“There is a conference soon, this weekend.”
Well, that was perfect timing. I wondered why he didn’t bring it up, or maybe he did and I was too distracted these past days.
“I rarely go in person,” I remembered that from my past life, Luna Natalie mentioned how big of a deal it was for The Prince to show up, and then we had to redo an entire party in a few hours. My lips curled into a smile at the memory, surprising myself. So much has changed since that time.
“This one is at Blue Ridge.”
I froze, did I hear him correctly?
Of course, it had to be there. My hands felt clammy and my skin seemed to prickle, crawling with suppressed emotions. It didn’t matter where it was, I was going, but why did it have to be there?
“I’m coming,”
The next day I was practically dragged out of bed by Cali ladened with Caspien’s credit cards. Cali snatched them even though I protested against it.
“You need this,” Cali insisted, “And with our wages, you might be able to afford a new shirt,” She gave me her signature wry smile that told me that this conversation was over.
“I want you to buy anything that you want, seriously. What’s mine is yours,” Caspien shrugged, I tried to protest but he brushed his soft lips against mine, sending sparks across my lips and settling into my core. He pulled back his eyes bright, “Seriously, you need a ballgown and then clothes for the conference.”
“I have-” I started.
“You have jeans,” Cali cut in, “This isn’t the woods anymore, baby girl,” She shook her head and tugged me away.
Her eyes clouded over and I looked back at Caspien and his were too.
“Stop it,” I said to them frowning at their silent conversation.
Cali threw my a smile and pulled us out the door, “Holden is waiting out front,” She told me practically bouncing on her feet.
Caspien was catching up with work but sent Holden and a team of warriors with us. Apparently, the mall had already been checked and camera access was granted to a team here to monitor. I would have said it was excessive but after finding out about people that would walk through time and space I welcomed the added protection, at least temporarily.
Cali was out of the elevator before it even opened and I stumbled behind her.
“S.hit, sorry,” Cali laughed stopping after nearly barreling someone down, “Hi,”
Rachel looked at us and gave us a genuine smile that I returned.
“Sorry,” I added, “Cali is excited about shopping, she hasn’t been allowed out recently,” I explained. Well, besides that whole semi-s.educing an assassin thing I didn’t think should be shared.
“No, of course, I get it. Shopping for anything in particular?” She pushed her honey-brown waves behind her back.
“Black and white ball at the Alpha conference,” Cali cut in, “I’m not going but that doesn’t mean I don’t need a ballgown for you know, Mondays.” She shrugged.
“I love that attitude,” Rachel laughed, “You have to go to Anthony Rossi, he is the best designer and a werewolf, also he’s my cousin.”
“Anthony Rossi is your cousin?” Cali’s voice went up an octave I didn’t know was possible for her.
“I’m sorry, who is Anthony Rossi?” I said quietly.
“He’s an incredible designer, he’s known everywhere, even in the human world.” Cali explained, “Even in my neck of the human world,” Her lips tugged in a half smile. “Oh my gosh, you’re a werewolf,” Rachel’s brown eyes widened, “Welcome,” A brilliant smile flashed across face and it almost annoyed me how easy she was to like. “It’s been an insane few days, but I’m adjusting, I didn’t realize how much more you guys saw and smelled and felt,” Cali gushed.
She did seem like a new person. She was always reliable, loving in her own way, but she seemed to be so easy and so relaxed these past few days, weeks even.
“I have nothing to compare it to but I do like being a werewolf,” I added and Rachel nodded.
“Come with us,” Cali said, “We could use the help,” Rachel’s eyes widened slightly and she looked towards me.
“I could genuinely use the advice, I haven’t worn a ballgown in years.” I shrugged offering her a smile.
“O-okay,” Rachel said and Cali turned on her heel dragging us both now behind her.
We pulled up to the mall in no time.
It was almost comical watching our guards try to fit in. Being surrounded by massive men who practically exuded power only brought more attention to us, but I hoped no one would try anything with them around. I couldn’t wait until I could have some semblance of normality, but I would take this protective awkwardness over paralyzing fear any day.
I was exhausted by the third shop, Cali insisted nothing was good enough and wanted me to find the perfect ‘revenge dress’. I filled in Rachel about where we were going and who Alpha Nolan was to me.
Her eyes flashed black, “Who the fuck? When you were pregnant?” her hands clenched and she shook her head, “Come on we’re going to Anthony. Now” She turned on her heel and we followed her.
“I didn’t think he would have a place here,” Cali said after we walked out of an elevator, squished between guards.
“It’s more of a showroom,” Rachel shrugged, “He occasionally meets clients here too I think.”
We stopped outside a store. The only thing in the large windows were four gorgeous dresses lit up on pedestals. The glass door was closed, unlike every other store we passed. The door had something behind it so we couldn’t get a glimpse in. Rachel walked up and pressed a button on an intercom I didn’t notice.
“We aren’t open for walk-ins,” A woman said dryly.
“Tell Anthony, Rachel is here to see him, he’s expecting me.”
“Oh, Rachel, of course, come in,” Her tone turned bright and a buzzing sounded.
Holden opened the door for us, “Ladies,” He flashed us a smile and we followed him in accompanied by our guards.
A short, well, short for werewolves, thin man came out with open arms to Rachel, “You’re lucky I happened to be in the city today.”
I felt guilty, he came here just for us to try on dresses? But, I was so grateful to Rachel for making it happen. Even the first glance at the dresses in the window was better than anything we had seen all day, any one of those would be perfect. “You owe me a few anyways,” Rachel moved her waves over her shoulder.
“Hm,” He smiled at her, “Who are we outfitting today?” He looked behind her at us and Rachel introduced us all.
“Not me this time, unfortunately. Willa needs a dress for a black and white ball for the annual Alpha Conference.”
“Oh, now that, that I can do.” He turned his smile to me and stretched out a hand, I didn’t know what I expected but he was everything but that. He seemed nice and personable, and despite the gorgeous dresses and the custom shopping experience, I felt comfortable.
Chilled champagne was brought out and besides the warriors who were standing with their arms crossed, everyone took seats on couches as I was whisked away to a large dressing room with a pedestal.
“Here, try these first to see what style you want to go for, and then we can narrow it down,” He hung up three dresses and a woman came in to help me step into them.
The first one was white and had a corset top, partially sheer, and a billowing ballgown. I had to admit I loved how it felt but I wasn’t sure if it was right for this event.
The second one was black and had long sleeves with a plunging neckline, the fabric felt cool and pooled behind me with each step, two long slits opened when I walked, showing off almost the entirety of my legs.
“Holy s.hit,” Cali grabbed the arm of the couch. Rachel smiled approvingly.
“I love this, I just don’t know if it’s a bit too much. I think I would be self-conscious on the night, but I think I like black better.”
They both nodded their agreeance, Holden shrugged.
“Let’s try another, if you’re not comfortable now then you definitely won’t be at the party,” Rachel said.
The third dress was a more classic style, a long ballgown made from satin, the thick straps hugged my upper arms and the full ballgown gave way to a slight slit. I felt at ease in this dress, I loved it. “I like it but it’s a bit plain,” Cali said.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.