Chapter 33

Mira

I found myself, once again, trying on dresses in front of the mirror. At least it was my own mirror this time, but still— I was never good when it came the time to be fashionable.

After that first awful trip to the boutique when I was hassled by the stylist, I had received from the owners several gowns that were suited to my style. All different, but following a similar pattern to the one I had picked out. Dominic must’ve arranged to have them delivered so wouldn’t have to return to the store.

I was starting to enjoy the perks of the Alpha class.

Tonight I would wear purple, a deep lilac with small pearl buttons up the back. It was gauzy and light, but tailored to an elegant fit.

On the table was a box, with two items that Dominic had given to me. Or, that Dominic had directed his Beta, Wyatt, to give to me. I tried not to be annoyed that he didn’t come himself.

A book on the history of plant medicine— I was surprised that I had neither read nor heard of it.

A bracelet— no doubt meant to be worn to the banquet tonight.

His gifts are thoughtful, and I wish I could be annoyed at how he seems to understand me and know what I like.

But I still wonder, where is he?

So many mixed signals from the man who is meant to be my Mate.

Seeking out alone time, sharing special places and stories. And then pulling away again, spending all hours in his office, or investigating every call that comes from the field instead of sending scouts to check in for him.

Giving me gifts, but having someone else deliver them.

There is a knock on the bedroom door, and I huff a bit as I look at the time.

“You can come in,” I said, raising my voice to be heard.

We should’ve left ten minutes ago to head to the banquet. It is our duty to be early to such events.

The door opens and I catch my breath as I look in the mirror.

It is not Dominic who has entered the room.

“Wyatt, I didn’t expect to see you here,” I said, turning to face him and trying not to look annoyed. “Did you need to tell me something?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he always avoided my name when he had bad news. “The Alpha will be here soon, but is, well, delayed.”

“Of course he is,” I said looking at my hands. “Did he give a reason, or is this secret Alpha business?"

“I’m not really at liberty to say, ma’am,” Wyatt said. I could tell he hated having to keep me in the dark. “He shouldn’t be long.”

“Wyatt, you’ve known him a long time,” I tilted my head as I looked at him.

“Yes, my whole life, really,” he stood up taller thinking about his role in the Pack. “We’ve been through a lot together.”

“So you remember his mother?” I said, holding his gaze.

“Well, yeah, some,” he looked uncomfortable with my questioning.

“What happened to her?” I asked earnestly.

“I’m, I mean,” Wyatt’s face was flushed. “I really don’t think I should be talking about this with you, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay—“

“No, really, I just don’t think Dominic would appreciate—“

“I totally get it.”

“— it’s just not my business to talk about. Like this.”

“Right.” I felt I had gone too far. “Sorry, to bring it up. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

“Don’t worry about it, I know you mean well.”

Wyatt shifted his weight, checking his watch.

“You know what?” I said to him, grabbing my purse from the table. “I think we should go.”

“Go?” Wyatt was confused. “But, he’ll be here soon…”

“I’m tired of waiting,” I was now playing the diva, on her way to the ball, “just tell him to meet me there.”

I thought I heard Wyatt gulp as he took out his phone to send the message, but I was already halfway out the door.

Dominic

The message from my Beta upset me, and I was nearly running by the time I reached my rooms. I was hoping to intercept them on the way, but I was without luck.

Why would Mira insist on leaving without me?

You kept her waiting.

I growled realizing she had reacted to my tardiness by going to the banquet alone. She must know how it looks to have us arrive separately, and still she went alone.

I take a quick look around the room, a glint of light catching my eye. The gifts I had picked out for Mira were on a side table.

I had implied that she should wear the new jewelry tonight, and it appeared that she had refused.

I wasted no time in getting over to the banquet hall, cursing myself that I hadn’t managed my time better. Mira may be acting out, but it was in response to my negligence, I was sure of it.

Entering the hall, I had to check myself before I drew too much attention to myself and my attitude.

I said a few polite hellos before I located Mira across the crowded room. And she wasn’t alone.

She was talking to another man.

It was Ward.

I nearly pushed an elder to the floor as I cut my way through the crowd.

“Mira,” I said brusquely, placing my hand around her upper arm, “there you are.”

“Here I am,” she responded sharply, carefully pulling her arm away from me. “I’ve been here quite a while, so it’s nice of you to join us.”

She turned her body away from mine, back towards Ward. Was she trying to insult me by flirting with this pathetic Beta?

“Good to see you again, Dom,” Ward said. I twitched at this uninvited nickname. “Tessa is around her somewhere, she and her mom were wondering where you—“

“That’s nice,” I cut him off, placing my body between him and Mira. “Can we talk, privately?”

She made a face, though I could tell she didn’t really want to stay and talk to Ward.

“Fine, I want some champagne,” she said.

“Mira, listen to me,” I said to her back as she walked. “Please just stop moving and look at me.”

“You can say whatever you came to say, I’m going to the refreshment table,” she continued, not looking back at me as she spoke.

“Mira, look at me,” I grabbed her arm and spun her quickly to face me. “You need to listen to me, especially after I find you flirting with your ex-boyfriend in front of the whole Pack.”

I get my voice low, knowing that anyone could be trying to listen to our conversation. From the outside it would seem we were in a close embrace, but the heat between us was more ire than attraction.

“You’re such a hypocrite,” Mira rolled her eyes at me, “keeping your secrets but demanding that I tell you mine!”

“What are you talking about?” I couldn’t believe her accusations.

“Who is she?” her voice was quiet but clear.

I didn’t know how to respond, but I immediately knew who she was talking about.

Celeste.

“She’s…” I started.

“I know there’s someone else, somewhere,” Mira asserted, her eyes getting misty. “I know you’re in love with someone, in the Pack, or somewhere else, maybe it is Lila, after all.”

“Mira, please, you don’t—“

“And honestly I don’t even care,” Mira looked away from me. “I just wish you would be honest about it, and then we can try to move forward with our fake marriage and relationship. Then you can just keep on loving someone else, and maybe I’ll find some else too..”

“Mira!” I pulled her closer, her face inches from mine. “There is no one else for me. And you will never belong to someone else.”

Her breath seemed caught in her throat. Her eyes were bright.

I leaned down, my lips brushing against her ear.

“You’re mine.”