Mate

Thirteen

It was quiet in my room. The only sound was my breathing and my phone swishing as I tossed it in the air and the quiet slap of me catching it again. I sighed as a knock emitted from the door.

I stood and tucked my phone in my pocket, walking over to the white wood door and opening it. A grinning Makenna was bouncing on the balls of her feet on the other side. I had completely forgotten that she lived here!

"Aspen! Hey, I've come to help you get ready!" She let herself in.

"Oh, come on in," I said sarcastically and closed the door as she began shuffling around my closet. "What are you doing?"

"You have nothing good to wear," she pouted as she stood straight.

"Well, you know, being terribly dressed is a gift," I sighed. "Why are you here?"

"Come with me," she said instead of answering my question. I followed her out of my room, having been too bored to object.

"Alpha Met is visiting tonight for negotiation," Makenna explained as we walked to where I'm assuming her room is. "There's going to be a banquet for his arrival."

"Oh," was all that came to mind before: "so why do I need to get ready?"

"As the future luna of the BloodLuna pack, you're expected to attend," she explained. I groaned.

"I don't wanna go," I whined. She chuckled.

"Too bad!" She teased.

I really don't feel like meeting more people. Ever. Especially since the ones that I do meet decide that they need to kill me.

Makenna sat me on the chair in front of her vanity and rushed to her closet, looking through her clothing excitedly. I picked at my nails, not really knowing what to do now.

"You're going to look gorgeous when I'm done with you!" She squealed once she'd picked out a dress for me. I didn't have time to assess the clothing before she hung it back up and raced back over to me, applying makeup and doing my hair with many complaints from me.

I don't wear makeup, let alone dresses and fix my hair so elegantly. So you can imagine the shocked expression on my face when she finally finished and made me change into a short black and white lace dress and allowed me to see myself in the full-body mirror beside her closet.

"Is that me?" I muttered, examining myself. I actually looked... Pretty. I'm one of those girls that wears t-shirts and skinny jeans and leather boots, not lacey dresses and makeup.

"Yup! Aren't you beautiful?" Makenna smiled, resting her hand on my shoulder. I slowly nodded.

She smiled brightly, satisfied with her work, and got to work on herself.

•~•~•~•~•

"It's time! Here," Makenna tossed me a pair of black flats and pulled some white stilettos on her own feet. She had explained how I was too tall for heels, which I was relieved for. I'd never worn heels in my life and I wasn't about to start now.

We made our way to Julian's office, where Makenna insisted we meet up with the said alpha beforehand. I am his mate, it only makes sense that I be his date.

I took a breath as we came to a stop in front of Julian's office. Makenna shot me a reassuring nod and a smile before opening the door and announcing her entrance.

"I am here, big brother!" She sing-songed, me trailing self-consciously behind her jumpy form.

I heard Julian shuffle a few papers and looked up to see him standing. He was as stunningly handsome as ever in his black tuxedo, a silvery tie hooked over his shoulders, the middle coming together in a pathetic knot. His shoulders were hunched a bit in defeat.