My lips tighten, but I take the bag regardless. I can’t go to my Mating Ceremony in jeans, and there’s no way in hell I’m putting my other dress back on.
“Thanks.”
Logan rocks back on his heels, his face desperate. “Are you… how are you feeling? Can we talk?”
Shaking my head, I brush past him, ignoring the flare in my chest as our arms brush against each other. “I don’t want to talk.”
“That’s okay,” he rushes out. “If you change your mind, I’m here.”
Nodding, I close the door on his hopeful face.
It doesn’t take me long to get ready. Without any make-up, without my mama and Jess fussing and clucking around me, I’m making do with what I have. When I unzip the bag, the smallest jab hits me in the chest.
Because this dress is everything I would have wanted for my Mating Ceremony.
The lace is delicate, silver beading trailing down a delicate boned bodice in a curling pattern, before flaring out into a long, tulle skirt.
It’s a princess dress. In the palest, softest shade of pink.
It takes a minute for me to move and pull it on, trying to ignore the stabbing at my heart when it hangs a little loose. It feels like I’m wasting away, like soon there’ll be nothing left of me at all.
When I try to reach the back, I hit a snag.
Lips tightening, I move to the doorway, pulling the door open. “Jax.”
He bolts upright, his eyes widening. “Shortcake. You look—,”
“I need my buttons done up,” I blurt. I don’t want to hear any pretty words from them. They don’t mean anything.
Turning, I hold my breath as his fingers dance across my skin, doing up the hooks with ease. When he’s finished, he leans into me for a moment, his breath ghosting over my ear. “You look beautiful, Bonded.”
My throat closes up as I step away from him, my door closing softly.
I wait, sitting on the bed as the house wakes up around me, footsteps padding up and down outside my room, the murmur of hushed voices. They always pause outside.
When the knock comes, I’m ready.
Gray is waiting on the other side of the door, his face pale and shadowed.
“Sienna,” he breathes. He doesn’t look down, his eyes on my face. “Are you okay? You haven’t eaten anything.”
“I’m fine. Is it time to go?”
He hesitates, ready to push the issue, but I move past him, descending the stairs. I’m more than ready for the Trials to be over. I’ll do whatever it takes to get me there.
Including facing the alpha with mismatched eyes waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
He swallows as I move towards him. “Sienna.”
“Tristan.” Sweeping past, I move to the door. “Did you find me transport?”
It’s the only thing I’ve asked for. I can’t sit in a car with them. I need to brace myself, to gather my thoughts, and to do that I need space.
Tristan nods, although I can see the reluctance in his gaze. “You know we’d – we’d like it if you came with us. But there’s a driver outside, if you want it.”
“I do want it.” My sharp tone rings out as I pull the door open. “I’ll see you there?”
I hate that there’s the smallest questioning tone in my voice, the way it rises at the end giving light to my final vulnerability.
