Running to the room, I locked the door before walking into the bathroom. His anger scared me. I felt frightened of what he might do if I pissed him off. I knew he can’t kill me without destroying himself, but that didn’t make me fear him any less in this moment. Jumping in the shower, I turned the taps on, washing my body with the shower gel and a loofa. I washed myself slowly, not wanting to get out of the shower. My muscles were tense, and I was on edge. After about five minutes, I heard the door handle to the bedroom break. It dropped to the floor with a soft thud. My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach dropped when I heard the door handle to the bathroom twist before opening.
Dread consuming me, I froze. Reid’s imposing frame walked in. Watching him, I had the sudden urge to not turn my back on him. He was still angry. Reid stripped his clothes off before stepping into the shower and turning on the other showerhead at the other end on the wall. Putting his head under the hot stream of water, I watched his shoulders relax, and he let out a breath. I quickly washed my hair before turning my own shower off. Grabbing my towel that was sitting on the sink basin, I quickly wrapped it tightly around my body. When I looked up, Reid was staring at me, his jaw clenched and eyes blazing. Rushing out of the bathroom, I quickly closed the door behind me.
Sitting on the bed was a dark aqua coloured dress. The dress was beautiful, it was a mid-thigh off-shoulder silhouette with a plunging neckline which would show a lot of cleavage. Picking up the dress, I stared at it. I couldn’t remember the last time I wore a dress, maybe when I was a little girl. I wouldn’t usually wear something so revealing. Next to the dress was a blue suit, which must be what Reid will be wearing. Wrapping the towel tighter, I went to the draw and pulled out some underwear. The dress wouldn’t allow for a bra, so I slipped my panties on, just as the door opened. Wendy and Christine excitedly stepped in. “You like the dress?” asked Christine excitedly.
“It’s gorgeous but don’t you think it’s a bit revealing?”
“Nonsense, it will look great. Come on, let’s get you changed,” said Christine grabbing my hand, pulling me from the room and down the stairs to her room. Christine was wearing a lilac floor-length dress. Wendy was wearing a strapless blue mid-length dress that flared out at the bottom. Both of them looked stunning.
Aria’s POV
Wendy and Christine didn’t waste any time; they excitedly did my hair and make-up. I just let them do what they wanted. There wasn’t any point in trying to argue with them, I had more pressing issues consuming me. How were Reid and I going to get along when he had so much anger and hatred towards things that were out of my control? I can’t change what I am, but I won’t stand for him, making me fear him. I have always been submissive to how mine and Lily’s life turned out, taking it as it comes. I’m not willing to sit and take it anymore. I know who I am now. More importantly, I know who I want to become, and that’s not a person who gets pushed aside and walked all over. Only I can control who I am supposed to be, and standing there and taking blow after blow didn’t work in the past. So, learning from those mistakes, I refuse to devalue myself for the sake of pleasing others or fearing the reactions of those who won’t agree. Lily needs to know it’s not normal hiding from everyone, not normal to fear everyone, and the only way I can get her to see her own strength is to display it myself.
I was brought out of all-consuming thoughts after about an hour of Wendy fiddling with my hair and makeup when they asked me to get changed into the dress. The dress fit like a glove, though I must admit I wasn’t comfortable with the length, but they insisted it wasn’t too short. Slipping the black heels on, I stood in front of the mirror. Wendy had curled my long hair and put it half up half down, the curls raining down to the middle of my back. I had to admit they did a really good job. I looked nice. I looked how a Luna should look. Standing there, staring at myself in the mirror, I had a newfound confidence. I was starting to become excited about the celebrations. Today may not have been the greatest in terms of Reid and I getting along, but I pushed those thoughts aside. Even if he chooses to ignore me or not even show up, I will manage on my own. I won’t let the Pack see what a nervous wreck I am on the inside. Just smile, fake it until you make it, I guess.
Walking out into the foyer, Lily comes bounding up to me. She had a pink frilly dress on that went to her feet. Her blonde curls shaping her angelic little face to the middle of her back and white sandals on. She looked like a little princess.
“You look pretty Ari,” she said excitedly, pulling on my curls gently. I smiled down at her.
“So, do you, Lily, just like a princess.” Lily laughed excitedly, spinning in a circle to show me her dress, the bottom flaring out as she spun around. Holding my hand out, Lily took it, and we walked towards the back yard. Beta Zane walked out with Christine and Wendy. The girls, noticing some Pack members, ran to go chat and mingle, leaving me there holding Lily’s hand. Zane stepped over in his black suit putting his arm out for me to take.
“Luna.” He nodded. “You look great, Ari.”
“Thanks, you scrub up nice yourself,” I replied, smiling. Lily, Zane, and I walked over to the end of the patio. The entire yard had been transformed. Fairy lights shone brightly from the trees, making the whole yard glow. There were small fire pits scattered around, the tables were all set up and decorated. Music was playing loudly. There were tables of food. Lily looked excitedly at a group of kids around her age that were dancing on the dance floor that had been set up in the middle of the yard. Noticing her excitement, I nudged her. “Go play, Lily, it’s alright.”
“But what about you?”
“I’ll be fine. I have Zane, and I’m sure Alpha Reid will be down soon,” I answered, not so sure on the last part. I watched Lily run off towards the crowds of people. Every Pack member was here. Everyone standing around talking, dancing, drinking, and eating. The atmosphere was very relaxed and happy, carefree. Everyone was enjoying themselves.
“Ready?” asked Zane.
“Yep, as ready as I’ll ever be.”