Page 204 of Her Destined Alpha
My heart had been pounding since morning, and I was terrified, scared of a million things…
Night had fallen, and Mom was working on my hair. I had done my own make-up and, despite feeling like a mess inside, I remained as composed as I could. Delsanra didn’t leave my side all day, and I appreciated it. Even when I had my henna done the night before, I couldn’t think of anything but Chris.
I hadn’t seen him for the last few days, and I missed him. I hated that he was telling me to wait. Didn’t my love mean anything to him?
I looked at the black stain of my henna as it weaved up my arms… my eyes landing on the small name I had told the lady to add. ‘CHRIS’. I had already made my decision.
“Raihana…” Mom said with concern. I looked up.
“Hmm?”
“Are you all right?” she asked softly.
I placed my hand on top of hers on my shoulder and nodded. I was glad I had her back; I wouldn’t ever forget the night I came home. She had apologised, broken down, and begged for forgiveness.
“I’m fine,” I said, my heart thudding.
“You don’t need to go if you do not wish to,” she said softly. I looked up at her, and I knew she knew why. Delsanra stood next to us, removing my earrings from the box.
“I need to,” I said. He had said just one Blood Moon…
“Okay,” Mom said softly as she applied some hair spray to my hair.
I breathed heavily, standing up and looking in the mirror. I looked like a bride or a princess… I smiled.Perfect, because this is my last Blood Moon.
“You look beautiful,” Delsanra said. Mom nodded her agreement.
“This is it, isn’t it?” she asked softly. I nodded, slipping on my embellished heels.
“I know what I want, and I will get it.”
“That’s my girl,” Dad said from the door.
My heart skipped a beat seeing both he and Rayhan standing there. When had they arrived? Rayhan was smirking, and Dad was smiling warmly. Did they all know? I frowned at Rayhan, who raised his hands defensively.
“I said nothing.”
“Now you did,” Delsanra said disapprovingly.
I smiled, watching Rayhan’s eyes run over her, the love and desire in his eyes so strong… I wanted a love like that. Like Dad and Mom’s, like Uncle’s and Kiara’s.
I wanted him.
“Well, time to get dressed,” Delsanra said, picking up my dress as I put on the earrings she had passed me. I took a shuddering breath. Taking the dress from her, I walked to the bathroom, my heart pounding with every step I took.
“She’s going to be okay,” Mom whispered as if I couldn’t hear. I smiled, though; she wasn’t mind-linking because of Del. I loved that.
I shut the bathroom door behind me and leaned against it, the coolness of the wood pleasant against my silk gown as I took a deep breath. Fear had begun to plague me, and all I could think of was Chris. What if he somehow came to the ball? What if he found his mate? What if…
Stop it, Ri!My wolf’s restlessness wasn’t helping either.Okay, I got this. Deep breaths and focus!
I slid my nightgown off and looked in the large mirror opposite. My entire body glowed with shimmer. I wore a lacy, nude, strapless bodysuit as my lace dress was sheer. My arms and hands were covered in a henna tattoo, and my nails were fresh nude acrylics with a glitter tip.
My eyes were smoky and alluring with winged liner, my lips were painted a gorgeous brown nude, and my highlighter popped perfectly. Diamond studs were in my additional ear piercings, with large statement earrings in my front piercings.
My hair was in a quiff with a fringe, and the rest was styled into lush curls and pinned to perfection.
My hands trembled ever so slightly as I unzipped the dress. It was stunning in a champagne colour. The entire dress was made with embroidery on a luxurious net with some beaded detailing. Thin straps and a dippingsweetheart neckline completed it. It was figure-hugging and trailed to the ground. There were tulle layers on the right side of the dress, along with a thigh-high slit. I slipped it on, my hands shaking, when there was a light tap on the door.
