Forsaken by the Moon Goddess novel Chapter 18

Sloane

When I look around, waving goodbye to Slade, I expect to see my Grandfather Waylon waiting for me. Instead, I see Daniel.

“Hey, Daniel!” I say, smiling and skipping over to him.

I swear I hear a snarl from somewhere in the parking lot, but when I look, I don’t see anyone.

“What was that?” he asks, taking my bookbag from me.

“have no idea. Who knows around here. Did you get my things from Uncle Roman?”

“I did. I’m ready if you’re ready.”

When we get to the packhouse, the entire pack is buzzing about Benedict’s party tomorrow. They’re calling it The Party of the Century.

Exaggerate much?

Since I couldn’t care less, I put my things in my room, then spend the evening with Grandpa Waylon going over the pack’s information.

The first half of Saturday is exactly the same except the excitement is even more intense today. All morning, I see girls with their hair up in curlers. As the day goes on, those same girls have their hair in extravagant updos orcurls that are hair sprayed to within an inch of their lives.

The amount of makeup alone makes me think I should have invested the pack’s money in makeup before tonight.

We’d probably be rich tomorrow.

By four, Grandma Judith comes to find me.

“Sloane, dear, aren’t you going to get ready?” she asks.

“Yeah. I guess I should,” I sigh.

“‘ll come see if you need help in a little bit,” she says.

I go to my room, suddenly wishing that Scarlet was here.

She’s so much better at this sort of thing than 1 am. I shower and wash my hair, then blow it dry. I stare at myself in the mirror, thinking of what Aunt Samara said about a simple low bun. I try a couple of times and cant quite get it right, so I decide to create a braided bun. At least then, I know I’ll be able to keep my hair tamed and contained throughout the night.

I’m just about ready to put the dress on, when there’s a knock at the door. I open it to find my Grandma Judith.

“May I come in?” she asks.

“Sure, I was just about to put my dress on,” I say, stepping aside to let her in.

“Your hair looks lovely, dear. It’s stylish enough for the evening, but still you.”

“Thank you.

I go get the dress and Grandma Judith holds it, helping me to step into it, then zipping it up for me.

“Don’t you-look beautiful,” she says. “But, it is missing something.”

“Uh, I have shoes. Aunt Samara made sure I had proper shoes,” Ttell her.

“Not shoes, dear,” she says handing me a thin box.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“A gift.”

I frown and open the box. Inside is a necklace and earrings. The necklace looks like vines that drop into a T shape. Inside the vines are small diamonds that make the necklace glimmer in the light. The pendant is a tear drop emerald that matches my dress and the drop earring match the necklace.

“I can’t accept this,” I whisper. I have no idea how she could even afford this.

“Nonsense. This was a gift that was given to my grandmother by my grandfather. She gave it to my mother who gave it to me. Now I’m giving it to you. It’s an heirloom, Sloane, and I hope you’ll wear it with pride.”

I hear a low whistle and look to see Daniel.

“Wow, Alpha!”

“Daniel, why aren’t you at the party?” I ask, knowing he’s still unmated. Most of the party-goers left hours ago.

“Parties aren’t my thing, Alpha. But have a great time.”

I say goodbye to my grandfather, who also chokes up – when he sees me. Then he gives me the keys to a car and Imake my way to Benedict’s party.

When I arrive, I can hear the music thumping from the guard gate..

“Do you have an invitation, ma’am?”

“I do,” I say, showing them Benedict’s invitation.

The guard raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t say anything. Her waves me through and I drive up to the packhouse that is so full of cars that I know I’ll have to park a mile away to get there.

I miss the last empty spot and end up driving up to the front where I’m stopped and a valet takes my car instead.

Very fancy.

I look at the large doors that are open and welcoming. I take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and step inside the house.

I look around the party which is in full swing, hoping to see Slade, Aunt Samara, or even Uncle Roman. There are so many people, it’s impossible to find them.

Just as I’m about to step into the main room, I see a very well-dress woman stalking towards me. She looks enough like Benedict and Bethany that I realize this is their mother.

“What are YOU doing here? You were not invited,” she snarls at me.