Alpha Queen [1]

xiv

"Holly, why am I in a fancy dress?" I asked and picked up the dress that was mostly a ball gown with my fingers in distaste.

I tolerated dresses but long, expensive ball gowns?

"We always have a ball on Christmas eve." Holly explained, her clever fingers braiding my hair.

"It's already Christmas?" I tensed.

"Yes." She replied simply.

This was the first Christmas I was spending apart from my family. I hoped they were doing okay.

"Your hair looks beautiful this way." Her hands left my hair and she groomed it in a way that the strands barely whispered my collarbone.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

She smiled, "You're ready."

I stood up and she fluffed out the bottom of my dress so it fanned around my legs. Though a bit too long, it was absolutely beautiful.

The dress was the purest of white—not even the slightest imperfection tainting the smooth texture of the luxurious fabric. Dainty lace sleeves wrapped around my arms so Holly gave me a white fur shawl for my shoulders.

"Holly, I never got to apologize for leaving you when you got hurt." I blurted, feeling a little guilty.

"Don't worry, I'm all healed." She shook her head.

"Thank you for protecting me." I smiled at her gratefully and she smiled back.

I gazed into the full length mirror and gaped, not recognizing the young woman staring back at me.

She was beautiful with rich red hair and flawless skin. The diamond choker shimmered against her collarbone and accented her thin neck. Her white dress looked like it was fitted just for her.

But she looked wiser.

"You must be a fairy-godmother." I turned to give Holly a hug. She hugged me back.

"Let's go stun an Alpha."

.•*•.

I was swept away into another world.

The ball wasn't as crazy as I expected. It was the total opposite of a typical high school party. There were no drunk, falling-on-their-faces teenagers and there was no obnoxiously loud music.