And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Chapter 209: Preparing for Drama

Twenty-four hours later and so much with preparations, I stood in front of the long mirror in the bedroom I had been staying in, checking out the sleek black dress I was wearing to tonight's event. My brother had tried multiple times to say that I couldn't come, but after much discussion with my mother, she had changed his mind.

It didn't matter what I was, I was still family.

There was no doubt in my mind that Ashley had convinced my brother that I was here to take everything from him. That I had come back now after so many years to try and destroy everything he had built. I mean, he was already convinced that I had tried to take Trixie from him, and that was far from the truth.

“Are you almost ready?" Finn's voice caught my attention and pulled me from the thoughts floating around in my mind all afternoon. Thoughts of what would transpire this evening at the gathering, thoughts of what Hale had planned. He hadn't kept me in the loop with it entirely, but if I knew my dad, he was going to have surprise guests joining tonight.

“Yeah," I replied with a soft smile as I turned to catch his gaze. My eyes scanned up and down his body with shock as I took in the attire he was wearing. “Did you raid my dad's closet?"

The three-piece navy blue suit he wore was paired with a light blue shirt and two-toned navy and silver tie; a great statement piece. Honestly, the last thing I had expected him to wear. Finn was a prince, yes, but his normal attire was more traditional than where he had come from.

“James lent me a suit," he replied, holding up his arms to admire the outfit. “Do you not like it? I thought I pulled it off well."

Chuckling softly, I stepped towards him, running my hand over the material as I stared up into his eyes. “I like it. Just never expected to see you in something like this."

“Well, if I'm going to fit in with the people around me, I should probably start dressing like them. At least for the time being."

“Touche." The smirk that crossed me as I glanced over Finn's shoulders to where Silas stood looking over a sheet of parchment drew my curiosity. “Everything okay, Silas?"

His eyes quickly glanced up to meet mine with a look of concern. “Yeah, everything is fine. I was just checking a few things out for your mother."

To know that my mother had gone to Silas for information piqued my curiosity. It was obvious by the way Silas quickly shoved the paper into his pocket. He didn't plan on sharing it with me right now, but at the end of the day, he wouldn't be able to hide it from me forever.

“Okay…"

The tension in the room grew as I turned away from Finn, and Silas and continued getting ready. The black heels I was wearing tonight were simple, and the decision to not wear jewelry made me feel more confident in my attire. I didn't want to come off as being flashy, even if I was royalty. All I wanted to do is get to the bottom of what was going on before I had to leave.

That way I would leave knowing my family was safe and the future would be protected. There was no telling when I would ever get to come back. The next time I could potentially see them would be when they arrive at the gates of Asgard… though that was something I didn't want any time soon.

Regardless of what people may have thought about me when I was growing up, I cared about my family greatly. I would do anything for them, and tonight was going to prove that. My brother and I hadn't been close in quite some time, and no matter the hatred he may have felt for me, I couldn't let someone control him like they were.

that was allowed to

said, breaking the silence between

stay

back of my mind caught my attention and stopped me in my tracks. I had never felt

I asked it

Be the light your people need. Don't hide from your destiny, embrace it

Anna and, knowing

asked, my eyes lifting to meet his

everything is perfect. Shall we go meet

in a long time, he smiled at me. The warmth of that smile traveled over my skin and right to my heart. “You look

first time I'd been attending something with the two of them, and in that moment,

it were Silas or Finn. I wished he had been able to attend, but it wasn't like we knew this was going to happen. All of this was the last thing that we had expected to happen, but I was glad I had Silas and Finn

back door opened and Sam stepped out with a straight face. It was clear that before going in, my brother had sent him to set ground rules and

that whatever he

told to come talk to you

could see they weren't pleased with being stopped before going in, but they also knew better than to intervene when it wasn't needed. “Okay, well,

unless spoken to, and to stay away from the guests unless they address you. You're also not allowed to tell anyone

me?! Bad behavior?! I

Cassie. Remember who you

the anger that threatened to expose itself. “I see.

grew on Sam's face, hearing me oblige to the requests that were made. “Awesome. Why don't

though, Sam. I will not lie if I am asked a direct question. So it's best that my brother keeps the

say something, perhaps plead

*********

having enjoyed dinner with those sitting around the table, I could still feel the glare of my brother's stare upon my skin. He wasn't happy that I was here nor was he happy that I said hello to Trixie and my niece the moment I came into the home. They were family, and no matter how much he may have wanted me to

didn't recognize, but one face in particular I knew made Trixie very uncomfortable. Ashley sat to the side of some young pack leader from the west

doubted that,

the way she kept looking at my brother with fluttering lashes and pouty lips didn't speak to a girl who had actually met her

are hoping to have a pup soon if the stars align," Alpha Carlos replied as he looked at Ashley. “Aren't