-Everest-

To say today was the worst day would be an understatement.

As I tried to calm myself down in preparation for tonight's big introduction as Titus' wife and his new packs soon to be Luna, I couldn't help but feel jittery and nervous, and the echo of my brothers words haunted my every spare minute.

"Be careful."

The words became so real that I actually turned at the sound of them.

"Are you alright ma'am?"

"Huh?" I asked in an obvious daze.

Heidi gave me a strong look of concern, "your hand miss."

I looked down and noticed that I was bleeding, below me crushed glass littered the floor along with water.

"Shit, Heidi...I'm such a clutz."

"Please my lady, do not fret...it is only spilt water." She smiled before that same look of worry crossed her face. "That we can fix, but it's you I'm worried about my lady."

I shook my head, "it's just nerves about the presenting."

This time she shook her head, "In the short time I've had the honor of getting to know you my lady, and I've picked up quite a few things...one of them being that you have a natural confidence about you, as the daughter of an alpha...leading should be second nature."

I remained silent so she continued.

"If I may speak openly ma'am."

"Always Heidi." I smiled.

"I would wager that your family's presence has something to do with your current state."

Still I held my tongue as she had hit the nail on the head.

"I am not the daughter of an alpha, nor have I ever been anyone of power, BUT I knew a girl who realized her worth and utilized it to her advantage. She was new to this place, just like yourself, but she made the people love her simply by being herself...as for your family, well, your father should remember that he selected the worlds most infamous Alpha as his son in law...so it should go without saying that even family shouldn't think about going toe to toe with our very own Alpha Graystone."

"And why is that?" I asked anxiously getting caught up in her words.

"I'm sure you know the alpha in a way that no one else has known him, but let me assure you that he can lose his even mannered temper quite quickly, and for those of us who've known him longer, we know just what he's like when he's in an upset mood."

Her words reminded me of the blood stained collar from this morning and it made my insides flip.

It was so easy to forget that he is notorious for being a fearless alpha, especially when he was so gentle and romantic with me only the night before.

"You should shift momentarily, to heal your hand."

I nodded silently before shifting right there in the large sitting area. Heidi fetched a towel and collected all of the glass shards and soaked up as much water from the floor as she could, "when you return to your human form we will begin getting ready, you'll be glad to hear that Phyllis has been hard at work all day."

I shifted back immediately, "we both know fully well, that tonight can go two ways depending on Phyllis' aversion to me."

Heidi shrugged prettily, "she looked a little frazzled, so I'm thinking she's actually giving it her all too make tonight wonderful."

After that I let Heidi escort me to the restroom that acted as my dressing room, makeup counter, and hair salon.

First (after a quick bath) was makeup, Heidi focused on my eyes giving me a very smokey cat eye which she assured me would go well with the gown.

"Come to think of it, I haven't even seen what i'm actually wearing tonight." I put in.

Heidi bit her bottom lip. "I took some liberties and went ahead and selected tonight's look my lady, but of course if you wish to select your own garments...-"

"I trust your choice in evening wear will be just fine." I smiled softly, in truth I was glad knowing that Heidi felt comfortable enough to do something on her own without asking my permission first, it made me feel like I wasn't just the person she works for...like we were friends.

Heidi worked her magic once more to tame my normally wild mane of curls into a sleek low bun, she said it was to "emphasize my beauty."

And finally she walked out of my large closet with a black garment bag, she hung it on the back of the door and carefully unzipped it, out tumbled a regal dark grey gown, the fabric unfurling into its fullness like an exotic winter flower in bloom. It was lovely of course, the deep charcoal grey evening gown was feminine and romantic with its high neckline and full length sleeves. The entire bodice was covered in a sheer top overlay encrusted with a beaded lace applique and small diamond shaped embellishments. The floor length skirt was rather snug and slimming at the waist before it luxuriously flows out to give a gorgeous mermaid finish.

"Lovely." Heidi complimented softly upon helping me into the seductively classy dress.

"Heidi you've truly outdone yourself." I said as i took in my own image from the floor length mirror before I turned around and hugged her.

The hug must've taken her by surprise but she slowly returned the hug, "it's rather easy to polish something that's already beautiful My Lady, now don't dawdle about up here, if you'll remember, you're to meet with the packs guards before Titus introduces you to the rest of the pack. "And I'll see you down there as well, but I've still got to get ready." She smiled and winked before disappearing.

I nodded. She was right, I had completely forgotten the formalities of this evening of presenting.

Apparently the members of the pack who are seen as the most prestigious are the ones that get to meet the new Luna first, in my case, the Luna to be. But unlike some packs...Titus hadn't chosen the wealthiest Weres or the families with the longest Were bloodlines. Instead my clever husband chose his packs guard, the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect everyone else in the pack.

To him, they were the most important pack members.

And to me, they were my first hurdle to overcome tonight.