Chapter 45
CHAPTER
FORTY-FIVE
TWO WEEKS LATER
ALISA
I stare at myself in the mirror and wonder who the person gazing back is. Doc and I have been working on nutrition and I’ve been exercising more with the guys. The weight is sticking as the months go by, but I rarely take the time to really look at myself.
Mirrors tend to reflect things I don’t enjoy seeing in my experience. Sometimes it's the shadows clinging to me, and others it’s the hardness in my eyes that tell a story no one will ever hear. Abuse, grooming, and the gradual decline of my humanity.
I begin to do my makeup and now see softness and less hard hollows in my face. I see the luxury of kindness and love too. I didn’t have the capacity for it before. If I was soft, it led to punishments.
Fuck, being a bitch also led to being harshly targeted. I could never, ever win while I was owned. My sleep is all messed up still, and that’s a mixture of my own dreams and Troy’s. My brain is unfortunately focused on what could have happened, even as I remind myself it didn’t.
My alpha is with us again and he’s healing.
He isn’t coming to Lyle’s event, even though he was fully willing to pull on a tux for this. Doc had to remind him he’s still recovering from major surgery, and rolled his eyes when Troy stuck his tongue out at him.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
My eyes dart to the doorway reflected in the mirror and smile as I see Silas.
“Hey, baby. Can you help me with my hair? It’s not curling right.”
“Before or after you finish your makeup?” he asks.
“We can’t be late. Tag in?”
Silas’ eyes hood and I blush as I realize how that sounds.
“Maybe Troy can watch and direct later,” I tease him. He’s not cleared for sex yet, and I don’t want to push either.
“I heard that!” Troy calls out.
Well, I’m getting ready in his bathroom. I certainly hope he did.
“But are you for or against it?” I ask, watching as Silas turns on the curling iron. I managed to dry it, but I prefer the way he curls. Mine come out bigger and bouncier than the sleek look he gets.
“I’m for it.”
Troy meant it when he said he can focus on the difference between our pack and the rest of the world. His biggest issue is his aversion to touch from other people. Avery and Tina made him want to claw off his skin, and since that’s how I feel about them too, I don’t blame him.
He’s had a few sessions with our therapist, but it’s not going to provide an immediate solution. I know better than anyone it’s a slow slog toward recovery. We’ll likely keep our therapist in business for years at this rate.
Silas begins to fix my curls while I finish doing my makeup. I’ve waffled between looking polished and pretty or something that resembles who I am.
“Go with a bright lip in that outfit?” Silas suggests.
My eyes meet his as he nonchalantly blows up what I was thinking.
“Be you, baby. We don’t fucking care what anyone else thinks.
They can have a field day over Lyle and what he stands for, or complain I can be a tad flamboyant, but you’re off limits.
You look amazing. The dress was a very good choice. ”
I make a face at him because I never wear florals.
The material is satin and it’s a tea length black dress.
It’s snug to my natural waist and then flares out in a variety of flowers in plum, yellow, cream and purples.
The top cinches at my neck in a faux collar, and then plunges down my cleavage.
Again, not something I would usually wear, but a beautiful piece.
“I don’t hate it,” I admit. “The kitten heels are cute.”
“Remember that you’re the reason a dress is beautiful. Otherwise, it’s simply material.”
“I love how you see me.”
My eyes are done in browns and deep plums to be understated while still showing off my eyes, and I went heavy on the mascara. Everything else is balanced until you get to my lips, and I begin to put on the rosy-pink lipstick he’s suggesting.
“Alisa, you’re the moon and stars for us. One day, you’ll see yourself like this too.”
Hmm, maybe. Silas fixes one more piece before he purses his lips and unplugs the curling iron.
“You did a really good job. It was just a few pieces I needed to fix.”
“Maybe I wanted your company,” I grin.
“Oh, well that’s easily yours. Let’s grab your things before we go.”
Most women would have a bag full of essentials, but my important things go under my dress. I follow Silas out of the bathroom, enjoying Troy’s expression as I walk out.
“Holy fuck. I call dibs on a date in that dress, baby.”
“It’s yours,” I promise. I lean over and kiss his cheek, using his skin to blot my lips. “Don’t get bored.”
“I won’t,” he says. “Would it be cliche to open a bar?”
“In Savannah? Not at all,” Silas snorts.
“I’m playing with the possibility,” he admits.
“We want to hear about it when you’re ready,” I tell him, waving goodbye.
Easton is waiting in the living room and pulls me toward him as he drops to his knees with several harnesses in his free hands. The view of him there makes me squeeze my thighs together as I struggle not to perfume.
His nostrils flare as he groans, his eyes darkening with desire. “Do you have something to tell me?”
“We don’t have time for what I want.”
“Fuck.”
“Troy is going to sit in the cuck chair while we fuck our girl,” Silas growls. “We just need to make it through this party.”
“I need something good to look forward to,” Lyle says, straightening his suit as he stands.
“The suits really do it for me,” I confess.
“Silver fox porn for the win,” Silas whispers in my ear, his hands gathering the material of my dress to pull it up for East. I whimper as the alpha on his knees kisses my thigh before fastening my holsters.
Could I do it myself? Yes, but what’s the fun in that?
“All set,” Easton breathes, dragging his nose up my panties as he inhales. “Fuck, you smell good. Think about my tongue eating this sweet pussy tonight.”
“You’re mean,” I whine.
“I plan to be very nice to you later,” he promises, standing. Silas smoothes down my dress before checking my clutch for my phone, and then we’re heading out the door.
Silas and Aster worked really hard to bring his vision to life, and my jaw drops as we walk into the area where everyone will be. The gardens are closed for the private event, and it’s about four in the afternoon to combat the heat of the sun.
It’s one of the prettier parts of the gardens, and the trees will provide much needed shade.
Silas has high top tables set up, mini pavilions for people to chat, and then there’s a stage for Lyle.
The event will be about two hours long, and the plan is for him to walk around and talk with those who are here.
Silas has disposable cameras on the tables that say to use them to capture the event, fans with Lyle’s name on it, and various other touches. My alpha may joke that he’s flamboyant, but I can see the talent it takes to pull off something like this.
The event is being catered by the restaurant on site, and I’m really excited to see what the chef settled on for appetizers. I had lunch earlier, but I also want to try some of the food he’s made.
“Security is arriving now, and then everyone else will begin coming in,” Silas says, looking around.
“Go,” I tell him. “I’m sure you want to make sure everything is perfect.”
“I’ll stick to her like glue,” Easton promises, pulling my arm through his. “Alisa, protect me!”
“From what?” I laugh, winking at Silas. “I love you.”
“Oh! Who is her detail today?” East asks. “That could be helpful to know.”
“Niall,” Silas says, giving us an exasperated smile. “I’m going to find Aster.”
“I love you too,” Easton smirks, watching as he rushes away. “Event planning is Silas’ thing, but he is obsessive about the last minute details.”
“He’s a perfectionist,” I shrug.
Easton keeps me busy as we walk around and chat, finding new flowers I haven’t seen yet. He is a fantastic escort and is very charming, despite being the grumpier of my alphas.
“There you are.” My eyes move up to see the man speaking to us, and Easton just hides his grin. He’s fucking huge. I also don’t think it’s possible to find a suit his size on the rack. It has to be custom because it looks amazing.
“Hey, Niall. Alisa doesn’t like events. I got a little sidetracked keeping her distracted.”
“No one likes these things,” Niall says, leaning in toward us as if sharing a secret. He’s at least six foot six inches tall, and his face is arranged in a scowl. “My job is to look scary and keep people from talking to you.”
“I think I can get behind that logic,” I say.
“Pack Alston is part of the Five Packs. They don’t attend a lot of our events, but they’ll be there when we meet in a few days,” East explains.
Lyle called everyone and worked to find a good day to get together. I’m not surprised everyone is busy. It’s a lot of people to coordinate, I’m simply glad no one wants to go out of their way to hold a grudge.
There isn’t anything that says we have to accept help when our lives implode, and Lyle did reach out to Pack Nisim to clean the warehouse after we killed Mitch.
“Coordinating schedules is a nightmare,” Niall winces.
People begin arriving as Silas said they would and I watch as they circulate. Easton remains close by as the party progresses, and I grin as Lyle begins working the crowd chatting.
“He’s so good at this,” I say softly to East.
“Our alpha has a silver tongue. He keeps his nose clean and knows what the city needs,” he says, his lips against the shell of my ear.
“Secrets don’t make friends, Easton. Who is this beautiful woman? Is it necessary to have a guard on her?”
“I don’t believe you were on the guest list, Kenny. Alisa, this is the Police Commissioner.”
“I have a last name,” he growls.
“Growl again and I’ll knock you on your ass, sir,” Niall says. “Respectfully.”
I smile serenely at the police commissioner, knowing it’ll probably piss him off. I hate people who don’t take their position seriously. Growling at me while my alpha is standing next to me is aggressive behavior. I can see why Niall’s hackles are up.
“That’s why a guard is necessary,” Easton murmurs. “I would think party crashing is beneath you.”
“The mayor wants to know what his opposition is like.”
“If he doesn’t know what Lyle is like by now, I doubt he will,” Easton snorts. “You act as if he just moved to Savannah. I didn’t know you were a comedian.”
Kenny’s skin turns mottled and red, allowing me to see he’s a man used to people cowering. However, my pack doesn’t cower.
“Walk it off,” Niall suggests, glowering until Kenny stalks away. “You sure do make interesting enemies, Easton.”
“Don’t I just.”