Betrayed from Birth – Alpha’s Unvalued Daughter
Chapter 154

Cheryl's

POV

I stared into the mirror and started moving around, lifting my hand, and making a funny expression, and the reflection did too. I cannot get over the fact that it is me staring back. I am amazed at who I see looking back at me. She is a siren, an alluring beauty, and that makes me want to get dolled up every day. I look gorgeous and confident and not at all like my normal self. This woman staring back at me will not accept being put down. This woman knows her worth, and that she should be valued and treasured. She will not accept any less than that anymore. I instantly decide that after today, I will remind myself that she is in there all the time. I will not allow Blake to tear me back down again. She IS me, I just forgot to take care of her. That won't be happening again, I have bowed down for too long to keep the peace and have a happy home. I decided to always do what Blake wanted to achieve a peaceful home life for my family, and myself.

I have never considered myself to be a beauty. I was mildly attractive, but not beautiful. I wasn't a vain person, but looking at myself in the mirror, I wanted to look like this again. I am so happy that Anton will get to see me looking my best like this tonight. It is not for every day, but as I was getting made up, the makeup artist was telling me that she could help me learn the basics, during her downtime. I was thankful for the offer because all I really had done before was me wearing occasional lipstick or lip gloss. As a mother of 4 children, I didn't put a lot into my appearance, as I was focused on my children and our home. I didn't allow others to come in there and took care of everything myself inside our apartment. I cooked, cleaned, and made sure our home was neat as a pin for Blake, and the kids. I tried to be the best mother, and Luna that I could be, and I clearly wasn't successful at it.

Two of my children were driven by what they wanted to buy. My oldest child didn't want to even pretend that he cared for me, despite what his father promised to get him for coming and pretending. Forest already knew that Blake would get him whatever he wanted anyway, with a little pleading and begging to get it. It hurt that I wasn't worth his precious time. My daughter Casey was willing to do it for a price still, but she was young, I know it is a matter of time before she decided it wasn't worth coming here either. Blake didn't know I was aware of it, but I know her. She is spoiled, and I can see from her attitude that she is another Reagan in training, she is almost there, and there is nothing that I can do to prevent it. It is too late to stop it, having the extra funds poisoned my family. I will see if Robert wants to come and stay with me, or if he wants to stay with his father, on the next trip here. Blake will try to block it, so I will have to speak to Brandon and Raven before I even suggest it. I do not want to cause issues between our packs. Plus, if the near future goes how I want it to, Blake may only return alone, to accept my rejection. He will want to hurt me as much as possible, so I cannot ask for Robert if I wanted him to come here. I would never see him again if I did ask. I already know that Blake's answer would be for me to come back to Black Moon if I wanted to see Robert again. I will need to wait for a visit from them all, and then ask Robert while he is here if he wanted to stay here with me and Kevin. I need to get a plan in place. I will reach out to the council to see what I can do, but with Blake being an Alpha, I don't know if they would allow me to take him. He is a younger child, and it might work out in my favor because of that, as Forest is going to be Alpha, but I don't know. I do know that Blake will try to keep me from getting him no matter what because he is a jerk. Blake will not make it easy for me no matter what.

I wonder how far he will get with the betrayal pains. He sure seemed to think I was making a big deal out of it when I complained to him about it. I made a mental note to turn my phone off tonight. because I know for a fact that he will try to call me when he gets a taste of what he has done to me too many times to count. He made good use of his 5 girlfriends. He honestly thought that I had cheated on him. Even though he never felt the pain, he always downplayed my pain from it, mocking me for being weak. He acted like it was no big deal, that if I were stronger I could take it. Well, I only hope that when he does feel it, he understands the true level of pain, hurt, and sadness that he caused me.

I was glad that Raven got me refocused as I really was going to cry for a minute there. I hugged each one of the ladies and they all told me that they wished me well on my date. The technician and the makeup lady both winked at me. They knew that this was all in an effort to put my best foot forward and I know that they were hoping for the best.

I went to pay, but they stopped me and said, "Luna Raven already paid for all three of you. We hope you have a great night." I could see by the encouraging smiles they gave me, they knew that my date may not be able to resist me.

We left the salon and headed back up to go back to my room for me to get changed. I heard, "Mom?" come from the dining room and I stopped and turned to see Kevin with his friends, and they were all surprised at my new look. Kevin ran up to me and said, "Mom you look beautiful. Take a picture with me?" I nodded, and he raised his phone and snapped a quick shot of us. He looked at it and then gave me a smile and said, "You are always beautiful to me Mom, but you look even more so tonight. Have a good date." I had to fan my face because he was going to make me cry, and I knew that was going to ruin my makeup. He has been my saving grace for the last several years, and he is always so sweet to me. I did very well with him and Robert. I waved to the group, and we headed up to my room. I knew that they were going to stay with me until I was dressed. They were both invested in it now.

I wanted pictures after I was dressed and ready for the night. I was going to give them my phone to use to do it, as I wanted to remember this night for a long time to come. We headed up and I asked Raven, "Where did you put Anton?" I was curious as I didn't want to accidentally run into him, and spoil the total effect of when he gets to see me. I wanted to be completely ready for our date when that happened.

"He got here about 20 minutes ago. He is already dressed, and in Brandon's office right now waiting for 6 pm. I had him put his bag in your room" Raven said and then gave me a smirk and then continued, "Look, I am not encouraging you to go further than you want to. Only you know where you are right now, and if you are truly ready to move forward. But I wanted to tell you that Anton is a good man. I have never seen him dating, and he is how you have seen him, always kind, helpful, and charming. He and his brother Alexei are both excellent men. The women who get to be with them, are completely lucky. You already have his heart, you might as well allow him into yours. I know you blocked it, to try to protect it from being hurt again, but some people are worth the risk. Anton is one of them, just see where the night takes you. If you change your mind and don't want him to spend the night, I had the room right next to yours prepared for him. I was taking a chance on guessing that even if you don't move to the next level, maybe just getting an opportunity to snuggle together will be enough for now."

That was my thinking too, but I was glad for the makeup covering my blush. Unfortunately, it reached my ears, and they both laughed. "Honey, do not be embarrassed, Anton is a very attractive man. Just take it at your speed and see what happens with it. You are both grown adults. Both Raven and I think that you deserve to be treated way better than you have been. We both can tell that Anton is the man who loves and wants to take care of you. You need to give him the chance to do it. I have never seen a more patient man in my life. I guess because they are immortal, he has more time than we do, but I know that he is going to treat you like a queen, his queen. He was just waiting on you to give him a sign. Apparently, you finally gave him the go-ahead today, because he was ready to go the second you were" Stella tells me and Raven nods in agreement.

I see arms wrap around Stella's waist and then Truett gives her a kiss before asking, "Who is attractive? Me right? Is it me, babe? Because I am sure that you do not have a reason to be checking out other men." Truett kisses her mark and she gives a shiver before she leans back into him humming her approval of what he is doing. "You know I only love you, True. But I am not blind, I can see a good-looking man and be able to acknowledge it. You are safe, I know you have noticed attractive she-wolves before." Stella replies. "Yes, I am seeing one now, Cheryl, you look gorgeous. I hope you have a great date night," Truett said and winked at me. Stella gave him a playful growl at him complimenting me. But she turned in his arms and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, as the elevator doors opened for us to go up to my room.

"You ready for dinner, babe?" Truett asked.

"I will be in 20 minutes. I was going to help Cheryl out with the last of it, and then I will meet you back here around 6. I just wanted to get pictures of her all dressed up" Stella said and gave him another quick kiss and followed us into the elevator. "Ok, I will just wait for you here, then," Truett said and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and turned as the doors shut behind him. He was clearly willing to wait for her, however long it took.

Stella had a big smile on her face, and the love she had for him is clear. It saddens me that I threw my first mate away like I did, trying to see if Brandon would be my second chance mate. My obsession with him, and my dad wanting me to be the Luna here forced me into that. Dad said that a warrior "was not a high enough rank for a Gamma's daughter." Would I have had the same special relationship with my true mate if I had fully accepted him? If I ignored what my father told me, and just did what my heart was telling me to do? I would have skipped all this drama, but I know I would not have escaped my father.

He was still the Gamma here at the time. I am sure he would have punished both of us for me not following his instructions. I do not know that it would have worked out for me, or him if I had. If the punishment was too severe, it might have made my mate resent me and leave me. Dad would have been ruthless about it, I already know. My father was hyper-focused on me taking over the pack with Brandon. He didn't leave any room for what I wanted, or needed. It saddens me that my whole life was taken over by others, and I was controlled by men my whole life. I only got out from under my father's rule when Blake took me over from Dad. The only time that I have had any freedom at all, has been this last year since I returned to Black Adder. Even then it has not been complete freedom. I was not able to leave here, as Blake has taken up positions to try to get me back if I were to leave, but this has still been more freedom than I have ever been afforded before.

We arrived at my room and I was glad I had shaved my legs this morning. That is one less thing to do. I wanted to grab a quick shower, but I knew that I would mess up my makeup and hair if I did. I will leave it alone, as I honestly didn't expect him to just lose control over seeing me and have to take me now. I will be fresh for bed, as I will need a shower and to get my makeup off. I had a little bag with me. It had a bunch of makeup-removing pads and a bottle of makeup remover for me. My new mascara, and two tubes of lipstick. I was surprised at the lipsticks as I didn't pick any out just yet. I was going to go back tomorrow and get a few things for myself, as I realized that my improved confidence was directly related to what I was seeing in the mirror tonight. I wanted to see this new and improved Cheryl more often, not quite this glammed up. Just me being more attentive to my appearance and in turn allowing myself to become a confident woman.

I know it wasn't just the makeup. Akayla was also happier, and stronger, which helped as well. "Yes, we look gorgeous. I like him and I would like to see where this is going to go between us. Plus, I would like him to run his fingers through my coat again, soon. Not necessarily tonight, but soon, OK?" Akayla piped up in my mind through the link. I have to smile as I remember her being so happy as he tried to calm us down as he stroked her coat. He was letting us both know that he was good. I just felt bad that he had frozen like that because he knew what I was thinking. The memory brings a smile to my face and laughter brings me out of my daydream.

"OK, now that you are back with us, which shoes?" Stella said and she is holding up two pairs of shoes. Goddess, I do not know if I can even wear them. I have always worn a wedge, never a heel like this, and they are both either 3 or 4 inches high. How am I supposed to walk in them? They are both pretty, one is a black pair with a strip across the toe area, and a high clasp above my ankle. The second pair was silver and more delicate, and I loved them already, but I just don't know how I was going to walk in them. "OK, the silver it is" Raven announced and put them on the floor in front of the dress. I looked at her in surprise at how she did that, and I guess I was looking at them longer than I did the other pair. They were both cute, and I guess I am lucky for them being the same shoe size as me. We are all tall, They are both 5'11" and I am 5'10", and we all wear the same size shoe. It was lucky I was about the same size as them. I could only take a little of my clothes, as I could only fit a few things into my backpack before I left. I didn't want anyone to notice it was bulky, so I rolled up my t-shirts and had the one pair of jeans I escaped. Raven gave me a pair of hers and those were the nice ones that I kind of destroyed today when I phased at the fight. I didn't want to destroy them, but I was scared for Anton. I was just waiting on a time when I could go to the store and shop for both me and Kevin. I never thought that Blake would be lying in wait for me after a year passed by. He should move on. I have told him so many times that he needed to let me go. That he needed to accept my rejection and pick someone else to be his Luna. He refuses to do it. I guess my being the only one to reject him, to leave him, has hurt his pride, and he refuses to let me go.

I went into the bathroom and changed clothes. The dress slid over me like a silken caress. I cannot stop looking at my reflection, I looked like a model, and the dress put me over the top. I turned and looked at the back, and my haircut has me exposed, but I have to admit, I looked really good right now. I almost wanted to give a joyful scream of excitement, but I held it in. I am trying to maintain my calm, but I cannot stop the smile that is plastered on my face. I have never looked this good. Even for my Luna ceremony. I didn't even have this nice of a dress. I was pregnant and Blake didn't want me to leave the pack. Someone else picked it out, and it swallowed me whole. Even with me being pregnant, it looked way larger than I was. I looked terrible, but I was just so happy to be officially Luna and bound to Blake. So either a jealous hater or a man who just didn't care or know what size he needed to get was the one to pick it out for me. Regardless, no one cared, including Blake, or it would have been done right.

My thankfulness for Raven, and Stella kicked in as they have been nothing but kind and supportive of me. They had taken care of me at every turn through the last year. There to comfort me, and never asking me to tell them why I was upset, or crying. Just being there for me as I worked through it all. I was glad they had someone who would come out periodically for us to speak to, and that has been a real help to me. Knowing that whatever I told them was confidential allowed me to tell the whole story, and work through a great many issues. I am trying to fight off the tears and I can hear the both of them out there wanting to see me. I opened the door and stepped out. They were both stunned at seeing me. They knew I looked good, but this beautiful dress put me over the edge. I am sure with the shoes on the full effect would be amazing.

A knock sounded at the door and Raven went over to answer it. I could see her assistant in the hallway with three warriors behind her, they all came in and headed straight for my closet. I saw about 20 bags between them, and I was frowning because I didn't know what was going on. I thanked them all as they turned, and left the room with a nod to me. I looked at Raven and Stella for an explanation.

"You needed some things, and I got them for you. I thought that we would have been able to go shopping before now, but that didn't happen. So I just went ahead and had my assistant pick it up for you. There is some stuff for Kevin in there too. So don't worry about it. I already know that after tonight, you really won't be able to leave the pack as Blake is going to lose his mind when he sees you. I am sorry, but I am going to have to get a picture of you when you get the shoes on, it just completes the look" Raven told me. "I don't know if we need to push him, Raven. I don't want him to lose it and try to attack or hurt someone here over me. I wouldn't be able to get past the guilt of it. I also want him to realize what he lost too. I realize now that it is just guilt and pride motivating him. His guilt over what he did to me all these years, and his pride took a big hit at my leaving him. That is what his main issue is, not the fact that he actually loves me and wants me back. His words and actions are different. I know now to watch what he is doing, rather than listening to him saying all the right things to me. I cannot trust him anymore, and our relationship is over. Whether he accepts it or not, is up to him. But I am moving forward, I won't let him hurt me again. I have finally moved far enough in my recovery that I no longer have any love in my heart for him. He was my mate, and I loved him very much at the time, we have four children together, but I will not accept him as my mate any longer. Hopefully, he realizes that I will not come back to him soon" I told them. They were both solemn as they watched me. I was able to say it and not cry this time. I am moving on, and I am claiming my happiness now. I couldn't care less if Blake is happy or not. We got where we are because of him, and anything that came from what happened to me there is all on his shoulders. Whatever happens tonight will be because I decided to do it, because I wanted to. I won't let Blake take up any more space in my head or my heart. We are done now, and I will never go back to him.