Page 30 of Midnight Deception

“Sit,” she orders, pointing to the chair in front of the dressing table as she continues fussing and unpacking.

I do as ordered, slipping into the chair and pulling at my clothes, crossing and uncrossing my legs to try to get comfortable and rid me of my unease. It doesn’t work, but it gives me something to focus on. I watch Luna through the mirror as she stares down at something with a pleased smile before she walks up behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders.

“I didn’t know if the queen would invite you,” she begins, her eyes glistening through her reflection in the mirror. “So I had something made just in case.”

Her comment makes it sound like the ball was already going to happen, and the only thing that’s changed is that I’ll be attending. Perhaps this isn’t all a way to trap me after all and is just an innocent ball. Somehow, my gut tells me it’s not.

“How did you get a dress made so quickly? You don’t even know my size,” I comment, twisting in my chair to try to see the gown in question. That’s not to be though, as Luna jumps into my line of sight, hiding it from me.

“Laelia, remember where you are and who you’re surrounded by. I’m a witch.” The look she gives me is playful as she smirks and gestures to herself. “The tailors use magic. All it takes is my touch, and the dress will mould itself to fit you.”

I attempt to stand so I can see this magical dress, but she stops me again and gently pushes me back into my chair. “Not yet, I want it to be a surprise.”

If I wanted to, I could fight against her. I’m strong enough, but I let her push me back into the seat. It’s not worth creating a rift over, and I’ll be seeing it soon enough. Leaning back in the chair, I let Luna brush my hair while my mind wanders.Tailors that use magic to fit a dress to anybody, I think to myself in awe.Now that’s a skill.I can’t help but wonder if this is something I’d be able to learn while I’m here. Oh, I’m fully aware that it’s not practical, nor a skill that will help me survive the witches or the werewolf council, but a girl can dream.

We sit in companionable silence, me lost in my thoughts and her playing with my hair, pulling back the loose strands. I’m quite happy with this, but when she clears her throat, I can tell it’s not going to last.

“I bumped into Atlas earlier.”

The comment is said lightly, conversationally, and I could have brushed it off as only that, except there’s a weight behind it that makes me meet her eyes in the mirror. “Oh?” I ask, aiming for noncommittal, giving nothing away.

“It’s strange,” she continues, her hands still moving expertly through my hair, “as he was coming from the direction of your rooms.”

I say nothing, aware of how it would look if I admitted he stayed with me last night. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Even if we did fuck and seal our bond, we are mates. We didn’t though, and I’m not sure why I’m feeling so defensive about it or trying to keep it secret.

Realising that I’m not going to give her the answers without her asking me directly, she tilts her head to one side, clearing her throat. “Did he stay here last night?”

“It’s not how it looks.” My resolve crumbles, my expression hardening as I wait for her rebuttal. I’m not sure what her reaction to all this will be. If she’s okay with it, why didn’t she just ask me straight instead of trying to ease the information out of me? Does that mean she doesn’t approve, and do I care if she doesn’t?

“Look, you can do whatever you want. I’m not judging here. He’s your mate.” She says it like that resolves everything. I wish it was that simple.

“Yeah.” I sigh, looking down at where my hands lie in my lap, restlessly twisting at the bottom of my shirt. “He also hates my guts.” I hate how bitter I sound, and really, while this was true at one point, now I’m not so sure. His attitude towards me seems less frosty, especially when it’s just the two of us. He knew I needed him last night, and despite everything, he provided that comfort. There was no one there to force him or guilt trip him into helping like the previous night.

“I only ask because I was surprised. I know he’s still struggling with coming to terms with your bond,” Luna explains lightly, and I have to remind myself that she’s his cousin and will be looking out for him. Placing a hand on my shoulder, she squeezes it gently. “You just need to give things time. He’ll come around.”

Dropping my head into my hands, I make a quiet noise of distress. “But I don’thavetime.” I try to keep a sob from my voice as the pressure I’ve been feeling presses to the surface. “I need to learn control as soon as possible and get back to my mates and family—my mates who love me and are suffering without me.”

Lifting my head, I find her watching me carefully. She reaches for my hair and continues the braid she started. I begin to think that we’re going to be sitting in silence for the rest of the evening, my mood bringing us both down, when she clears her throat.

“What do you think of Haven?”

Blinking at the sudden change of topic, I don’t answer immediately, but she doesn’t push me for an answer. Once my brain has caught up, it doesn’t take me long to think of my reply. “It’s gorgeous here. I have no idea how you’ve kept it so perfect and hidden.” My chest feels tight, and I swallow against the lump at the back of my throat. “However, it’s also my prison.”

Her hands still in my hair for a moment, but she quickly picks it up again. “You agreed to stay.”

Snorting, I meet her gaze in the mirror. “I was hardly given any choice.” When she seems like she’s about to protest, I give her a doubtful look. “Are you really telling me I could just walk out of here now without anyone stopping me? No, I’m stuck here. I made that deal because it was the only way I could get home to everyone I love.” Somehow, I feel better voicing this aloud. Although I know it’s not my fault that I’m here, guilt has been hanging over me. Secretly, I’m glad I’m getting to learn how to use and control my magic, as it’s a part of me I’ve never known before and I can learn who I truly am. Sure, I wish it wasn’t in these circumstances, but I’ve not allowed myself to enjoy having all of my power released.

There’s also the other issue with me being here—most of the witches want me dead.

“Besides, you were there,” I continue, my voice tired as I resign myself to the truth of what I’m about to say. “I would have been torn apart by all those witches if I’d refused. So many of them hate me.”

Luna makes a noise of disagreement, and I arch a brow in question. “I think you’d be surprised. Things are changing, attitudes are shifting, and you’re seen as a sign by many.” She smiles slightly, amusement flashing in her silver eyes. “Many of them are afraid of you.”

I twist around to stare at her, ignoring her noise of protest as I pull my hair from her hands. “Afraid? Of me?” I exclaim, not quite believing that a room full of powerful witches would be frightened of a half-blooded werewolf. I shake my head as this sinks in. “I keep being told that wolves and witches are at war, so I expected everyone to react like Atlas when I first arrived. I’m not complaining, and I’ve not exactly had a warm reception, but I’m confused by the reactions.”

Due to my family’s desire to keep me safe, they kept much from me. My pack is small and lives away from all others, so I’d never even met many werewolves outside of our pack until the night Star appeared. That’s when I learned that I wasn’t a full werewolf, that I had magic, and that witches exist. I was told that we’re at war and all witches hate us, but I don’t know much more than this.

Luna sighs and lowers her hands from my hair, walking over to her makeup bag and selecting several items from inside. A delicate frown appears on her face, and when she lifts her head to look at me, her expression is hard to decipher. She seems torn, and I wonder if she’s been ordered not to tell me anything.

---