Our daughter, Jupiter, is cradled in Lilah’s other arm. She looks like her mother, by the shape of her face, but she has my silver eyes and light blonde hair.
I give my mate a quick once-over, making sure her costume is on point. Her brown hair is down in long waves over her shoulders. She has on a headband with lacy pointed ears on it. Her pants are black and skintight. Her top is molded to her chest but that part only covers her breasts. The area above and below it is sheer black lace. Long, black, lacy sleeves connect to wings, making her look like the most gorgeous bat that ever lived. And I can’t forget the black stilettos she paired with it.
“I still can’t believe this is what you chose to go as. A bat of all things.” I wanted her to dress as something else that would complete my look. Alas, Lilah couldn’t be swayed.
“I’m not going to the party to win any contest. I’m going to get the hell out of the house and hand this baby off to someone else to watch for the evening while I have a good time, which may or may not include pulling you into one of the spare rooms and having my wicked way with you.”
“When you put it like that, I don’t care what you wear. I’m still in it to win it, though. I want the title. I want to be the best.”
“Your competitive streak is only matched by the others in your bloodline.”
“Okay, now we really have to go. I have to see what Ford dressed as. Are you ready, Jupiter?” I ask as I look down at her.
Jupiter is still so small. We didn’t want to put anything elaborate on her. We wanted something she would feel comfortable in. So, while it’s not the most original costume, she is just the cutest dressed up like a big, round pumpkin with a stem for a hat.
I put my arm around Lilah’s waist and use my free hand to snap and teleport us to the outside of the Avynwood Pack House. The home is enormous. It has to be to hold the entire pack, their mates, and their children. Grey stone makes up the exterior of the three-story home. It’s as long as multiple homes put together. We’re standing in the middle of the semicircle drive. Before us are the large, emerald double doors that are the main entrance to the house.
This is it. I finally get to reveal my hard work.
“I’m so excited,” I say in a high-pitched tone. I hope my costume is original enough. I’m not sure if it is. I took a leap here. Lilah went for sexy. Jupiter is cute. And I’m, well, hopefully the freaking winner.
We open the front door and step into the entryway of the home. The beige marble floor sparkles as the light from the large crystal chandelier above bounces off it. It must have just been polished. Lealla likes to keep the home clean, even if it will be destroyed at some point tonight. Luckily, there will be multiple members of the fae here to easily use their magic to fix things.
“I’m not here to be your personal cleanup crew,” Lilah says in my mind.
“I know you’re not, kitten, but you have to admit it’s a handy ability to have around me.”
“That it is. If you could only stay out of trouble for a day or even an hour. What a novelty that would be.”
“Is that sarcasm I hear in your tone?”
Lilah chuckles in my mind. “As if I have to tell you.”
“I’m not sure I like it. I’m going to have to find my friends and leave you here with the others. You’ll miss my gorgeous body.”
“There’s a hardship, especially when you look like you do.”
“Okay, you have a point there. I can see how this particular costume wouldn’t turn you on. In fact, I hope to fate it doesn’t or we’re going to need to have words.”
“Oh. My. Vampires!” Ariane’s voice rings out in the home.
I glance up and see her coming down the stairs. I have to do a double take. Ari is dressed just like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I only know the movie so well because of the times we’ve babysat her four-year-old adopted daughter, Phoenix. We’ve watched it on repeat. And not once have we minded. That poor girl missed out on a lot before she came to live with Ari and Rion. I’ll give her whatever she wants.
Ari’s jet-black hair is pulled up with some of it still hanging down to frame her face. She’s beautiful in a golden ball gown, complete with matching gloves that come up her arms. And behind her is her mate. Orion Raines is one sexy male. You’d have to be blind not to see how gorgeous they are together.
Rion’s wearing a navy suit with gold lapels. The jacket has tails that go down the backs of his legs. There’s a white ruffled shirt over the expanse of his chest.
“I approve.” I smile. “You both look stunning.”
Ari gets to the bottom of the stairs and smiles. “It was all Phoenix’s idea. Since this is her first Halloween with us, we told her she gets to pick what we wear. My mom made this from scratch.” Ari twirls and the dress puffs out from her waist. “Can you believe it? I may wear this all week.”
Rion steps up behind his mate and wraps his arms around her. He hums quietly, “I’d like that, little mouse. You’re breathtaking.” Then he lifts his eyes to mine. “But you, Sol, I’m not sure what to say.” He chuckles.
“Just say I’m fabulous and we’ll be good.”
Ari looks me over from head to toe. “I think you nailed the look. Does he know you dressed like this?”
“Absolutely not. I’ve kept my mind block up at all times and only spoke of what I’m wearing in the rooms that are soundproof.”
“What in the fate is that?” I hear my brother yell behind me. I spin and grin so freaking wide I’m surprised my face doesn’t split in two. “You can’t be serious, brother!”
“Oh, but I am.” I shove my hands in the pockets of my coat, rock back on my heels, and wait for him to do a full lap around me.
“You’re unbelievable!”
“I know! I’m glad you finally recognize it.” I can’t help it. After all the costume ideas that floated in and out of my head, this one stuck. We were told to be original. Couldn’t use magic and none of the shifters are allowed to shift and be their animals. But this I could easily do.
“Is that my coat?” Ford asks, still gaping at me.
“Nope. That thing wouldn’t fit me. I’m more muscular than you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Just admit it, brother. I look better than you do in this.”
Sienna steps forward and busts out laughing. “That’s freaking fantastic!” She pulls her phone out of the breast of her Victorian dress. “I have to get a picture of this.”
I keep my hands in the pockets and put on the famous Verascue smirk.
“Perfect!” she smiles.
That’s right. I dressed as my brother for Halloween. I even went to the son of the man who custom-made Ford’s trench coat in Italy so I could get the same material and same exact style. Of course, the male who made my brother’s is retired, but his son made a perfect replica with my measurements. Then all I needed to do was find a pair of black boots like Ford’s, a pair of jeans, which I haphazardly tucked into the boots, and a black T-shirt. Oh, and I used some wash-in dye to get my light blond hair to match my brother’s brown hair. After a few washes it will be gone. I didn’t have to find contacts to alter my eye color. Ford and I have the same grey eyes. I hope this costume is enough to get me the win.