“It’s only a matter of time before you break, Grey.”
I turn and start for the door. “In case you haven’t noticed…” I pause with my hand on the doorknob, looking back over my shoulder. “I bend. I don’t break.”
Though the vampire blood healed my wounds, the exhaustion of the past few days had taken its toll on my body. I spent half the day tucked away in the comfort of my bed, and I probably would’ve stayed there the rest of the night if Sienna hadn’t usedher werewolf strength to toss me into the shower five minutes ago.
“What torture am I going to have to endure tonight?” I ask, working the conditioner into my hair. This may be my second shower of the day, but after spending three nights in the woods, it’s still very necessary.
“Well, tonight is the last night the leaders are here. There’s going to be a garden party out back, so I brought you some options with sleeves.”
When I step out of the shower, Sienna is already holding out a towel for me to step into. I always had to share space with other kids growing up, so privacy was never something that held much weight for me.
“What are the chances tonight actually goes smoothly for once?” I joke.
“Well, that depends.” Sienna hands me a silk robe that feels like butter against my skin. “What are the chances you’ll actually behave tonight?”
She tosses me a knowing look, and I shake my head.
“I will if he does.”
Sienna sighs and begins running a brush through my hair. “Well, the good news is, I get to accompany you!”
“No way!” I whirl around to face her and find her smiling like a Cheshire Cat. “That makes it way more bearable.”
She laughs and motions for me to turn back around. “I usually never get to go to these things, so maybe this is Alpha’s way of making nice with you.”
“Yeah, I doubt that.”
Once Sienna is done, I hardly recognize myself. I’ve only worn makeup a few times in my life, and it only consisted of mascara and a hint of eyeliner.
“What do you think?” Sienna asks nervously, looking me over in the mirror.
Something about the way I look tonight makes me feel powerful. The gown she chose for me is feminine, yet fierce. The black lace that covers the beige lining starts just off my shoulders and runs down my arms and hands, held in place by a loop fixed around my middle finger like a ring. It hugs my body as if it were molded to me.
My different colored eyes pop against the smokey eye she’s created, and it feels empowering. Almost like I’ve reclaimed something that was taken from me long ago. My shoulders and collarbone gleam from the highlight she brushed over them, and the way my hair is styled on top of my head represents poise and elegance—two things I’ve never possessed.
I see myself, but I also see someone else. Someone who others should fear. Not because she’s the biggest or strongest, but because she knows who she is and she’s not going to change for anyone.
Not even a monstrous hybrid.
“You ladies clean up nice for a human and a wolf,” Kieran interrupts from the bathroom doorway.
“It’s a shame we can’t say the same about you,” Sienna quips, shooing him out of her way.
I catch a glimpse of a grin on Kieran’s face when she brushes past him, and it makes me wonder if his disgust with werewolves is just an act he puts on.
Sienna quickly finishes up, and Kieran escorts us to the garden, which has been transformed for the occasion. Strings of yellow lights hang over the entire maze of rose bushes while a few of the surrounding trees are wrapped in fairy lights. Small round tables have been put out for guests to set their drinksand plates on, and there are even servers walking around with trays full of champagne glasses and hors d’oeuvres.
“I figured you guys wouldn’t eat human food,” I say to both Kieran and Sienna despite knowing Thane does.
“Most vampires don’t, but some do. It’s personal preference,” Kieran answers before glancing at Sienna. “The mutts will eat just about anything, though.”
“Actually.” Sienna glares back at him. “Our palates are just more sophisticated.” She turns her attention toward me. “The vampires always had to stay hidden, but most wolves lived among the humans, so we’ve kept a lot of their habits. But don’t get me wrong, we still love a good hunt.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“Make sure she doesn’t go outside of the garden,” Kieran tells Sienna, as if she’s my keeper for the evening.
“What? No leash?” I question with a bite of sarcasm.
