Forsaken by the Moon Goddess novel Chapter 40

Sloane

Atter Benedict left, I was practically mauled by Slade to get information, then stalked by Scarlet until I finally called her hack letting her know I was fine, that Benedict found me, that he talked ‘some sense’ into me, as she put” it, and that he stayed for dinner.

Scarlet squealed in delight and termed us The Hottest Couple Ever.

The next morning before school, I stare at myself in the mirror. I’ve never worn makeup, I’ve never done anything with my hair except put it up in a ponytail. But for some reason, I feel the need to do something a little… more this morning. If Benedict really is going to show the school that we’re dating, and after yesterday, I feel pretty confident that he will, I should look more the part of his girlfriend and less the part of the angry, warrior, Alpha female.

I don’t have any makeup and I’m not feeling confident enough to ask Aunt Samara if I can borrow some of hers. If Scarlet were here, she would have me made up in no time, but she’s not. So, instead, I focus on my hair.

I brush it out, realizing that it’s a little longer than I realized, down to my mid-back. Almost as if it’s celebrating its freedom from the hair tie, it starts getting staticky and floating in the air around my face.”Sloane, come on. We’re going to be late,” Uncle Roman calls from down the hall.

Shit! I wet my hands and try to tame my hair a bit before rushing out the door.

“Ready? Let’s g…” Uncle Roman stops, staring at me.”

That’s new.”

I stop, feeling horribly self-conscious. Maybe this was a bad idea.

“What’s new?” Aunt Samara says, walking out of their room. She looks at me and smiles. “Come here,” she says. holding out her hand.

“Samara, we’re going to be late.”

“Three minutes, Roman. If you’re late because of three minutes, I’ll go speak to the principal myself,” she tells him, before taking my hand and pulling me into her bathroom.

“Now, you can say no, and I think you’re one of the most stunning women I’ve ever seen in my life with no enhancement whatsoever, but I’m assuming this for Benedict?” she asks me, turning me to face her.

“Yes. I just want to …”

“I understand.” She holds up a tube. “This is mascara. The first time I wore it, I felt like I had junk on my eyes and it made me nuts. You’ll probably be the same. If you hate it, we’ll remove it, even if takes us longer than three minutes,” she says, rolling her eyes.

She tells me to look up, then look down as she swipes a wand over my lashes. I blink repeatedly, not liking the strange feel of something glopped pnto my eyelashes.

“Okay, have a look,” she says, turning me to the mirror.

It’s subtle. Very subtle. But my eyelashes look longer and it makes my greenish-brown eyes stand out. I look almost feminine.

“What do you think? If you hate it, we’ll wipe it off.”

I turn and smile at her. “I like it,” I say, hugging her. “Thank yOu.”

“You’re welcome. Have a great day. I love you.”

“Love you too, Aunt Samara.”

I jog downstairs quickly, knowing that Uncle Roman and Slade are waiting for me. When 1 pass the main entryway in the packhouse, the room goes quiet.

“Damn, Sloane. Did you decide to go all heartbreaker today?” one of the warriors who is only a couple years older than me asks.

“Yeah, she did. I pity those poor high school boys,” another says.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, frowning.The first guy grins. “No, you probably don’t. Alpha Benedict is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you.

Have fun destroying hearts today.”

I turn, seeing Uncle Roman and Slade watching.

“Come on, let’s go.” I say.

“What’s on your eyes?” Slade asks as we watk to the car.

“Mascara.”

“Are your eyes always that bright?” he asks, staring at me.

“Can we not talk about my looks? I’m already feeling self-conscious,” I growl.

“You look beautiful, as always, Sloane,” Uncle Roman says.

“Did you do this for me?” he murmurs against my ear, making my body shiver.

“Yes,” I sigh.

He pulls back, looking at me. “First and foremost, you are always the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.

Byt fuck, Sloane. I had no idea you could be even more gorgeous than you were. You are stunning. If this was a ploy to defeat me as Valedictorian, I yield. You win. I won’t be able to think of anything else today except how fucking gorgeous you are and how every guy in this school is wishing he were me,” he growls before kissing me again.

This kiss is even more possessive than the first, basically claiming me in front of the entire student body as his and warning everyone that if they try anything with me, they’ll answer to him.

When the bell rings, he finally pulls away, leaving me swaying from the kiss.

“Come on, ‘ll walk you to class. I don’t trust these assholes not to try and move in on my girl,” he says, grabbing my bag and slinging it over his shoulder before tucking me under his arm.”If I can make a request, on our next date can you wear your hair down? I want to slide my fingers through this sitky splendor,” he says, sliding his nose through my hair.

I laugh as we walk. “You’re ridiculous.”

I am so serious. Oh goddess, if you wore your hair down for my Alpha ceremony … you know what? That’s a terrible idea. I wouldn’t be able to remember the words to take over as Alpha. And whatever you did to enhance your eyes, don’t do that either for my Alpha ceremony,” he says, releasing me when we get to my classroom.

He kisses me quickly before walking backward toward his class.

“It would be so embarrassing, ‘1, Alpha Benedict Winslow, V pledge to love, honor, and cherish Sloane’s silky brown hair. I swear to honor, love, and treasure those fantastic eyes of hers for the rest of my days,” he says grinning.” See, totally embarrassing. But true,” he grins.

“Get to class. I expect a challenge this week, Alpha. You are NOT off the hook,” I say to him.

“You sure know how to fight dirty,” he growls.

I blow him a kiss, smirking at him.

He catches it, pulling it to his heart.

“I’ll see you at lunch,” he says.

“Yes, you will.”When the bell rings again, he turns, jogging to his classroom as I walk into mine, unable to wipe the huge smile off my face.