Chapter 117


    After I shower and wash my face and dry my hair, I head out into my bedroom with my robe wrapped


    cozily around me, in search for my minuscule amount of makeup. Really, it''s not used enough to be


    considered mine, and I''m sure all of it was taken from my mother before she could even use it herself. I


    find the small, blue pouch tucked on a shelf in the closet, and I bring it back to the bathroom, dumping


    its holdings out on the counter. There''s an unopened tube of mascara, a hardly-usedpact of blush,


    apact of powder, and a fresh tube of a nude beigey-pink lipstick named Rosaleen.


    Intrigued by the lipstick, I carefully coat some on my lips and stand back in the mirror to get a good


    look. "That''s nice," I murmur and click the lid back on the tube.


    My hand then reaches for the mascara, twisting it open and holding up the ck, spiked end to my eye.


    I hold my breath as I steadily run it through myshes, darkening them and making them a tad longer.


    "That''s nice too," I murmur again and peer down at the twopacts. I grab the powder and open it


    up, the shade light and brightening. With the puff underneath the powder, I tap it into the product and


    think logically. To brighten would make the spot seemrger and to darken would make it smaller, so I


    dab some under my eyes and on my cheekbones, and I stand back again.


    I think it did something. If anything, it made my under-eyes less dark and look more awake, so I''m


    going to take this as a sess. Finding the blush somewhat intimidating with its deep pink color, I dab


    some of the lipstick on my cheeks instead and blend it with my finger.


    I let my hair down and run my fingers through it, feeling my heart beating faster from excitement to put


    on the dress. I can''t wait for James to see me.


    The dressys in its spot on the bed, and I slip on my nice underwear before abandoning my robe for


    the dark, soft fabric. I manage to zip it up halfway myself before seeking help from someone in the


    house. My bare feet pad against the wood floors and I call down the steps, "Gail? Theresa?"


    After hearing no reply, I turn to James'' doors to see a thin strip of light at the bottom. I wanted to wait


    until I had my shoes and everything, but I suppose I''ll have to reveal myself now. Actually, thinking back


    to Gail''s words earlier, I am supposed to make sure James is on time, so I hurry and knock twice,


    calling, "James, are you getting ready? I need you to zip me."


    He calls back, "Come in," so I do. I wander inside to find clothes on the bed and the bathroom light on.


    He emerges half-dressed, his hair still damp. "Look at you," he breathes out, nearing me and I can''t


    help but smile. "You look gorgeous, absolutely breathtaking."


    I turn around, showing him the unzipped zipper. "Thank you."


    A warmth fills me, but instead of feeling the zipper move up, I feel James'' hands sneaking through,


    feeling his fingers against my skin. "James," I warn, "you have to get ready. We''re leaving in twenty


    minutes."


    He sighs and zips up the dress, leaving a kiss on my neck as he does so, specifically on his mark. He


    turns me around and gives me a quick, firm kiss before letting go and grabbing his shirt from the bed. I


    stand with a flushed face as he slips on and buttons up the shirt, watching him for a moment before


    descending back to reality. "I''m going to go and wait for Gail. I''ll meet you downstairs."


    I wish my mother could see me like this, acting as a Luna and dressed as one too. I told her of the


    party over the phonest night, and she said to have a good time and that she wishes she could be


    there. After she said that I realized this party will be cluttered with important people, but not my family.


    Of course James will be there, but not my mother or my father.


    I don''t want to think about it too much because I am enjoying my excitement over the party, and I don''t


    want to switch to disappointmentst minute. I''m sure everything will be wonderful anyway, and I don''t


    want to mope after so much work has been put into the event.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Gail arrives back with ten minutes left and she hands me a pair of ck heels. There''s a thin strap at


    the top that wraps around my ankle, and as I secure the tiny buckles, I find that it looks delicate. "Thank


    you, they''re perfect," I say, looking up at her. "Where did you get them?"


    "They were James'' mothers."


    I stop. "Really?"


    "Yes. I saw them in storage a few weeks ago and thought they were beautiful. It''s just a coincidence


    that you''re the same size."


    "Well, they''re lovely," I say, not overthinking it. "I''m d you remembered them."


    Jameses downstairs and when I see him all dressed up, it reminds me of when I firstid eyes on


    him. He grabs my hand and Gail wishes us luck before we head out the door. Together we walk down


    the pathway towards the center of the pack, where the ballroom is. It''s quiet outside for where we are,


    and moonlight drips from branch to branch before pooling at our feet, lighting the way. With our arms


    linked, I rest my head against his shoulder.


    "Thank you for doing all of this," I say softly, my voice matching the gentle hum of nature around us.


    "We aren''t even there yet," James says, leading me through the trees.


    "I know it''s going to be great anyway."


    He looks down at me and I smile, enjoying his warmth. As we walk along, I wonder if a girl wille


    stumbling from behind a tree as I did, lost, discouraged, and confused. I already know what I would say


    to her: Yes, you are mated to an Alpha, and no, you are nothing like Julianna.


    She won''t understand the second part until muchter, though.