Angel's Fate

Angel I am turning eighteen in a few weeks. I stare numbly at the group of women gathered around the table. Most of them were my mother's friends. They had all insisted on throwing me a birthday bash like my mother would have wanted. Not that I was not grateful for these women, I was. But I am pretty sure my mother would have asked me what I had wanted first. I was only five when she died. But I have heard she was a fair minded woman. They say I take after her. I find myself, more often than not, wondering if she felt trapped too? Like I was a pretty doll stuck on a shelf for decoration. Only taken down to be played with under heavy supervision. My brother claims that he wants me to have a life. Go out and have fun, he says. But it is all for show. The one time a boy actually had the courage to ask me out on a date, he was confronted by Adrian's beta. And then the boy all the sudden came down with the flu in the middle of summer. We never rescheduled, and no one else ever asked me out after that. I am afraid that if I don't break free, I will be a caged bird for the rest of my life. "I think the pastels would be good. It will go nicely with that dress you liked, Miss Angel." Was she asking or telling? It is the same thing with everyone. No one really cares what my opinion is. "Actually, I liked the black one better. The one with the silver collar and open back..." The lady gave me a bless your heart look. Reaching over to squeeze my hand affectionately. "Honey, that dress was a little too revealing for a girl your age. Now the pinks and blues will go great with the theme..." And there it is...shot down again. "Actually, I have already made the purchase. And as for my age...I am working full time, filling the roll of luna and going to school. I can take on the roll of a woman, but not the attire? That is absurd." The woman had the nerve to look like I had just insulted her. "Well...I am sure the alpha will..." "The alpha is indisposed, as you are all aware. That leaves the roll of leadership to Beta James or myself." "Well, we will see about that. I have just called on him. He will be joining is shortly." Goddess, I wish I could slap that smug look off that women's face... "What seems to be the problem? Ladies, you all look lovely as ever." James comes to stand behind me. An arm going protectively around my waist. It felt good to have an ally. He wasn't always bad. I just hoped today was one of those days. "How is the party planning going?" "I will tell you how it is going. This, girl." She flings her arm dramatically in my direction. "Does not appreciate all of the time and effort we have put in to planning her party. And she is trying to create a scandal in a dress far too revealing for a girl her age." His eyebrows shoot up at the mention of the dress. Shit! "I was hoping to have something a little more black tie and a little less princess." I try to explain, but all he hears is revealing dress... "What dress?" I look for support around the table. But they all have a smug smirk on their faces. They knew they had won. "Why are we throwing a party anyways? Adrian is still in the hospital. Maybe it is best to forget the whole thing..." He runs a hand through his spiky hair and takes a calming breath. "What is the problem with a black tie event? It is more sophisticated. It suits Angel." "Well, we have already ordered the supplies..." James is looking at me. I am looking at his shoes. I hate it when he gets too close. He makes me feel like a little girl with a crush. My stomach flutters and I feel nervous around him. "Send them back and order what she wants. Or I can find someone else to help her plan her party. " My eyes snap to his. He actually took my side. I give him a genuine smile and pull him into an awkward hug. Thank you! I squeal into the mind link. "That still does not resolve the issue of the dress she chose...Her brother would not allow her.." He looks back at the woman and raises a brow. "Her brother is not here. Is he?" He takes my arm and guides me from the room. "Let's go see what you look like in it." I open my mouth to protest and he shuts me down. "If you make a scene, so will I." My lips slam closed and I allow him to lead me from the room. A few minutes later, I am in my bedroom, alone with James. I don't think my teenaged heart could take it. I know he can hear my heart beating erratically. But he says nothing. The dress is hanging on the back of my door. Which means he had to step inside the closed in space. My trembling hands reach for the dress bag and fumble with the zipper. Slowly revealing the dress that I had purchased on a whim. I had never felt more beautiful than I had in this little black piece of fabric. But now, I was second guessing myself. Maybe it was too much for a girl like me. I wonder what James was thinking. "Well?" The anticipation was eating me up inside. I don't think I can handle even a few more seconds of suspense. "There isn't a lot to it is there?" I feel my heart sink. He is going to reject it. "I can't judge a book by it's cover, now can I? Go try it on." He looks at me like I was the crazy one and points to my bathroom door. "Go try it on. Show me how it looks on you." I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. He reaches over my head and retrieves the garment from the hook. Shooing me towards the door. I am still frozen in place. James moves over to my bed. I feel like I can breathe again, now that he has put some distance between us. Until he kicks off his shoes and makes himself comfortable. Laying back on my pillows. An arm bent behind his head. "Make yourself at home..." I mumble under my breath. He just gives me a sexy half smile. "I planned to." I'm pretty sure my face was beet red. Which only made him smile more. Was he flirting with me? I know James and he has never looked at me like that. Or set foot in my room. Or asked me to try on an outfit for him. Either way, I'm in trouble.