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JESSICA
Iflitted about the grand dining hall, adjusting the flower arrangements on the dozens of round dining tables, wanting everything to be absolutely perfect. Biting my lip, I stepped back to take in everything as a whole.
It was hard to believe that I was a contestant in the Contention just six months ago, dining as a guest in this room every day. Now here I was, leading the coordination of my very first official event as a council member.
I had to admit that the dining hall looked beautiful. Willow, the former event coordinator for the previous North American alpha, would surely be impressed with what I’d accomplished. We’d worked closely together over the months as she gradually stepped back from her duties. She’d trained me thoroughly and well, and I couldn’t wait to see her reaction.
All her assistants had been passed down to me, and I’d made good use of them all week, preparing for the emergency meeting of the alphas that would take place tonight. I’d been right in the thick of it myself, too, wanting everything to be perfect.
Fresh, early spring flowers adorned every white linen-covered table, and I’d even ordered large potted indoor trees to create an outdoorsy ambiance. It had been a long, cold winter, and I wasn’t the only one looking forward to warmer days with the world in bloom once more.
Holden had given me carte blanche permission to update and refresh the estate rooms where official business was conducted, and the dining hall reno was my pride and joy. At first, it had been intimidating to step into the role Willow so effortlessly embodied. Where she was strong and decisive, I was demure and deferred to others.
But that simply wouldn’t do. I wanted everything to be perfect for Kayden and Holden as they established their authority over the packs. I’d slowly been working on my assertiveness—and training with Willow had done wonders for me, at least when it came to confidence in my work.
Gone were the gilded architectural accents and the outdated wallpaper. They had been beautiful and elegant when Kessa and Bridger ruled, but now that their son and my best friend were steering the ship, I wanted the estate to reflect their personalities. Now the walls were a bright, crisp white, opening the space up so that the high ceilings and large picture windows seemed even larger. It was understated and simple, yet rich and elegant. The existing white and black marble floors worked well with my new design style, and with the dining tables now set up, light reflecting around the room from the newly installed crystal chandeliers, it almost felt like an entirely different space.
I strolled around the room, my chest swelling with pride as I marked off the final items on my checklist. No matter what happened tonight in the council room, our guests would be wined and dined in style before the meeting. I was under no illusions that it would be all smiles and laughter—not all of the alphas were going to like what Holden had to say. But part of my job was setting the stage, and I’d done a damn fine job of it.
One of the table centerpieces, a tall painted porcelain vase, caught my eye, and I moved toward it, frowning. Was that a scuff? I reached out to buff the vase to a shine…
“Jessica, oh my goodness!” Kayden squealed.
I turned at the sound of my best friend’s voice. Surprised, my hand accidentally knocked the vase off balance. Gasping, I spun back around, reaching for it before it toppled over and spilled everywhere—or worse, shattered into a million pieces.
Before I could grab it, though, a large, warm body pressed against mine, reaching around me to steady the vase with ease.
I sucked in a sharp breath at the spicy, purely male scent that surrounded me. A scent I recognized all too well.
“Garrett,” I breathed, looking over at the tall, golden-haired beta of the North American pack. He was so close—too close, and for a moment I couldn’t think as I blinked up at him.
He grinned as he pulled his hands from the vase, and my heart sped up, my cheeks warming. “That was close.”
“Yeah,” I murmured, trying to keep my composure as he stepped back, putting some much-needed distance between us. I only hoped he didn’t notice my reaction. “Thank you.”
“Oops, sorry,” Kayden said, walking through the large wooden double doors. “I didn’t mean to startle you. But seriously, it looks incredible in here.”
A wide smile spread over my face, her words warming my heart. That was one of the many things I loved about my bestie—she wouldn’t say anything just because. She meant every word she said.
I quickly moved away from Garrett and walked toward Kayden. “Thank you so much. That means the world to me.”
And it did. So far, I’d stayed out of council business other than things that directly related to my position as an event coordinator. I’d kept my focus strictly on the events–whether planning smaller events with Willow for those who served Holden directly or taking care of travel plans for council members and alphas who came to visit.
As a council member, I was entitled to a vote and to participate in council meetings, but I’d be lying if I said that didn’t intimidate me. As it was, sometimes I had to pinch myself to make sure my life here at the estate was real.
“She’s right. It looks fantastic.” Holden walked through the doors next, moving to stand near Garrett. They all looked around the room, taking in my work, and I bit my lip, wondering what they thought of all the changes. This was the first time everyone had seen it.
“It doesn’t even look like the same place,” Kayden said, coming to my side and giving me a quick hug. “You’ve outdone yourself, Jess.”
My cheeks warmed, and I couldn’t stop smiling when Holden said, “I made a good choice by adding you to the council.”
“Thank you for the opportunity, Holden. Truly.” If not for him, I didn’t know what my life would be like now. Winning the Contention had never been my goal—I’d only wanted to hang in there long enough to get a council position and make my family proud. Holden had made that a reality for me.
He chuckled and shook his head. “You earned it, and you clearly deserved it. I’m thoroughly impressed.”
Garrett walked to the center of the room, spinning in a slow circle as he took it all in, then gave a low whistle. “It’s amazing, Jessica,” he agreed, giving me a lopsided smile that I’d secretly labeled as hischarming grin.
The warmth in my cheeks became hot as my gaze lingered on him, the compliment meaning far more to me than it should have. I drank in the sight of his thickly corded muscles, broad shoulders, and chiseled jaw. My fingers twitched at the sight of his slightly too-long golden hair curling over his ears, the desire to know what those waves felt like making me momentarily forget myself.
