Untamed (Rejected Mate Academy #1) - E. M. Moore Page 0,69

if I’m okay. I tell him I’m fine, then bring up the group conversation with my parents. I text them that I love them, then sit there with the phone in my hands, my heart catapulting around in my chest. Maybe I don’t want the DNA test because I’m scared of what it will show. Mom and Dad have been acting strangely ever since I got here. My mother freaking out and telling me not to befriend anyone; my father being cryptic. I’m missing something, and that scares the shit out of me.

Maybe my parents haven’t ended the rumors with a test before because they knew it would make my situation worse.

The thought curdles my stomach and makes me hate myself at the same time. My mom and dad love each other. That much is abundantly clear. They’re true fated mates.

I groan. This is ridiculous. All these confusing thoughts are coming up because my pack put them in my head. If I go with what I always believed—in the special connection I feel between my parents—then I know I’m theirs.

Whether I make it back to Lunar or not, one thing is for sure: I won’t easily become just another member. There are too many non-conforming ideas in my head that go against traditional pack beliefs.

However, my independence won’t break the bond between Jonah and me. That’s never going anywhere.

22

Mrs. Graves decides we need an emergency meeting before the dinner at the alpha’s. Not only does she drill me on every little etiquette bullshit known to man during class, but she comes to my room to help me get ready.

It feels like it’s my wedding day or some shit. Mia can’t come over because Mrs. Graves thinks she’ll distract me from tonight’s true purpose. My etiquette instructor even sets the tone by putting on classical music and sitting ramrod straight at my desk chair. She’s too prim and proper for this room. Her elegant perfume swirls around the space like we’re in a French parfum parlor instead of Rejected Mate Academy. Even her dresses are too tasteful. I swear she owns dozens of floral prints of all cuts, and she hasn’t worn the same one twice that I’ve noticed.

“When you’re ready, dear,” she calls out. I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror and gulp down breaths. I don’t even recognize myself. My hair is clipped into a sweeping updo, the hairstyle showing off the curve of my neck and the exquisite dress I’m wearing. It’s a tight, yet sophisticated dark slate color that hugs my body until it ends just above the knee.

I feel like a model.

Opening the door, I wait until Mrs. Graves gazes up. “Are you sure this is okay?”

Her answering grin tells me all I need to know. “Oh yes.” She gets to her feet and circles me. There’s not a ton of space to do that in this room, but she makes it work without falling on her face. “You look amazing. Dinner parties at houses of the alpha are all about showing off how fashionable you are in a classic way. This makes you appear older, more experienced, knowledgeable. According to your file, this is exactly the impression you need to make. We have to get them to see that you’ll be an asset to the pack when you return.”

My stomach churns. She’s right about that. I have Jonah on my side. Now all I have to do is woo them. Should be easy, right?

I kind of want to throw up.

She returns to the bed and starts going through the bag she brought with her. Bringing out a box, she says, “I bought you these cute boots with a tiny heel since we didn’t get the chance to practice walking in heels yet. With the parties you’re getting invited to, I’m going to move that up in the curriculum.”

After she hands the boots to me, I sit on my bed and put them on. They have cute, decorative zippers up the side that end at the ankle. I stand, and Mrs. Graves tells me to walk around the room. I take a quick turn, and honestly, they’re not bad. I peer at her for approval, and she nods. “Phew,” I tell her. “I was worried.”

“Never show your nerves, pup. Fake it ‘til you make it.” She moves closer and brushes an imaginary hair up over my head. This hairstyle is clipped so tightly, there’s no way anything is coming out of it. I guarantee