Star-Crossed Mates

Lilly's eyes fluttered open on a crisp October morning. Brrr... She pulled the covers over her shoulders and glanced out the window. Rain... It rained alot in the mid-west, she missed the forever warm weather in California, her home state. She frowned as she reminded her self of the agreement she'd had with her parents just two weeks before. Her parents had signed a deal with the Blue Moon pack when she was just 4 years old. If she hadn't found a mate by her 30th birthday she'd marry which ever son was also unmated. She saw pictures and read a file that his pack sent. He was 30 years old and the Alpha's only son. He was tall; six foot 2 inches, the file had stated, with reddish blonde hair, and blue eyes. She spoke to him just once before driving straight to Indiana from Cali. He was polite, he said he was excited to meet her. Her parents wanted her to take a plane but she needed those last few hours to clear her mind and forget her dreams of having a true soulmate. "Your father and I met through an arranged marriage and we worked out." That's what her mother had said. Her parents had indeed met through an arranged marriage, but they were not exactly a happy couple. They were always accusing each other of cheating. They fought alot too. She could remember them as far back as her first year of school always arguing about money. Now she too was facing an arranged marriage. Lilly had so much anxiety about meeting Joey Browning. What if he didn't like her? She wasn't the typical Blue Moon girl. Her mother was from this pack by birth, but she looked more like her father's family, at least that's what she was always told. She wasn't quite a Red Star pack type of girl either. Most Cali girls were tall and tan. Lilly was very light skinned and basically average in every other way. She was taller than her mother but shorter than her father. A perfectly average at five foot six inches tall and she had a round face with long wavy brown hair. Her mother always called her hair "ash" brown. Which always felt kinda like an insult, it was dull, a dull brown Lilly had wanted to dye her hair as a kid and did once but it didnt really make her feel any different. She has received compliments about her eyes though. Everyone always loved how blue her eyes were. But she was alittle thicker built than most of the women in her family. Her mom, sisters, and cousins... They were all very petite. Not Lilly though, she wasn't fat or anything, she just had always been thicker. "Child bearing hips." Her grandfather once said. Ugh... She remembered being so embarrassed when he told her that in the middle of her sixteenth birthday party! Knock.. Knock..! Two hard knocks swept her thoughts away. It was her Mother, her mother always knocked like she was about to knock the door down... "I hope you're dressed honey!" Announced her Mother as she waltzed into the large bedroom Lilly had been given last night. She had a white dress wrapped in plastic draped over one arm and a box under the other. Lilly had arrived late in the evening yesterday and was given an assigned room without meeting any of the important Browning family members. A maid had stayed up and waited on her arrival. "Mooooorrrrning... Mom" Lilly attempted as a big yawn escaped her. She watched as her eager mother gently sat the dress on the end of the huge king sized bed. It was massive, she'd never owned anything larger than a full sized mattress. She'd moved out of her parents for a while and had a nice little apartment. But the consignment store she worked at for over 10 years had closed and she couldn't afford the place anymore. That was when she moved back in with her parents. That was also the day her mother began began pressuring her into getting married.. "Lilly hurry get out of bed, it's already noon!" Said her Mother as she pulled the blanket away. Her voice was getting high pitched, she was always in a hurry always worried about being late to where ever. "I'm going to be able to get some breakfast right?" Asked Lilly as her stomach growled. "Always thinking about food. Come on you're wearing this!" Her Mother exclaimed as she held up the bright white dress, almost looked like a wedding gown itself. "We want to impress Mr. Browning and show him how pretty you can be." Her mother continued to talk under her breath. Lilly rolled her eyes, that is what her mother always did when she was upset. She was so worried the pack wouldn't approve of her. She looked at the dress her mother was holding up still, it wasnt ugly it was a nice dress just not her style. She didn't really like wearing dresses too much. Jeans were way more comfortable. Lilly sat up finally and examined the dress her mother had laid it back out in front of her. It looked small, her mother was always getting things a size too small. She hated tight clothes. "Mom are you sure this will fit me?" She questioned as she picked it up. Hmmmfff... "It will fit you just fine unless you've gained more weight since the last time I bought you anything." Her mother began laying out make-up and hair brushes on a low dresser. She carefully went over each item. Why did it seem like her mother always had to throw an insult in there? Lilly stood up and pulled the dress to her shoulders, it most definitely was not going to fit. She looked at her Mother then back to the dress. Hmmm.... She wanted to wear something warm, there was plenty of time for uncomfortable little dresses, but she knew her Mom was going to make her put it on anyways. With her mother busy playing with make-up brushes, Lilly grabbed her cell phone and checked her messages. Her cousin Natalie was supposed to text her when she got on a flight from back home. She was the only person Lilly was close to in their family. They were the same age and always confided in each other about everything. Boys, school, their job, whatever struggle it was. "Lilly please get dressed..!" Her mother voice was all high pitched again. She'd better put the darn dress on. She unzipped the side of the dress and stepped into it. The dress was so snug she could just barely pull the skirt up so she could get her arms through the straps. She tried to zip up but the zipper snagged on her slip. "Are you really going to wear that slip under this dress?" Questioned her mother who's voice was almost a whisper now. Lilly turned away as she smirked. Her mother's voice always went out when she continously spoke in that high pitched tone. Her mother lost her voice at least ever other day it seemed... "See it doesn't fit!" Lilly tried pulling the zipper up then down but it was stuck. "Oh it's-" Her mother walked over pulled the zipper down hard, it came lose then she pulled it up while holding top together with her other hand. "Fits just fine, there!" She looked up triumphantly and flashed her green eyes at Lilly before walking back over to the dresser. "It's so tight... I can't even breathe..!" She exclaimed while attempting a deep breath. "If you can talk.. You can breathe." Her mother said, almost sweetly. "Mom I can't wear this!" Lilly was looking in the mirror on the dresser and noticed how her breasts almost popped out. This was ridiculous... She looked like the she-hulk was about to burst out or something. Just finish getting ready and then come down stairs!" Her mother demanded before storming out the door. Lilly tried to adjust the top straps a bit so she didn't look too muffin-y.. Then she looked down at the make-up and brushes. Her stomach growled again, she really wanted to eat but this dress might not allow for it. She picked up a hair brush and ran it over the top of her hair then sat ot back down. She could put on make-up and stuff later, right now she needed something to eat. Even toast would work right now. Lilly looked up and down the hallway before slipping out and down the stairs. She tried to tip to, theres no telling how many pack members lived here. Could be 5 or maybe even 30 others. Maybe not 30, there couldn't be more than maybe 10 bedrooms with the size they were. "Lilly!" Her mother's voice squealed out horrified. "What I just want to-" "Go back upstairs and put on some make up!" Her mother cut her off with a scoff. Lilly just stood there for a moment. She really just wanted food. Anything at this point. "Mom I just want something to eat! I can wear your clown make-up later..." Her mother was seriously getting teary eyed now. "Seriously Mom"... "I just want you to look nice Lilly. This meeting could change your whole life today!" Her mom was always so quick to start the water works. "Look I'll grabbed something quick and then I'll go do whatever you want." Lilly spoke softly trying to win her over. "Fine, but hurry. He can't see you like this!" Her mom acted like she was in complete shock, but Lilly never wore make-up or dressed up in little dressy dresses.. Lilly rolled her eyes again and turned in to the kitchen. In the kitchen was a whole table full of prepared breakfast foods. Eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, fruit, and- "Good morning Miss, can I assist you with anything?" Said a maid popping her head out from a closet. "Err... No thanks... Actually can I just get cereal?" Lilly was used to eating a quick breakfast in the morning and that usually meant cereal. "Um.. Yes, we have cereal. What kind would you prefer?" This maid was a chunky blonde woman with freckles galore. "Ugh. Chocolate if you have any.." Lilly felt a bit awkward as the maid pulled out a spoon and bowl then poured the cereal and milk, before handing it to her. That was deffinately something she was not used to. "Here you go Miss, let me know if there's anything else dear!" The maid seemed so cheerful. Lilly smiled for the first time since she'd been there. The maid was since and not like fake nice. She wondered if everyone on the property was part of the pack. At least she wouldn't be the only person here that wasn't super petite. Lilly walked back into the big dining room and sat down in a side chair towards then end. She watched as her mother began putting sticky notes all over some big board covered in circles.