Never
“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 close my eyes and will 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 pray to the Goddess for patience that I don’t have, and exhale out of my mouth. “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’ve been holding in finally bubbles over and my restraint snaps. I’m on my feet in front of her. Her head flies back and satisfaction washes over me. My hand stings but the shock on her face is worth it.
“You dare?” She gasped.
I laugh. I can help it. I throw my head back and can feel my laugh in the depths of my belly. I look like a full-blown psycho. Hell, I look like a villainess right now. But looks can be deceiving. All at once the laugh is gone and I stare at her. I’ve 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 whips back. This time the servant is the one who gasps. When she doesn’t move I’m glad she’s smart enough not to intervene. Ava staggers back before she whips back to face me and glares 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 spit.
Ava closes her mouth and I watch satisfied as her jaw clenches. She lowers herself to the ground and grabs the dress from the floor. When she straightens her back her eyes narrow as a small smile pulls at the corners of her lips. The handmaiden moves forward and when I nod she starts 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’m confident in my body and I won’t let whatever bullshit play she’s doing get to me. I cock my head and smile back at her. When she realizes this isn’t having the effect she was hoping it would, she purses her lips and waves her hand at her handmaiden.
The soft material flows down my hips and thighs. The corset wraps around me and I wait as she tightens the strings. When she pulls it tight, she takes my breath as well. When it’s on tight she puts my shoes in front of me. She’s bent holding my shoes, silently, she waits for me to step into them
The handmaiden straightens and rushes toward the vanity. Boxes of jewelry sit atop it. When she starts to lift the lids I look away. I think about the white of the clouds as something heavy rests against my collar bone and she fastens the back of the chain. My ears are next as she adorns them with drop earrings. My sister turns and looks
I know Ava doesn’t want to look at me but it’s her job. She has to make sure I look my best. Especially if she’s going to gain the pleasure of her Alpha. My face scrunches up.
“Just about perfect,” Ava said. “Now for your mask.”
She steps forward and my eyes go to her hands. There I find a red Venetian mask. Rhinestone and bead embellishments shimmer and catch my eye. The fabric applique and sequin flowers make it hard not to like it.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmur.
“It is,” Ava said.
I hate the way my heart wishes she would go back to how she was before. I don’t waste my time in voicing my thoughts. I’m not stupid enough to think that she would want redemption and I have no expectations when it comes to her. Ava and I will never be friends again. She’s already past the point of forgiveness. She comes to a stop in front of me and I look into brown eyes that mirror 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 that’s 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.
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