"Fine," I sighed. "Lead the way." A number of young wolves were running around the pack house. It reminded me of my younger years when I was still a teen and my parents were still alive. I used to beg them to let me stay in the pack house, but my father didn't like the idea of me being surrounded by so many young unmated wolves. He wanted to keep my neck bare for as long as he could. If the male wasn't my true mate, then I couldn't bring him home.

"Where are you taking me, Beta?" I asked.

"Back to my place if you won't mind. Shit," he cursed when he saw my face. "I should have asked if that was alright first. Is it alright?"

"You aren't trying to lure me back to your cave, are you?" I slightly joked. James' cheeks reddened.

"Of course not," he said with wide eyes. "I'm not that kind of wolf. Plus, my mate would kill me."

"Then continue leading the way, Beta." While we walked to James' cabin, I decided to look him over. He was a slim man, unlike most beta wolves, but I could still sense that blood in him. He was groomed for the position. He had dark hair, but it wasn't as dark as my dark brown curls. They were so dark that they appeared black except when it was sunny. He had green eyes that were dark like moss. My wolf liked him. He seemed like a nice male. He wasn't so pushy like Ryder.

We approached his cabin and the scent of food was coming through the chimney. My wolf was licking her lips. "Honey?" James called as we entered.

"I'm in here!" a female voice called from the kitchen.

"Hey, I hope you don't mind, but I invited someone over for lunch," James said once we walked into the kitchen. The women standing at the sink turned around, wiping her hands on her apron.

"It's nice to meet you," she said, greeting me with a white smile. "I'm Cassandra, this guy's mate."

"Savannah," I answered, shaking her hand. My wolf came forward to get a look at this female. She declared she was not a threat to us and went back to lay down.

"You're strong," Cassandra commented. "I can feel it."

"Savannah is a beta wolf."

"That explains it, but you don't smell of a pack," she frowned. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Make yourself at home and lunch will be ready soon."

"I hope you mind."

"It's not a problem," she waved off. "You aren't the only wolf that'll show up."

"Everyone loves Cassandra's cooking and when you taste it, you'll understand." Cassandra went back to making what smelled like grilled cheese while James and I continued to talk. He steered clear of any questions that involved where I came from which I appreciated. He mostly talked about Blackhound. I felt like he was trying to sell the pack on me. He wanted me to stay like David, but I was still unsure. I knew it would be miserable to stay with Ryder, but I did have a chance at a new pack and it would be stupid of me to simply pass it up. David also wanted to call the other packs for me which was safer. My wolf and I just didn't like the idea of this alpha wolf doing us a favor when we didn't know him. What did he want? Did he expect something from us for doing us a favor? I didn't owe him a damn thing and the thought of it made my wolf growl.

"Here you are," Cassandra said as she handed me a plate of grilled cheese. Soon as I dug in, their front door opened, and I smelled Ryder. I growled, and he paused when he saw me.

"What is she doing here?" he asked.

"Eating grilled cheese," I told him with a cheeky smile.

"You let a complete stranger into your home?"

"David already declared her as not a threat," James said with his own mouthful of grilled cheese. "Do you need me to protect you, Ryder? Is that what it is?"

"No," he growled, and I chuckled.

"Did you catch up with David?" James asked Ryder.

"He's calm for now. He wants to see her again though." I growled at him talking like I wasn't in the room again.

"Wish he would leave me alone," I muttered.

"I'll try to get him to back off for a bit," James said. "It's obvious pushing you isn't going to help."

"Thank you, James," I said while Ryder continued to glare at me. We continued to chat amongst each other until it was time for Ryder and James to get back to work. James needed to finish some paperwork while I didn't know what Ryder was going to go do. He told me it wasn't any of my business to which I rolled my eyes.

"That was the best meal I've ever had," James said, rubbing his stomach with a satisfied grin.

"You say that every time," Cassandra said as James got up from his seat and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I mean it every time. Do you mind keeping Savannah company? I doubt you would find paperwork interesting," he said to me.

"I've done it and it's a pain in the ass. I think I'll pass," I said.

"Good choice. Well, we're off." James and Ryder left, and now it was just Cassandra and me.

"So, Cass, what do you do around here for fun?" I asked Cassandra as she started to wash the dishes. I offered to help, but she shooed me away from the sink. "Hope you don't mind if I call you that."

"I don't mind, and I'm usually stuck in this cabin. Without a luna to help, I don't have much on my plate. That's why I resort to cooking. I cook for the pack house."

"You don't have any friends to hang out with?" I questioned. I found it odd that someone as nice as Cassandra didn't have any friends.

"If you're here long enough, you'll soon find out that most of the females here are stuck up. I moved here because of James and none of the females want to get close to me."

"You must intimidate them. You are a beta female, after all."

"I don't try to be intimidating," she sighed.

"I say scare the hell out of them. If they're too terrified to approach you then they're too weak to hang with you."

"You aren't scared of me?" she asked with a raised brow and I snorted.

"No offense, but hell no. My wolf likes you and we can tell you're a chill female." She smiled.

"Thanks, Savannah." Cassandra threw her towel in the sink and took off her apron. "Let's watch movies," she suggested, pulling me into the living room after her.