Against the Black

Chapter 4

“Babs!” I yelled while pounding on the door to her suite. “Babs, wake up and answer this door. Or I’m going to open it myself. And anyone in there with you will be forced to do the walk of shame in front of their Alpha.” The door burst open.

“Jesus, Roxy, can you cut it out? What time is it?” Babs runs a hand down her face and looks around like she’s trying to find the time floating in somewhere in the air.

“It’s eleven in the morning. You slept most of the morning away. Here, I brought coffee.” I handed her a steaming cup and leaned against her door frame. She takes it and hugs it to her chest while breathing in the aroma.

“I’m less upset since you brought coffee.” She walks into her suite, kicking the door open further as an invitation for me to follow.

“So, what can I do for you, boss?” She sits on her couch wearing nothing but an oversized t-shirt and pink polka-dot panties.

“Do you have a dress for the ball next week?” Her head snaps up and her eyes darken.

“I know you did not brutally wake me up to suggest we go dress shopping. If you did it would mean you were suicidal.” She glares at me over her coffee mug, waiting for me to answer.

“I did, in fact. However, it’s not just for us. I also have a surprise in mind. And as much as I know you hate shopping, I also know you won’t lie to me about how I look. So I need you there. Vera and Lenny are coming too. Get dressed. We’ll meet you by the car in twenty minutes.” Her face is a picture of shock, her mouth agape.

“You really did wake me up to go shopping.” She sounds almost stunned. Before the anger can register, I interject.

“You wouldn’t deny your Alpha, would you?” Her eyes snap to mine again, with a mischievous death threat dancing behind her pupils. “Besides, I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet. I figured we could stop by Joel’s on our way to the dress shop.” Her face goes from dark and plotting to puppy happy in a heartbeat.

“They have the best breakfast burritos.” She says to herself almost dreamily and hugs her coffee cup close again. I walked out and shut the door, mind-linking Vera and Lenny.

“Alright ladies, I survived the lion’s den. We’re scheduled to leave in T minus twenty minutes.”

“Oh Roxy, I’m so happy you’re alive!” Vera pours on the dramatics.

“You offered her Joel’s, didn’t you?” Lenny chimes in.

“You bet your ass I did. I know better than to poke the bear without an ace in my pocket.” I cut the mind link and went to my office to try to get something done before we leave.

We stop by Joel’s about half an hour later. Joel’s is an amazing hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. But they make the best breakfast burritos around. With coffee and burritos in hand, we head over to the pack dress maker. When we walk in, Martha is flitting about her shop, moving a million miles a minute.

“Oh! Alpha Roxanne, I was just getting the place ready for you.” Martha bows her head slightly in respect.

“Martha, please, you’ve known me since I was in diapers. Please call me Roxy. All this ‘Alpha Roxanne’ nonsense is making me feel old and important. Now, what have you got for me?” I plop onto the showroom couch and watch as she brings out a rack of dresses.

“I have taken the liberty of planning a few options that I think will suit each of you.” She nods to the girls and I. “I’ll start with the one I think will suit your tastes the best and move on from there.” She brings the rolling rack to a halt on the left side of where we’re sitting and right next to the dressing rooms.

“Lenny, please step onto the platform.” She motions to a small circular platform sitting right in the middle of a half circle of mirrors. Lenny walks over and hops up onto the platform after kicking her shoes off. Martha sets a stool up behind her and climbs up carrying a dress bag. She unzips the bag and pulls out an ice blue dress. She holds it up in front of Lenny.

“Once you’ve decided on a dress, I’ll have you try it on.” The dress criss- crosses, wrapping around her neck. The hem is asymmetrical, shorter in the front and slightly longer in the back. It reaches her mid thighs and hangs off her frame in gentle waves. Its fabric is an ombre starting at the neckline in dark blue tones and moving down into an icy blue color toward the hem.

“Lenny, if you don’t wear that, I might.” Babs calls from the seat next to me.

“It would look great on both of you, but I think it suits Lenny more.” Vera tilts her head as if looking at the dress from another angle will change her opinion.

“Martha, you’re a magician, as always. It’s perfect.” Lenny turns to smile at Martha approvingly.

“Try it on to be sure it fits how you’d like, and I’ll make the necessary adjustments.” Martha smiles politely at the praise and steps off her stool to pass the dress to Lenny.

“Vera, I’d have a harder time finding something you wouldn’t like than finding something that suits you. But I think I may have out done myself with yours.” Very practically skipped to the podium and leapt on. Her eyes had a hunger in them that only clothes could bring out.

Martha walked back to her stool carrying a new dress bag. She repeated the process of climbing up behind Vera, unzipping the dress bag, and holding the dress in front of Vera. The dress had rhinestones from top to bottom, covering the whole dress. It reached all the way to the floor and had a slit on the left side that reached her upper thigh. It had a single off the shoulder long sleeve while the other side came to a sharp point above her breast, giving the neckline a very asymmetrical elegance. Vera Squealed in delight.

“It’s absolutely perfect! This neckline is everything! I’m also so excited to show a little leg. Even if I don’t find my mate, I’ll find a man for the night.” She turned and winked at us on the couch, then hugged Martha. Martha looked a little stunned, but quickly collected herself and squeezed Vera gently.

“Same rules apply to you then,” Martha pushed away from Vera. “Go try it on and let me know if I need to make any adjustments.” She handed Vera the dress, who hugged it to her chest. Then Martha nudged her toward the dressing room before stepping off her stool.

Just then, Lenny came walking out in her ice blue dress and it fit her in all the right places. The dress accented her thin frame and bright blue eyes. It showed her long thin legs and made her seem more fairy than wolf. The blue of the dress matching the cool tones in her blond hair, as if the dress was made with her in mind. In all actuality, that was probably the case. Vera let out another squeal as soon as she saw Lenny.

“Lenny! You look like a dream.” She cooed and began feeling the dress and turning Lenny around like she was a mannequin. Lenny blushed and pushed Vera away gently with both hands, holding her at arm’s length to keep the distance.

“Thank you. Please stop feeling me up now.” She laughed softly and let go. Vera simply smiled sheepishly and left for the dressing room.

“Alright Babs, you’re next.” Martha was already standing back up on her stool with a dress bag over her arm. Babs stood and sauntered to the podium and stepped up. Martha pulled a dark blue dress from the bag and held it in front of Babs.

“It’ll work.” Babs said simply and graciously took the dress from Martha and walked to the dressing room, before any of us really had time to register what the dress looked like. Martha simply shrugged and grabbed a dress for me.

Vera walked out right as I stood to take my turn on the podium. The dress was made for her. The shiny bright silver of the rhinestones complimented her long dark hair and dark chocolate eyes. It clung to her body and brought out the rich tones in her skin. Her long tanned leg stood out from the slit in the dress. Giving just enough to make the mind beg for more. The neckline was sharp against her collarbone and trailed down her right arm. Her cleavage poked through just enough to draw your gaze, but not enough to feel overpowering. She was a sparkling and elegant tease.

“We might as well not go. Vera will just steal the show, anyway.” Lenny spoke first, leaning against the counter near the front of the shop. Babs walked out in her dress and said,

“Honestly, if I find my mate at this thing. I won’t even be mad if I catch them looking at you.” She looked Vera up and down and nodded approvingly.

“How can you not look? She’s a walking disco ball.” Lenny teased and Vera stuck her tongue out, while also flipping her the bird.

“Babs, that dress suits you.” I said, drawing everyone’s attention away from Vera.

The dress was a dark satin blue with a deep V neckline. It was long and reached the floor with a minimal train and a high thigh slit that was only noticeable when she walked. The back was low, showing plenty of skin down to just above her hips. The spaghetti straps were connected by a chain in the back that trailed down and met with the back of the dress, creating the illusion of diamond water droplets trailing her spine. With her short hair, it made her neck look long and regal. Her pale skin complimented the dark of the dress. The dress showed the slender piece of her chest between her breasts, adding seduction to the elegant look. She wasn’t nearly as flashy as Vera, but she was still a show stopper. Lenny and Vera stared, taking in her dress.

“Babs… will you wear that dress every day? For the rest of your life?” Babs rolled her eyes at Vera and turned to walk into the dressing room. “I’m serious, I’ll pay you!” She called as Babs shut the door. She knows she looks good, she just doesn’t like the attention. But I saw the small smirk on her face before she walked into her dressing room.

“You look amazing, Babs!” I call over the dressing room door. I see her hand poke over the top of the door and wave off my compliment. She knows she looks good, she just doesn’t like the attention. But I saw the small smirk on her face before she walked into her dressing room.

“Alpha Roxy, I know how much you liked your ceremony dress, so I tried to create something similar while making it worthy of a ball at the royal palace.” Martha held the dress in front of me and I gazed at it in the mirror. It was made of the same black satin my ceremony dress had been made from. But this time, it had a more defined shape.

“This looks amazing. How do you know me so well?” I smirked at Martha through the mirror, and she bowed her head slightly at my praise. “I’ll be right back with it.” I told her as I took it and headed for the dressing room to try it on.

I stared at my reflection for a minute in awe before stepping out. The bodice was sleeveless and was formed into two sharp points above my breasts, then diving into a low V before rising to a peak on the other side. It fit my form down to my waist, where it loosened up and became an elegant waterfall of fabric. The hem reached the floor and there was a slit running up my right thigh that went all the way to my hip. The fabric folded over itself just enough at the hip to hide how high the slit went until I walked. The fabric caught every bit of breeze, so it didn’t take much for the skirt to open and show some leg. The back slung low, sitting just below my mid back. It was simple in design, but elegant and stunning. It was buttery soft against my skin. The only thing holding it in place was a miracle from the goddess herself, yet somehow it didn’t feel like it would slip in any way. The black fabric is a stark contrast to my long white hair and pale skin, but it makes the green in my eyes feel even more vibrant. My cheeks hurt from smiling.

“Martha, you’re a wizard! How did you fit it so perfectly? It feels so light and airy, but also secure in the most amazing way.” I ask.

“A magician never reveals their secrets.” I did a small spin and watched as the dress flowed outward, catching the wind.

“Careful spinning like that. You may show off more than you bargained for.” Babs raised her eyebrows at me suggestively and grinned wickedly.

“Maybe I’m showing off exactly what I intend to.” I reply, lowering my eyelids seductively. We stare at each other for a long moment before we break out into giggles. I turn back to Martha. “You have worked your magic once again, all fully satisfied customers. I’ll meet you at the front to pay for the dresses. Just let me get out of this one first.”

“Absolutely not. I will not take payment from my Alpha.” She huffed indignantly.

“I will meet you at the front.” I level my gaze at her and then raise an eyebrow. She catches the look and concedes.

“Very well, but I don’t like it.” She bows to me again and walks behind the counter while I get changed.

I met her at the counter a few moments later with my dress back on the hanger and in the bag.

“Thank you again for all of your hard work. You’ve done an amazing job with all of our dresses. You have an amazing eye for detail.” I place my hand over hers on top of the counter and give it a light squeeze.

“Thank you Alpha, it is the highest praise coming from you.” She flips her hand over so she’s holding mine and squeezes back.

“You’ve done so much for me already, but did you happen to have a chance to prepare that item I requested?” I ask conspiratorially.

“I have. Would you like to see it?” She waves me toward the back of the store, into the employee section. I follow with a new bout of excitement rolling through me. She takes a bag off one of the racks and hangs it on the wall before opening the zipper and pulling the dress free of the plastic. The dress is flawless.

“Oh Martha!” I exclaim, grabbing the red and black fabric gently and running my hand over the lace and beads. “It’s perfect. She will look amazing.” I whisper reverently before turning to Martha and hugging her. “Thank you for this.” She squeezes me back and we embrace for a long moment.

“No need to thank me. She deserves this as much as you do.” We pull apart and she slides her hands down my arms to take hold of my hands. “Just make sure one of you comes back with a mate.” She smiles widely at me and I nod my head.

“I’ll do my best, but it’s up to the goddess.” We exchange another quick hug before she tucks the dress back into the bag and I hurry out the door.