Sirens

Chapter 26

When the day comes, I stand in front of a full length mirror and have my waist, hips, arms, and legs, poked, prodded, and yanked by the seamstresses as they adjust my blue ball gown. The corset is tight and makes it hard to breathe. I hate the dress already.

The hairdressers are worse. My hair is washed, dried, and the brush yanks through my hair with no mercy. Then they put it in curlers above my head. I send them dirty looks, but keep quiet. I can tell they hate me as much as I hate them. Then my hair is pinned up behind my head, done by pulling, grabbing, and nearly ripping my scalp off.

But what I hate most are the makeup and accessory people. For thirty minutes, the makeup people got all up close and personal with my face, only to find out what foundation I needed. Then all their brushes, pens, highlighters, and more attack my face for about an hour.

The accessory people forced me to put on necklaces, earrings, bangles, rings, and other hair accessories. The jewelry was heavy and bulky, but I kept my mouth shut. But I finally snapped when they tried to take my siren bracelet off. 

I had a yelling match with them for about ten minutes. We finally came to the agreement where I would wear a large, heavy necklace that covered most of my neck and collarbone, two large earrings, and a few bangles for my right arm.

I decided to take the back way to the ballroom, through the kitchen and servers quarters. Most of the people there looked amused and I couldn't help but feel amused along with them.

When I came through one of the many doors leading into the ballroom, there were already a healthy amount of werewolves there and there were cameramen and women, walking around and interviewing people. I know if they knew I was here, they'd all be surrounding me, so I keep my head down.

I make my way over to a table in the corners of the room, where no one is. I sit down and start to play with my bracelet.

I miss Neri so much. If only I had checked to make sure that kid's memory was erased. But now she's dead and won't be here for my eighteenth birthday.

I look out of the wall-sized windows and onto the ocean and a pang of longing strikes my heart.

But it isn't long before someone discovers me.

"Great goddess. Who invited her?"

A voice from my life before I ran is almost enough to ruin my night. I scowl as I look up into the eyes of Courtney Davers. The marks on her wrist confirms that she's mated with Zach.

Something in her voice irritates me and I give her a dirty look. "I was invited," I snap.

"Invited? To this? This an event exclusive to high-ranking werewolves. Who invited you?"

I purse my lips. "It's none of your business."

Courtney growls. "I don't appreciate that attitude. I will drag you right back to Shawn's house. He's here, you know."

Even though it's been years, the mention of his name still spikes dread in me. And although I'm more powerful this time around, the idea of going back still scares me.

"Fine then," I say with a strained smile. "If you really want to know, your king invited me."

Courtney snarls. "Don't you lie to me and don't disrespect the Alpha King like that."

I give her a glare that rivals her own. "I'm not lying. And if you want to know, your king lets me call him by his name."

"Oh my goddess," one of Courtney's friends snickers. "I knew it!"