Chapter Six

"How about red? Red always looks so good with your perfect blonde hair and that flawless complexion you Thompson siblings seem to have." Winter asked as she perused the dresses at the boutique in town. I think it was a mistake to let Winter come with me. Kaine foolishly let her loose with me, and a credit card with no clear spending limit. The poor workers at the shop were completely at my sister-in-law's mercy, as she sent item after item up front for purchasing. Now she was on to the formal event, I had only really only worn, casual clothes up until this point. There was never a need for such fancy things, my home life certainly didn't warrant finery, and this was... a lot of finery. I almost fainted when I saw some of these price tags, these were very high end items. No wonder, I have never shopped here before.

"You'll definitely need something for your ascension event, the alpha ceremony, formal events.. dinner parties.. oh look at this one Val!" Winter excitedly exclaimed as she pulled a deep emerald dress off the rack. It had diamonds embedded over the pattern of the bodice, the skirting had a flowey more etheral look with multiple layers of colored silk and lace material. It was very beautiful. "It is very beautiful." I commented and Winter squealed with excitement. She double checked the size and was about to head to the front when the garment was snatched from her hand. Oh, great. I thought to myself. Fucking Kamilla and her three cronies. "You're right Winter! This is a pretty dress and it would look far better for me and my date with Abel tomorrow night. Elise! Have this rung up for me." The sales woman looked absolutely stunned. Winter growled. "Don't you fucking dare, you low class bitch! Valeria is about to be the Luna. Do you really want to piss off the Alpha?" "Alpha? Abel will soon be the Alpha, you'll see. Kaine won't win just because he's hot headed! I want it, I will be buying it. No need to dress up a dirty little whore like Valeria and try to make her what she isn't. This is no princess story and this worthless bitch isn't cinderella." The cackling of those three witches, really set me off. I was just about to say something, I could defend my own honor. A thundering voice sounded from behind Kamilla, which must have knocked her down a few pegs.

"Stop! I must be mistaken, but are you three actually trying to bully the new Luna at a dress shop? In public? Where everyone can see? Have you no class. Kamilla you can be mad that you're not going to be Luna all you want to, but you will not harass my mate and the mate of my chosen beta. Imagine my surprise. I come to see if my mate would like to go out for dinner, and to find her here being harassed by you three lowly little omegas. Wild. Positively shameful. You’ll be giving whatever items you have tried to take from Valeria and Winter, and you best be thinking about your behavior going forward because this is unacceptable and I won't have it, now get out!" The sales woman avoided her gaze and headed to the front of the store with the dress in hand. "Are you okay?" Kaine asked and took my hand. I gave a slight nod, a little overwhelmed with everything that happened. I was starting to wonder if Kamilla's bullshit was ever going to stop. She seemed relentless in her pursuit to cause my misery, the worst part, was I really couldn't think of a reason that this girl would hate me, but then a bully never did have a real reason did they? "Well, Winter? Do you mind ringing everything up? Throw in a couple pairs of shoes and anything else you'd think that would look nice on her. Oh, throw in a couple items for yourself if you like. For the trouble."

I saw the look on Winter's face and I almost doubled over in laughter. She looked like a kid that had just been given an unlimited spending limit for the toy store. Kaine honestly had no idea what he had just done. "She has absolutely no impulse control, are you sure about that?" I said. Kaine chuckled and pulled me into his arms. "Oh, I can afford it, trust me." Kaine planted a kiss on my lips, and I couldn't help it, I simply melted into him. Something about this gorgeous man, made me feel so safe inside. "Well, i'm not really dressed for dinner in my street clothes." I stated and Kaine paused, a wry grin on his face. "Well luckily for us, we are in a store. I'll be back." I stood awkwardly as he and Winter disappeared into the racks of clothing. I looked down at my feet, wondering silently how I got myself in this situation. I was never someone that really enjoyed having such fancy things. Never needed them, I grew up in a middle household. Sure, I never really starved, well not until father left. Not that I can blame him, mother has always been a bit unbearable.

Winter made her way past me with a bag and a pair of cute little strappy wedges in her hand. "This way, Val." She instructed, and I obediently followed to the dressing room. I stood awkwardly as she helped me out of my clothes and into a maroon halter mini dress. I ended up having to remove my bra for it to look right. She collected my clothes in the empty bag. I pulled the dark nylon tights up over my legs and she had me sit down and helped me fasten the straps on the shoes. I was about to walk out when she stopped me.

"Oh, here. Let me fix your hair and he also picked this out for you." I stood in the mirror and watched myself transform from a homely girl into a beauty as Winter pulled up my long hair and pinned it into a cute little half-updo. Then she fastened a white gold necklace around my neck. She pulled the teardrop jewelry piece to the center of my chest, resting just above my cleavage. A beautiful red little ruby. It was very beautiful. "See, I told you not so long ago, that one day when you got your mate that everything would start to work itself out. You're on the way up babes, all the horrors that happened in that house, won't stop you now. Now, go out and have fun with your prince. You deserve it." "Thanks, Winter. Sorry for all the trouble." I told her. She grinned in response. "Nonsense, you're the closest thing I have to a sister, and I absolutely love shopping." I exited the dressing room, enjoying the shocked and hungry look on Kaine's face as I placed my hand in his. "So, dinner?" He grinned in response. "I'd love to."