Chapter 88

• The hour after my intense encounter with Kieran passed in an instant. His mom returned ten minutes later, quietly fixing my hair and applying light makeup, darkening my eyes to make their two different colors more pronounced. She ignored the obvious signs of what had transpired between me and her son, instead focusing on preparing me for the meeting ahead.
• The preliminary meeting before the High Table wasn't a formal event—it was more like a business gathering. The purpose was to assess potential enemies, seek out weaker Alphas, and generally cause havoc for lower-ranked werewolves. Kieran's mom helped me into a slate grey dress, zipping up the low-neck back with a smooth motion. The dress reached my knees, hugging my curves and showing just enough cleavage to look classy, highlighting the silver tones in my blue eye. It was crucial that I be perceived as a capable adult rather than an emotional teenager. They needed to believe I wouldn't use my abilities recklessly or for personal vengeance. The absurdity of this expectation wasn't lost on me. Shouldn't it be my choice how to use my abilities?
• She left my hair down, hoping to remind everyone that while I was composed and collected, I was still young and inexperienced. I had to admit, she did an incredible job. The dress made me seem mature and responsible, but the makeup she applied made my eyes look larger, brighter, and more vibrant.