Finally, it was the day of the prom, the last Saturday of April. That night's dance would take place at her school's auditorium and was the first combined prom with the school Erik attended. Having received her re-stylized dress from her great-aunt, fixing the issues she had been unhappy with the night before, it was now time to get dressed. She was going to the dance as a group with Allison and Chloe at first so that her parents didn't ask questions about Erik being her date for the night.
Liona didn't expect anything to happen, and she wasn't planning on doing anything more than her usual flirting and light affection with Erik, but that didn't stop her from picking out her best and prettiest undergarments to wear with her dress. It seemed part of her aunt's reimagining of the neckline meant she had added a semi-sheer drape from the sweetheart-shaped bodice to the neck that ended in a collar of jewels that sparkled with every turn. The amethyst stones that created the choker were the perfect shade of purple to complement the teal and purple chameleon fabric.
She loved it more, since it was no longer exposing too much of her cleavage. Although part of her wanted to show it off for Erik, her rational mind reminded herself that school dress code was still a thing and she didn't normally like showing off that part of her body. Ever since she had met Erik, she had been noticing more and more changes in herself, some physical and others relating to her preferences.
Some days, it was getting harder to restrain her omega and its desires, which slightly troubled her. She didn't dare bring it up with her mom, for fear of outing that she found her fated mate and that would put Erik in a tough spot. She didn't want him to resent her for exposing him to her family before he was ready.
Giving herself one last twirl in front of the mirror, and pushing a stray hair behind her ear, Liona grabbed her gladiator sandal style heels and headed for the living room. Alli and Chloe were sure to be waiting for her downstairs by now. When she reached the landing of the back stairs, she heard a couple of voices that she was sure she was mistaken about. Rounding the corner and entering the living room, she was delighted to see another of her aunts and her mom chatting together.
"Aunt Yui! What are you doing here?! I thought you had to work the dance tonight?"
"I am. Officially, I'll be your escort for the evening upon request from your father, Liona. I'll be looking after you girls so that nothing untoward happens at the dance. Don't give me that look. You won't even know I'm there unless something happens that might put you in danger."
"Mom! Please talk to Dad! I'm not a little girl anymore! I don't need a babysitter! I can take care of myself! Plus, I'll be with Alli and Chloe all evening!" Liona let out a desperate whine that she didn't intend to sound so childish.
"No can do, Liona. If you want to be left to your own devices and be treated as a grownup, then you'll have to learn to advocate for yourself in this case." Her mom spoke gently, with no hint of a condescending voice. That was just her mom's way when she was trying to impart a life lesson.
"I'm sorry for whining. You're right, if I want to be treated as an adult, I have to act like one…" Liona straightened up her spine before turning to her Aunt Yulina.
"Aunt Yui, I don't feel like I require your supervision for the school dance tonight. Respectfully, please leave me and my friends to our own devices tonight and let us handle the possible unruly peers. We do not wish to be monitored, even from afar, and have our movements and actions reported on like we have done something wrong." Liona stood tall and looked her aunt in the eye, using her best adult voice. "I'll also talk to my dad, since you said he was the one to request this duty from you."
"Very well. I understand your point of view, however, until I have my orders from your father and until I get the stand down request, I cannot abandon my duties as an officer of the Epsilon Enforcement Agency."
"It's all right, Yulina. You heard her. She's perfectly grown and able to make this decision for herself. It's my fault for not considering her feelings as a grown young woman now. It's time I let her find her wings and start exploring outside the safety of the nest." Liona turned at the sound of her father speaking as he entered the living room.
"However, Liona. If you ever feel you need it, you may ask any enforcement officer for help tonight, or always. You may request a priority safety escort or even report anything suspicious to them and be taken directly to me if a time ever comes when you feel you're in danger." Liona sort of always knew this. It wasn't as if she'd ever needed to go to her dad's work and speak directly to him before, but it wasn't as if she'd thought she'd be given the usual forms to fill out in case something happened, either.
"Thank you, Daddy!" Liona smiled and went over to give her dad a big hug.
"Now, before Chloe and Allison arrive, I want pictures of my baby girl in her beautiful dress." Her mom rose from her spot on the couch where she had been sitting.
As her mom hugged her, there was a loud clatter from the entry and the giggling voices of her friends entering the house.
"Allison, Chloe! How darling your dresses are!" Her mom exclaimed as they finally entered the living room with the remnants of laughter on their lips.
"Hi Aunt Vivi, Hi Uncle Leon!" Both her friends greeted her parents familiarly.
"Hello girls. Come over here and get your pictures taken before you leave." Her dad greeted and motioned them over to her.
Posing for pictures wasn't so bad, but it was slightly annoying when Liona just wanted to get a move on and see Erik. He had refused her help with getting a suit, so she did not know what he was wearing to the dance.
"Okay, okay, that's enough pictures! We're going to be late to the dance!" Liona glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner.
"Ah! Before you leave, girls… Suppressant check!" Her aunt Yui called after them before they could leave the living room.
"We already took them! Feel free to ask my parents." Chloe called over her shoulder without stopping.
"Me too! Ask my brother…" Alli added her bit as well.
"Already took mine as well, Aunt Yui." Liona nearly groaned at the delay as she set foot on the threshold between the living room and the foyer.
"Very well. I'll be seeing you at the dance." Finally, her aunt waved them off, freeing them from the one thing that could stop them from attending.
It had been decided earlier that she and the girls would each take their own cars to the dance. Her friends would cover for her whereabouts after the dance, since she had plans on whisking Erik away for the night to spend some quality one-on-one time with him.
"I'll be back late, don't wait up for me!" Liona rushed out the front door, closing it before she could get a response.
Although, now that she was eighteen, her curfew was looser than it had been before. However, she still needed to mind the time she was out. It was okay as long as she was home before midnight and it wasn't a school night. School nights at her curfew was still at ten. Luckily, it was Saturday, and the dance ran from six to nine in the evening. That left the hours after the dance as the perfect opportunity to get her hands on her mate and spend that quality time alone together.
"Okay, Liona, what's the plan after the dance?" Alli asked her before they entered their respective cars.
"Dance the night away and then take Erik out for a night on the town!" She laughed.
"Well, don't get caught out past your curfew. There's only so much stalling your parents will take if they decide to call one of us, Liona." Chloe added before ducking into her car and closing the door.
"Chloe's right. I'll set a reminder to remind you about getting home, Liona." Allison then got into her own car.
Smiling at her friend's understanding and willingness to cover for her, she too entered her car and set the destination for her school.