Despite Ophelia’s warnings, Hannah still found herself shocked by the subtle hostility that emanated from many of the women she encountered. They floated through the house towards the gardens - all perfume and fancy outfits, better suited for high society than an afternoon barbecue with friends.

Out in the gardens they mingled almost exclusively with their own social groups; little cliques critiquing each other, sharing the latest gossip and staring openly at the outsider wandering aimlessly amongst them.

The few women showing signs of being more down to earth – in casual clothes and little makeup – were more reserved in their curiosity. They smiled politely, but shied away from talking to her for long.

Their wariness of her was easy to explain - it was the same familiar mix of fascination and suspicion that she'd experienced at the pack house. As there was no malice to it, she didn't take it personally. She knew much of it was coming from their wolves, who were naturally inclined to mistrust outsiders and be put off by her unusual scent.

But most openly wrinkled their noses and made a point of ignoring her friendly advances – a blatant snub in her direction. As the afternoon wore on, Hannah had been forced to remind herself repeatedly that this was only a small sample of the enormous pack and that even the Beta’s mate had a hard time putting up with these women.

Regardless, it hadn't taken her long to retreat to the safety of the kitchen where the Omegas were still hard at work prepping salads and putting the finishing touches to Ophelia’s dishes.

Werewolves had enormous appetites. Their wolves gifted them with extremely fast metabolisms which fuelled their strength and speed. Like stokers running a coal furnace, they needed to constantly top up their energy source to keep going at their full potential. As a result, the food would always be the main talking point at any event. Running out was not an option.

Hannah had discovered early on that Ophelia was an excellent cook. Every meal she'd eaten at their home had been nothing short of divine - she seemed to have a real knack for herbs and spices, generously introducing them to simple ingredients to create the most delicious dishes.

In fact, the Beta’s mate had gained such a reputation that several of her desserts and pies were served at the local cafes and to be invited to dine at one of her dinners was enough of a treat to give the lucky recipients bragging rights for weeks. Eager to avoid the social minefield for as long as possible and in an effort to be useful, Hannah had volunteered to help carry out and replenish some of the side dishes; much to the Omegas surprise.

Blake had caused quite a stir when he'd finally arrived a short time later, looking dashingly handsome in a casual short sleeved shirt that showed off his muscular chest and arms. Hidden by the buffet tables, Hannah had a rare chance to admire him from a safe distance. As the guests crowded around, her eyes roaming freely up and down his body without fear of him noticing her.

He looks as though he's just stepped out of a modelling catalogue, she mused. Or at least he would, if it weren't for the air of resigned harassment that hung over his face as the she-wolves – a term never more accurate than when applied to these women – jostled for the chance to exchange pleasantries with him.

To be able to drop the Alpha’s name casually into conversations as though they were close friends was one of the ultimate prizes for most of them:

"The Alpha and I were just talking the other day..."

For the un-mated females, it was a free for all and they watched him with almost predatory gazes. Ignoring the fact that she'd been gazing at him in much the same way, Hannah felt sorry for Blake as he worked his way around the garden, politely disentangling himself from one hopeful Luna after another.

The scene would later prove to be a gentle calm in the midst of a brewing storm.

After a while, his obligations done, he disappeared from sight. The women returned to casting judgemental glances at Hannah, and Hannah went back to ignoring them the best she could.

"Have you seen my errant mate?" Ophelia asked her as they supervised the extensive buffet being laid out in the garden. "He's supposed to be watching this meat!"

Hannah looked towards the enormous grills and shook her head. Four barbecues were set up side-by-side, steadily cooking more meat than she'd ever witnessed in one place before... and it was currently completely unattended. With relief, she took the opportunity to return to the house, supposedly in search of him.

It didn't take her long.

The Alpha and his Beta were found huddled together in one of the quieter corners of the kitchen, stealing samples of all the dishes as they were carried out past them.

"Your Mate is looking for you," she warned Marcus, her eyes, as always, unwittingly drawn towards Blake. Having completed his dutiful appearance, he looked decidedly more relaxed. A beer in one hand and the top two buttons of his shirt now undone, he lounged against the wall looking ridiculously sexy.

Hannah tore her eyes away from him and went in search of a task to keep her busy. She had enough on her plate without lusting after a man she couldn't have and, after her first unsuccessful attempt at mingling out in the garden, she resolved to remain hidden inside as long a possible - keen to avoid the stares and whispers her presence was evoking. With enormous effort, she feigned not to notice Blake's own eyes watching her as she moved around the kitchen.

"The grills practically take care of themselves!" Marcus protested when, as warned, Ophelia came looking for him. “I came in here for more wine!" He gestured to the bottles, still sitting unopened on the counter.

She didn't need to say anything. She just crossed her arms and looked at him steadily, her eyes speaking volumes.

He got the message immediately and reached for the bottle opener with a sheepish expression on his face.

Blake meanwhile, unaware of Hannah's plan to avoid thinking about him, sought her out at one of the prep-stations. With a smile that raised the temperature of the room by at least a couple of degrees, he relieved her of her knife and insisted on helping her chop up some of the vegetables to make more coleslaw.

Blake visited his Beta regularly for dinner, regardless of pack commitments but, despite knowing his way around their kitchen, watched Hannah's every move before copying her knife strokes.

She looked at him quizzically and, to her surprise, he reddened slightly.

"He can't cook," Marcus informed her, his eyes full of amusement at Blake's discomfort at being caught. "The Omegas get the weekends off so he comes over here every Sunday... otherwise he'd starve."

"I can cook," Blake protested mildly as they worked together in the kitchen, peeling carrots and slicing cabbage. "I don't cook. There's a difference."

"He can't cook," Marcus whispered to her out of the corner of his mouth, uncorking a bottle of merlot.

Blake growled mildly at him. "Why would I choose to cook when I have the privilege of enjoying your mate's exceptional food?" he asked with a glint in his eye. "I should eat here every night, really."

Marcus shot him a look of consternation.

"I don't see why not,” Ophelia teased. “It's nice to cook for someone who truly appreciates it!”

“Ophelia!” Marcus protested, and they both burst out laughing at the expression on his face.

“Relax, old friend,” Blake reassured him with a smile. “I wouldn't impose on you that often... maybe every other night?”

Marcus threw a cork at him and Blake dodged it easily, laughter lighting up his eyes.

Hannah watched the three of them together as they bantered back and forth, enjoying the ease of their relationship.

"I can cook," little Sophie announced as she skipped through the back door, her black curls bouncing behind her. Several of their more curious guests trailed along in her wake, clearly on the hunt for the missing guest of honour. They stared in open-mouthed astonishment at the Alpha, his sleeves rolled up and chopping vegetables alongside the outsider.

"I know you can, little one, " Blake told her genially, winking at her father. "So can I."

Marcus rolled his eyes, and Hannah stifled a giggle.

Two of the women stared at her openly, looking positively shocked that she'd dared to laugh at the Alpha. Instinctively, Hannah shrank back into the shadow of the dresser, resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at them. Be polite! she silently reminded herself.

"Sophie-Anne!" Ophelia scolded, putting her hands on her hips in mock anger. "Didn't I tell you to keep our guests entertained outside?" Sophie blushed and lowered her head, but her eyes crinkled with concealed enjoyment at being the centre of attention.

Her mother shared a knowing smile with one of the guests followed by a stern look at her daughter. "Out young lady, now. Go and show Miss Filey the decorations you made."

Sophie sighed dramatically at her mother and with great dignity gave the Alpha a perfect curtsey, back straight, skirts spread gracefully. "It's nice to see you again, Alpha. Maybe we can cook together one day." Her wide brown eyes searched the room for her teacher. "Come with me, Miss Filey." She gave the vegetables strewn across the counters a wicked little glance. “The best food is outside now anyway.”

Miss Filey indulged in only a brief moment of reluctance, her eyes lingering on the Alpha, before the young teacher took the little girl’s proffered hand and allowed herself to be led back out of the kitchen.

Ophelia watched her daughter saunter from the room; affection and despair mingled on her face. "She's such a scamp! One moment she's climbing trees and trying to swim the river and the next she's batting her eyelashes like there's a halo around her head."

The other guests reluctantly followed the little girl, casting curious glances back at Hannah as they left. However, one of the women – a leggy blonde more determined than the others, fluttered her eyelashes at the Alpha and took a seat at the counter instead, pointedly ignoring the look Ophelia gave her.

"Ah, the hearts she'll break," chuckled Blake, his eyes fixed on Hannah who was attempting to make herself invisible in the corner.

"I think I'll have to transfer all the un-mated males into other packs the day she shifts for the first time," Marcus confessed, a look of mild concern on his face.

"Not for another decade, thank the Goddess." Ophelia smiled.

"Not to mention you might want to discuss that idea with your Alpha first," Blake mentioned casually.

"Who knows, you might have one of your own to worry about by then," Marcus quipped. Then, realising his mistake, lowered his head in apology.

Blake raised an eyebrow at him but let it pass, apparently more interested in their houseguest’s determined efforts to blend into the wallpaper. "Maybe I will," he murmured, ignoring the startled look on both his friend’s faces.

The blonde lit up, clearly under the impression he might have been talking about her. She continued to simper and flirt, oblivious to the lack of attention she was receiving from her intended target.

Hannah watched with concealed amusement as the three of them began a subtle dance. Ophelia making increasingly pointed remarks about sunshine, fresh air and barbeque food - clearly attempting to manoeuvre her guest back into the garden. The tenacious blonde expertly side-stepping all of her suggestions in favour of flirting outrageously with the trapped Alpha, and Blake, pretending to be blissfully unaware of her intentions and skilfully redirecting every conversation back towards Hannah, much to the blonde's fury.

Finally, Ophelia’s pointed suggestion that the blonde could help cut up some of the fruit for the desserts spurred her unwanted guest to give up the fight. She sashayed back outside, gifting Blake with one last smouldering look as she retreated.

Blake visibly relaxed, and Ophelia rolled her eyes. "Honestly, she did everything but throw herself at you!"

"I think there was some definite 'throwing' going on for most of that," Marcus smirked.

Some time later -after all the work was done and the last of the food had left the kitchen - Ophelia sighed, stretched and looked out of the window in satisfaction at the guests happily settled into various groups, making short work of all her efforts.

"Hannah dear, why don't you head back out into the garden and enjoy this sunshine?" she suggested. "I have to do the social rounds now and we won't see much more of this weather as the nights draw in. This is a rare treat as it is!"

Blake and Marcus had long since retreated into the games room at the front of the house, taking most of the men that had attended with them. The barbeque was a woman's event and they had all been eager to escape as soon as they'd loaded their own plates with food - especially Blake who, apart from his latest encounter, had been dodging a number of suitors all afternoon.

Hannah wished wholeheartedly that she could join them or better yet, make her own escape upstairs.

Ophelia noticed her lack of enthusiasm and gave her a sympathetic look. "I'd escape myself if I could, believe me and I'd love to let you go I really would but..." She hesitated, glancing around at the remaining Omegas cautiously. "the Alpha’s orders are that you're not to be left alone." Her face twisted apologetically. "At least, you need to stay somewhere we can see you. For your own safety," she added.

Hannah already knew the order was as much to do with keeping an eye on her, as it was her safety, and the continued lack of trust stung. However, poor Ophelia already looked so uncomfortable with the situation that she hesitated to argue with her.

If Issac had been around, retreat might still have been an option. But he was on border duty today and Hannah found herself left with little option but to return to the garden. Besides, the kitchen would soon be filling up with more Omegas overloaded with dirty crockery and she would officially be in the way.

Hannah slipped out into the autumn sunshine. Reluctantly, she wandered around the edges of the lawn, careful to stay close to the lengthening shadows in an effort to avoid too much attention.

While the males would sniff the air around her and then politely pretend not to notice her scent, the females of the pack showed no such consideration, and she'd already had her fill of their poorly-concealed distaste for one day. They didn't know she could hear them as they whispered together in their little social groups; their long-painted talons clicking in excitement at the latest gossip - the Beta’s new guest.

Her sudden appearance within their borders and apparent amnesia would have been enough to get tongues wagging alone. But the news that she was a 'wolf without a wolf' had spread rapidly around the pack, and rumours were rife amongst the women that afternoon – none of them particularly kind. It didn't take long for Hannah's mood to rapidly deteriorate.

"Of course, she thinks she's next in line for Luna, you know, " whispered one of the women seated at the teacher's table.

"No! Has he chosen her then?" exclaimed an older lady eagerly.

"Of course not! She's a common rogue, smell her," the woman declared disdainfully.

“I don't think so,” A third ventured. “It’s a different sort of –"

"Like a sewer in summer time," a familiar bottle blonde sneered, wrinkling her nose.

"Don't be cruel, Angela," another admonished even as she smirked back at them, enjoying the drama.

Unsettled, Hannah sought out friendlier faces. She headed towards the large grills where the nurses were huddled together. Several of them had tended to her during her time in the hospital. But...

"I heard she threw herself at him like a common whore," a tall, scantily-clad brunette gushed, her face flushed from one too many glasses of wine.

Another definite hopeful for the title of Luna, Hannah surmised stepping back amongst the bushes. She was far too dressed up for a regular barbeque, even if it was hosted by the Beta.

"Elspeth!" She recognised the shocked face of the nurse from the station the night of the attack.

"She was naked," one of them declared with relish.

Even concealed in the shadows Hannah felt her face redden. And that one, she added silently.

"She was not! I saw her when he carried her in. She was wearing a sundress."

"Not much of one from what I hear..."

Hannah’s forehead knotted, her cheeks flushed and she retreated quickly across the lawn, hands clenched into fists at her side. Whoever she’d been before she’d lost her memories, she fervently hoped it wasn't anything like these women.

A third group of women, older and obviously high-ranking, lazed by the oak tree. They were gossiping amongst themselves and, unlike the others, didn't appear to care whether or not Hannah was listening. Snatches of their overloud conversation drifted across the lawn towards her:

"She's landed on her feet, hasn't she?" one of them started, talking around a mouthful of potato salad. “What was her name? Helen? Hannah?"

"An outsider after all..." An enormous sun hat hid one of the gossipers from view.

A grizzled old lady – her face red from too many hours in the sun – looked askance at her friend. "A guest of the Beta should be treated with respect..."

"The Beta, Margaret, not the Alpha," the potato salad lady said pointedly. Another mouthful of the creamy concoction muffled much of the lecture that followed but the end drifted clearly over to her. " - and Marcus is the head of security, make of that what you will."

"She's under His protection," a small, plainly dressed woman pointed out. They all turned to look at Hannah curiously, confirming her suspicion that they knew she was within earshot.

"Don't be ridiculous," the big Sunhat snorted.

"It's true."

"It's not right..."

"Should be in the dungeons with the other rogues..."

Hannah snorted and rolled her eyes at that one. What did they think she was going to do without a wolf? Scratch them to death?

They saw her, of course.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's rude to eavesdrop?" the leader of the group snapped at her, still chewing on her potatoes.

Reaching her last nerve and without thinking, Hannah countered: "Yes, but I was under the impression we weren't doing politeness today. What with all the staring and the snide comments and the talking with our mouths full."

Her Scottish lilt, already standing out amongst the voices and betraying her as an outsider, drifted across the garden louder than she realised. Several of the guests nearby suddenly stilled, all eyes on the impending argument in front of them.