Chapter 2 - Two
I stood in front of my mirror, trying to smooth the wrinkles out of my dress. It was simple, pale blue, with short sleeves and a skirt that brushed my knees. It was the kind of dress Adah liked—"nice but not desperate," she would say.
I didn’t feel nice or desperate. I just felt tired.
A soft knock came at my door. It was Mayla, of course.
"Ready?" she chirped, swinging the door open without waiting for an answer.
"Not really," I said, staring at my reflection.
"You look pretty," she said, walking over to fluff my hair. "Maybe today’s the day."
"Maybe," I said, even though I didn’t believe it.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me out into the hall before I could come up with an excuse to hide.
Downstairs, the dining hall had been transformed. A long table was set with food and flowers. Father stood near the hearth, his posture stiff but proud. Beside him were two men, both tall, both dressed in the simple but fine clothes of Alpha sons.
"Luciana," Father called, beckoning me forward.
I swallowed and made myself walk toward them.