The Alpha King's Mate

Chapter 5

Iris’ POV

I sigh as I rummage through my closet trying to decide what I could possibly wear to the mating ball. It’s only a few weeks away and honestly, I don’t even know if I want to go. But, in saying that, I know that if Cole has his way, I would not be going, so that kind of motivates me to go just to spite him and rub it in his face. He can’t do a thing while at the ball surrounded by tons of other packs for fear of his abusive ways coming into the light. So, I guess I can take one positive out of this whole thing.

What also makes me hesitant is the chance I might find my mate. Although with these stupid silver cuffs, I doubt that I would even feel a mate bond anymore. No way to test that until they come along, though. I can only hope that my mate would be from another pack so that I can leave Silver Moon. Usually when a female finds her mate, she joins her mate’s pack. As sexist as it sounds, it’s preferred that males stay within the pack they were born into. Keeping strengths wihin the packs. Personally, I could care less about that if I get to leave. The kicker? Cole wouldn’t be able to do a thing about it.

I pull out the few dresses I own, lay them on my bed, and look them over.

“These won’t work.”

“What won’t work?” Gene says as she walks into my room. I turn and watch her as she walks with a spoon in her righthand and the tub of peanut butter in the other. I roll my eyes at her and turn to face the dresses and point at them.

“My dresses. They totally wouldn’t work for the mating ball. They are too basic.”

“Have to agree with you there. Seems like we need to do some shopping in town.”

“I guess so. Hopefully, I can go.”

“Cole already gave you permission to go to Iron Wolf tonight right?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Then let us leave a little earlier and go find some dresses before we head over there. I promise, we will find something amazing for you."

I smirk. “Okay, I’m trusting you.”

Gene chuckles as she turns to leave. “You always do.”

__

I groan in frustration as I put another dress away on the rack. “Why are all of these so short and slutty?” I say quietly to myself.

I’m seriously questioning Gene’s taste right now.

I swear if she tries to get me into another mini dress, I’m going to leave…

“Iris!” I hear her from the back of the boutique, and I make my way past the racks of dresses towards her. I get back and my eyes settle onto the dress she’s holding.

I gasp. “Its… beautiful.”

She’s holding a long-sleeved, V-neck mermaid style dress that is covered in a lace applique of red roses that blends into a transparent black bottom with those same lace roses on the trim. She turns it and it has a low back as well.

“You need to get this one!!” Gene exclaims, and I get worried. Do I really?

I walk up to her and all the nerves fade as I touch the beautifully crafted dress. “It’s probably expensive! No way I could afford it, but it’s so gorgeous.”

“I’ll cover half for you. Go try it on.” I look at her with wide eyes. “What?”

“You heard me. You need a dress that suits the ball. You’re getting it. No questions. Go try it on!”

She shoves the dress into my arms and points towards the dressing rooms. I gawk at her for a moment, still trying to process that she’s helping me pay for it. Suddenly, she pushes me towards the changing rooms.

“Go! See if it needs any adjustments.”

“Okay, okay!” I exclaim and close the door to the changing room. I quickly undress and step into the gown, pulling the sleeves over my arms, and doing up the small zipper by my lower back. I shiver and I feel that my back is fully exposed. I glance at myself in the mirror in the dressing room and I smile. I really do like it. I step out again and Gene’s eyes go wide.

“What?” I ask as she comes up to me and walks around me, inspecting every inch.

“This is it. You look stunning! Might just need to take it a bit in near your waist, but other than that, it fits perfectly. She claps her hands together and pushes me back into the stall. “Take it off and I will let the seamstress know to take it in a couple inches. We’ve got to get going to Iron Wolf.”

I sigh as I close the dressing room door and start to take it off.

God, she’s so pushy…