Wolf-less Omega Luna

CHAPTER 16: PREPPING

Alana’s POV

“Axel, you’re back from your business with Tyler. Coral and…”

Axel didn’t look like the Axel I remembered when Coral walked into us assaulting each other's lips a few hours ago.

Now, he just looked…feral.

Coral said he wouldn’t notice that we… that I spent a few thousand dollars of his. Why did I listen to her? Because he noticed. Or why else would he have this unreadable expression on?

Unless something happened while he was out with beta Tyler.

“Is everything okay?” My voice came out shaky, high pitched, even though I tried so hard to sound confident.

“Yes, Alana,” The sound of my name rolling off his lips sent a zing through me that ran to my toes.

“But you look…”

Almost instantly, his I’m-about-to-kill look disappeared and was replaced with a small grin.

“No, I’m sorry. Don’t worry about me. I just had it a little rough while I was out.”

“With beta Tyler?”

“Yes, with beta Tyler.”

Thank goddess. I mean, not thank goddess he had a bad afternoon, but thank goddess he wasn't mad at me. I didn't think that I would prevail in Axel’s mad state without broken bones.

My brain had quickly formed an apology speech and one on how I was going to repay him the money I spent on his name, even if I knew deep down that I wouldn’t be able to in years, no matter how hard I tried.

“But is everything okay? You look worried.”

After a little hesitation, he replied. “No, everything’s fine.”

My eyes followed him as he tipped his chin past me to see the shopping bags littered on the floor behind us and a rumble of laughter vibrated through his ribcage.

“I can explain.”

“The only explanation for this is that Coral went out with you.”

“She did. But…”

“I can see she meant business.”

“I can pay you back.” I guess I did do a little too much on the spending. I didn’t put any effort into stopping her, and now I’d gone and spent more money than I had seen in my entire life. “I’m sorry.”

“Can you now,” he elbowed the door and dipped his head inside, brushing my face with his ungodly hair. ”Pay me, I mean.”

I swallowed hard.

“I can try.”

He laughed. “Don’t be silly. I gave you the card for a reason. Spend as much as you need to.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, Alana, oh.” He stood upright, towering over me. If someone had walked past us, they wouldn’t see me because this bulk of a man obstructed the entire view. “Your hair,” he nodded at the parted braids that Coral made me. Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

“Coral made it.”

“It’s beautiful.” After a little pause, he added. You’re beautiful, Alana.” He brushed my cheek with a peck and for the one-thousandth time since Axel existed in my life, I dissolved.

“Can I see what you got?” His eyes opened wide like a pup asking for candies and like flames from a dragon's mouth, he scorched me, my shopping bags, the entire room behind me, and all of Crescent freaking Moon pack. Goddess, this man was fine!

Coral was in my room the next evening, applying makeup on my face and styling my hair with the many different products we bought yesterday.

I begged her to apply the makeup lightly. I wanted to look beautiful for Axel, —I couldn’t believe I was already thinking this— but I didn’t want to look unrecognizable in the end. She only gave me a pout and nodded.

“You’re going to kill everybody with your look today. It’s a promise.”

“Oh my God, Coral, I don’t think I want to do that.” We both laughed.

The dress that Mabel gifted me was lying gracefully on the bed that I’d gladly slept on, forgetting to have dinner the previous night.

I was so tired from all the running around and putting the room in order after shopping that when I stretched on the bed for a nap, I was gone till the morning.

Coral picked some accessories for me and put them beside the gown. —A neckpiece and dangling earrings. —

“All done,” Coral chirped.

She didn’t allow me to look in the mirror all through when she was prepping me. She said I could only see the finished look so she made me turn my back to the mirror.

“Here,” she turned the chair around to face the mirror on the table. “What do you think?”

“Coral!” It came out in a gasp.

“Don’t you dare shed tears, Alana,” she scolded. “This look took me hours to come up with.”

“I’ll try not to,” I said laughing.

I looked beautiful. Different, but in a good way. Just as I asked, the makeup was light. She only made my brows more pronounced with a pencil, and applied some eyeliner and mascara on my eyes, making my lashes extra thick and long. She's added a bit of nude lipstick that I thought would compliment the dress.

The dark circles under my eyes were gone and the mascara made my violet eyes more prominent.

“You’re one beautiful Luna, Alana.” She gave my shoulder a light squeeze.

“You look just as beautiful,” I told her. Coral had dressed up and done her makeup before she started with mine. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. We’re running late. We should get you in your dress and head downstairs.”

You could tell by the angry grunts that beta Tyler clanged my door with, twenty minutes ago when he came to call us downstairs.

Coral had cursed him away, only ticking him off more. I hadn’t seen Axel. I wondered what he’d think of my dress and makeup. I wondered what he’d look like.

“Are you sure we’re not being too extra? It’s just an introduction, right? I asked Coral, looking at the dress for the umpteenth time.

“We are not,” she giggled. “Now, let’s go.”

Coral opened the door and came face to face with Axel who was about to knock.

“Alpha, we were just coming down,” Coral said and bared her neck to Axel.

“Yes, we should get movin…”

His eyes landed on me and for a good long second, Axel seemed to have lost his words. Save for his tensed jaw and fisted hands at his side, I couldn’t read any other emotion from him.

He breezed past Coral in slow motion, completely ignoring her as he stalked towards me. Only when he was a hair's breadth away did I glimpse the flickers of silver in his eyes and catch his unsteady breaths.

His gaze locked on me and the slight parting of his lips sent a round of shiver through me, causing the hairs on my hands and the back of my neck to stand.

I broke the stare and focused on my manicured nails and hell, anything other than Axel’s intimidating aura.

He tipped my chin, “Alana, you look…magnificent. Very… beautiful.”

An embarrassing blush pinked my cheeks. Cheeks that were still firmly in his grip. “Thanks. You look handsome too.” And he did.

Something made me believe that Axel could pull off any outfit and still look bat shit hot in it. No doubt about that.

“Thank you, Alana.”

A visible shiver shook me.

“It’s time right?” I asked, my heartbeat warming up its gears for a triathlon.

“Yes,” he easily encased both of my hands in his. “I’m here with you.” He must have sensed my panic. “You’re fine with me. If it gets too much, just squeeze on my hand. Like this,” he gave my hand a gentle squeeze, rubbing my wrist back and forth with his thumb. It sent an immediate sweep of calm through me. Relief. Reassurance.

“Okay,” I squeezed his hand and inhaled a lung full of my personal medicine, his scent.

“I would kiss you, but I think I’ll ruin your makeup.”

“I don’t think I’d mind. That’s if you’re okay with having all the ruined makeup on you.” I said.

“I would love to have your makeup on me, my queen.” Could he be any more cheesy?

And he did. A smooch, a peck, a kiss.

“Hey! This is not the time for an aggressive makeout session, Axel! You’ll ruin my work.” Coral burst into the room. Again.