Candace
"Which dress do you prefer, Luna, the blue or the purple? I think the blue works better, it really brings out your eyes!" Bree giggled, browsing through the dresses in the closet.
I sat at the edge of the bed with Cookie settled on my thighs, my eyes heavy-lidded from just waking up.
"Luna, co on," Bree’s excited voice tore out of my thoughts. She snatched two dresses out of the closet and twirled around with them. "We need to make you look like a Queen, right, Cookie?"
Cookie barked at the ntion of her na, and Bree threw her head back in hearty laughter. "See, Luna? Even Cookie agrees. We have to get you ready for your first appearance as Luna with the ladies of the council. Don’t worry about ."
My fingers combed through Cookie’s thick fur, brushing over a cute pink bow tie around her neck. "The bow tie looks cute on Cookie. Thanks for bringing it, Bree. Where did you say you found it?"
She scurried close, hopping from one foot to the other eagerly. "Do you like it, my Luna? I-I found it in the basent."
"I love it. Thank you, Bree," I rose off the bed and dropped Cookie on the carpet. She imdiately scurried to Bree, nipping at her heels while she danced around, laughing and playing with her.
A small smile tugged at my lips. Bree was rather sweet; it was hard to be suspicious of her. Maybe Star was right after all. Sliding my feet into the flip flops, I shuffled towards the bathroom.
"I’ll co and assist you, Luna,"
"I can take my bath myself, and Bree and I’ll have breakfast before getting dressed for the eting. It’s not till twelve anyway."
"Yes, Luna," She bead. "I’ll go let the chef know you’ll be having breakfast with the Alphas,"
I grunted dismissively, stepping through the bathroom doors. A long, hot bath later, I slipped on a dress that Bree had picked out. It was one of the dresses that Luna Ashley had brought back to .
mories flooded through at the sight of the wine-red dress laid out on the bed.
"Happy birthday, Princess Candy,"
I was turning fifteen, one more year, and I would finally get to et my wolf. I should be happy, and I was.
Father had gone all out for my birthday as he always did. Floating lanterns filled the night sky. The pack house was brimming with celebrations. Everyone in the pack and at school had wished a happy birthday.
"Candy!"
Four tall boys walked into the garden where I was, matching grins on their not-so-identical faces.
Everyone had wished a happy birthday, except them. They had practically ignored all day and didn’t even get a present. My birthday was almost over; it was thirty minutes till midnight.
I pursed my lips, sulking, ready to walk past them when Ragnor’s hands grabbed my collar and pulled back.
"Now co on, Daisy. Are you upset?"
"What do you think?!" I scoffed, wriggling, trying to get away from him. Reign crouched, his smirking, handso face dropping into view.
"You thought we forgot all about you, little dove? We wouldn’t dare."
Ryker picked off the ground, twirling around while I squealed with laughter. "Put down, Ry!"
"Hell no, Princess,"
"I’m mad at you guys!" I pouted, swatting his shoulders.
"Even though we were just waiting," River grinned, flicking his wrist to check the ti while his right hand carried a box. "For the exact minute you were born, to say—"
"Happy birthday, Candace." They all chorused.
My lips quivered as the mory filled my head. They had given that dress and had wished a happy birthday at the exact minute I was born. I later found out that they had asked my father for the exact minute I had been born so they could wish then.
I sank my teeth into my lower lip, biting back the tears as I slid into the dress. Those sweet boys seed a far cry from the hateful n I had now.
The morning light felt too bright as I made my way down the corridor toward the dining hall. Every step reminded of yesterday, as if the cold ring on my finger wasn’t a reminder enough.
I pushed open the doors to the dining hall and paused for half a second. They were all already there.
Ragnor sat at the head of the table like a king on his throne, ignoring . Reign lounged to his left, hazel eyes flicking over with a small smirk playing on his lips.
Ryker was on the right, feeding Deidre from his plate. He tossed a scathing look while my cousin drawled next to him. "Oh, Ry baby, it’s more delicious when you feed ."
I took my seat at the opposite end of the long table without a word, keeping my spine straight despite the ache spreading through my chest.
"Morning, Luna Candace," Deidre said sweetly, her voice dripping honey. "You look... rested."
I ignored her and reached for the coffee pot, pouring myself a cup. A maid approached the table to take the pot out of my hands, but I gave her a small smile and shook my head. I could handle pouring myself coffee. Breakfast was toast and bacon, the aroma making my stomach growl.
Let’s get this over with, Star grumbled.
Ragnor cleared his throat. "Did you rest well?"
"Yes." I took a slow sip, refusing to look up. Reign leaned forward, that signature smirk playing on his lips. "Ready for the Luna council?"
My fingers tightened slightly around my fork. I wasn’t in the freaking mood for this. I stabbed the bacon in silence and gulped down breakfast as quickly as I could. When I pushed back to leave, Ragnor’s voice had freezing for a second.
"The council ladies are expecting you at noon for your first eting as Luna."
He didn’t even look at when he spoke.
"Which is why I need to prepare, if you’ll let ." I bit out dryly.
I left the table without another word, feeling their eyes burn into my back the entire way out.
At exactly ten minutes to twelve, I made my way down to the hall where we were to have the eting. As Bree and I walked out of the packhouse, my eyes caught Deidre’s red Maserati driving out through the gates in the distance.
Where was she going? Didn’t she know we were supposed to have a eting with the ladies of the council? Maybe the driver was just taking the car out for a spin.
When we arrived at the conference room, however, it was empty. I frowned, glancing at the ti display on my phone screen. It was exactly 12:05 pm.
The eting was supposed to start at twelve, so where was everyone? Where was Deidre, especially? My cousin never wasted ti in showing off that she was better than , she was supposed to be—Wait a minute.
She had been driving out earlier!
"She changed the venue!" I spat, gritting my teeth in frustration.
That was it. It was bad enough that she had taken what belonged to by right, now she was openly daring . I would give her a piece of my heart when I found out what she was up to.
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