The Alpha's Sister

Chapter 7

After school, I went to my car, excited to go shopping for a dress for Lexi's ceremony. I really was happy for her and my anxiety was lifting. I was starting to feel like everything was going to be ok. 

I had asked Mason to go dress shopping with me but he has training duties. It was fine, I could go on my own. I just needed one dress sand I had the perfect store in mind to go to.

I got to my car, and through my backpack in the back. I turned the key fob but the car wouldn't start. It was making these clicking but nothing else happened. Great. My day had been going well. Until now, at least. I popped the hood and moved around the front of my car to check it out. Granted, I knew nothing about cars and had no idea what to look for. I looked around for help but all the other students had left for the day already. 

I took out my phone to call Mason when this sleek black car pulled up and stopped next to me. The window rolled down to reveal the face of my handsome mate. He actually did look pretty miserable, though. What Lexi had said was an understatement. He looked like he hadn't slept in months.

"Need a ride?" he asked.

"My car won't start. I was going to call Mason." He got out and came around to me. He looked over the inner workings of my car but didn't touch anything.

"It's probably a dead battery. Text Mason to have someone come pick it up. Get in my car, I'll take you home," he said, more of a command than a suggestion. I didn't think he was trying to order me, though. Honestly, it just seemed like he needed to be around me for a few minutes, needed it like he needed air to breathe.

"Actually, I need to shopping for a dress for tomorrow. Lexi asked me to be at the ceremony and I need someone to wear. I can have someone from the pack come get me." My wolf was practically jumping out of my skin to be close to him but it wouldn't be a good idea right now. I still needed time.

He smiled, no, he grinned, like he all of a sudden had some master plan that clicked in his head. "Let me take you. I'd love to help you pick something." This boy had something up his sleeve but I didn't know what it was. I opened my mouth to answer but he didn't give me a chance. Liam grabbed my wrist, opened his car door and moved to help me in. God, his car smelled like him. I sank into the seat without thinking about it, letting his scent envelope me. "Do you need anything out of your car?"

"Um, my purse and my backpack I guess. Liam, you really don't have to take me." He closed his eyes for a brief second like something I said soothed him. I was intoxicated, though, and wasn't one hundred percent paying attention.

"Say it again."

"Say what?" I asked.

"My name."

"Liam." I said barely above a whisper, not comprehending what was going on but feeling a little shy in the moment. He groaned. Actually, groaned, like I was naked in front of him. I could feel my cheeks heat up, feeling too open and exposed. Yep, going with him was definitely not a good idea.

He grabbed my things before I could say or do anything and got in the driver side, putting my stuff in the back seat. As he drove off, I shot a quick text to Mason.

Can you have someone pick up my car from the school? I think the battery's dead. I'm going shopping and I have a ride so don't worry about me. I'll be home later. Love you!

Mason didn't respond right away but I wasn't worried. My brother would take care of it.

"You can drop me off at the mall. There's a*****e there that should have something for me," I said to Liam, hoping he'd listen and just drop me off.

"No." I bristled at that. He couldn't just tell me what to do.

"What do you mean no?" 

"I mean, I'm taking you somewhere else. Nothing that could be at the mall would be good enough for my mate." He smiled at me. "Only the best for you." 

Ok, that was sweet. He reached over and grabbed my hand. Tingles sparked where we touched and he visibly relaxed. His wolf was probably dying for the contact as much as mine was. Touching him in even a simple way just felt so good and so right. My wolf was in heaven. She was loving this and to be honest, so was I.

"I've missed you, Hannah. It's been hell, not having you with me. I wish we were getting mated tomorrow instead of my Beta," he said, sadness peaking through his voice. I felt guilty, again. Here I was, able to give him what he needed from me and I was holding back. Just like I had with Lexi, but this was different. Giving in to Liam would mean giving up my dreams. I wasn't sure I was ready to do that.

I didn't respond. I didn't trust myself to. If I opened my mouth, I might just say that it could be us tomorrow and there wouldn't be any turning back from that. The rest of the drive was quiet, Liam just holding my hand. For now, that would have to be enough. This next hour or so would have to be enough for both of us. 

We pulled up in front of a shop. It looked very stylish and expensive, evening gowns and suits on mannequins lining the front windows. Good thing, my dad was Alpha and we had money or I wouldn't have been able to shop there. As we walked through the door, a gorgeous woman walked up to greet us. I was a little jealous of just how beautiful she was. I definitely couldn't compare.

"Alpha!" she said, smiling and extending her hand to Liam. "How can we help you today?"

"Hello, Gloria. We actually are needing to look at some dresses, please. Hannah needs something beautiful to wear tomorrow for my Beta's mating ceremony."

She directed her smile at me and looked me up and down, like she was thinking about what I might look best in. "Of course! have a few select ones that I think would look fantastic on you!" She took my hand to lead me towards the dressing room. I couldn't understand how she had so much energy. She literally radiated it. 

She handed me some dresses to put and they were all beyond beautiful and fit perfectly. After trying on a dozen different ones, I walked out to the mirrors, in a white chiffon dress. It had a slight low cut in the front and an open back. The dress was tighter on the top but flowed loosely at my waist and ended right above my knees. It was gorgeous and my favorite. 

After handing all the other dresses to Gloria, I took the white dress to meet her at the counter. Liam was there, waiting. Gloria rang me up and as I was pulling my credit card out, Liam was already handing Gloria his platinum card.

"No, it's ok. I'll pay for it," I say, handing my card to Gloria.

Liam just ignored me and gave his card to Gloria. When she was done, she handed the bag and receipt to me. I was a little irritated but we walked out of the store and got in the car.

"Thank you for paying, but I could've taken care of it," I said.

"Hannah, you're my mate. In what world do you think I wouldn't take care of you?" 

"So is that what it means to be your mate? Completely dependant on you, not able to take care of myself?" I didn't bother to hide my irritation.

"What? No, of course not." he said, slightly taken aback and confused.

"Just take me home please."

Liam took my hand again. "Would you have dinner with me please?"

"What? Why?" I asked, surprised.

"You promised you would give me a chance the first day of school and I haven't seen you since. Being close to you this afternoon has felt great and I'm not ready to let you go yet. Please? One dinner. Let me get to know you."

Was I ready for this? Could I handle this? It was just dinner, right?

"Ok, I'll have dinner with you."