Down With The Border: A Shadow People Novel

Chapter 16: Love and War

**In order from left to right, the dresses are for; Viviana, Luna Alta, Mandy, and Nana.**

Viviana:

"Come on, come on, come on!" Mandy pulled my arm after she came out of the bathroom.

Mandy, Nana, Alta, and I were all in the Alpha and Luna's suite getting ready for the Mate's Ball. We had spent the morning cleaning and decorating the ball room and later, helping finish all the cooking.

The ballroom looked beautiful. There were wintry center pieces on all the tables, lights were strung around the room with all of our handmade decorations, and there were speakers and a small DJ booth on the stage.

"What's the rush, sweet pea?" Nan looked up from cleaning her glasses.

"Yeah, we still have a half hour till the ball starts." I said.

"You and Terrence are going to be introduced on the stage with us, so you have to be down there in fifteen minutes." Luna Alta put her brush down as she finished her makeup.

I groaned as I realized she was right. The Alpha and Luna, Terrence and I, and Lionel and the Beta, have to be introduced on the stage before the ball starts.

"And you are the last one to put on your dress!" Mandy whined. I looked around at everyone else. They were all ready to go.

Mandy's dress was satin, green, and fit her perfectly. I was jealous because hers was the only one with pockets. She had dangly silver jewelry and her loose curls were pulled back into a low pony tail.

Nana's dress was bright pink and perfectly matched her makeup. It was covered in lace with a sparkly dress, and she glowed in it.

The Luna's dress was stunning. It was a rosey lavender that matched the decorations of the ballroom. Sparkles cascaded down from the top into a flowy skirt and matching sleeves. Her hair was in a loose braid that was pulled over her shoulder.

"Come on!" Mandy pulled me into the bathroom to help me get my dress on.

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Ten minutes later I walked down stairs to meet Terrence backstage of the ballroom. When he turned around and saw me, he looked dumbfounded. My dress was a lot fancier than everyone else's seemed to be. It was a deep maroon, and form fitting until it got down to my mid thighs. Then it flared out in lots of tule. My hair was pulled into a low bun and I had simple makeup and jewelry.

"Is it too much?"

"You look perfect." He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "As always."

"Thank you." I smiled. "You look amazing, too."

He was wearing a grey suit and his tie matched my dress. His hair was brushed down and his beard was combed out.

"I don't know I think I like his 'just rolled out of bed' look better." Lionel came up and put his elbow on Terrence's shoulder. He was wearing a black jacket and pants and a white dress shirt.

"Yeah that's a good one too." I laughed.

"Wow." Terrence smiled and rolled his eyes.