Chapter 29 Clock Is Ticking
1665words
My mother carefully set down her coffee cup on a nearby table and, with an even tone, spoke softly, "I'm only suggesting it as an option. I do not wish to lose my daughter through bloodshed with our future Luna." I could see that she was trying to be optimistic; I loved that trait about my mother. "Adeline, you need to go get ready for the coronation while I speak to your father. We must be in attendance in less than two hours, and you haven't even showered yet."
I gave both my parents a gentle hug, feeling them tremble even beneath my touch. I was relieved that I had dodged Leah and Bailey while making my way to my bedroom and quickly showered. I wrung my wet hair in a towel, then began drying it with a round brush and blow dryer, debating how I would style it.
I felt the vibration from a soft knock at my bedroom door, not hearing it over the loud rumble of my hair dryer. I placed the dryer down and opened the door; it wasn't even 8 in the morning, and I already felt completely drained. Leah and Bailey stood there before me, looking incredible, as if destined for royalty, but their faces showed signs of worry.
I turned and headed back to my vanity to finish my hair, knowing they would let themselves in. "So, Alpha Jaxon is really your mate? I guess that's where you disappeared to on the night of your birthday? Why didn't you tell me? I thought I was your best friend..." Bailey frowned, sadness in her tone.
"I didn't mean to hurt either of you, I swear. I'm still confused. I've been in a constant battle with my wolf. He offered me a birthday drink, and the next thing I realized, we were in a separate room. I couldn't pull away from him until Beverly caught us," I said, closing my eyes and covering them with my hands while resting my arms on my knees. I was ashamed—maybe Beverly was right to call me a slut for giving in to my dirty desires with a taken wolf.
Leah came to sit beside me and placed her arm around my shoulder. "The mate bond is ridiculously powerful. That's why most wolves die if they don't accept their mate. The devastation takes over." She stared at me with eyes full of sympathy, then quickly pushed her emotions aside. "We'll figure it out together, Adeline—we always have. Let's get you ready, though. Especially if there's even a chance you may one day become the Luna of Midnight Moon. Maybe Alpha Jaxon isn't as bad as the stories say. Did he hurt you?"
I managed a thankful smile at them both. They were always there for me when I was at my lowest. I felt guilty for not confiding in them sooner. I just didn't want to hurt anyone, although I think I had hurt all of them more by not telling the truth. "No, but I was sent to the cages by Luna Beverly. She had the guards, as she said, 'treat me like the slut I wanted to be treated.' They could have taken my virginity—they intended to—until Alpha Jaxon showed up. He killed one of the guards faster than I've ever seen anyone killed," another wave of guilt washed over me. I realized that guard that night, Xavier, had died because of me.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't there with you. I should never have left your side," Bailey said apologetically, smacking her lips together.
I tossed my hair and rubbed my temple to ease my headache; I knew it was from the fall when I fainted. "Don't be. Alpha Jaxon is my mate. It's true what they say about the mate bond—he makes me feel so desperate for his touch. My wolf wants him and is upset with me for not baring my neck to let him mark me by now. I saw him last night, and he told me the re-ranking had already been submitted; they aren't moving our family to Omegas. He said it has to do with our family's commitment to the pack, but I wonder if it's also because I'm his mate. How can an Alpha's mate be an Omega?" I was determined to keep up my convincing argument—it was the truth after all.
"I spent quite a bit of time with his sister, Sophia, too. She reminds me so much of you, Bails. I can't wait for you to meet her today. She kept dropping hints about mates—as if she knew—so I finally caved and admitted it to her. She said she had already figured it out. Apparently, 'caring' is out of the norm for Alpha Jaxon," I shifted into a giggle.
Bailey helped me apply my makeup; she was always ridiculously good at it. I always told her she should become a professional makeup artist—talent like that shouldn't go to waste. She emphasized my blue eyes with a smokey eyeshadow, blending grays and whites, and gave me a cat eye with black eyeliner. She finished the look with bold red lipstick. The lipstick was so bright it reminded me of blood. I felt sexy and empowered as I took a moment to admire her work in the mirror. "You should feel as gorgeous as you are—both inside and out," Bailey complimented me.
Leah and Bailey took their time perfectly pinning up pieces of my hair into a half-up, half-down style while loose raven-colored curls cascaded over my shoulders. They kept the conversation light and wondered what the coronation would be like. "You guys are seriously my glam squad! If it weren't for you, I would've definitely shown up with my hair still in a towel," I said, laughter filling my bedroom.
I admired myself in the mirror and let out an excited gasp that caught the attention of Bailey and Leah. "What is it, Addie?! What's wrong?" Leah questioned, as if she couldn't handle any more surprises for a long time. I shook my head and felt a huge smile creep across my face. "I. Have. The. Perfect. Dress," I said, pausing between each word for dramatic effect.
I reached into my closet and pushed my arm all the way to the back until I found a nylon garment bag. I pulled at it, fighting with the clothes around it to free it. I cocked my head at the blue bag, my huge smile still in place. I refused to show Leah and Bailey until I was wearing it, so I glided toward the bathroom and took my time putting on the dress.
I stepped out and flourished at the astonishment on Bailey and Leah's faces. "Too much?" I asked, sarcastically fluttering my eyelashes.
The black strapless dress exposed my bare shoulders; having them completely bare made me feel sexy. Sexy was not a look I was used to. The neckline dipped perfectly between my breasts, revealing just enough cleavage to be seductive. It was long and brushed the floor, with a slit that ran up my entire right thigh—it was almost too high, but multiple rows of rhinestones held the two sides of the slit together. The fabric was thick enough it felt like it was glued onto my body, hugging and highlighting every feature.
"Too much? I'm still trying to lift my jaw off the floor. Are you trying to get yourself marked tonight?!" my sister Leah screeched, throwing her arms up to make her point. I knew she secretly approved of the dress I had chosen.
"This is exactly what that almighty Alpha deserves after locking you in a cage. Saving you or not, I can't wait to see his face when he takes one look at you and bares his neck instead," Bailey teased, crossing her arms over her chest. My wolf basked in her words, sure he would have difficulty controlling himself. I didn't mind though; it's not like he could stop the coronation just to give in to his guilty desires. Today would be fun.
As I added the finishing touches and hung my long diamond earrings, I heard my mother calling from downstairs, "Girls, we need to get a move on. No wolf dares to be late today." I looked at Leah and Bailey and gave them a knowing nod. The three of us scurried from the room and dashed down the stairs to the front door, where my parents were already waiting.
"All of you girls clean up nicely, if I must say so myself," my father joked as my mother linked her arm with his. They always stood as a unified front. Together, they were a symbol of what mates should look like. They were the complete opposite of the mess my love life was right now—an Alpha with a chosen mate and a fated mate.
My mother turned to me before opening the doors; her face was stern and her words brisk. "Adeline, whatever you decide, we are here to support you. However, tonight you must follow the coronation rituals as precisely as possible. Those who know that you are Alpha Jaxon's fated mate will be watching you closely, and those who don't will remember your behavior when they find out."
I nodded in understanding, and she opened the front door, waiting for all of us to exit before turning to lock it. A gray sedan sat across the road. It was a car I had never seen before, but the two eyes that pierced directly at me brought a familiarity that immediately registered with my wolf. Those eyes belonged without a doubt to the other guard in the cages that night. Asher was the name I remembered. Why was Alpha Jaxon stalking me? Why was he sending this guard to watch over me and my family? Fury boiled inside me; it was clear he had no boundaries and even less respect for me.
