CHAPTER 6: PROMISE KEPT.
827 Words
Emily stared at the gown in awe.
It wasn't that she couldn't afford a beautiful dress—she certainly could. Her family was wealthy enough that she could have purchased ten dresses if she wanted to. What made this one special was the thought behind it.
Pierce had remembered.
Despite disappearing for days, despite whatever mysterious journey had taken him away, he had still thought about her. He had chosen something for her himself.
And somehow, that meant more than the dress itself.
She gently ran her fingers over the shimmering fabric.
"It's beautiful," she said softly.
A faint smile tugged at Pierce's lips. "I wasn't sure you'd like it."
"Are you kidding?" Emily laughed. "It's gorgeous."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
The winter air carried soft snowflakes between them as they stood in the driveway.
Emily looked up at him and noticed the tension in his shoulders had finally eased.
"You were worried," she realized.
Pierce raised an eyebrow.
"About what?"
"That I wouldn't like it."
"I wasn't worried."
"You absolutely were."
"I wasn't."
"You disappeared for days and the first thing you're doing is arguing with me."
A reluctant chuckle escaped him.
The sound surprised both of them.
Emily smiled triumphantly.
"There he is."
Something warm flickered in Pierce's chest.
God, he had missed her.
Missed her laugh.
Missed the way her eyes sparkled whenever she teased him.
Missed the scent that always surrounded her—a soft blend of vanilla perfume, winter jasmine, and something uniquely Emily that his wolf could identify from miles away.
His wolf stirred contentedly.
Mate.
The word echoed through his mind again.
This time, Pierce didn't push it away quite as quickly.
Emily carefully lifted the dress from the box.
"Give me thirty minutes."
Pierce's gaze swept over her.
"Forty."
Emily gasped.
"Excuse me?"
"You'll spend twenty minutes deciding whether you like your hairstyle, ten minutes changing it, and another ten minutes changing it back."
Her mouth fell open.
"How do you know that?"
A smug look appeared on his face.
"I've observed things."
Emily pointed an accusing finger at him.
"That's creepy."
"Accurate."
She rolled her eyes and laughed.
For the first time all week, the knot of anxiety in her chest completely disappeared.
Tonight wasn't going to be about avoiding humiliation.
Tonight was going to be about surviving Pierce's ego.
And strangely enough...
she was looking forward to it.
The moment the front door closed, Pierce's smile faded.
His senses immediately sharpened.
The winter wind carried countless scents through the neighborhood.
Snow.
Smoke.
Humans.
Cars.
And beneath them all...
Wolf.
His eyes narrowed.
The unfamiliar scent was still there.
Watching.
Waiting.
His wolf growled.
Pierce slowly scanned the surrounding area.
Nothing.
No movement.
No suspicious figures.
Yet the scent remained unmistakable.
Another wolf.
Not from his pack.
Not one he recognized.
And somehow, that stranger knew where Emily lived.
His jaw tightened.
The possessive instinct inside him immediately surged.
Whoever it was, he didn't like them being anywhere near her.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
"Alpha, the limousine is ready."
"Good," Pierce replied.
"Should we proceed to Miss Emily's address?"
"Yes. Wait for her outside."
The driver acknowledged the order before ending the call.
Pierce looked toward Emily's house one last time.
Picked up his phone and sent her a text
'I'll meet you at the gala'
He still had responsibilities to handle before the gala began.
Reluctantly, he climbed onto his motorcycle.
The engine roared to life.
Within moments he disappeared down the road.
Forty minutes later,Emily stood frozen in front of her bedroom mirror.
She barely recognized herself.
The silver gown fit perfectly.
The necklace glittered softly against her skin.
Her hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders.
For the first time in years, she felt beautiful.
Not acceptable.
Not presentable.
Beautiful.
A sudden knock at the door startled her.
Checking the time, she hurried downstairs.
When she opened the door, her eyes widened.
A luxurious black limousine waited outside.
Its polished exterior reflected the city lights.
Beside it stood a chauffeur dressed in an immaculate black uniform.
"Miss Emily?"
"Yes?"
The chauffeur smiled politely.
"The vehicle has been sent by Mr. Pierce."
A warmth spread through her chest.
Of course he had.
Pierce always seemed to think of everything.
The chauffeur opened the rear door for her.
Emily carefully stepped inside.
The luxurious interior made her feel as though she had entered another world.
Moments later, the limousine began moving through the city streets.
Outside, Christmas lights illuminated buildings and storefronts. The entire city buzzed with excitement for the biggest gala of the year.
As she gazed out the window, her nervousness slowly returned.
She wondered how her family would treat her this time around.
She quietly prayed that they wouldn't say awful things about her to Pierce.....she couldn't afford to lose him.
She smiled to herself.... she was glad he kept his promise to go with her.
- Writer
