Adea
“The sooner you get that look off of your face, the sooner we can get you ready,” Ava said. There wasn’t a hint of a taunt in her voice, just facts.
“And what look would that be?” I asked.
“The one that says you’re heartbroken and you’re being offered up to the devil,” Ava said. She said it so matter-of-factly, and she wasn’t wrong.
“So you’re wanting me to—”
“I want you to do what you know needs to be done. It isn’t just your life that’s hanging on your performance tonight. His life rides on it too, or have you forgotten?” Ava asked.
I closed my eyes and willed myself not to lunge for her and scratch her eyes out.
“We all know you don’t want to do this, but we don’t care. Fix your face. You are of age now and you’re going to be whisked off. You’ll ride off into the sunset with a mate that’s also an Alpha. You can’t say the same thing about that pathetic excuse of a man downstairs, can you?” Ava asked.
Inhaling slowly through my nose, I prayed to the Goddess for patience that I didn’t have, and exhaled out of my mouth.
Ava continued. “He’s a good for nothing slave who won’t amount to anything. He has nothing to offer you, father, or this pack.”
Everything that I’d been holding in finally bubbled over and my restraint snapped. I was on my feet in front of her in a second. Her head flew back as my hand made contact, and satisfaction washed over me. My hand stung, but the shock on her face was worth it.
“You dare?” She gasped, her hand to her red cheek.
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I threw my head back and felt my laugh in the depths of my belly. I looked like a full-blown psycho. Hell, I probably looked like a villainess right now.
But looks can be deceiving.
All at once the laugh is gone, and I stare at her. I’d lost my mind.“Oh, I do more than dare. Don’t talk about him, or I won’t stop at slapping you,” I hissed.
“Careful sister. If Father sees that look in your eye, he’ll make sure to kill him. Nothing good can come from that emotion swimming in your eye,” Ava said. She lifted her chin, her nose in the air, and dropped her hand to her side. “You can hit me all you want but what about him? How many times does Father need to hit him until he dies?” Ava asked.
I slapped her again and Ava’s head whipped back. This time the servant is the one who gasps. When she doesn’t move, I was glad she was smart enough not to intervene. Ava staggered back before she whipped back to face me and glared at me.
“I warned you. I don’t have to take any crap from you. I won’t be taking any more,” I taunt. “I’m teetering on the edge. Do your best to behave yourself. Or else I can’t be held responsible for what happens, sister,” I spat.
Ava closed her mouth and I watched satisfied as her jaw clenched. She lowered herself to the ground and grabbed the dress from the floor. When she straightened her back, her eyes narrowed as a small smile pulled at the corners of her lips.
The handmaiden moved forward, and when I nodded, she started to undress me. When I’m standing in nothing but my undergarments, she stands still.
Ava smiles at me, and I know she expects me to cower because I’m naked. But I was confident in my body and I wouldn’t let whatever bullshit play she’s doing get to me. I cocked my head and smiled back at her. When she realized this wasn’t having the effect she was hoping it would, she pursed her lips and waved her hand at her handmaiden to continue.
The soft material flowed down my hips and thighs. The corset wrapped around me, and I wait as she tightened the strings. When she pulled it tight, she took my breath as well. When it’s on tight, she put my shoes in front of me. She was bent holding my shoes, silently, and she waited for me to step into them
The handmaiden straightened and rushed toward the vanity. Boxes of jewelry sat atop it. When she started to lift the lids, I looked away. I thought about the white of the clouds as something heavy was set against my collar bone and she fastened the back of the chain. My ears were next as she adorned them with drop earrings.
My sister turned and looked. I knew Ava didn't want to look at me, but it was her job. She had to make sure I looked my best. Especially if she was going to gain the pleasure of her Alpha. My face scrunches up.
“Just about perfect,” Ava said. “Now for your mask.”
She stepped forward and my eyes went to her hands. There I found a red Venetian mask. Rhinestone and bead embellishments shimmered and caught my eye. The fabric appliqué and sequin flowers made it hard not to like it.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured.
“It is,” Ava agreed.
I hated the way my heart wished she would go back to how she was before. I didn’t waste my time in voicing my thoughts. I was not stupid enough to think that she would want redemption, and I had no expectations when it came to her. Ava and I would never be friends again. She was already past the point of forgiveness.
She came to a stop in front of me, and I looked into brown eyes that mirrored my own. There was no warmth or kindness in her features, and I knew better than to try and look deeper into it.
“You don’t need to put it on right now, but this is your mask for tonight. Now that you’re dressed, we have to get the day started. Other packs will be arriving shortly, and we need to be at the front greeting them by Father’s side,” Ava said.