The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 23

"I think kitchen duty is ruining my love for food," I complained as I stirred a ginormous pot on the stove.

"I don't think I've managed to eat a proper meal since we started here," Beth replied, cutting some vegetables on the kitchen island.

It had been just a week of our punishment with three more to go. I doubted if I would last that long. I tell you one thing, though, I will never start a fight again. Ever! On the plus side, Beth and I weren't exactly enemies anymore. We weren't friends, but she stopped looking at me like she wanted to strangle me. It might have helped that Dean and the others were nicer to her since I threatened to stop talking to them forever if they didn't. It proved to be pretty effective, especially against Dean.

"Seriously I don't see how you can stand making all this food three times a day, every day."

Rose rolled her eyes at us. "It's not so bad. You two just love to complain."

Beth scoffed. "You get up super early, spend hours cooking, hours cleaning. When you finally finish you have to start all over again for lunch then again for dinner. How is that not slavery?"

"It's not slavery it's my job. Now get rid of those poor orphan girl look. They won't move me. Now get to work. Werewolves aren't happy when they're hungry."

"Well I'm an unhappy werewolf, and I don't see anyone around here cares," Beth grumbled under her breath.

Rose snorted but kept chopping the meat before her.

"I swear I'm going to beg Ryder's parents to give us a pardon or something," I insisted then frowned. "Where are they? I haven't seen them at all lately." Nor had I seen Kara either. Andy said he was busy with some work for Ryder's dad.

"Did you forget there is a war out there?" Beth's voice was sharp as she gave me an accusing glare.

"Is it getting worse? Has the fighting started?" Guilt made my stomach twist. I'd forgotten about the war.

"It's war and, of course, the fighting has started. It started a while ago. Where have you been?" Beth kept giving me the glare.

This time I deserved. How could I have forgotten? Was Kara involved? My stomach twisted tighter. I hurried to finish up to meet Mom and Harry for lunch. I needed to know what was going on. Ryder or the others hadn't said anything, and I hoped, it was because they were as clueless as I was. If that wasn't the case, I was going to be so upset with all of them, especially Ryder.

Finally, we finished, I cleaned up and met Mom and Harry in the dining room. "Hey Honey," Mom said, smiling. "Haven't seen you much this week."

"Slaving over a hot stove will do that to ya." I got the laugh I was trying for.

"Not so fun when you're the one doing the work. Is it? So what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" I gave her an innocent look.

She didn't buy it one bit. "You're usually with Ryder and the others. So I'm assuming you want something."

"Is not spending time in the company of my loving mother and stepfather, not enough?" I did my best to sound offended.