Page 47 of Reject Him

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Val takes a long sleeve red dress off the hanger inside Eme’s closet and helps her slip it over her head. She carefully maneuvers it so that it doesn’t mess up Eme’s delicately curled hair.

Eme listens to her hum a wedding tune and nearly rolls her eyes. She’s been doing it since Eme walked out of the bathroom in her bra and underwear, towel drying her wet hair.

Once the dress is on, Val straightens the hem while Eme turns to the room. Viola is here, and Eme watches her rifle through Eme’s jewelry. The earrings and necklaces are splayed across Eme’s bed.

It was nice of Viola to come and help Eme get ready for the evening’s events. Eme knows she has a lot on her plate with her son and with providing the food. She feels touched that she carved out time for her, and this only solidifies the fact that she’s now one of them. Their alpha.

“How about this one?” Viola says, holding up a simple diamond necklace on a delicate silver chain.

Val looks over Eme’s shoulder while zipping the dress up the back. “That’s perfect. Bring it here.”

Viola grins as she crosses the room with the necklace, and Val steps away as the older woman unclasps the necklace and lays it across Eme’s chest. Eme moves her hair aside as Viola fastens it. She then guides Eme to a mirror and smiles over her shoulder. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Eme murmurs. The red dress brings out red highlights in her hair that she didn’t know she had, and the black heels make her calves look sleek, but the shoes are not practical for the weather. “Are you sure I shouldn’t wear boots? It’s snowing.” She points to the window where flurries fall from the dark sky.

“It’s always snowing,” Val says, crossing her arms. “And the ceremony isn’t long.”

“My toes will freeze, Val.”

She smiles innocently. “Only a little.”

“Well,” Viola interrupts with a slap to her hip, “my job here is done. I’m going to go check on the food.”

Eme turns around and hugs the woman. “Thank you for your help.”

Viola pecks her on the cheek and says before leaving, “It was my pleasure.”

When she’s gone, Eme turns to Val and starts biting at her nails. She’s really going to do this. Mating is one thing, but standing up in front of others and promising vows is another. She didn't like doing public speaking when she was the alpha’s daughter, but now that she’s alpha, she’s just going to have to get used to it. The thought doesn’t make her any less nervous.

“None of that,” Val scolds. She crosses the room and rescues Eme’s nails from her mouth. “You’ll be fine.”

“I know, I know.” Eme’s heels click and clack as she begins pacing the room. “This just has my anxiety through the roof.”

“Don’t be anxious. Logan will treat you well, you know this.”

She turns to Val once more. “You think so?” She knows he will, but she’d rather not mention the stage fright. Not if she wants to be teased, and Val is the type to do just that.

Val crosses the room, stops Eme’s pacing, and grips her shoulders. “I know so. Now,”—she reaches around and spanks Eme—“Pick up your scarf and go downstairs.”

“Are all the wolves waiting?” Eme asks as she slips the black scarf over her shoulders. It goes perfectly with the dress but certainly isn’t for keeping the cold at bay. The material is too thin.

“They have been for fifteen minutes, sweetheart. Come on, let’s go.” She takes Eme’s hand, opens the door, and leads her out. They take each step down the stairs at a fast pace, a pace that matches her rapid heartbeat, and when they make it to the bottom, they round the corner. Lee, Draven, and Wayne are there, Wayne holding Val’s coat.

Val allows Wayne to help her slip her coat on, and then she says to the boys, “Sorry we’re late.”

“Women take forever,” Draven excuses with a wave of his hand. “I’ll go tell them to start the music. You two should probably head out there too,” he tells Val and Wayne.

“Right,” Wayne agrees. He takes Val’s hand, and they follow Draven out of the door.

Eme looks at her father. “Are you taking me down the aisle?”

Lee inclines his head. “As is our way.” He holds out a hand for Eme’s, and Eme slides her palm against her father’s. He grasps it tightly. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”

“You are?”

“I may not have liked how long you waited, but you held up the alliance with the pack, and you found someone you loved while you were at it. Nothing can make a father happier.”