Page 5 of Make Me
“You should go,” Spencer adds, slicing right through my internal panic-induced spiral.
“Absolutely not.” I shake my head so swiftly it’s a miracle my neck doesn’t snap. “I won’t give Vaelora the satisfaction.”
Spencer lifts an eyebrow—a look that always spells trouble for me. “But you not showing up?” she says sweetly. “That’s basically telling her she has so much power over you that herexistencealone can keep you from the hottest party of the year.”
I scowl. “I really don’t like you.”
She grins wickedly and grabs my hand. “Yet, you keep coming back for more. Show her she doesn’t matter. Go. Meet someone new. You never know. It might end up being the best night of your life.”
Or it might end in a spectacular, fiery disaster, knowing my luck.
“We’ll see,” I mutter, standing up and pulling her with me. “How about that lunch you promised?” I add, needing a distraction before I agree to something beyond stupid.
Spencer chuckles as she leads me toward the kitchen. “I’ll feed you. But we’re not done with this conversation.”
Yeah, I didn’t think we were.
Chapter 2
KASHA
I’m wearing a fucking ballgown. I can’t remember the last time I wore something like this, and every instinct in me wants to hate the sheer fabric clinging to my skin and pooling around my feet like some kind of shimmering trap. Yet…
I don’t.
I might even love it. The way the skirt sways when I move, how the corset hugs me tight, shaping me into a version of myself I hardly recognize.
For once, it feels like I’m not evenme, and maybe that’s exactly what I need tonight.
I tried to convince Spencer I didn’t need to go. Especially after I found out Clara—my only other close and single friend—won’t be coming. But then Spencer unleashed herthreats.
Too many to count. Each one more creatively horrifying than the last. I could’ve brushed all that off, but then her eyes got misty, and she begged.
It was almost too much to handlecoming from her as she pleaded with me to trust her gut—her crazy, pregnancy-fueled gut—as she swore that this night could belife or deathfor me.
A little dramatic? Obviously.
But in the end, I caved.
Still, now that she’s busy with Drake and doing her best to forget all about me for the evening, I could get away with staying home. She’s not going to have time to check on me.
Yet, the second I laced the black corset over my ribs and smoothed the tulle skirt down my hips, something inside me shifted.
Maybe Spencer’s right.
Also, there was the tiny detail about how she threatened to bribe Natalianotto help me with my wolf if I backed out of going to this party. And given how restless I’ve been lately, unlocking my inner beast might not be asomedaykind of need anymore.
With a not entirely reluctant sigh, I give myself another once over. My reddish copper hair hangs in soft waves over my shoulders, falling to my waist. Makeup isn’t really my thing, but I’ve added some sparkles above my green eyes, making them seem lighter than normal.
The bodice of my dress brings out the curves in my waist, keeping everything tight and perky. Shimmering black threads catch the light in my bedroom, but the top half feels more like armor than it does elegance. Maybe that’s a good thing since I’m showing up, all by myself, at the house of someone I’m not fond of.
But that’s another thing Spencer was right about.
I won’t let Vaelora take pleasure in my absence.Tonight, I’ll arrive with my head high, my emotions in check, and find someone to keep me company. I’m sure there’ll be people from the pack that I see there. An ally, friends of friends, anyone, really. I can fake it for the hour or less I plan to be present.
There’s no sense wasting more time, so I slip into my black flats. While I’m loving this dress, heels are asking too much.
The crumpled invitation sits on my dresser, and I grab it before heading for the front door.
