9 - The Blue Dress

LUCY'S POV

I had let Nia run her heart out the night before allowing me to be so exhausted that sleep took me easily that night. I woke up at the crack of dawn and showered quickly. I French braided my long black hair and put on some light makeup.

I knew that I would have to wear a dress to the gala, but I took advantage of the tasks I would be doing this morning that required less formal attire. I slid on my black skinny jeans and blue and black flannel button-up along with my black combat boots.

I changed my nose ring out to a blue gem stud. I looked in the mirror surveying the results. I didn’t have any professional clothes yet so this was as close to that as I could get with my small wardrobe. The Alpha insisted he would purchase work attire for me if I chose to keep the position permanently.

“Happy Birthday to us,” I said out loud to Nia while taking one last glance in the mirror.

Happy Birthday, Lucy, she responded with a small howl.

This had been how it had always been. My birthday was never celebrated. My mom would usually sneak me cake and ice cream when my dad was gone for a meeting or with another pack dealing with business but aside from that, my birthday was as it had always been, just another day.

I sprayed the descenter all over me and my room before heading out the door. I was nearly knocked off my feet when the smell hit me. It was overwhelming and confusing. The smells were delicious but twirling together like a knotted rope.

Fuck, was Liam my mate?

I wondered looking around the hallway, but no one was there. After giving myself a major pep talk, I proceed to my route finding myself in the kitchen. “Good morning, Jason,” I said handing our pack chef a coffee. “Good morning, Lucy,” he said with a smirk handing me a plate of pancakes topped with whipped cream.

Before I could question this odd gesture he chimed in again. “He told me to tell you that he didn’t tell his dad, but you never said he couldn’t tell anyone else. Happy Birthday Lucy” Jason responded with a sly smile.

I knew that my eyes were watering from tears I wasn’t allowing myself to shed but I couldn’t help it. I whipped around the counter and gave him a huge hug, surprising him and myself. I pulled away from the embrace as the feeling of his arms around me quickly turned my stomach upside down.

“Sorry Jason, this was just so sweet of you. Tell Liam I also said thank you” I said with a big smile. “Why don’t you just tell him yourself at the gala?” Jason posed the question tilting his head to the side.

“I figured I’d spend as much time back here as I can. I can help with some of the non-cooked dishes and help bring out plates” I responded.

“That’s silly Lucy, you should enjoy the gala not back here working in a kitchen” he responded defensively. “It’s going to be a ton of unmated she-wolves hoping to get a sniff of their Alpha mate, Jason. I think I’m good” I said making us both laugh.

I scarfed down those delicious pancakes in no time before heading out the door to get a few things sorted. Luna Sybil had arranged a lot of the event herself and directed me with what leftover tasks needed to be completed.

I was doing a great job avoiding any of the Alphas so far. Due to the busy schedule I had for the day, Leander didn’t request me in any of the meetings and I was thankful for this.

As my tasks for the time being were completed, I headed back to my room. I felt a nudge in my skull. I opened my link and Leander's voice flooded in.

The Alphas and I will only be joining the gala briefly for introduction and then we will be having a meeting to go over some alliances and trade agreements. Please link me if ANYTHING goes awry during the gala Lucy.

Before I could respond he added to his thoughts.

And Lucy, you should have told me it was your birthday. Take tomorrow off. I will have Seth bring you my pack card so you can go shopping or go to a spa or whatever you she-wolves like doing. He chuckled into the mind link making me smile.

I quickly linked him back, I will make sure it goes smoothly Alpha, you have my word. Thank you. A day off is more than enough.

It was a relief knowing I wouldn’t have to dodge my dad for too long today. I got into my room and found a dress lying on my bed with a note that read “Happy Birthday Lucy. I hope it fits.”

I was assuming it was from Liam. I could smell that another wolf had been in my room, but it wasn’t the delicious smell I had smelt earlier so maybe Liam wasn’t my mate. I shook my head from the thoughts and looked down at the dark blue dress. It was way fancier and more chic than anything I had worn before.

I slid the dress on, admiring how it fit my body perfectly. My breasts were snug, and my cleavage peeked out from the mesh slit that went from the top of the dress down to my belly button. I had to admit, I looked sexy, and I had never seen myself this way before.

The dress rested a few inches above my knees. I slipped on a pair of black flats and undid my French braid. My hair unraveled and flowed down my back and shoulders, the tips brushing along the top of my ass and waist. I looked in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize myself.

I didn’t let my hair down often and contemplated pulling it up when Nia chimed in lurching forward in my head. My eyes flashed silver before she spoke.

You look incredible Lucy, leave your hair down. Our mate will be speechless, she purred. Nia we have talked about this. I have the descenter for a reason I argued.

She howled painfully before scratching her paws into the back of my mind.

Nia understood my resistance to having a mate. We had seen only heartache come from the mate bond growing up and I wasn’t often willing to take those kinds of risks, but I could still feel her longing for our mate.

The delicious smell had dimmed in the hallway. I took a deep breath before making my way to the ballroom knowing full well that I was likely going to figure out who my mate was tonight. I prayed that I had the strength to pull from the bond and that the descenter spray was enough to avoid them scenting me.