Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 11

**Briony's POV**

Layla's room looked like a hurricane had hit a clothing store. Dresses, makeup, and accessories scattered everywhere while she moved around like some kind of styling tornado.

"What about this one?" She held up a deep blue dress. "It'll make your eyes pop."

"I don't really do dresses..." I backed away slightly.

"Come on, trust me here." She wouldn't take no for an answer. "Tonight's special - you need to look the part."

After trying on what felt like half her closet, she finally settled on that blue dress. Simple but classy - not too fancy, not too casual. She matched it with low silver heels and a delicate necklace.

"Makeup time," she announced, pointing at her vanity. "Sit."

"Layla, you really don't need to go all out..."

"Shut up and let the expert work." She laughed, already reaching for her brushes.

Her touch was gentle, keeping everything natural. Light eyeshadow that brought out my smoky blue eyes, just a hint of blush, pale pink lipstick. Nothing overdone.

For my hair, she pulled half of it up, letting the rest fall over my shoulders. The whole look was elegant but still felt like me - just a better version.

When she spun me around to face the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

"Damn," I whispered. "Is that really me?"

"This is the real you," she said, satisfied. "You just keep her buried most of the time."

Time flew by. Before I knew it, we were rushing to get ready. Layla threw on a gorgeous green dress that made her look like some kind of forest goddess.

"Nervous?" she asked, checking her reflection one last time.

"A little." I smoothed down the dress. "I've never been to anything like this before."

"Don't sweat it," she said, grabbing her purse. "I'll be right there with you. Besides, Alpha Adam's family seems pretty cool."

The pack house glowed against the darkening sky, every window lit up for tonight's dinner. My stomach did a little flip as we approached the front door.

"Ready?" Layla squeezed my hand.

I took a deep breath. "Ready."

The second we walked in, warmth and conversation wrapped around us. Alpha Adam and Luna Isabella were greeting people in the living room. Delta Griffin and his wife Diana chatted by the fireplace, Gamma Thomas nearby.

I noticed my father wasn't here. Not surprising, really.

"Briony! Layla!" Luna Isabella spotted us immediately and came over with a huge smile. "You made it! Welcome!"

She hugged us both, which still felt weird to me. Affection wasn't exactly common in my house.

"Briony, you look absolutely stunning tonight," she said warmly. "That dress is perfect on you."

"Thank you, Luna Isabella," I managed, feeling heat creep up my neck.

"And Layla, it's so wonderful to officially welcome you to our pack," she turned to my friend. "I'm sorry your parents couldn't be here."

"They're bummed they missed it," Layla replied. "But their research couldn't wait."

"Of course, we totally understand." Alpha Adam joined us. "Dr. Harrison's work is crucial for the pack."

That's when I heard footsteps on the stairs. Noah and his friends appeared, all dressed up and looking way more mature than usual.

When they saw me, they all just... stopped.

"Whoa," Ethan spoke first. "Tiny, you look... different tonight."

"Beautiful," Maxwell added, his voice rougher than normal.

Christopher and Benjamin didn't say anything, but the look in their eyes said enough.

Noah walked up to me. "Sis, you really do look beautiful tonight."

Hearing him call me "sis" made my heart skip. It had been forever since he'd used that word.

"Thanks," I said quietly.

"Alright, everyone's here," Alpha Adam announced. "Let's eat."

The dining room looked like something from a magazine. The long table was covered with amazing food, silverware gleaming in the candlelight. Everything felt warm and elegant at the same time.

I ended up seated next to Luna Isabella, with Layla on my other side. The guys spread out around the table.

"This dinner is to welcome Dr. Harrison's family to our pack," Alpha Adam raised his glass, "and to celebrate our unity and growth."

"To friendship, to family, to the Polaris Pack!"

"To the Polaris Pack!" everyone echoed.

The meal was incredible. Luna Isabella asked Layla about adjusting to the new school, Delta Griffin talked about training schedules, and the boys shared some funny stories.

For once, I actually felt included in the conversation. At home, family dinners were pretty much nonexistent, let alone eating with pack leadership.

"Briony's cub training program is really something special," Alpha Adam told everyone. "We watched this morning, and those kids were impressive."

"Absolutely," Delta Griffin agreed. "She's got a real gift for teaching. Those cubs learned skills and teamwork."

My face got hot. I wasn't used to this kind of praise.

"You should think about expanding this approach to other age groups," Luna Isabella suggested. "It could benefit the whole pack."

"I... I'll think about it," I stammered.

After dinner, Alpha Adam and the other adults headed to his study for pack business, leaving us younger wolves in the living room.

"You kids," Luna Isabella said to the boys, "take Briony and Layla out to the terrace. The moon's gorgeous tonight - worth appreciating."

The terrace was bigger than I'd expected, surrounded by moonflowers and small silver pine trees. The evening air carried the scent of flowers and pine. Comfortable wicker chairs sat around a small fire pit burning silver pine wood, giving off warm light and that familiar scent.

"This is incredible," Layla said, looking around. "Luna Isabella has amazing taste."

"Mom loves her garden," Maxwell explained. "This terrace is her pride and joy."

We settled into the chairs. I automatically picked one slightly back from the group, but Layla pulled me right into the center. The five boys spread out around us, creating this intimate little circle.

"Tonight was perfect," Ethan stretched out in his chair. "That roasted venison was unreal."

"Yeah, but that silver pine honey cake was the real winner," Christopher added.

"You're always thinking about food," Benjamin shook his head. "Tonight was about welcoming Layla to our pack."

"Exactly," Maxwell looked at Layla. "Official welcome, Layla. You've only been here a few days, but it feels like you've always belonged."

"Thanks, you guys," Layla smiled. "Honestly, I was worried about fitting in somewhere new, but meeting Bri made everything easier."

She looked at me with genuine gratitude. "I'm lucky to have a friend like her."

"We're the lucky ones," Noah said suddenly. "This morning's training showed us stuff we'd been missing."

I glanced at him, confused about what he meant. But he just smiled without explaining.

Ethan sighed. "Speaking of luck, some people haven't been so fortunate lately. Victoria's been spreading her bullshit rumors again."