards me. I felt like I was drowning beneath everyone’s scrutiny. I imagined what they must be thinking. Their unspoken words seemed to buzz in my head. “Our future Alpha doesn’t even like her. Poor Dylan—he’s not attracted to her. Do you think it’s a mistake? Do you think the Alpha and Luna misinterpreted Nuu-Chah’s wishes?” 　　On shaky feet, I forced myself to stand alongside Dylan, who was already shaking hands with his father, who clapped him on the back. Heather’s arms were suddenly around me. I fought back tears. 　　I will not cry. 　　“I hope you didn’t mind me giving you the dress tonight. You can see it as a dress rehearsal for the real day, or you’re welcome to choose your own dress if you want something new,” Heather said. 　　I shook my head and managed to say, “I love it. I’d love to wear it on the day.” 　　My Luna beamed at me with touching fondness.