The week seems to go by in a blur. I spend most of my days at Ava's place and stay late every other day. I make it a point to go back to the annex early enough on some days to have dinner with Axle because I know that that will keep him sated while I talk with Ava. We don't really discuss the details of the escape since Noah and Samantha are always nearby listening but it's nice to be by someone who understands me and knows where I'm coming from.

Sometimes when I stay longer than I'm supposed to at Ava's Enforcer Garren will come and make disgruntled faces. I can tell he doesn't like that I'm constantly there, but I can also tell that he appreciates it. Noah once told me on our walks back that the Enforcer is irritated that he has less time with his mate since I'm there but grateful that Ava has someone to laugh with. One time he came into the house while we were playing one of her many board games and we were having such a great time that we didn't hear him come in. Ava was dying of laughter as I made blunder after blunder on one of her games when the Enforcer walked in. When he saw her laughing and having a good time his lips lifted up into a smile. I was surprised his face could do that.

Of course, it quickly ended when Ava noticed he was in the room, and it went all downhill from there. This morning when I woke up, I did my usual routine and got ready to go over to Ava's, but when I made it down the steps, I noticed that Noah's face was pretty grim.

"What? What is it?"

"They are going to be getting ready for the celebration tomorrow. I don't think it will be possible for you to go to Ava's. She may be able to come here though I doubt she'll want to."

"Why do I have to be here? I thought it was supposed to be a surprise."

"It is, but, well, this type of thing is a formal gathering and as such you have to wear formal attire. The Alpha has sent over a seamstress to help you get measurements for your dress. She has been instructed to work until it is ready tomorrow evening."

"He's going to make her work for over 24 hours to get this dress done?"

"Well Belinda already has most of it down she just needs to take down certain things to confirm, but the Alpha has provided her with ample amounts of time and references."

"When will she be here?"

Noah scratches the back of his head and make and awkward face as he says, "She's already here. She's grabbing her things now to come inside."

I roll my eyes in irritation and give Noah a tired look. This is going to be a long day.

If standing here doing nothing was exhausting, I can't imagine how the dressmaker must feel. Belinda's (the dressmaker) been nice enough, but I can tell she's getting aggravated with my constant moving. The dress is nice and flowy with lace flowers cascading down it. It's a pastel green with spaghetti straps. The dress is magical and likely something I could never afford in my wildest dreams. As the lady fluffs out my dress I begin to slump with boredom; the dress was made already and is just being tailored to me for "elegance" as she put it. After she's done with the fluffing, she looks at the dress seemingly pleased by her creation.

"You look beautiful, Luna."

"This will be a night you never forget."

Yeah, I know.

"Thank you, I appreciate all the hard work you put into this dress. It's amazing."

She gives me a bashful nod and looks at me sheepishly. "Would you like to see it?"

"Uh, sure."

She stands up and offers her hand to me to help me walk. She uses her other hand to grab a hold of the dress and gestures with her eyes for me to do the same. I pick up a section of the dress and head towards the body length mirror in the spare room we are in. The mirror hangs off the back of the door and once I'm in front of the mirror my face turns to shock. The only time I had ever seen a dress like this was in a photo my mother had shown me long ago of her at the prom and even that wasn't as nice as this one.

"This is beautiful. You're really talented."

"Thank you, Luna, but I can't take all the credit. The Alpha picked out the style." She says as her cheeks brighten.

Of course, he did.

I must have said that out loud because she starts giggling. I look at her wide in horror at letting my words slip. I can't let this get back to him. He's so temperamental, it might just set him off.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean- I just-"

"It's okay, Luna. I understand what you mean. Our men can be very possessive and controlling. It's their nature."

I raise my brow at her, "All of the male wolves are like this?"

"Why yes. It's imbedded in their DNA, Alphas even more so. The more powerful the wolf..."

"The more animalistic?"

She nods her head. She doesn't look sad or solemn...just...understanding.

"Take this dress for instance. The Alpha picked it out because it represented life and your importance. By simply picking out your dress he likely exhibited control, but most Alpha's choose the dress they want to present their pack and Luna as."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the color represents your connection to us and the earth. We are creatures who are deeply tied to the roots of the earth. Nature matters greatly to us. By having you wear the color he is saying that you are tying your beliefs with ours. That you are embracing us. The cascading leaves signify life and your importance as Luna. You are essentially the packs mother. It shows that you will provide and care for us and that you will bestow upon us many heirs."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Heir, my Luna. It doesn't only mean the pups you will have with the Alpha but also the many descendants that you will have after. Your life and legacy will live on to further the pack."

I shouldn't be surprised that this is all my use is. My sacrifices and my suffering are just to them because it furthers their livelihood and beliefs. The way they operate reminds a lot of an occult and I guess if you really think about it, they do have an alarming number of similarities.

I give Belinda a passive nod and smile and watch her as she fiddles with the dress more. She later shows me several pairs of shoes the Alpha told her to bring from one of the local stores so I could choose and see which ones fit me. Most were healing which I was strongly against but after much pressuring from Belinda, who said the dress would overflow over my feet and make me trip, I decided I would. It looked more elegant that way too not that it really mattered, especially when I knew what would transpire that day.

After Belinda has gone and left it's a little past three when I come bounding toward Noah in the hopes, I have some time to speak to Ava. I want to know if there is anything I should do or have planned for the night's events. I don't want any surprises and I want to be free. I had just finished asking him if we could go when he gives me a pitying look.

"What? What is it now?"

"You still have more duties to attend to for tomorrow night's evening and so does Ava. She is a higher ups female and once you are more acquainted with your duties, she will likely become a part of your council along with Emily and other women of your choosing."

"I guess I'll just see her tomorrow...but wait I'm supposed to have a council?"

"Yes, the Alpha has one to which consists of his higher ups within the pack. There are other packs who follow the older way of having elders form the council, but many have adopted this style since wolves don't age the same as humans do."

"Wait so does that mean I'll die before the Alpha?"

"I'm not sure this is appropriate-"

"Your right it isn't."

I gasp hearing the booming voice of Axle behind me. When I turn to look at him, he's staring straight at Noah with hard eyes, and he seems to be having a silent conversation with him. Mind linking?

"Alpha, I apologize. I did not realize that you were coming back early."

"I must help my mate to prepare for tomorrows ceremony. She will need to know the rules and the agenda for tomorrow. I will not have her go in unprepared. As she says I have a bad habit of doing these things."

He gives me a sly look which tells me he's joking. While the hard stare is still their lingering behind his eyes he seems to calm down while talking to me. It's interesting how I can both be his anger and his peace.

"It's nearly four that's the earliest you've ever been back." I speak out.

"Yes, well I want for tomorrow to go off without a hitch. You deserve this celebration just as much as the pack does and this day is primarily about you. I trust you like the dress?"

"Yes, it was quite beautiful."

He nods appreciatively and looks down on my, "I can't wait to see you in it."

His eyes darken as he looks at me and I know this face. It's lust that's filling his eyes, not anger. I shift my gaze over to Noah to see he stares at his Alpha with a blank stare. It's so strange to see him so composed and I can't help if that's my fault. Before me, him and the Alpha used to have a friendly relationship with Noah being a practical jokester but now...now it's different. Maybe I have changed it.

Axle's eyes begin to get hard again this time with irritation. It seems he really only has one mood, and it seems to revolve around anger and irritation. I can't hear what they are discussing since they still seem to be mind-linking one another and I can see the stiff postures of both of them. It's not until Noah lets out a sound that's a mixture of both a cough and him clearing his throat that I begin to think that they might have been talking about me.

"Well Luna, I will see you at tomorrow's celebration. I must also go get ready for the event since I am required to attend as both your protector and as the Gamma," he looks toward me bowing and walks over to the Alpha placing a light hand on his shoulder. The Alpha tenses but gives a stiff nod. Once Noah is closer to the door Axle booms again with a tone of both seriousness and playfulness.

"Your suit better be stunning Noah. I do not want a repeat of last year's mishaps when you wore that god-awful clip-on tie that was too small and sandals."

Noah lets out a groan and rolls his head to look at Axle, "I'm all about comfort wearing those stuffy suits is "god-awful."

I smile at his words and look over at Axle who is shaking his head at Noah's words. He motions for Noah to keep going out the door and Noah does with a light roll of his head. After Noah is gone Axle looks over at me and gives me an assessing look.

"We have many things to work on tonight to prepare us for tomorrow guests and events. I...I tried to make this something that you could have fun at while also trying to adhere to some of our customs. My hope is that you will enjoy it even if it may be outside of you comfort zone."

I give a slight nod. I wonder if it's his hope or his silent order. He offers his hand to me for me to take. I place my hand gently in his and look up at him through guarded lashes. This is going to be a long day. I can feel it.

"Alright, love. Let's go up to the office and get started, shall we?"