Dragon Alpha's Special Mate

3. Do I Go?

Sophia

It isn’t unusual to spend the night at Sapphire’s. I do it so often that it wasn’t out of character to ask Mom to stay again tonight. There’s no way she’d let me go to one of those parties if I asked her straight up.

Sapphire’s family has a beautiful mansion on the same street as the Alpha’s castle, and her parents are hardly here. They typically stay downtown where all the shops are, leaving us to do whatever we want.

Her older sister, Ruby, is thankfully here tonight to help me with my makeup. Ruby’s going to Summerville in Sweden but is home for the holiday break. Sapphire is great at making herself look beautiful, but Ruby’s amazing at making others look beautiful, too.

I stare at the newly cleaned dress I bought today, wishing I would have bought something else. It’s a summery dress with a black base that’s coated with bright flowers. But it’s a little chilly here, being the coldest month of the entire year.

If Maxson didn’t specifically ask me to wear it, I absolutely wouldn’t. I’d have been happy to keep that dress in the back of my closet for a year and then donate it. Instead, I’m pulling it over my body, practically squishing my stomach into it as I zip it up the back.

It does a decent job of covering my stomach, but it does nothing but show off my chunky thighs. I tug the dress down, wishing it was a little longer. I walk out while still tugging at the bottom of the dress when Ruby walks over and takes my hand.

“You’re beautiful.” She fixes a piece of my hair with one hand while grabbing my hands with her other to stop me from pulling the dress in two. “If he doesn’t fall in love with you as soon as he sees you, he’s an idiot.”

I don’t have siblings; I’m not even sure my parents wanted to have me. They met and got pregnant so quickly that they probably didn’t have a chance to discuss a future for themselves. I’m an only child, too. So, I just like to pretend that I’m enough for them.

Still, moments like this make me happy I have Sapphire and that her sister treats me like one of them. It’s a little unusual not to fall into a clique with those of the same species, but we met in first grade and have been inseparable since.

“Now, let’s get you there on time.” I nod at her, not looking at myself in the mirror again. My self-confidence isn’t great, and I don’t need a reminder of why. Ruby did a good job at hiding my blemishes, but I still don’t feel nearly as beautiful as the Alpha family.

Being part human really put a damper on my genetics compared to the fantastic species I live with.

It’s a short walk to the castle, but there’s press crawling everywhere. Despite the sun already setting, it’s so bright out from the flashing cameras. As we get closer, I start to feel more nauseous and immediately want to go home.

What am I even thinking? This isn’t me. Why did I agree to this?

I guess I truly didn’t agree. Sapphire did it for me. I can’t help but think about how well she’d fit into this lifestyle. She’s effortlessly beautiful, like everyone here.

“We’ll be here to get you in a few hours. Have fun.”

Sapphire hugs me first, then Ruby does, and I hold on as long as I can before I start walking up the long stairs. I take each step slowly, delaying the time it takes to reach the front doors. I’m just giving myself an opportunity to run away. I could, I could go straight home and Mom wouldn’t care. Maybe I should?

Before I can the general at the front door asks me for my name, and my last chance to run away is gone. I clear my throat, trying to sound strong as I tell him who I am. He doesn’t have a list to check; it’s like he’s been expecting me.

He let me get up the rest of the way, where the press no longer can go. I’m a little late, about fifteen minutes past 6, but that shouldn’t matter, right?

There are still so many dragons behind me on the steps taking pictures. I recognize a few of them - all family members to the Alpha or close enough friends they’re here.

All of them waiting to congratulate Maxson and wish him a happy birthday before he meets his dragon and finds out his element.

I manage to make it up the stairs, staring at the huge doors in front of me. Before I can change my mind, the two dragons at the top open the doors wide, forcing me to step in.