Let get your dress

“But on one condition,” I said, glancing at Delilah from the corner of my eye.

She raised an eyebrow, she looked curious to what I was about to say . “What’s that?”

“Dad instructed me to pick your dress for you,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral, though I knew exactly how she would react.

Delilah just gave a smile, I could read beyond her smile, I knew already she would resist. She wasn’t the type to let anyone dictate for her, especially when it came to something as personal as her wardrobe.

I sighed, I knew already, this wasn’t going to be easy. But before I could say anything else, Delilah walked past me.

We made our way outside. I climbed into my sports car, I was surprised when Delilah followed without protest.

She’d never been a fan of the cars I chose to drive—always finding them too flashy, too impractical, anything that she would just complain about—but today, there was no complaint. Not a word. She just climbed in; I could already feel her happiness.

I glanced at her briefly as I adjusted the seatbelt, securing it tightly around my body. She did the same.

I started the car, the engine roaring to life, and we pulled out of the garage.

As we drove, I was lost in the thoughts of everything that lay ahead. Ever since the day they found out I couldn’t bear children, that I was barren, everything had shifted. The family’s attention, their focus, it all turned to Delilah. I had become an outcast in my pack, this always reminded me of my inadequacy. I was constantly pushed aside, as if I had no value in the pack.

It is always hurtful. I always tried to bury the pain, to forget about it, but the weight of it lingered, pressing down on me every day. I threw myself into pack responsibilities, hoping that maybe, I could be useful in some other way. If I couldn’t give my family the one thing they wanted—an heir as the first born—maybe I could still prove my worth through my work.

But there were nights when I couldn’t escape those horrible memories. That day my life changed forever. The night the rival pack came for us, leaving me broken, empty, a shell of the person I used to be.

“Are you thinking about it again?”  Delilah’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

I blinked. "I’m sorry, sis," she said softly. "I know there’s nothing I can do about it, but I just hope you find a reason to enjoy your life again. Don’t just get stuck with the pack responsibilities."

I smiled, though it was more of a sad wistful thing. Delilah could be a handful, but she did have a heart of gold. She was the only one who truly seemed to care.

I glanced at her, trying to steer the conversation away from my own personal struggles. "What kind of dress would you like to wear to meet your man?" I asked.

Delilah’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Well, something that’ll at least show my twinnies are full."

A snort escaped before I could stop it and before I knew it, I was already doubled in laughter. Delilah joined in, as we both laughed together.

“It’s good to see you laughing, Sis. I haven’t heard you laugh like that in a long time—I missed it,” Jess said.

She was being sincere; it's been a long time since I've actually laughed like this. I glanced at her, returning my gaze back ahead, I pulled into the parking lot.

We stepped out of the car, as we approached the entrance of the shopping district, a sudden burst of light nearly blinded us.

“Damn it,” I muttered, blinking rapidly to the light of the cameras flashing incessantly.

“Eleanor Getz!” one of them called out, his voice beating through the crowd. “How does it feel that your younger sister is getting married before you? Isn’t it the tradition for the elder sister to marry first?”

The question really hits me hard. I felt my chest tighten; I dug my nails into the soft leather of my handbag as I tried to steady my racing heart.

I forced myself to inhale deeply. I wanted to scream at them, to tell them to mind their own damn business, but I knew better. No matter what I said, I’d be judged. If I told them the truth about my condition, it would only fuel their gossip. If I stayed silent, I’d still be scrutinized for my single status.

I fixed them with a warning glare, hoping it would be enough to make them back off. But before I could take another step, another voice rang out.

“Or could the rumors be true, Miss Getz? Are you really into women?”

The audacity to ask such a question made my blood boil.

“No one has ever seen you with a man or a rumor of you in a relationship,” the reporter continued. “Can you confirm the rumors for us?”

I turned to him, my eyes blazing with fire. I wanted to silence him with a single punch, but before I could react, Delilah stepped forward.

“As if it’s any of your business,” Delilah said. “For the record, my sister is very much straight. And maybe if you people started minding your fucking business, the world would be a better place.”

Her words silenced the crowd. Without waiting for another question from them, Delilah grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the building, away from the cameras and their invasive questions.

Once inside, I let out a shaky breath, my body still tense from the encounter. Delilah, of course, was already moving on, her focus was on the task at hand.

I knew her well enough to know she had no intention of letting me choose her dress.

She emerged from the dressing room a few minutes later, clad in a shimmering shade of emerald green. The gown hugged every curve of her body, plunging low in the front to expose an ample amount of cleavage. The mermaid cut flared out dramatically, layers of sheer fabric and intricate lace detailing adding a touch of elegance to the bold design.

“Dad is never going to like this,” I muttered under my breath.

Delilah just smirked, striking a playful pose in front of the mirror. “Good thing I’m not dressing for Dad,” she said with a wink. “This is for Nickolas.”

I sighed, shaking my head. Jess was determined; I’d give her that. Whether or not this dress would win over the ruthless Alpha was another matter entirely. But knowing my sister, she wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted.