Chapter 14

Mira

Dominic frowned at whatever my face was doing.

“You don’t want to go on a date with me?” he asked.

Honestly, no, I didn’t. But I knew I couldn’t tell him that.

“It’s not that it’s just…” I stalled, coming up with an excuse. “Aren’t there more important things to do? I mean, I mentioned all the work at the hospital I could do, and I’m sure you have—“

“I have to prove to the Pack that I have chosen the correct Luna” he said with finality, “and that she has chosen me back.”

I blushed.

“Of course,” I sad, knowing we had to keep convincing them we were real Mates.

“We’ll need to get you a new outfit first,” Dominic said, his eyes trailing over my clothing. “It’s not enough that you’re worthy to be Luna, you need to dress the part.”

“Oh, I’m sure I have an appropriate dress or something somewhere,” I offered.

“No, you don’t.”

“Hey!” I said, picking up a pillow to throw at him. “I’m sorry that I am a doctor who was preparing to be sent into the field, not to the Oscars!”

He caught the soft projectile easily, and a small smile appeared on his face.

“I am aware of this,” he said more amiably, “and that is why it will be my treat to buy you something new. And don’t worry, you can pick out whatever you wish— just nothing with cargo pockets.”

I looked down at my utilitarian pants, listening to him chuckle as he walked out of the room. He wasn’t wrong about my clothing, but I still resented him calling me out like that.

I spent the next day trying not to think about this outing he was forcing me on. It was just that I had to go on a date with Dominic, whose mercurial moods still caught me off-guard.

It was that I had to go on a date at all.

Sure, I had been engaged to Ward, but we’d known each other since we were kids. And with all my school and work keeping me busy, we barely ever went on actual dates.

I tried to think about the romantic comedy movies I’d seen, and wondered if I could emulate what those beautiful actresses did to impress their suitors.

When Dominic came to get me, I kept my face passive to hide my unease, but somehow I think he could smell my anxiety as we rode in the care in silence.

We ended up a boutique mall, which only made me more nervous and embarrassed about what I had to do. Did he expect me to put on a fashion show for him?

“We’ll look at gowns first,” Dominic said as he helped me, gallantly, from the car. “There is an important banquet coming up so you’ll need to dress to the nines. We can pick out jewelry afterward.

Fortunately, he kept his distance while I went through the first store, allowing me to pick out what I liked.

Unfortunately, the woman who worked there decided to follow me like a hawk, and kept handing me outrageous items that I assumed were the most expensive. She’d taken one look at Dominic and seemed to know he would be a big spender.

“You must try this one,” she said in a nasal voice, “the chiffon simply melts on the body in such a delicious way.”

I smiled, adding her suggestions to my pile, wondering why society wanted women to look like frothy desserts.

I went to a dressing room and began trying things on, feeling insecure throughout the process. I’d never been one for fashion, and even Ward found subtle ways to complain about my lack of style when we were together— as if I should be primped and preened in order to save lives in a hospital.

Dominic sat nearby, wanting me to show the dresses but remaining quiet as I did so. I couldn’t tell if he was trying not to influence my decision or he simply hated how I looked.

Some of the items made me feel ridiculous. Some hardly counted as dresses with how much fabric they lacked. One was so confusing that I almost strangled myself with the straps trying to get it on.

After what felt like an eternity, I decided on one dress. It was a beautiful maroon, had a wide scoop neck to show just enough collar bone, and the fabric shimmered on its way to the floor. I felt confident that I could move in it, and when I looked in the mirror I did for a moment feel beautiful.

The clerk, however, did not agree.

“Ugh, this one?” her voice dripping with disgust. “A lovely color, but so chaste and boring! Surely the gentlemen would prefer to see more of your figure. You should take this instead.”

She held up the dress that had nearly killed me.

“Oh, thank you, but I really feel more comfortable in this one,” I held fast on my choice.

“Sweetie, beauty has nothing to do with comfort! You really must get this one,” she added. “Trust me. I can tell you don’t know much about high society, you don’t want to humiliate your man by wearing something so simple.”

“Well, I—“

“The lady will wear whatever dress she likes,” Dominic said. I hadn’t heard him approach from behind me. “She is the one wearing it, not me.”

The clerk turned a color almost as red as my dress.

“Of course, sir,” she squeaked. “I didn’t meant to offend.”

Dominic stared at her, insistent.

“So sorry, miss,” the clerk said, looking down.

That seemed to satisfy the Alpha, and he quickly paid and escorted me from the store.

As we drove to a restaurant for dinner, I watched him in the backseat of the car. I was once again impressed that he had come to my defense, and this time in front of a stranger who had nothing to do with the Pack.

“I appreciate your help back there,” I said. “I’m not comfortable when trying to look beautiful. But if you really preferred the other, sexier one, I’m sure we can go back—“

“No,” he said quickly. “You don’t need all that mess. You look beautiful in anything.”

I was quiet the rest of the ride, hoping the darkness in the car hid the blush in my cheeks.

We arrived at the restaurant, and I noticed a group of photographers on the sidewalk outside. I looked to Dominic, wondering if they were for us.

“I called them,” he said with a sigh. “Don’t be nervous. I just need some publicity shots to prove to the Pack that we are serious about each other. I would appreciate it if you let me hold your hand.”

He didn’t seem used to asking for consent, and I was touched at the effort. I nodded, taking a deep breath.

Dominic opened my door and helped me from the car, squeezing my hand as a reminder that we were in this charade together.

I did my best to appear affectionate and calm for the photos, hoping the performance would be believed. My body was tense but my face was relaxed, and I stayed close to Dominic until we were safely inside.

I immediately let go of him and gave myself some distance to take a breath.

He had reserved a table in the back, away from the windows but not totally out of sight of other patrons. A private dinner that could still be observed and reported on if anyone questioned our relationship.

As we reached the booth and I plopped down on the less visible side, realizing I was starving. I took up the menu to peruse, noticing then that Dominic was silent on the other side.

When I lowered the menu to look at him, I saw a box in front of him. It had a bow on it.

“What’s this?” I asked, worried it might be more expensive jewelry that I didn’t need.

“It is a gift, for you,” he said. “Happy birthday.”