“Mom, I’m good.” I wave off my mother’s hand for what feels like the millionth time. “I can handle my own makeup.”
My mother lets out a heavy sigh, throwing her hands up in surrender. “I just want you to look your best, honey!”
I roll my eyes and get back to my eye shadow. A light, smoky look, topped with a sprinkle of glitter and eyeliner. The white in the corner of my eyes makes my gray eyes stand out. A simple glossy lip completes my look.
“You should at least put on some fake lashes, Temp,” Talia suggests as she applies her own, her face twisted into a strange angle.
I roll my eyes again. “My eyelashes are perfectly fine with just mascara, thank you very much.”
Both my mother and best friend are trying to doll me up. Or, as they put it, make me “look like the sister of the new Alpha should look.”
I beg to differ. My brother and sister-in-law should be the ones in the spotlight tonight. I don’t need to share it with them.
Timber has been siding with me on everything except my hair. Every time I even consider leaving it down, my wolf sends throbbing headaches my way. It’s been like this all day.
I want it down, she wants it up.
After a lot of back and forth, my hair ends up in an updo with two strands of hair curled away from my face.
“Ladies, we have ten minutes!” my father yells from downstairs. “Let’s get moving!”
Talia lets out a low growl. A wave of aggression washes over me, and I growl back. As soon as I do, both women look at me in surprise.
Having a wolf and animal instincts is all new to me. I’m more protective of my family and friends—I even find myself holding myself to a higher standard.
According to my father, Timber is trying to take it easy on me. She knows she arrived late and that I need time to adjust to this new being sharing my body.
It’s been a struggle, to say the least, over the past twenty-four hours.
My sight and sense of smell have improved so much that I’m overwhelmed by light and the scent of meat.
I can see the tiny dust particles floating around the room with my naked eye, and I can hear a deer’s footsteps up to three miles away from upstairs in my bedroom.
“Are you okay, Temperance?” My mother places a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah… I’m sorry, Talia,” I say, my mind elsewhere. “I’ll meet you guys downstairs.”
Before anyone can say another word, I hurry downstairs to my father. A wave of relief washes over me as he smiles at my appearance.
“You look beautiful, Temperance,” he says.
My dress is knee-length with a sweetheart neckline. It’s gold and sparkles whenever I move.
It fits snugly around every curve of my body. My heels are a nude color, so I tried my best to match my makeup to them.
“What’s wrong?” my father asks, clearly noticing my discomfort.
“Nothing new, Dad.” I shrug. “Just Timber, my new lifestyle, you know the drill.”
My father gives me a gentle smile. “I understand, honey. You’ll get used to it in time.”
“Are we ready?” Walker asks as his mate and my mother descend the stairs.
Talia strides over to her mate with a certain swagger and a territorial aura about her. I catch her giving me a side-eye before she kisses Walker’s cheek.
Blame the wolf in her, but my best friend is a bit too possessive. Walker and I haven’t spoken since he mentioned his wolf approving of mine.
Talia and Walker are a perfect match. Her floor-length blue sequin dress has a slit that goes up to her mid-thigh, showing off her black heels. Walker is wearing a simple blue button-down shirt and black slacks.
“My love, you look as stunning as ever.” My father kisses his mate on the cheek. My mother savors the moment for a second before agreeing.
My mother is wearing a simple, loosely fitted cream-colored dress, tights, and a pair of two-inch black heels. My father is dressed in a full suit with a tie that matches his mate’s dress.
I can’t help but gag a little. I love my parents and their love for each other, but sometimes it’s a bit much.
That’s a lie, of course, but they don’t need to know that.
The pack house is teeming with members of our pack and the neighboring ones we’re allied with. They’ve all come to show respect for the new Alpha and Luna.
“I’ve never seen it this busy!” Talia exclaims, marveling at the crowd while Walker guides her through the main entrance.
I follow behind my mother and father who are walking hand in hand, their bodies close together.
The mix of scents from this many wolves is driving Timber and me a little crazy. Rain-soaked grass, mud, even rotten meat. I scrunch my nose at all of them.
“Temperance, there are a few things you should know before we go in.” My parents turn to me before we enter the pack house.
“Okay?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Unmated males will sense that you’ve recently shifted,” my father explains. “That means they’ll all introduce themselves in hopes of finding their mate.”
Timber echoes my feelings of annoyance.
We’re here for our brother, nothing more, nothing less. The males will only be a distraction.
“One of them could be your mate,” my mother adds. “Whether from our pack or a neighboring one. It’s rare, but just in case, we wanted you to be prepared.”
“Thanks, guys.” I force a smile. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
Both my parents hug me before entering the house, with me hot on their heels.
The once quiet air is now filled with loud music and voices. My ears ring as they adjust to the new noise level, and I shut my eyes tightly.
Timber does her best to help ease the pain by sending waves of relief and relaxation. It works enough for me to regain my bearings.
As I open my eyes, I realize two things.
First, my parents have moved further into the crowd, leaving me alone and very annoyed.
And secondly, I could feel the unsettling gaze of too many men, sizing me up in a way that made my skin crawl.
Time to dive into the night.
