Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Elena’s POV

The following morning, I woke with the hope that my father had forgotten about his suggestion. It seemed Natasha had the same idea, because when I came downstairs, she was still wearing her dressing gown.

My father, however, hadn’t forgotten. By the time breakfast was finished, he was already mentioning the boutique again; apparently it had just opened in town a few weeks ago, and had a fine selection of dresses. Natasha had already gone shopping there on multiple occasions.

And so, by noon, Natasha and I found ourselves walking through the front doors of the shop in town. The bells jingled against the glass as we entered, and the shopkeeper, an older woman with cropped silver hair and glasses with a beaded chain on them, scurried over immediately.

“Luna Natasha! You’re back! I just got some new stock in that I think you would like-it’s right this way, if you’re interested.”

Natasha perked up at that and immediately turned on her heel. “That sounds perfect.” She waved her hand dismissively at me. “Pick something out for yourself. I’m sure it will be on your father’s dime, anyway.’

I bit back the urge to stick my tongue out at her retreating form, although I did mutter under my breath, “As if your purchases aren’t always on his dime.”

She didn’t seem to hear me, too busy fawning over a line of new coats that had just come in while the shopkeeper waited nearby with her portable card reader ready to go.

While Natasha was distracted, I made my way over to the dresses section and began sifting through the racks. My father wasn’t lying; the dresses here were truly exquisite. The shopkeeper had everything in stock from simple cocktail dresses to elaborate ballgowns.

Everything was highly expensive. But my father insisted that I needed a new dress for the Alpha Ball if I was going to “meet my second chance mate”, and that he wouldn’t be pleased if I wore an old one.

Not that I really had much of an intention of meeting a mate at the ball. But I could put on a good act for one night, if only to make my father happy.

I wound up selecting several dresses on the simpler side; a sleek black cocktail dress that left little to the imagination, a shorter red number that would likely give Natasha a heart attack, and a couple of other plain but beautifully made dresses in various colors.

I was just heading to the fitting room with my pile of try-ons when I spotted it.

The gown was hanging toward the back of one of the racks-seemingly the last one in stock. It was full and richly colored to match the exact shade of the pine trees in winter. It had a long train and trailing sleeves that were utterly impractical for day-to-day life, and yet I found myself gravitating to it for some reason.

I couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was because, over the past year, I had focused entirely on dressing practically and for work-the only time I’d worn anything other than my usual jeans was at Tyler’s Alpha Ceremony, and I knew that I would never wear something like this again. Not for a long time, at least.

But as I brushed my fingers against the layers of tulle and velvet, I couldn’t help but want to try it on. It felt silly. Frivolous. And exactly the sort of thing I wanted after the upset I’d faced in Crescent Hollow.

1/2

“You should try that one.”

+25 Bonus

The sound of the deep, unfamiliar voice made me turn so fast that my boot caught on one of the hems of the dresses I was holding, Before I knew it, I was pitching forward.

I slammed directly into a broad chest dressed in a thick wool peacoat. Warm arms wrapped around me, steadying me as my head reeled and my nose ached from where I’d hit it.

“Oh, Goddess. I’m so sorry,” I said, rubbing my nose and looking up at the man. “You took me by surprise…”

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