Betrayed by My Pack – Wolfless Hybrids Escape
Chapter 88 –

Cara's POV Wednesday Night

I cannot stop feeling that something bad is about to happen. I can feel it deep inside like an overwhelming weight is just sitting there. I knew that my mother could feel it, too, as we had discussed it an hour ago. We were getting dinner at the table, and there was a heaviness over the group that shouldn't be there. We don't know what it is, but we can feel it all the same. The earlier fun had dissolved. Now, we were all sitting here, a little nervous and waiting to see what would happen.

But nothing happened. Our food was delivered right at five, and we sat down to eat. I honestly thought that maybe Korey or Lena would pop up and start clowning, but it is seven p.m. now, and nothing bad has happened yet. Maybe they will show up during the ceremony to try to cause a disruption. I only knew I was jumpy and worried. All the work for the spa day was gone now. I couldn't shake the concern I had.

"Everything is going to be OK, Cara. I promise you that this whole day has been thoroughly planned out. We even have extra warriors here, as Kevin and Trevor brought some of their warriors with them to help us out. My family is also here, from Blood Walker, and they also brought warriors. The event is protected and I assure you that Brenna is safe here in Black Adder. I promise that we can protect all of you. I wanted everything to run smoothly, and so far, it has. I know that you and Saoirse want to get to Adra and question her. I promise that you will get to speak to her first thing in the morning," Raven told us.

Raven, Cheryl, and my mother Saoirse had gone first with hair and makeup. They all looked stunning as they went to slip into their dresses. Sasha and Emerson were getting their hair and makeup done right now, and I was amazed by how different they looked when they got done. Emerson always has at least lipstick or gloss on, she is the more girly of the two of them. Sasha does like us and doesn't wear makeup. Or father was never a fan of it. His mate, Ellen, didn't wear it either. He always told us that we were beautiful already and didn't need it. That was probably the nicest thing he ever said to me. He always complimented my sisters, but he looked right at me when he made that comment. My mother is a beautiful woman, and I am grateful that I looked just like her. The last delivery tonight had come in the form of a punchbowl with a mixture already in it and two bottles of wine. The bottles of wine were poured in with whatever was in the punchbowl, and I must say that it was delicious. I was not much of a drinker, but I was back to relaxing like I had been earlier. I enjoyed getting my hair done, as earlier, while Sasha and Emerson were getting their hair done, I received a haircut from the third stylist. Ellen used to cut my hair for me, just like she did for Brenna and Luna. I always used barrettes to pull my hair back from my face or used a scrunchy to pull my hair up in a ponytail. The tech who cut my hair cut a lot of it off. It had been down to my butt, but now it was just past my shoulders. I liked it, and it had a lot more movement to it.

I loved the scent of the shampoo and conditioner that they gave me to use as I washed my hair in the sink. I smelled a little tropical, and after the mask it made my hair feel like silk. I couldn't wait for Alexei to run his hands through it tonight. I saw the gift bags lined up near the door and noticed that Raven had given all of us a bag with the nail colors we chose, as well as a full-sized shampoo and conditioner, along with the hair mask. Raven accepted us as bonus children to her. Welcoming us warmly from the first moment she met us.

I didn't look at myself in the mirror just yet when we got done. I knew that I looked gorgeous, just like the rest of the women here. I was waiting because I wanted the whole effect. I wanted to put my dress on and then look at myself in the mirror. Alexei had bought me a beautiful dress to wear tonight. He had ordered it online the day he knew that Brenna would be the Luna here. It was a cornflower blue, satin dress with spaghetti straps. It was hands down the nicest dress, the nicest outfit that I had ever worn.

It had a straight neckline across the front of it, but the back was almost completely open. It had a thin piece of satin, the same width as the spaghetti straps that connected the back sides together so it didn't gap. You couldn't wear a bra with it, but he had also bought some nipple covers for me to use. He wanted to show me off, but he discovered the issue when he had me try it on for him three days ago.

He had frowned at me, and I thought I looked bad in the dress at first. He assured me that I looked great. A little too good, he had finally said to me. I was still uncomfortable with being this exposed. I was covered, but with no bra on, I felt like I was almost undressed. When I stepped out of the room I had going into to change, everyone started teasing me with catcalls and compliments from every direction. They knew that Alexei had bought the dress, and I was not sure of it just yet.

I guess the wine helped me to relax, as wearing the dress didn't bother me anymore. That may also be because of my sisters, my mother, and the women I trusted telling me how good I looked in it. I felt powerful in this dress. I believed it was because with my hair and makeup done, I was "Looking like a snack," according to Sasha and Emerson. Whatever that meant. Alexei would probably drop to his knees to worship at my feet tonight. I couldn't resist the smirk that came to my face as I thought about exactly what I would have him worship first. Brenna looked absolutely gorgeous in a white dress, in a mermaid style. It also had spaghetti straps on it, with a sweetheart neckline. Her back had crisscross spaghetti straps like mine. None of us was wearing shoes today. None of us were great with walking in heels yet. We had good balance. But kept twisting our ankles when we tried to walk in them, especially on the uneven grass. Raven thought that we would look perfect without shoes. She pointed out that we would be closer to both the Moon Goddess and Mother Nature without our shoes on. Brenna's white dress looked simple, but on Brenna, it was a masterpiece. It was like it had been created just for her. Brenna was taller and slimmer than me and Luna were. This dress ended up fitting her slimmer silhouette perfectly. Jaxon would not be able to tear his eyes away from her. Raven had teared up when she saw Brenna. We were now fighting off tears as she saw what she looked like in the mirror. We were all fanning our faces to try to get past it and not cry.

Luna was wearing a blue-gray dress that made her eyes pop. She had gone with a Grecian-style gown that went from her left shoulder and across her chest to the neckline. She had her hair put up and soft ringlets draped down. Soft curls touched her shoulders, and some curls touched her face. Her sable brown hair looked glossy in the light. Her dress had an empire waist and flowed gently to the ground. It looked stunning on her. She looked elegant in it. We were all ready to go, but we had another fifteen or twenty minutes to kill before we went down. Chase and Warrick were going to be waiting downstairs at eight p.m. for us. They would be escorting us over to the event. Jaxon wanted us to take our pictures first while our hair and makeup were still fresh. I knew that was actually Raven's suggestion, but all the small details being covered helped the event run smoother. I had seen the photos of Raven, Justin, and Brandon in the office. There was also one in the lobby of the old packhouse. It was so sweet to see the smiles on the men's faces. They were as enamored of her today as they were back then. According to Sasha and Emerson, whenever their mother is involved, things always go smoother.

She must have some kind of sixth sense as she seems to think about what could go wrong and then work around to solve it. I am not worried about a single thing going wrong tonight. I know that Raven has put much thought into the ceremony tonight. Everything from the food that was served to the security. She loved Brenna, and she also approved of her as Jaxon's mate, which was high praise. Some like to make political alliances to benefit their packs, but all Raven wanted for Jaxon was for him to wait to replace his true mate. She wanted all of her children to replace their mates.

Raven had told us earlier that she was absolutely sure that Jaxon would be given a good mate. Raven had acted as if she had personal firsthand knowledge that Jaxon would get his true mate. Some don't and end up having to try to pick out a chosen mate. We all went and got another refill on the punch, except for Brenna who was drinking fruit juice. We sat around talking and laughing until it was time to head down. We were all much more relaxed now, probably because we were ready ahead of time. There was no more anxiety for me anymore, but I probably had too much to drink.

Even my mother looked happy now. She may have had a drink or two more than we had tonight. I couldn't blame her. Last night had been awful for her and extremely stressful for both of us. I was concerned, as I had recommended Robert to her. I know that he loves her, but he also needs to value her. That included not ignoring her when she tells you something. Robert dismissing her concerns was something that they were going to have to work on together, to get past.

My mother was wearing a strapless black dress. The silky material draped her body, and she looked better than I had ever seen her before. If Robert were here he would have carried her off by now. That is probably the real reason that we got dressed away from them. If any of our mates saw us, they would want some special time alone with us, leading to the photos and the ceremony starting late. We can't have that happening. We all went to use the restroom and got ready to leave. I can't wait for this night to end and for Alexei to assist me out of my dress. I felt a giggle come up, and before I knew it, we were all giggling. I know we aren't drunk, but something was going on. None of us were the giggling type. At least, not when nothing funny is happening. The concern that something is wrong, is now back.