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“Did you know the Alphas were going?” I ask her.
Her eyes widen. “Yes, I thought you knew. I thought that was why you were going.”
I stop short and look at her like she’s stupid. “Why would I go because of them?”
She shrugs. “Charlotte, wherever there’s a Theta, there’s bound to be an Alpha.”
The church is one of the oldest in the area, built in the early 1900s on the site of an older church that burned down. The steeple rises above the town surrounding it, and the entire grounds cover an acre block. We walk through a ton of fallen leaves, over a slate path toward a side door in the sprawling building. The recreation rooms are located in the church annex and can only be entered from the outside. As we walk, we pass a few people lined up in the cold, waiting for their hot meal. It’s only luck that I’m not standing with them.
The basement is surprisingly warm and well-lit for a huge room. The Alpha brothers are noisily setting up folding tables and chairs in rows. The smell of food makes my stomach growl a little as we walk into the kitchen located off the main room. Helen is sitting at a center island while other Thetas are helping the church volunteers fill serving trays with home-cooked food. She looks polished in her Ivymore sweatshirt, black leggings, and ankle-high boots.
“Charlotte and Tracey.” She hops off the stool and gives us a hug. “There are aprons on the hook, but first, have you eaten?”
We shake our heads, and I answer, “We forgot the cafeteria was closed.”
She smiles. “Easy freshman mistake. Grab a plate and sample everything.” Helen presses a hand to her stomach and moans, “It’s all so good.”
Thank goodness. I didn’t want my stomach growling while I served the food. We grab plastic plates off a stack and take a spoonful of everything. We stand out of the way by a wall, eating the best food I’ve had since arriving at Ivymore.
“This is really good,” says Tracey. “Whoever cooked this should open a restaurant.”
An older woman in an oversized turtleneck and her gray hair in a ponytail overhears and answers her. “Thanks. I did run a restaurant until I retired.”
“Hey. Charlotte.” A surprised but welcoming Kurt walks straight toward me as I swallow down my last bite of food. He pecks my forehead with a kiss. I try to play it off, but it’s weird. He gives Helen a side hug and then pats Tracey on the shoulder.
“Ready to feed some hungry people?” he jokes.
I nod. “I’m glad there’s something worthwhile to do today. I didn’t want to spend it hanging out at the dorm.”
Helen smiles. “Not everyone wants or can go home. I definitely don’t want to deal with O’Hara during the holidays.”
“Where do you live, Kurt?” I ask politely.
“My family’s out in Seattle. I’ll see them for Christmas.” He looks over his shoulder and smiles. “Looks like we’re starting. We’ll talk later.”
We watch him stroll out of the kitchen, and for a moment, we say nothing. “What do you think of him?” Tracey finally asks Helen.
Helen makes a face and then shrugs. “You have to be careful around some of the Alphas. They can be silly competitive, and they keep score.” Helen notices the awkward look on Tracey’s face. “Not Sam,” she adds quickly, “He’s about to graduate. Besides, he was never like that, but...” Helen eyes me. “I’d be real careful around them, because they do talk.”
I already got that hint loud and clear. Helen leaves us to mix with the other volunteers, and Tracey quickly follows. I pretend like what Helen just said doesn’t bother me. I act like she’d say that to any freshman girl, but she meant it for me. The woman with the ponytail struggles with a canister of flour, and I race over, then easily lift it for her onto the counter. She smiles with delight. “You’re useful.”
“I’m here to help,” I announce confidently.
She beams. “We appreciate how hard the students help us, especially your sorority.”
I don’t correct her, but I get busy helping to take food out of the kitchen. Soon, the tables are set up, and people are filling in. I watch Jaxon from the corner of my eye while he kids and jokes with some of the Alphas as they set up the last few tables. He notices me and takes a long look, but I don’t even bother to turn my head. I keep my eyes off him for the entire time we’re volunteering.
I’m put on mashed potato duty along with Tracey. The more experienced volunteers serve the trickier food, like the giant turkey. We barely have time to talk as we spoon out generous helpings onto plastic plates. But I have plenty of time to think about what I’ll do next. In my head, I decide that I want to be a Theta. The sorority is more purposeful than I realized. They’re not a bunch of rich girls modeling the latest designer purse. But I don’t want an Alpha for an SO, not when I finally have Asher.
I didn’t think he could ever do anything to make up for what happened at that party, but he’s not the same person. And neither am I. Over a few months, we grew together, and when I showed him the sick texts, he had the reaction I wanted to see. I wanted someone to freak out, and he lost his shit. It’s selfish to pick a man that’s willing to protect me. But Asher can do it. I’ve seen him do it.
Tracey nudges my arm. “I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but it must be a happy thought.”
I smile and then giggle. “Yes, he is a happy thought.”
Chapter 38
Charlotte
