"I've got a suggestion!" Melissa remarked with a twinkle in her brown eyes. She chortled and said, "Why don't you hook up with Alex? In case you haven't noticed, he has a body worth dying for," she said.
"What the hell are you talking about ?" Rosalie asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
Melissa just shrugged and replied, "I'm just saying he can be a good distraction. Now, I have not seen him naked, but I am sure that he will be... big." She gave a wink.
"Shh!" Rosalie put her palm over Melissa's mouth to prevent her from speaking. "Everyone will hear you!" She became red in the face for no apparent cause at all.
"Admit it! You like him; I noticed the way you were looking at each other." Melissa teased.
"Melissa, it has nothing to do with it at all. We're just friends!" Rosalie said, irritated. Melissa's chuckling made her sigh.
"Friends? Uh? When did you become friends with Alpha Alex?"
Melissa teased her.
"It's a long story; let us say that we hook up, and I can muster up even the smallest amount of feelings for him. It would be pointless because there is no way that it could ever lead to anything. Since he is an Alpha, he would look for another Alpha mate who would be strong enough to lead his pack. Ideally, it would be someone arranged by the council so that it would be beneficial to the pack's overall fortune. He is way out of our league."
Melissa remarked to Rose with a chuckle, "You are completely mad. I don't believe there is anyone in this pack who would be bolder than us. I mean the adventures we have had."
"Then, instead of arguing with me, why don't you flirt with him?" Rosalie replied, irritated.
"Well, I can't flirt with him. The thing is, when he looks at me, he doesn't give me the same attention that he gives you. Sparks fly when the two of you are in the same room."
Melissa deftly sidestepped the swipe that Rosalie made at her while laughing nervously.
"But Melissa, you are overlooking the fact that Alex is an Alpha and I am a Beta. He is the one in charge. The Alpha Council must approve every betrothal involving an Alpha. They would never give their blessing to our union."
To maintain peace, a higher level of cooperation, and the integrity of the lineages, the council assumed control over the mating procedure for the high-ranking wolves.
Melissa let out a sigh as she realised her error.
She snarled, "Alpha, sure, well, I forgot," as she walked away. "Damn those old-fashioned arranged marriages; it's so mediaeval."
Then she turned her attention to Rosalie.
"Anyway, the second reason I can't hook up with him is that I have a crush on Jace."
"Jace Thornton? The son of Jasper Thornton? He is the son of the first in command." Rosalie gasped.
Melissa gave a wry grin and replied, "Yeah, so what? Would your feelings change if I were to develop a crush on Roger?"
Rosalie made a face. "You have a thing for that cocky jerk, do you?"
That prompted Melissa to let out a guffaw. "No way! He is horrible."
"One of these days, the council will pair us with one of the beta lads!" What if one of us ends up mating with Roger?"
She had a terrified expression.
"I cringe at the thought of being mated with that bossy oaf!" Her eyes suddenly popped wide open. She seized Rosalie by the arms and yelled, "Oh my God!" after which she asked, "But I wonder."
"What?" Rosalie couldn't help but have a good laugh at her friend's vivid imagination.
"Do you think he wouldn't be just as aggressive in bed as he is on the outside?"
Rosalie burst out laughing, unable to contain herself at the absurdity of the question. She replied, "I highly doubt it, but I suppose we'll never know for sure unless one of us takes that risk."
"Hmmmm, maybe we should try to find out," Melissa suggested with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Rosalie chuckled and said to Melissa, "You're so strange. Imagining Roger in bed is the last thing I need right now."
Sarcastically, Rosalie laughed at the situation.
Melissa giggled. "Do you think he has a big cock ?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes and replied, "I really don't want to know, Melissa."
Melissa laughed loudly, and their laughter echoed in the hall.
"Why are you ladies hanging out here ? Have you finished all of your work for the day?" Roger's firm tone quickly put an end to their jovial mood. Rosalie and Melissa both looked at Roger and laughed even louder.
"Now get up and go around and block the hallway." He said this, not realising that they had just a few seconds before been laughing over his bedroom habits.
He placed his hands on his hips and glared at them.
"What? Do I have something on my face? I don't understand why you're laughing." Roger said, puzzled.
Rosalie said, "It's nothing, Roger," while attempting to contain her laughter. "It's nothing."
"We were just about to leave when I noticed how gorgeous you are." Melissa winked at him.
The look of horror on his face caused them to burst out laughing.
Before Roger could respond, the girls took off, running in the opposite direction.
It took longer than expected to delegate responsibilities to Grace's beta since she claimed to be too "busy." Since Rosalie was now one of the Betas in authority, she could not spend her time aimlessly through the forest like she used to. Her additional responsibilities required her to act as a supervisor for a group of pack members with lower rankings. She watched over the library and instructed some of the younger puppies.
Melissa was to supervise the tasks that took place in the kitchen and the garden. The other two girls were in charge of the rituals and the responsibilities regarding finances. Rosalie did not mind the responsibilities that were given to her because she enjoyed spending time in the pack library reading and could use the opportunity to avoid Chris and Grace.
****************
The magnificent feast was the last event of the celebrations that were still to take place. After that, it was expected that all guests would depart. Everyone was once again hard at work, ensuring that it would be a tremendous success.
Rosalie sighed as she swirled around in her blue gown and let out a long breath. The glistening gown exposed more skin than any other dress she had ever put on. She wondered what was wrong with her mother. Was she intentionally trying to embarrass herself in front of everyone? Rosalie decided she would have to have a serious conversation with her mother after the feast.
The dress had a halter neck that exposed a deep cleavage; her back was bare up to the waist; and there was a split on the side that started at her mid-thigh and went to her ankle, which showed off her shapely legs as she walked.
Rosalie's long hair had been teased into a beautiful curly-wavy do that fell languidly on her shoulders. After Amelia had finished styling it, she also coerced Rosalie into wearing black heels that were four inches high and had diamond straps, which brought Rosalie's total height up to six feet.
Amelia was giving the finishing touches to her makeup at this point.
She mumbled.
"Pretty girls don't need to cake on a lot of makeup; only a little will complement their natural beauty." She set aside the sponge after patting on the blush.
"Heavy makeup gives off the impression that they are desperate hookers."
Rosalie laughed. "Mum, I can't believe some of the filthy things you say."
"It's a fact; there's nothing vulgar about it; now give me a twirl," Amelia commanded.
Rosalie gave a little eye roll and then spun around.
"Oh my goodness, Rosie, you look just stunning."
Her mother commented. She had transformed her into a Barbie doll.
"Mum," Rosalie said after she had stopped whirling around to face her mum.
"Thank you." Her words were sincere. At least her mother and father were content. Even though Rosalie's heart was broken, she knew she had to put on a brave face for her family. She plastered on a smile and tried to enjoy the moment, despite the ache in her chest.