Adea
The elevator ride was awkward the rest of the way up as Leo and I stared at each other. Leo didn’t say anything to my request and I was starting to think he was going to mind-link Ethan. I waited in bated breath until he finally decided to nod.
A blanket of relief washed over me knowing I wouldn’t add more to Ethan’s worries. I left Leo at the door as I went into my room to get dressed. With him locked out, I made my way deeper into the room. My breathing sped up with each step.
It wasn’t until the bathroom door was locked behind me that the tears began to run down my cheeks. As soon as the shower was turned out, I gave myself over to panic and worry. In these few minutes, I let myself cry and scream. I felt cornered, I felt trapped knowing I had no choice but to face the boy that made my life more than difficult.
When I was done wallowing in my own self-pity, I hardened my jaw and pulled myself together. I would be facing Shane today but I wouldn’t be doing it alone. I would have my family by my side. I needed to be stronger, not just physically but mentally. Not only did we need to show a united front but we needed to show that he wasn’t even a spec on our radar. I needed to make sure he knew I wasn’t scared of him anymore and he held no power over me.
I may have my weaknesses and I may need to work more on not being so negative but the weak orphaned Adea he knew was dead. The woman I was today was a strong fighter, a Luna, and loved. I had a family, a small one but a family all the same. The people I loved were alive and well and I would do everything in my power to keep them that way.
Turning off the shower, I wrapped my hair up in a towel before grabbing another and drying my body. When I was done, I stepped out with a towel wrapped tightly around my body. Steam billowed from the bathroom as I opened the door. Breathing in, Ethan’s scent filled my senses and I was reminded that I was still at home, I was still safe.
I headed towards the closet as I tried to figure out what I would wear to the meeting. The other pack’s Luna’s would be in attendance and they would be dressed to the nines. Juggling between long and short, loose or fitted, I wasn’t sure what I would wear. I needed something presentable but bold.
It was at times like these that I missed my friends and the simpler times the most. I missed Nikki’s jokes, Mavy’s constant scheming of how to get me dressed up, and Olivia’s friendship. I missed having that girl bonding time, even if shopping and makeup wasn’t my favorite thing to do.
A small voice in the back of my head whispered for me to cover myself, wear something long-sleeved, and hide in every way possible. There was a small part of me that wanted to cower and obey but that voice was drowned out by the woman I knew I was.
The Queen, the Luna in me knew I was no longer the girl who bowed and offered her neck to him, to anyone. I wasn’t a victim anymore and it was damn time I started acting like it. I wouldn’t cower in front of Shane today, no, I would stand tall and wear my confidence proudly.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to buy all of these dresses myself. I had a section of dresses prepared specifically for meetings or official outings. My fingers trembled as they grazed against the different fabrics. I wasn’t paying attention to any of them until the soft silk underneath my fingers demanded my attention. Pulling out the hanger from the closet, I stared at the dress. It was confident and sexy and everything I needed at this moment.
The high neckline would cover my chest from wandering eyes, sleeveless, and the red silk would fall down my body but would do little to hide my curves. Flipping the dress around, an appreciative smile spread across my lips. The back of the dress was backless and dipped low. Holding the dress to my chest, it fell right above my knees.
There’s nothing like pretty clothes to boost a woman’s confidence. I didn’t have to look any further, I found my outfit for tonight. I would pair it with black ankle strap heels with gold buckles. After laying the ensemble on the bed, I patted myself dry and lathered my body with cocoa butter lotion.
After I shimmied into my dress and stepped into my war shoes, I was almost ready. My hair was dry and I was no hairstylist, so I straightened it and let it hang. Staring at my reflection, my hair framed my face and all I needed to do was touch up my face. With a bit of mascara and bold red lipstick, I was ready for battle.
Leo heard my steps as I approached and the door swung open. With one foot after the other, I stepped over the threshold and out into the hall. Leo’s gaze dropped to my legs and slowly trailed up, up, up. His eyebrows arched up as our eyes met.
“Damn son, you clean up nice,” Leo said. I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at the corners of my lips.
“Gasp, is that a compliment from the almighty Leo?” I asked in mock shock. A cock smirk spread across his features and instantly, I regretted saying the almighty bit.
“I dish out compliments where they are due,” Leo crossed his arms and nodded his head as if he were some all-knowing guru. “I’ve got my sights set on a blonde.”
“Oh, I know,” I laughed.