Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,134

that drama was a good influence for them, so wanted to make sure the arts had as much of a chance as the sports. I didn't name names, Trent." Henry's smile turned fond. "I know how much acting meant to you when you were that age. Believe it or not, I listened."

Then the lights began to dim. They didn't immediately go out, but those who were still standing and talking moved for their seats and the noise of the audience dimmed to a buzz. Then, a man in a suit - Mr. Bell - walked onto the stage holding a microphone.

"Good evening," he said to the audience. "Tonight is the first official performance of this year's long play. These students have been learning their lines and improving their acting for months now. To show appreciation, we ask that the crowd remain quiet during the scenes. Calls of encouragement to one student could distract another, ruining their night. Applause is acceptable at the breaks." He paused and stepped back, gesturing to the curtain. "And now, I present to you, Alice in Wonderland!"

Naturally, we all clapped even as the lights dimmed the rest of the way. The curtains began to pull back, the spotlights turned on, and the breath fell from my lungs. The stage was magical. Yes, it was all hand-painted plywood and tricks of lighting, but it was so much better than Gabby's last school. Then Samantha walked onto the stage and I forgot to think of anything else.

The girl was Black with natural hair that fell behind her in tight ringlets. She didn't look like the typical Alice, but Samantha also didn't try. She wore a dress, but it wasn't the pastel blue with a white apron we'd all learned from the Disney movie. Hers was pink and yellow and fell to the middle of her calves, more appropriate for the time period this was supposed to be set in.

And Samantha could act. A smile broke out on my face. A moment later, Ian's hand slipped into mine. Lane moved his to my knee, and I didn't think anything of it. I no longer had anything to be ashamed of this was us, watching our pups have their big day, and it felt right to do it together.

When Gabby finally came onto the stage, she looked like a psychedelic tiger. Her dark hair had been streaked with colors. Her face was painted orange and white, but her stripes? They were in all the shades of the rainbow. She wore nothing but a spandex bodysuit - painted to give her stripes - with mittens shaped like paws and slippers that matched.

"Wait for it," Nik said behind us.

Because when Gabby acted, she was a cat. Ok, a tiger, but still. Her arrogance was real. Her pride was almost palpable, yet she was friendly, curious, and somehow a little mysterious. Then came the best part: the moment she disappeared.

The spotlight on her changed color, and all of those stripes seemed to glow. The orange of her skin turned black. One more change of the light, and my daughter became nothing more than a shadow made of UV reactive stripes. As the spotlight dimmed, so did her glow, until she slipped behind a prop and was simply, completely, and totally gone from sight.

In the balcony, someone clapped at the effect before being hushed, but the play continued. It was good. They were good! When the final act was done and the curtains closed, I wasn't the only one jumping to my feet to give the kids a standing ovation. A glance down my row of seats showed Trent beaming proudly.

The kids came out for one last row of bows, but the lights were growing brighter, letting them see just how full this auditorium was. Gabby and Sam were in the middle. The girls clasped hands with each other and the actors on the other side, and then the whole line of them bowed.

"That's my girls!" Roman bellowed from behind us.

"Best Alice ever!" Olivia screamed.

"Best cat!" Nik added, making Gabby look up with a grin, proving she'd heard it.

Then it was over except for the shuffling out. I turned to Ian, about to ask him if he'd mind me sneaking around back. Instead, I caught Jax reaching over for Ashley's hand.

"So, about that date?" he asked. "Maybe the group of us could buy you dinner?"

"Of course," Ashley said. "We just have to make it out of here."

Then Trent reached around Ian. "Hey, I think