The Hunter's Pack

The Preparation

I wasn't exactly sure what the email meant when it said "dress appropriately," but when I held a pack meeting explaining everything, Cole had surprised almost everyone when he mentioned remembering some pack members dressing in suits and dresses around this time of the month. I had sent Annie with the siblings to go buy clothes for us to wear this night. I had realized this was a grave mistake when she came back with tons of bags, stating that there was so much in the mall she just had to buy more than necessary. Amber had looked just as excited as the blonde child I call a delta, although there had been a tinge of fear in her eyes, wary of my reaction. The ginger brother looked tired - almost in tears even.

"Sorry about putting you through that, but you needed to get a suit in your size. You did get your suit, right kid?" I asked the 11-year-old, placing a hand on his head instinctively. Wait, was this becoming a habit? I shook my head, dragging myself out of my thoughts to listen to what Cole was saying. Apparently, Anastasia had revived her inner shopaholic once she entered the mall and could not be stopped.

"Well, at least Amber was happy, correct?"

He looked up at his sister and then turned back to me. "Yeah, you're right."

I nodded, my eyes narrowing on a completely content-looking Annie. I opened my mouth to scold her, but she just rolled her eyes and grabbed my arm, leading me upstairs.

"We don't have time right now Alex! It's already 3, and we have to leave at like 6! We still have to get dressed, do our hair and make-up..." She exclaimed rather excitedly. "Cmon Amber. You come too. We're gonna get ready now!"

I sighed, mumbling about why we would ever need 3 hours to get ready. My question quickly received a reply once we reached the blonde's room.

"Oh Amber, you look simply gorgeous in that emerald green dress! Right Alex?"

"Marvelous."

Amber blushed a bit, thanking us and complimenting Anastasia as well.

"Yeah, this dress definitely looks good on me. Right Alex?" Annie twirled a bit in her red cocktail dress, showing me all the angles.

"Stunning." I turned towards the wall-length mirror, inspecting the black dress I was wearing.

"You know," I glanced at my delta as she spoke. She was looking at me with a small frown on her forehead. "I wanted us to match a bit with cocktail dresses, and the colors seemed to be good in my mind - I didn't even have time to try them on - but that black dress, with your practically white hair, is giving me funeral vibes."

"So, it doesn't look good?" I asked, blankly looking back at my reflection.

"No, it looks fine...it's just...as I said: funeral vibes." She shuddered a bit; I'm not sure whether it was voluntary or not.

"Well, whatever. Funeral vibes are appropriate for a killer, no?" I smiled a bit cynically at the person in the mirror. Anastasia seemed like she wanted to say something, but I quickly cut her off. "Anyways, you said something about hair and make-up?"

The blonde hesitated, but decided against commenting on my last remark. The crease between her eyebrows disappeared and she smiled brightly at Amber and me.

"Right! Amber sit right here..."

I sighed heavily, leaning against the metal kitchen chair. "Elliot, please go tell your mate and my dear delta they have exactly 3 minutes to finish up. If they do not come down, I will drag them out."

"Yes, Miss." My beta fixed his glasses and pushed his chair back with a screech, accidentally waking up Cole from his nap on the kitchen table. Just as Elliot was leaving the kitchen, I could hear laughter and small giggles coming from the stairs. I guess they were finally ready. I met them at the foot of the stairs and we walked towards the living room, Cole trailing behind us, where the laptop still sat with the open email. Our pack members were waiting for us, standing around the room.

"You know, Alpha A, I still think you should have stayed for Anastasia's hair and make-up. She's really good!" Amber commented, touching a straightened lock of red hair. Annie giggled, twirling a strand of curled blonde hair around her finger.

"I'm sure she is, but it's simply not my style, per say." I replied politely. Once I had realized that my delta wanted to do our hair and make-up, I quickly did my own, applying some black eyeliner and just adding lip gloss. I had put my hair up into a neat bun and promptly excused myself, giving the two girls some bullshit reason. I realized that if I was to stay and let Annie pretty me up, this would have taken much longer than necessary. Seeing as how it was already 5:54 and the two wolves just finished, I made the right choice.

Amber, Cole, Annie and I crowded in front of the laptop, ready for this meeting with the royals. The rest of the pack members arranged themselves into a semi-circle around us, worried looks flitting across each face.

"But are you sure this is alright? They won't kill you guys, right?" Jane inquired, holding Ben's hand with a frown.

"We should be fine. I doubt they would attack us right away, so we'll have time to prove that the...what was it called?"

"Bloodfang."

"Right, thanks El. The Bloodfang pack wasn't full of angels." I replied to the question everyone seemed to be asking, whether it be in words or expressions.

"Anyways, ready?" I asked, looking at the 3 pack members on the couch with me. They all nodded.

"Alex?"

I looked up at Elliot, noting his serious tone and expression.

"Bring them back safely, please."

"Of course. Remember, look confident."

5:59. I clicked the link.