Chapter 21

Gwen brushed her hair, carefully applied her makeup, put on the blue silk dress, and slipped into the matching heels. She then forced herself to block out everything else and concentrate on getting ready.

Twenty minutes later, when her father knocked on the door, she was prepared to answer his questions.

"Smile, daughter," he instructed me to say. "A joyous occasion has come about."

She did not give a response. And when she followed him down the stairs, she didn't crack a smile at all.

The huge family room that was being used as the pack's gathering location was filled with a variety of folks who were milling around. As she entered the room on the arm of her father, everyone inside, men, women, and children alike, smiled and nodded. Her mother stood in the middle of Noah's parents and hers. The expression of happiness on her mother's face belied the sadness in her eyes.

“Welcome!” Zebedee said jovially. "As you are all aware, the reason we have gathered here tonight is to celebrate th