Brenna
Lightning crashed outside the sliding glass doors. The flash illuminated the room. I jumped with a start out of a sound sleep and looked out. It was pouring outside. But when I looked over at the clock, my eyes opened wide, fully awake. It was two o’clock in the afternoon. I had slept all morning. It must have been the darkness of the storm that had kept me sleeping, or maybe I was just that tired.
I pulled myself out of bed and headed toward the shower, knowing that Asana and her crew would arrive at any time. In fact, I was surprised they weren’t already here.
I ran the bathwater, needing to shave and clean up. Also, my muscles were sore, even though wolves rarely grew tired or became sore. It was the first good night’s sleep I’d had in days, but it seemed longer.
After I stripped down, I sank into the hot water, relishing the moment. I closed my eyes and leaned back into the water… just as there was a knock on the door.
“You have got to be kidding me!” I said aloud. “Who is it?”
“It’s Asana!” she sang. “We’re here for your makeover!”
“Could you give me a half hour? I’m in the tub!”
“Perfect!” The door opened and she peeked her head in.
“Get out!” I yelled, pulling a towel over myself in the bathwater. “I just got in here!”
Asana chuckled, giving me a grandmotherly smile, even though she didn’t look a day over twenty-five. “Okay, dear. We’ll set up in the salon while you bathe.” Then she left, closing the door behind her.
“Salon?”
“Chop, chop!” Asana yelled on the other side of the door. “The princess will be out momentarily!” Then the door opened again. “Be sure to shave while—”
“Get! Out!” I balled up another towel within reach and hurled it at her. It hit the door just as she closed it behind her.
If I had hoped to have a nice, relaxing day, that thought completely disappeared from my mind. Instead of soaking, I bathed and brushed my teeth with a new toothbrush and toothpaste that had obviously been brought in by Asana and the crew when they came with my clothes the night before. In fact, they had probably brought in the shampoo, brushes, and a hair dryer, too.
I slipped into the robe hanging behind the door, wrapped my hair in a towel, and paused at the door. I let out a deep breath, enjoying a moment to myself, knowing I was about to walk into a whirlwind.
“There she is!” Asana chirped when I walked out. “Right this way, darling.” I followed her through the condominium past my bedroom on the right to an open door on the left. When I walked in, my jaw nearly hit the floor. There was a whole styling station with a manicure table and more. The nail tech was set up, along with the hairdresser. “Have a seat, dear.”
Heidi held the chair for me while I sat, pushing a strand of her red hair over her shoulder.
“Wow! This is incredible!” My eyes left Heidi’s eyes and then traveled around the room, taking everything in.
Asana froze, looking at me as if I were the last crazy person on Earth. “Did you not have a styling team at your palace?”
I shook my head. “No, not like this. There was a hairdresser that came when I needed a haircut or I went to her downstairs, but that was about it.”
“Well, darling.” Asana patted my arm, busting trying to contain her excitement. “Just sit back, relax, and let us pamper you. Also, Adan said that he wanted us to make regular appointments with you, so you’d better start getting used to it.”
“Thank you.”
“Well! Enough of that.” She clapped her hands, gaining everyone’s attention. “Everyone! You know what to do and what Adan likes, so get to it!”
“Wait,” I said, leaning forward. “Aren’t you going to ask me what I want?”
Asana tilted her head to the side, looking at me as if it were a novel idea. “Why, of course, dear.” She lifted her arms as she turned to everyone. “You heard the princess! Before you do anything, discuss it with her first!”
“Aye!” everyone said in unison, reminding me of warriors in the practice ring.
I had always been more of an outdoor girl than an indoor girl. Although I liked pretty, frilly things, I was never obsessed with them and rarely wore makeup. But I had a feeling that was about to change.
Asana leaned in close, placing her hand on my chair. “Now that you’re a lady, you’ll need to keep regular appointments. Men like it when we take care of ourselves... look good for them. Also, it’s pampering for you. Alpha Adan wants you to have the very best, and that’s what we intend to give you.”
I nodded. “I understand, but I just want a say in what concerns me.” After all, I wasn’t some kind of doll they could play Dress-Up Barbie with.
Asana nodded, smiling. “Fair enough.” She moved away, looking around the room, holding her head high. “Now!” She clasped her hands as a huge smile spread across her face. “We’ll show you some clothes while you’re getting your makeover. Just nod to the ones you like, and I’ll veto the ones I know won’t look good on you. Okay?”
I nodded as a sweet smile lit my lips, tempted to choose one of the outfits she vetoed just to aggravate her. But I pushed the thought aside, knowing she only had my best interests at heart.
“Ember, will you be a doll and help Paige?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ember rose from her chair behind the manicuring table and followed Paige out.
“So, what would you like?” Heidi asked behind the chair as she fiddled with my hair, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror.
I shrugged. “Whatever you think, but I like it long.”
“Don’t worry, dear.” Asana touched my arm, gaining my attention. “If you wanted to cut it, I would have to talk you out of it because Adan—”
“Likes long hair,” I finished.
A broad smile spread across her lips. “How did you know?”
I shrugged. “Lucky guess.”
I was going to have to stop teasing her. Asana had no clue, and I know she only wanted what was best for me... and Adan. I was sure Asana knew his taste and didn’t want to go against him. After all, he was the one who signed her paychecks, and she had probably known him for years.
Just then, Paige and Ember began parading through, holding up gowns, and I either nodded or shook my head. They set the ones I liked off to the side. The ones I didn’t like, they took out.
I was surprised to see that Asana and I had similar tastes. The outfits and dresses she vetoed, I wouldn’t have worn to a battle, let alone walk around the castle in it.
Before long, I had a whole wardrobe to try on, consisting of evening gowns and short dresses. There were also workout clothes comprised of spandex and leather jeans and tank tops, leather jackets, a long, red formal coat, and a white one. That wasn’t even including the lingerie and casual wear. By the time they were finished, I was buffed and polished and felt like a queen.
When she had nearly finished my hair, Heidi turned me away from the mirror. “I want you to be surprised.” She continued, enjoying her work a bit too much.
“May I suggest this one?” Asana asked, holding up a fitted beige dress with a strap over the breasts that created a geometric cutout on my chest. It was fitted at the waist and hips and was fingertip length.
I nodded. “It’s gorgeous. I just hope it looks as good on. It’s not something I would usually choose for myself.”
“Trust me, darling,” she said, shoving the dress into my hands, still on the hanger. “It’ll look fabulous on you.” Then she gave me a matching beige bra and silk panties.
“Are you sure it’s not too over the top?”
She slid her arm in mine, leading me toward the dressing room to the right. “Darling, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.”
I laughed.
“No, if you don’t like it, tell me, and I’ll bring you another,” she said, her expression suddenly serious. “But trust me. You’re going to look great.” She let out a deep breath. “Brenna, whether you know it or not, you’re a beautiful woman. And as such, you’ll have to get used to attracting attention.”
I laughed. Yeah, that’ll be the day!