Chapter 57 THE PARTY
SIANNA'S POV
This morning, Vance and I had breakfast together. I slipped into one of his T-shirts and headed to the kitchen. I was able to get up at four in the morning to make his favorite. He was already gone when I woke up most mornings, so I hardly ever had a chance to feed him. Due to the wily attack on his soldiers, it was expected that he was stressed out.
I truly wished that I could do more to assist, so when he asked me to console the family, I was more than happy to oblige. Bonding with the grieving family and demonstrating to them that we care, and will honor him for his service and dedication. There was wailing in every conversation. Understandable, I can only imagine the grief.
This was fine with me because I was his Luna, and working with my mom at the hospital had put me in this tragic situation before, where breaking the bad news to the family presented itself. I understand that learning of the death of a loved one is never a pleasant experience.
The sun was just beginning to rise outside, and the sky was a variety of orange and golden hues. Right in the middle of eating down my sliced pineapples, I bolted from the breakfast table straight down the hall to the powder room. Swiftly lifted the toilet lid and emptied all the contents in the bowl. Vance rushed to hold my hair up from my face as I sat on the floor.
This nausea was so sudden and it didn't subside even after I finished. It's something I should be used to by now, but I'm not. I leaned back against the wall to regain my breathing.
Vance went and came back from the kitchen with a glass of water and used the face towel to wipe my mouth. He gently strokes my back to let the sparks add comfort. His hand feels nice and slowly the urge to vomit recedes.
His thoughtful expression tells me that he wants to stay at home with me today, but we both had important things to do. The pack came first.
He picked me up and carried me upstairs to our bedroom, where he turned on the shower. I dragged my clothes off, stepped inside, and moaned. The water cascading down on me and onto the ceramic floor feels heavenly and perfect.
Vance follows suit and joins me. I winced as he kissed my neck and told him firmly, "Baby, we're just showering."
He groaned with disappointment and bathed me instead. I brought my fingers to either side of his mouth and pulled on his cheek to create a smile and he chuckled. I kissed him. We soap each other up and rinsed off, grabbed towels to dry ourselves, and got dressed.
Hand in hand, we went downstairs, got into our separate vehicles, and drove to the pack house. Vance took his Bugatti while I stuck to my convertible. Shit! I haven't told him about the birthday party as yet.
It was a foreseeable argument that I'd have to find a way to convince him to let me have some girl time. He was going to flip out, but I'll deal with that later.
Arriving at the pack house, I met with Keisha and we put plans together to help the family through their grief.
Hailey stayed in her room for the time being. The plan was for her to come over to my house to get ready later. She had been job hunting, but I advised her to take a load off and not to work until after the pregnancy. Her allowances could support her for a lifetime. I ordered her to get as much rest as possible, especially since she had a relationship matter to resolve.
I visited the orphanage to check on the children there and for an overall update. Closer to noon, I met with the Social Services Department for progress on the development of the new rogues and temporary housing solutions.
After all that work, we stopped and casually spoke with some pack members to socialize. Then Keisha went hunting for Duke. I missed my baby too and went to his office to distract him. It was time to tell him about my planned outing. I girded mentally with my debating determination to win.
When I walked into the office, he was on the phone, with his laptop open. When he saw me, he smiled. I slid into his lap and kissed his neck; he shuddered from the force of my kiss.
He cut the phone conversation short and hung up, then spun me around so that my legs were on either side of his lap. "How's your day, babe?" I pecked his lips.
"Much better with you here." His hands wrapped around my waist.
"Um......, there's a birthday party later." I watched his reaction.
"Great, what time should I get ready?" He smiled.
"No hon, not this time. Hailey and I are going by ourselves. We need the girls' time, babes."
A frown dominated his facial features. Silently, I waited for him to explode.
"No, that's not happening!" He bellowed. The translucent windows vibrated, almost cracking. "It's either we go together or not at all."
"Babe, don't be like that." My hand caressed his cheek to calm him so that I could get through to him. His hand came up and took mine away from his cheek. He was being stubborn over this.
"The clique of my friends are not within your age group. Your batch was three years ahead of ours. Plus you went to Alpha school." I whined like a spoiled child, "Things might be awkward with the Alpha there." My shoulders rose as I expressed myself. "You don't even know any of them."
"Then it's time I did." He persisted.
"How about we make a deal?" Negotiation should work. "You can send guards with me but you can't be there this time. And we could plan a party after the rogue attacks are sorted out for me to introduce them to you. How does that sound?"
His expression remained unwavering. I squinted my eyes, waiting to see if I won him over.
"Fine, but you must be home by twelve." He told me. I yelped in delight, plastering kisses all over his face. "I'm not okay with you going out without me." He kissed my forehead. "And don't dance with any males."
"I know, but thank you, babes." I gave him one final passionate kiss before heading to Hailey's room upstairs.
Knocking the door, I entered without waiting. She was sitting up on the couch at the bay window. "Well? Are we going to the party?"
"Yes, I convinced my man," I joined her, sitting with my right leg folding under.
She grinned, "I knew you could do it."
Learning about Raj's predicament was sad. The understanding of the situation had Hailey in a better mood. We hung out, ate, and chatted as the hours counted down for the party.
Vance was still at the pack house in meetings when Hailey and I left for our home. We entered the bedroom. Hailey started singing and dancing around the room after turning up some music. As we prepared, I giggled and joined her. She's back to her typical smile, which makes me happy.
My hair was done by Hailey since I'm very traditional. She styled it with curls only at the ends, half up and half down. She enjoyed applying my makeup, so I let her, rolling my eyes and surrendering.
I grinned at myself in the mirror and thought how expertly she had done the mascara, deep red lipstick, and winged eyeliner. "We are so hot!" I complimented and we both laughed.
Due to my growing baby belly, I slipped on a pair of white skinny jeans with rips all the way up the front and wore them with a golden glitter off-shoulder flowing shirt and strappy golden heels.
Hailey looked stylish in a short black skirt, a cropped white tank top, and tall white stilettos.
"Come on hot stuff, party time!" She exclaimed.
We both spun around for one final inspection in the mirror, gave each other a high five, and then moved toward the door.
Her phone vibrates as we enter the porch, and she begins to dig in. She activates the screen and scowls at the caller ID, saying, "I should have known."
"You are not talking to him yet?" I peeked to see that it was Raj before she declined the call. At least she had unblocked him after learning the truth.
Pursing her lips, "No, separation hurts and he must take the time to also determine who he wants. This is my home now. I'll talk to him when I feel strong enough to break things off."
I hugged her at the waist and rested the side of my head on hers, careful not to ruffle our hairstyles.
She shrugged dismissively while raising her shoulders, "Let's not think about our guys tonight. We promised ourselves to have fun."
"Yes, so here we go!"
We jumped in my convertible and headed to the club.