“Alright, enough,” Greta interrupted sharply, pushing Danny aside with a smirk. “The shiny new toy needs to go clean up. Because for all the boasting you two do, she spent the longest time sweaty and tangled up with me.” She shot a mischievous wink at their surprised expressions before looping her arm through mine and leading me back toward the truck, laughter bubbling between us.
“Wait! I can work with that!” Danny called after us, his voice full of mock indignation, and I laughed even harder, the sound light and free in the cool evening air.
When we returned to the packhouse, Gamma Bennet and Greta both accompanied me to my room. I wasn’t sure if it was out of concern or just habit, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. The moment I opened the door, I was immediately swarmed by Rayna’s energetic chatter.
“Finally! I thought you’d never leave! You’re just as bad as Jeremiah said. Come on, get in the shower**we have to get you looking fabulous for tonight. And who knows? Maybe we can find you a mate,” she said breathlessly, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.
I rolled my eyes, amused. She’d brought up the idea of finding me a mate several times since deciding I wasn’t trying to steal hers. “Do you even know the odds of a human ending up with a werewolf mate? It’s like two percent. And if it does happen, the human is probably some crazy bodybuilder who could eat werewolves for breakfast,” I teased, grinning at her.
“I’m pretty average for a human, and on the small side for werewolves. I’m not anyone’s mate. I’ll just go off to college, get my degree, work a normal job, and drop by to visit my supernatural friends now and then.” I smiled warmly. “Especially since I have a room like this waiting for me**and a whole bunch of nieces and nephews to spoil.” I waved my hand dramatically, enjoying the moment.
“You’re a great fighter, actually,” Rayna said, her tone softening. “You move really well against people with enhanced abilities. Don’t limit yourself**you never know what might happen.” She gave me a knowing wink.
“What am I wearing tonight?” I asked, surprised at how easily I was distracted by thoughts of dresses. I didn’t mind dressing up for the right occasion, but I had no clue what kind of party this was. Was it a formal engagement celebration or just an informal ‘welcome back, sister’ gathering?
My question was answered when she pulled out a stunning black cocktail dress. The skirt was made of layers of sheer fabric, shimmering with tiny black crystals woven throughout, catching the light like scattered stars. The bodice was snug and sleeveless, rising to the base of my neck with sparkles threaded along the top hem like a delicate, built-in necklace. The back was completely covered in sheer black material**modest but still incredibly alluring.
She practically shoved me toward the bathroom. “You have ten minutes, and I expect everything to be perfectly manicured,” she said firmly.
“What? Why? And are you going to inspect the landscaping too?” I laughed, watching her leave the bathroom door slightly ajar so she could keep talking to me. I’d already learned that werewolves had zero modesty**they didn’t care about privacy because of the shifting, so I just accepted it as part of the package. Rayna had no problem barging into my room unannounced, so a bathroom door wasn’t going to stop her.
She never answered my joke, but I didn’t want to risk her wanting to check me out, so I made sure all the girly details were taken care of. When I stepped out, she pulled me toward the desk where she had a mini salon set up for hair and makeup. She was already ready herself, still wrapped in her robe. I couldn’t tell if I was excited or a little nervous.
Handing me a bottle of lotion, she said, “Here, start with this.” The scent was amazing**feminine but not overpowering, a subtle blend that felt just right. I began to rub it in, feeling the smoothness on my skin as the evening stretched ahead, full of possibilities.
Kennedy
“What exactly is going on tonight?” I ask, watching Gamma Bennet as she begins drying, teasing, and combing through my hair with practiced ease. She mentioned a ‘dinner party,’ but that phrase feels like a thin veil over something much bigger. I can sense there’s more beneath the surface, something she’s not saying outright. I don’t really understand the intricate hair styling she’s doing, but honestly, I don’t mind. This is her event, her celebration, so I’m happy to go along with whatever she wants. It’s clear she enjoys having someone to dress up and fuss over, and that makes me smile**there’s something comforting about being cared for like this. In no time, she crafts a simple yet elegant hairstyle, then moves on to my makeup. It’s subtle, natural, no heavy layers or bold colors, just enough to enhance my features without stealing the show.
As she puts the finishing touches on my look, she starts explaining the real reason for tonight’s gathering. “You know my brother, right? He usually targets packs that are smaller or weaker.”
I nod, offering a wry grin. “Yeah, I’ve heard that much.” The Dark Moon alpha’s reputation precedes him**everyone knows about his brutal takeovers. I’ve also heard that he barely speaks, that he just maims his enemies, and that he’s downright terrifying. We haven’t seen him all day, but he’s supposed to show up eventually. I’m torn between feeling excited and nervous. “But what people don’t say is why. Most of the time, it’s because an alpha doesn’t have an heir. When a leader dies without a clear successor, the packs spiral into conflict. They fight over territory and control, and it causes chaos far beyond just the packs involved. Sometimes the alphas themselves are cruel to their members, and those members come to him for help. People only remember the bloody parts**that’s all that seems to stick.” She shrugs casually. “My brother fights hard and has had to kill some truly awful people, but they deserved it. He’s not someone to be trifled with.”
I press further. “That’s not really answering my question. I know there’s a party for you and Jeremiah, but this feels like more than just a celebration. Something bigger is happening. No one throws together an event this huge in a couple of days. I’m just not sure what I’m walking into, and I don’t want to make a fool of myself.” I suspect she’s holding back, being deliberately vague.
She exhales deeply, as if weighing her words carefully before speaking. “Usually, my brother doesn’t need to use much force to remove the biggest threats. He keeps the ranked members in place to help lead the pack when he can. But sometimes the corruption is deep, and cleaning it out is a long, bloody process. That’s why he has several Betas, Gammas, and Deltas who answer to Josh, Danny, and Bennet**like a massive team keeping everything in check. We’ve had several new packs join ours this year, so this is a welcome party for them. When my brother brings them in, he puts them to work immediately, with very little time off, as he transitions them into Dark Moon. This party is his way of giving them a break. But it’s also a celebration for Jeremiah and me**since I found my mate.” She squeals with delight, and I can’t help but smile at her joy over being mated to my best friend.
“So you’re telling me all the wild stories I’ve heard about your brother aren’t true? Like killing five people at once and leaving bloody, rotting bodies on the pack borders as a warning?” I scoff, hoping those tales are exaggerated.
“Oh no,” she says with a grin, catching my reflection in the mirror as she fluffs my hair one last time. “Those stories are absolutely true.” My jaw drops, and my eyes widen in disbelief. “Don’t look at me like that. He didn’t become who he is without shedding some blood**it’s the best way to teach our kind and demonstrate dominance. But trust me, he had his reasons for every one of those actions. You should just ask him about it yourself.” She winks, leaving me both intrigued and a little unsettled by the man behind the legend.
“Yeah, like the most infamous Alpha is going to spare a single thought for me when he’s got an entire room full of people to entertain, new pack members to welcome, and a sister who just got mated. He’s going to be swamped,” I say, dripping with sarcasm. “And honestly, who wants to be grilled with questions like ‘How many people have you killed lately?’ and ‘Did you have a valid reason? Walk me through your thought process.’” I mock as exaggeratedly as I can. “I’m just a human at a wolf welcome party slash engagement celebration. I’m definitely not going to be on his priority list tonight. I’ll be lucky if I even get a chance to chat with you and Jer. There are going to be so many people eager to congratulate you, fawning over how stunning you look and how handsome your mate is.” I add, feigning a gag as if overwhelmed by all the attention.
“Well, when you look this good, you never know,” she replies with a sly grin. “I have a feeling a lot of people are going to want to talk to you, especially after today’s training. I bet you’ll be the one too busy to chat.” She spins the chair I’m sitting in to face her, her eyes gleaming with the kind of mischievous sparkle that screams ‘up to no good.’ She’s definitely been spending too much time with Danny. “Now go get dressed. I want to see the full look before the guys arrive.” Without much warning, she practically lifts me out of the chair and nudges me toward my bed, where she’s laid out a sleek black dress along with all the matching accessories. For someone so petite, she’s surprisingly strong.
I turn away from her, feeling a bit self-conscious. I get the whole werewolf culture**no shame about being naked around each other**but I’m still not entirely comfortable being the one exposed. She’d told me no bra was necessary and handed me a very specific pair of black lace panties. Thank goodness it wasn’t a thong; I’d rather go commando than deal with that kind of discomfort. I roll my eyes, slip the panties on, and drop my towel. Then I reach for the dress and slide it over me.
The fabric feels like silk melting against my skin, soft and smooth, and it fits like it was tailored just for me. I have no idea how she knew my exact size, but it’s perfect. I hadn’t noticed before, but the material running from the beaded neckline is the same sheer fabric that covers my back and upper chest, flowing down to a sweetheart-cut black section that tastefully covers my breasts. The sheer fabric continues down the center of my cleavage, tapering to a point near my belly button. It’s subtle but undeniably sexy. The bodice hugs me snugly and feels secure, even without any visible corset or boning. The skirt is flouncy and layered, stopping just at the top of my thighs, making my legs look impossibly long. I wouldn’t worry about bending over in it either. The entire dress has a faint shimmer that catches the light beautifully**elegant, not flashy or gaudy.
She hands me a pair of sparkly black strappy heels, just high enough to make my legs look toned and amazing, but not so high that I feel like I’m going to topple over. After slipping them on and buckling the clasps, I stand up and smooth everything out. As I walk over to Rayna, who’s sitting at the vanity mirror, her eyes widen in surprise.
“Wow,” she breathes, clearly impressed.
I can’t help but smile, feeling a little more confident as I catch my reflection. This night might be overwhelming, but at least I’m going to look the part.
Ryker
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.