Too Beautiful for the Alpha

"Do you like this one more than the last one?"

I turn away from the mirror and shrug. "I don't know, Gail. They're all pretty, I just can't make up my mind, I guess."

Gail picks up the next dress by the hanger and hands it to me, this time giving me a long, black dress with a slit on the left side, covered by lace. I take it and shuffle into the bathroom, tired of looking at myself in the mirror while I yank them on. Each time the bags under my eyes seem to grow darker and I contemplate just picking a random one from the pile just so we can stop. "Where do all these dresses even come from?" I ask through the door, pulling the dark fabric over my legs.

"James asked me to get you some things to try on for the party, so I did. Be glad that you have options," she says as I come out, spinning around so she can zip me up. "I like this one."

"Good. Then I'll wear this one," I rush and make my way back to the bathroom to take it off, not needing much of a glance in the mirror at all.

"We've got two more, Rae. Try them on just so you're sure."

I peer back at her and sigh. "I've tried on plenty. This one is my favorite."

She holds up the last two, one in each hand. "Are you sure?"

My eyes scan over the red, shorter one on the right then the silver, endless, simple one on the left. "I'm sure. I want to wear black."

"Black can be a little sad, can't it?"

I take a closer look in the mirror, liking how it is long-sleeved and lacy and elegant. "I don't think it is. I think it looks polished and clean." I dare say that I look pretty, mysterious and pretty. A small smile lifts my cheeks and Gail sets down the last two.

"Alright. What shoes are you going to wear?"

closet and I grab my heels, the only pair I own, the short-heeled cream ones my

"What size

the sole of the shoe and read off, "an

something before you get ready, then. Remember, shower and dress and everything by six. James should be home in an hour," she says as she leaves my room with the tried-on dresses laying over her arms, "make sure he's on time, will you? Sometimes he believes he has enough time when he

closes. I turn back to the black dress laid on my bed and run my hand over it, feeling a bit more prepared and assured now. At least I'll look nice and not chest-less as I did in my old gold dress. This feels as if I'm turning to a new page. It's time to attend a party like a leader and not a drunk. I'll

eyes have been looking for an escape, but I have to remember that I am one of them now, a leader. Alpha blood or not, I belong here and I'm not going to let anyone take that from me. I'm sure I'll run into rude Luna's at the party, people who find me inadequate, and I know that I'll be tested. It's good that I've prepared myself in the mirror, saying things like: "Oh, I'm not Alpha blood, but the Moon Goddess brought us both here, didn't she?" And, "Yes, I know it's rare for a

at my reflection for no reason at all, but I did hype myself up for tonight. Obviously, everyone attending is an ally and I'm not going to start a war, but acting like a bad ass was amusing. Part of me wants to wear a gun strapped to my thigh tonight just to carry

of myself, and I'm not going to let her go anytime

After that he's been on some sort of mission to strengthen and sharpen the guards, giving them longer and tougher training workouts, determined

for me as he puts it, and I think his animalistic side is getting to his head. But I can't lie and say that it doesn't make me weak

used enough to be considered mine, and I'm sure all of it was taken from my mother before she could even use it herself. I find the small, blue pouch tucked on a shelf in the closet, and I bring it back to the bathroom, dumping its holdings out on the counter. There's an unopened tube of mascara, a hardly-used compact of blush, a compact of powder, and

some on my lips and stand back in the mirror to get a good look. "That's nice," I murmur and click

then reaches for the mascara, twisting it open and holding up the black, spiked end to my eye. I hold my breath as I steadily run it through my lashes, darkening them and making them a tad longer. "That's nice too," I murmur again and peer down at the two compacts. I grab the powder and open it up, the shade light and brightening. With the puff underneath the powder, I tap it into the product and think logically. To brighten would make the spot seem larger and to darken would make it smaller, so I dab some under my eyes

dark and look more awake, so I'm going to take this as a success. Finding the

feeling my heart beating faster from excitement to put on the dress. I can't wait for James to

dress lays in its spot on the bed, and I slip on my nice underwear before abandoning my robe for the dark, soft fabric. I manage to zip it up halfway myself before seeking help from someone in the house. My bare feet pad against the wood floors and I call down the steps, "Gail?

wanted to wait until I had my shoes and everything, but I suppose I'll have to reveal myself now. Actually, thinking back to Gail's words earlier, I am supposed to make sure James is on time, so I hurry and knock twice, calling, "James, are you getting ready? I need you to zip

back, "Come in," so I do. I wander inside to find clothes on the bed and the bathroom light on. He emerges half-dressed, his hair still damp. "Look at you," he breathes out, nearing me and I can't help but smile. "You

turn around, showing him the unzipped

feeling his fingers against

so, specifically on his mark. He turns me around and gives me a quick, firm kiss before letting go and grabbing his shirt from the bed. I stand with a flushed face as he slips on and buttons up the shirt, watching him