Page 52 of Untamed

Whether I make it back to Lunar or not, one thing is for sure: I won’t easily become just another member. There are too many non-conforming ideas in my head that go against traditional pack beliefs.

However, my independence won’t break the bond between Jonah and me. That’s never going anywhere.

22

Mrs. Graves decides we need an emergency meeting before the dinner at the alpha’s. Not only does she drill me on every little etiquette bullshit known to man during class, but she comes to my room to help me get ready.

It feels like it’s my wedding day or some shit. Mia can’t come over because Mrs. Graves thinks she’ll distract me from tonight’s true purpose. My etiquette instructor even sets the tone by putting on classical music and sitting ramrod straight at my desk chair. She’s too prim and proper for this room. Her elegant perfume swirls around the space like we’re in a French parfum parlor instead of Rejected Mate Academy. Even her dresses are too tasteful. I swear she owns dozens of floral prints of all cuts, and she hasn’t worn the same one twice that I’ve noticed.

“When you’re ready, dear,” she calls out. I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror and gulp down breaths. I don’t even recognize myself. My hair is clipped into a sweeping updo, the hairstyle showing off the curve of my neck and the exquisite dress I’m wearing. It’s a tight, yet sophisticated dark slate color that hugs my body until it ends just above the knee.

I feel like a model.

Opening the door, I wait until Mrs. Graves gazes up. “Are you sure this is okay?”

Her answering grin tells me all I need to know. “Oh yes.” She gets to her feet and circles me. There’s not a ton of space to do that in this room, but she makes it work without falling on her face. “You look amazing. Dinner parties at houses of the alpha are all about showing off how fashionable you are in a classic way. This makes you appear older, more experienced, knowledgeable. According to your file, this is exactly the impression you need to make. We have to get them to see that you’ll be an asset to the pack when you return.”

My stomach churns. She’s right about that. I have Jonah on my side. Now all I have to do is woo them. Should be easy, right?

I kind of want to throw up.

She returns to the bed and starts going through the bag she brought with her. Bringing out a box, she says, “I bought you these cute boots with a tiny heel since we didn’t get the chance to practice walking in heels yet. With the parties you’re getting invited to, I’m going to move that up in the curriculum.”

After she hands the boots to me, I sit on my bed and put them on. They have cute, decorative zippers up the side that end at the ankle. I stand, and Mrs. Graves tells me to walk around the room. I take a quick turn, and honestly, they’re not bad. I peer at her for approval, and she nods. “Phew,” I tell her. “I was worried.”

“Never show your nerves, pup. Fake it ‘til you make it.” She moves closer and brushes an imaginary hair up over my head. This hairstyle is clipped so tightly, there’s no way anything is coming out of it. I guarantee I’ll have a headache by the end of the night. I guess it’ll be worth it if I can get the alpha to approve. How the hell I’m supposed to do that, I have no idea. Mrs. Graves’ calm voice halts my spiral. “Kinsey.” I glance up at her, and her unwavering stare helps keeps me grounded. “You can do this. Your strength pours out of you. Lean on your wolf. Look to her for how to act if you get unsettled. Her nature will be the best guide. Remember, pack life is already inside of you. I promise.”

“Thank you,” I tell her, getting choked up for some ridiculous reason.

She pats me on the shoulder and squeals when a knock on the door reverberates through the room. She quickly throws the two bags she came here with under the bed before maneuvering in front of me to answer the door. She mouthsReady?and I nod.

I’d already warned Jonah that my etiquette instructor would most likely be in the room with me when he came to pick me up, so he greets her warmly. “Mrs. Graves.”

The woman blushes. “Do come in, Mr. Livestrong. I believe I have someone here who’s yours.”

Her words make his gaze lock to mine. A tension starts deep in my belly, tensing up my muscles, and for a moment, I forget my teacher is in the room. His possessive eyes yellow before returning to normal when Mrs. Graves tactfully clears her throat.

She stares at me expectantly, and I realize I’ve already messed up. I give Jonah a slight bow. “Hello,” I greet him in the sweetest voice I can. “You look handsome.”

My lip quirks as I try not to laugh. He does the same, inclining his head. “Miss Walker, you’re beautiful.”

Mrs. Graves approves. She beams from ear-to-ear, and is so excited, it looks like she could pee through her Depends.

Jonah offers me his hand, and I take it while my instructor holds out my purse. “I’ll lock the room up for you, dear.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Graves. I’ll see you next class.”

She winks when Jonah isn’t looking, and when I turn to face the hall, I have the biggest smile on my face. Out of all my teachers, she’s my favorite.

Jonah wraps my arm around his, leading me down the hallway. When we get to the stairs, he lets his lips finally slip into a smile. Now that we don’t have an audience, I take him in fully. Jonah is wearing a polished black suit, and suddenly, I freak out about the correct silverware to use even though Mrs. Graves practically drilled it into my head.

Jonah squeezes my hand. “I’ll be beside you the whole time, Little Mate.”

“I’m pretty sure you said that last time,” I chide.

Instead of taking it as the joke I meant it as, his face falls. “Nothing like what happened at the lake will happen here. I can promise you that.”

More promises.

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