Page 76 of Dark Moon Secrets

My pulse increased. What would happen if I didn’t stop the wolves?

CHAPTER 26

Tanjie

“I don’t want to wear it.” I stared at the dress Willow held. A cotton blend, tight around the bustline, with ribboned crisscross decoration in a corset style, long sleeves that ended in a teardrop, all white, trimmed with lace.

“You have to.”

I had memorized more spells with Luna before Willow and Pepper had returned to the shop at sunset, wanting to help prepare me for the initiation. Now we stood in the shop’s entrance, standing off over a dress.

No way was I going to wear that dress.

She shook the dress. “Try it on.”

“What, you have a uniform for ceremonies?”

“This is it.”

“You’ll all be wearing the same dress?”

“Similar style. You’re a novice, remember.” Willow pushed the dress toward me, forcing me to take it. I still didn’t want to put it on.

“I don’t see why I can’t wear jeans and a top?” The dress wasn’t anything close to what I would wear. It did have a bit of a witchy vibe going on with the style, but it still wasn’t my style.

“Want to go naked then?”

I snatched it from her. No way was I going starkers. Plus, Maria had made it clear I had to follow what they told me and not waste my time arguing.

With a dramatic huff, I went upstairs for privacy. Training all day meant a few more spells were memorized, and hopefully, I was that bit closer to impressing the ancestors and the coven so I would be considered worthy enough to take my role. But if I were the one to protect against the wolves, how could they say no?

I didn’t dare ask them the question. I had no idea how they would react if I did. Plus, I wasn’t convinced this was my role. Since my conclusion had been based on dreams, I thought it best to keep it to myself.

After tonight, I would be back in the shop sleeping alone, and then I’d search for information. I just had to get through the next few hours of being watched, and then I would be free. At least, I hoped that would be the case.

Changing into the dress, I glimpsed at myself in the long mirror in the corner of the room. My long brown hair down, below my shoulders, and the dress’s neckline and low-cut front gave me an impressive bustline. The dress’s length went to just above the floor, and the fullness hung around my legs, maintaining my body shape. I never thought I could look good in white like this.

Too bad no one of importance will see me.

“Hurry up, Tanjie. At this rate, you’ll miss your own ceremony,” called out Luna.

I slipped on my ballet flats, which seemed the most practical to wear, and then went back downstairs, lifting the dress to avoid stepping on it.

“Your parents would be proud,” said Luna, her hands in a prayer pose under her chin, eyes moist. She had changed while I was upstairs and now wore a black dress similar to mine, along with the other women.

Emotion clogged in my throat. All of this would’ve happened already if they were here.

But would it have happened? I had argued with them so much about what I referred to as their hippie ways, rejecting what they were trying to tell me.

“Perfect, thank goodness. We don’t have time to change it.” Willow walked around me, checking out the fit to be sure.

“We should walk there now,” said Luna.

“Yes, let’s go, the hour approaches.”

“I’ll shut up the shop.” Luna stepped toward the front door when it unexpectedly flew open. Luna jumped out of the way as Adam rushed in.

I was relieved to see he wasn’t wearing a dress, more like long, loose pants and a boatneck shirt in black. His face was white and eyes wide.

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