The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter 6 - My Strange Savior

    Mia

    I take another look in the mirror and try to think of anything to say to get out of this mess. One look at me and I know Alpha will make me pay later. I may belong to this pack, but he has made it very clear that I'm to stay away from most of them or I will pay. Me showing up downstairs - looking like I do - would be like a slap in the face to him - and in return, a real one for me later. 

    I try to keep a level head about it all, but I have to admit that I am amazed. For the last four years I have worn nothing but old hand-me-down tees and sweatpants. I always have my hair thrown up in a loose bun or ponytail and you never see a drop of makeup on my face. For the last two hours, Layne has changed all that. I almost don't recognize the girl in the mirror. 

    The ballgown was the first of many arguments I have lost since getting into Layne's bedroom. It is a beautiful crimson color that sparkles in the light. It is strapless, which makes me super uncomfortable, but form fitting enough to where it won't fall around the top. Even though I keep tugging at it like I will be exposed any second. It tapers around my waist before flowing out and pooling around my ankles. It has a modest slit up the right side to my knee. Again, usually not my thing. I will say that the color complements my black hair, which Layne swore had to be left down in curls (second lost argument), perfectly. Layne kept the makeup light with some eyeliner, mascara, and a soft lip gloss, but it still makes my hazel eyes stand out like never before. I didn't even try to fight the makeup. I had already accepted my defeat by that point. 

    "Can't forget the final touch!" Layne squeals from behind me making my eardrums almost pop. I turn to see her with a pair of heels in her hand that look like they were custom made to match my dress.

    I finally hit my breaking point. "I can't do this Layne! I can barely keep my balance barefooted. I appreciate what you and Luna have done, but I really can't accept all this!" I take a breath and close my eyes to try to get my nerves under control. I know they are just trying to be nice, but they have no idea the position they are putting me in later on. There is no way I can stay out of Clarence's sight all night. 

    I look up to see hurt all over her face and instantly feel terrible. "We just wanted to make your day special. I was hoping to finally get my friend back." she whispers. If it wasn't for my wolf hearing, I wouldn't have even caught the last part.

    I try to compose myself and keep in mind that she is in the dark here. I can't put her father's sins on her. 

    "I really do appreciate it. I just...this is a lot for me. I'm used to being in regular clothes and keeping to myself. This is all a shock to my system. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Why couldn't I have gotten done with my work five minutes earlier? I could have avoided all this and been locked away in the safety of my room. I could have pretended not to be in there when they came to knock. 

    Layne seems to take my explanation at face value and shakes it off. "Well, it is time to change that! I will help you practice walking in the shoes and then we are going to go celebrate your birthday like it's your last!"

    If only she knew her father, it may actually be. I slide the shoes on and they are a perfect fit. We walk around the room for quite a while to give me practice in the shoes before there is a knock at the door. Marie opens it up and her eyes fall straight to me, making me want to crawl under Layne's bed and never come out. That feeling almost wins out when I see Jack behind her with pure hatred flashing in his eyes. 

    Jack is one of the members of the pack that went along with his father. Ever since my parents died, he has wanted nothing to do with me. He will push me down or "accidentally" bump into me whenever he sees me. It hurt at first, but now I have to try to let it go to keep my sanity.

    "Mia, you look so gorgeous." Marie breathes pulling my attention from Jack's glare "You too Layne." she says grabbing her daughter in an embrace. Layne pushes her off a bit embarrassed and fixes her dress.

    Marie straightens herself and clears her throat. "I just wanted to come let you girls know that the party has started and the guests have arrived so you are expected downstairs." She gives me one last warm smile and heads for the door.

    Once she is out of sight, Layne whoops, "Time to get this party started! Let me check my makeup one last time and then we can head down." She rushes towards her bathroom leaving Jack and I standing there in an awkward silence. It feels like forever before his cold voice hits my ears. 

    "No matter what you wear or how much makeup you put on, you're still nothing more than a mutt." he seethes.

    His words sting and I have to keep the hurt from showing on my face. "I didn't want to do this. Your mother and sister insisted." I don't know why I'm even trying to explain myself to him. I know it will do no good and, now that he has seen me, I'm sure his father will be told immediately. Jack is loyal to his dad no matter what the issue or cause.

    "Well, enjoy your few hours of fun tonight. It is a whole new day tomorrow." 

    Layne finally comes back out saving me before he can say anything else. "You know, you may just meet your mate tonight, Mia! How awesome would that be?" She grabs my arm as we head for the door. Right before we leave the room, Jack's voice rings through my head, reminding me of one of the biggest fears I have.

    "No one will ever want a poor, weak mutt who lost their wolf for their mate. You will never have love and I will see to that myself!"

_______________________________________________________________________________

    The end of the night is drawing near and my anxiety is soul consuming. To say Clarence was beyond furious to see me come downstairs with his daughter would be putting it mildly. Even though I was told by Layne and Marie to relax and enjoy myself - I couldn't calm down a bit. I jumped in to help when the kitchen staff needed help serving or checking on dishes, I have given tours to some of the other visitors and I have tried to stay as far away from the crowd as possible. If that wasn't grueling enough, I keep feeling someone's eyes on me and I can't pinpoint who or where it is coming from. 

    It is getting pretty late and I'm exhausted, but the party is still in full swing at almost midnight. My feet ache with something I have never felt before and I just want to crawl into my bed and sleep for days. Unluckily for me, I know I have to be up by four to start the pack's breakfast so that isn't even an option.

    I'm just about to leave the kitchen with another fresh round of hors d'oeuvres when a familiar voice makes me stop dead in my tracks. 

    "He's here." 

    "Aria?! Oh my goddess! I've missed you! Who? Who is here?"

    My wolf hasn't spoken in years. I was starting to think she was trying to break our bond or waiting to die. The joy in my heart is almost too much to bear.

    "Our mate. I can feel him but I don't know who it is. I haven't been able to catch his scent."

    I'm not quite sure what to do. Our mate? He's here? Is he from our pack or another? Why can't she get his scent to know who he is? Has she been dormant so long that it has affected our senses? Before I can ask her a single one of the questions swirling around in my head, I hear her whimper. 

    "Alpha is coming. Don't anger him further. Just get out there soon so we can find our mate!"

    By the time her final word is spoken, I'm standing face to face with a very angry Clarence. I bow my head in respect and keep my head low. I have to get back out there and don't want to chance being locked in my room for the rest of the night. 

    "My wife told me this was her idea but I want to know why you have disobeyed your Alpha." his hisses.

    "I'm sorry Alpha. I tried to stay in my room, but she...." A pain like fire strings across my cheek and I drop the plate I was holding. 

    "Don't you dare talk ill of your Luna! You will go out to the party and do what you should have done in the first place! Make an excuse and begone from my sight until you are told to be back with my pack." He turns on his heels to leave the kitchen, but stops to throw a dishrag at my feet. "Be sure to clean yourself up before anyone sets eyes on you again."

    As I pick up the rag, I realize that tears had started falling down my face. I hate when he can make me break so quickly. I walk over to the cook's bathroom area and make sure to fix my make up as much as possible. The red mark still remains on my cheek, but you can't tell it is a handprint thankfully. I can just tell everyone I injured myself in the kitchen and excuse myself for the remainder of the evening. That would at least explain the mark and the red eyes. 

    I pick up the mess the plate made and head back out to say my goodbyes to Marie and Layne so that they don't come looking for me. With one final breath, I plaster on the fake smile I have perfected over the years and head back to the dining room.

    I notice Clarence by the doorway saying his goodbyes to two men. I can't see what they look like since they have their back to me, but Clarence's eyes meet mine and I know I need to make my exit quickly. 

    I tap Layne on the arm and her face falters the moment she sees me. "Mia, are you ok?"

    "I'm fine," I choke out, "just a little accident in the kitchen. I think I'm going to call it a night Thank you so much for the fun evening." 

    She nods and opens her mouth as if to say something but closes it again. Thank Goddess because I don't want to break down in front of all these people. Clarence doesn't deserve the satisfaction. 

    I make it to the bottom of the stairs before I'm stopped dead in my tracks as a ferocious growl rips through the entire house!

    "SHE COMES WITH US!" 

    I turn just in time to see all eyes on me. Oh s**t!