Chapter 10

(Julia's POV)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Ronan’s text telling me he had it handled. Would I hear a knock on my door, open it, and find an evening gown on my welcome mat? Or maybe an envelope of cash mixed in with my mail, meant to pay for the dress?

It was none of those things. Instead, I heard my doorbell chime around noon. I opened the door to see a man in a nice, dark suit standing on my doorstep. “Good afternoon, ma’am,” he said. “I’m Alpha’s driver. I’m here to escort you.”

“Escort me where?” I asked. He smiled, and said, “It’s all taken care of, miss. I’ll just wait for you to gather your things, and then we can head out.” So, I did as he said; grabbed my purse, slipped on my shoes, and followed him to the car.

He sat in the front, while I rode in the back, half-afraid to touch anything in the ultra-nice car. We drove through town, finally pulling up in front of Luxe. Luxe was a high-end boutique that I never even dreamed of stepping into.

The store sold designer clothes and accessories, as well as jewelry, and I knew the most I could afford here was a pair of socks. If they even sold something as un-chic as socks. I took a deep breath, then put on a smile for the driver as he opened the door for me.

I pushed the shop’s door open and was immediately greeted by a smiling salesperson and — “Ronan?” I almost laughed at the sight of my tall and imposing boss standing among racks of dresses and purses. “What are you doing here?”

He frowned. “You need a dress. I said I would handle it.” He gestured around the room. “This is me, handling it.” I tried to hide my smile. “I know, I just…I guess I didn’t picture you being so hands-on.”

“Well, I am,” Ronan replied. “Now, let’s go.” And with that, he steered me towards the back of the store, where two smiling women who introduced themselves as personal stylists were waiting for us.

“We’re here to make sure you look just as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside,” one said, pulling me gently towards a dressing room. “Now, let’s talk colors. I think your eyes would really pop in something blue.”

And with that, a flock of salespeople began pulling my jeans and top off, measuring my arms and legs, handing me different necklaces to choose from, and just generally making me feel like a Barbie doll.

As nice as it felt to have a group of people completely focused on me, I felt my palms start sweating. I didn’t belong in a place like this, with dresses that cost more than my car. I knew Ronan meant to help, but I’d never be able to afford anything here.

Ronan didn’t appear to pick up on my anxiety the same way he did the night before, though. Instead, he joined in the flurry of activity around me, giving his opinion on shoes and skirts, and even picking out some options of his own.

“Red, I think,” he nodded to one salesperson, then waved away another holding a pair of stilettos. “No. No heels.” Then, he turned to me and stared deeply into my eyes. I bit my lip, uncomfortable under his gaze, and yet, strangely aroused by the idea of Ronan studying me like this.

“Highlights,” he finally said. I frowned. Huh? But his words weren’t for me. They were for a hairstylist standing next to him. Ronan turned to her, and repeated, “Highlights. Definitely. And can we get rid of the glasses?”

The old Julia would’ve just gone along with all of this, not daring to speak a word against her boss’ opinions. But now, I knew Ronan a little better. I didn’t need to bite my tongue around him.

“Oh, come on,” I groaned. “My glasses? I need them to see, you know.” Ronan turned to me, eyes darkening. “Julia. I think it would be wise to remember who’s in charge here.” He sounded stern, but I could sense an undercurrent of playfulness.

“I know you’re in charge.” I rolled my eyes. “How could I forget, when you keep reminding me?” Ronan stepped closer, a smile starting to grow on his lips. “Well, maybe I need to keep reminding you because you keep trying to act like you’re the boss.”

“Maybe I should be,” I grinned and turned back to the stylist currently zipping me into another dress. She had watched the entire exchange with wide eyes, but when she noticed both of us looking at her, she laughed.

“I’m sorry,” she said, looking back down at the dress zipper. “I didn’t mean to stare. I’ve just…well, sir, forgive me,” she said to Ronan. “I’ve just never seen you like this. You two make such a lovely couple, huh?”

My mouth dropped open and I noticed even Ronan’s typical stoic expression had shifted into a look of surprise. Even though we knew we were here together, as part of our deal, it was still strange to have someone think of us as a real couple.

Before either of us could address the stylist’s comment, another salesperson arrived, holding a pair of low heels. Ronan frowned. “No. I said no heels, remember? Flats only. Take these back, now.”

(Ronan’s POV)

I knew Julia’s styling session would take awhile, which is why I had Alex clear my schedule for the day. However, I couldn’t just go completely radio-silent. When Julia was whisked back to a dressing room to try on another round of dresses, I pulled my phone out and started replying to emails.

“Well, what do you think?” I looked up from my phone and was struck dumb at the sight of her. Gone were the uptight, practical work clothes, the hair pulled back from her face, the glasses that hid those stunning eyes.

Instead, the woman in front of me was clad in a flowing red dress that stopped just above her knees and a pair of sparkly gold flats. Her hair was soft and loose, curling over her shoulders, and without her glasses, I could see how blue her eyes really were.

Wow, Tyler piped up. You know, I never really saw it before, but Julia is really beautiful. I shook my head slightly, trying to focus. “Uh, you…you look nice,” I said, clearing my throat and getting to my feet. “Now, I think we should get going. Don’t want to be late.”

We left the boutique and got into the car, where my driver quickly whisked us deeper into the city. “So, where are we going?” Julia brushed a loose strand of hair out of her eyes. “Nothing too major,” I said. “Just a party for Alphas and other important people in the city.”

She nodded calmly, but I could practically see the gears whirring in her brain. Julia was a huge overthinker, and I knew it was killing her to let me take the reins on everything. Even though I am her boss.

The car let out in front of one of the nicest hotels in the city and I led her inside and towards the hotel’s ballroom. Before we walked in, I slipped my arm around her waist, guiding her into a room full of the city’s elite.

The party was small, but full of members of high society, and I was waiting for Julia’s inevitable freak-out. She wasn’t used to interacting with people like this, and with the way she overanalyzed everything, I knew she was going to be worried.

But to my surprise, Julia was smiling, already reaching out to shake the hand of Theodore Matthews, another Alpha from Mythic Pack. The two began talking, and she even made him laugh, which earned more than a few respectful nods from others at the party.

I was impressed, too. Julia was more than holding her own in this world. Suddenly, I felt a hand at my elbow, pulling me into a corner of the room. “Very funny, Ronan,” my father hissed. “But when I told you to find a mate, I didn’t mean dragging some commoner off the street.”

I immediately bristled at his words. “Typical, Father. I should have expected you to be spouting off the same old, stale ideas that have held us back for so long.” I hesitated, but my anger pushed me to add, “And you better get used to seeing her. She’s carrying my pup. We’re engaged.”

My father’s expression turned stormy. “I should have expected something like this from you. You never think about the good of the pack. You’re acting in your own interest instead of doing what’s best and marrying Bianca and strengthening our alliance with PackIncorporated.”

“I’m not suggesting you abandon your pup,” he added. “Keep the child. But leave the mother. A substantial check should sweeten the deal, shouldn’t it?” I clenched my hands into fists, trying to stop myself from starting a fight.

“No,” I said tightly. “Absolutely not. I will not leave her and I will not marry Bianca, or any of those other delicate, spoiled women. They don’t even come close to Julia. Now, if you’re finished, I’m going to rejoin my fiance.” And with that, I left my father and went off to find Julia.