Chapter 48

Sydney's POV I pressed my lips together, fighting the urge to let out a groan as Grace hovered over me, fussing with what she called the "final touches" to my makeup. She’d been perfecting those "final touches" for over an hour, as if she was preparing me for mating ceremony rather than a pack elder’s birthday. “Grace…” I finally muttered, unable to endure another brush stroke. “What could you possibly be doing now?” "Finishing touches." "Finishing touches." “Relax, Sydney. Didn’t you say you wanted to show up late? I’m just making good use of your tardiness,” she teased, reaching for another brush. “Yeah, but now I’m way too late. I bet the party’s almost over.” The invitation from Elder Doris had insisted on punctuality, but I was now three hours behind. My wolf, Aria, was already restless from sitting so long, and I shifted on the cushioned stool. "You're taking so long on this makeup, I don't want it to be heavy. What if it rains?" "It isn't heavy and it won't rain," she muttered.