Fated: Alphas of the Compass

Chapter 9 - Silk and Starlight

Stepping inside the shop, our group is greeted similarly to the last. Beautiful females look at my mates expectantly before their eyes settle on us and their hopeful faces drop. I try not to let it bother me as I scan the racks of dresses arranged by color across the room in a sparkling rainbow. My eyes land on a midnight blue dress on display at the back of the room, with a low neckline and a long train. Ronyn sees my gaze lingering and turns to one of the females.

"She wants to try that one," he says, pointing to the dress. I start to object, knowing that a dress as beautiful as that would come at a hefty price, but he lifts a hand and gives me a look. "Don't even start," he interrupts. "If you like the dress, try it. I know you won't like the price, but all four of us want you to have something you like. Frankly, you could choose a gown to suit each pack, and I'm sure nobody would mind. Just pick something you like, okay?" He takes my hand and squeezes it, pulling me back towards the gown.

I look around, trying to catch my friends' eyes, but Ellyana and Elyris are too busy talking to one of the workers about a ruby red and an emerald green gown to notice me. I sigh and allow Ronyn to pull me to the back. Looking closer, I'm able to tell that there are hundreds of tiny diamonds studding the skirt and train, looking like the seamstress captured the night sky in the folds of material. The female Ronyn spoke to slips the dress off of the display and leads me back to a changing room, asking if I need any help before leaving.

I change into the dress quickly, the soft material slipping delicately over my skin. The front of the skirt hits just below my knees, and the train trails a foot or two behind. The straps of the gown tie behind my neck and the neckline dips and shows a good bit of cleavage, making me a bit nervous, but thankfully it holds well. Even living with my prominent family back in Aurora, none of us owned any clothing as stunning as this piece.

I slowly step out of the room, looking at the floor self-consciously. I hear a small gasp, and look up to see all four of my mates staring at me with so much care and admiration, along with something else. Lust. They want me. The thought makes my face flush, and I duck my face again to hide it. "It's a little much, isn't it? I feel silly," I say, getting ready to turn back to the changing room. I feel a finger under my chin, lifting until I'm looking into Emron's eyes. The rest of my mates stand around us, along with my two friends.

"You look beautiful, Stella. I think it suits you perfectly. Nobody will be able to take their eyes off of you," he says quietly. He moves so his hand rests on my cheek, his palm cool on my heated face. I lean into it for a moment, closing my eyes, before stepping away to finally take a look in the mirror. I gasp quietly, seeing how well the dress hugs my curves. I'm not a tall, skinny female by any means. My mother used to call me "a buxom beauty, sure to catch any male's eye." That was before my failed shift on my name day, of course.

The low neckline dips below my breasts, and the low back dips even further, showing off the moon phase tattoo lining my shoulders and spine. Two new wolves sit on my shoulder blades, one a deep blue and the other a rich red, howling at the full moon on each shoulder with the first tattoos. More whirls and spirals surround the new wolves and now connect the tattoos on my arms to the one on my spine.

My friends stare back at me in the mirror, awe on their faces. "Stella," Erylis starts, "You look amazing. Like a Luna." Ellyana just nods, staring. One by one, I lock eyes with my mates in the mirror. Emron looks at me with so much love that it's hard to hold his gaze. Ronyn's eyes aren't any easier, with the amount of heat behind them. He looks like he could eat me alive, but I can't say that I mind. Luka looks like he wants to sweep me off somewhere and whisper things that would make any girl blush. Elias's gaze is the hardest to decipher. It isn't full of love or lust, or even like he wants to whisk me away. It's a look I've never seen on his face before: pure, unadulterated happiness. Something about all of the emotion in their eyes makes me shy away. I've never been the cause of anything like it before, so it makes me shy and uncertain.

Eventually I take the dress off, then take to helping Ellyana and Elyris find dresses. Erylis finds the sleek, emerald green gown with long, lace sleeves that she was speaking to a seamstress about earlier. The luscious color suits her fiery hair perfectly, while Ellyana opts for a deep garnet red sleeveless option that makes her brown eyes and tan skin warmer and more welcoming. After a long search in another shop for shoes, bags, jewelry, and any other accessory, all at my mates' insistence, we start our walk back to the pack house.

Everyone seems to be in high spirits after our outing, chatting happily and making jokes. We stop by a*****e with computers, cellphones, and other tech and get what my mates decide are absolute necessities — phones and earbuds — and finish our trip out with a cup of coffee in a café not far from the pack house.

The energy is high among the group, and I can't help but smile at the sight of my friends smiling and talking to my mates animatedly. Even Ellyana is speaking above a whisper and using her hands emphatically to explain something to Elias. He catches me watching and smiles, allowing her to continue her mini rant.

To my other side, Erylis seems to be in a debate with Ronyn and Luka, oblivious to everyone else around them. This time, Emron sees me watching. He clears his throat, nervous. "Did you enjoy yourself today, Stella? It wasn't too overwhelming, was it?"

I smile and shake my head. "No, it was amazing. I've never seen them smile this much before," I say, looking between Erylis and Ellyana. I reach out and intertwine our fingers before continuing, "Thank you. For everything. It means the world to me." I swallow, trying to hide my emotions, but he clocks the motion of my throat. He removes his hand from mine and moves closer to my side, putting his arm around my shoulders.

When I tense, he goes to remove his arm. "I'm sorry, I should have asked," he says, but before he can continue, I take his hand and replace his arm around my shoulders.

In response to his quizzical look, I say, "I don't mind," and continue sipping my coffee, watching my friends, not quite meeting his eyes. I see him attempt to hide a smile as he sips his own coffee next to me, pulling me a little closer.

After a moment of comfortable silence, he leans over and whispers, "We don't mind taking you all out, though. I don't mind. I just wanted to see you happy. You look like you haven't smiled in a long time, and it's a shame."

Yes, a girl could definitely get used to this.