ALPHA ZEHRAN'S REDEMPTION

CHAPTER THREE

IYRA'S POV

As we stepped into the market, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sights and sounds. The air was filled with the chatter of vendors, the clanging of pots and pans and the laughter of children scurrying between the stalls. The aromas of different products wafted through the air. The vibrant colors of products and handmade goods caught my eye, making me stumble a few times.

It seemed like the entire town had gathered at the market, and the energy was electric. As we made our way through the crowded isles, I couldn't help but feel a bit subconscious, feeling particularly conscious about my birthmark. While we had not been physically confronted yet, whispers followed us and I could sense the curious glances of other shoppers, feel their wary eyes following our every move as we moved from stall to stall. The vendors that were particularly loud, chattering away, suddenly seemed to have lost their enthusiasm and replied with murmurs whenever we visited their stall.

We had been at it for a few hours now, and I was ready to bail and run off into any bush I see when I noticed a little girl sitting to the side, her eyes downcast and her shoulders slumped. What stood out to me was the other kids were laughing and playing around her. Something about her sadness tugged at my heart, and before I even realized what I was doing, I found myself approaching her.

“Hello.” I said softly, offering her a smile. “What's wrong?”

The girl lifted her head, her eyes wide with surprise, and then she smiled tentatively, glancing over at the group of kids, laughing and running about, then quickly averted her gaze, her smile disappearing. “They… they don't want me to play with them… they say I'm different.” She whispered the last part as if ashamed to even voice it out.

I frowned, feeling a pang of sadness for the little girl. “Well that's just not fair at all. Everyone deserves to have friends irrespective of their differences.”

At that, she glances up at me, a hint of hope in her eyes. “You… you really think so?”

I nodded emphatically, kneeling close to her. “Totally! In fact I think your differences probably makes you more interesting and fun to be around.” I leaned in secretly. “Who wants to play the same old boring games all the time

Closing my eyes, I concentrated intently, feeling the energy swirling within me. Tentatively, I began to channel this energy outwards. Suddenly, a cloud of butterflies were swirling around us, fluttering their vibrant wings. The girl's eyes went wide with wonder as she took in the breathtaking display.

“Wow… how did you do that?” She asked in awe, tentatively reaching her hands for the creatures.

I grinned. “It's my own little bit of magic. And I think they would love to play with you.”

As if on cue, the butterflies began to dance and twirl playfully around her. She giggled in delight, all traces of sadness gone.

The spectacle had not gone unnoticed by some of the few people around, even the kids had stopped playing and were watching the spectacle in awe.

The moment was short-lived, however, as a woman rushed over, her eyes filled with relief. “Vee! There you are.” She scooped up the girl, pulling her in a tight embrace not seeming to notice the spectacle. “I've been searching all over for you!”

The woman's gaze fell upon me, her eyes widening with recognition and something else as she stared at me for a few seconds. “You're the family that was banned by the alpha, aren't you?” She blurted out, her voice laced with curiosity and, if I do say so myself, empathy.

I felt my cheeks flush, but before I could respond, the woman continued. “My name is Eliza. This is my daughter, Vivian. I've been working on a ball gown for the alpha's upcoming betrothal ceremony and I've been searching for someone to be the crowning jewel of my design and I think you'll make the perfect fit!” She rushed out.

I was taken aback by the unexpected request and I glanced over at my parents who had just joined us. Their expression showed that they had also heard what she said as they both exchanged surprised looks.

“I… um… I'm not sure.” I stuttered, unsure of how to respond.

“Please, it will really mean so much to me,” Eliza insisted, her eyes pleading. “You don't have to pay a dime, just a shout-out is enough, and it would be an honor to have you wear it.”

My eyes widened as I looked around to make sure I was not in a dream and still at the market. I looked down at the little girl, Vivian, who was gazing at me with hopeful eyes and I felt my chest tighten. I turned to my parents, my expression probably screaming for help.

“When is the ball?” My mother pipes up beside me.

“It's tomorrow.” She declared as we all gasped. “More reason why I need your support.” She added, as if that would help.

“I'd been looking for someone to model the dress but no one seemed to embody it as I envisioned. I was thinking of dropping the gown into a box to wait for another festivity to try again but the moment I saw you, I knew you'll make the perfect match.” She included, enthusiastically. I wasn't sure she knew how weird she sounded at the end.

“But even if I were to agree, we weren't invited to the ball.” I reminded her.

“Nonsense!” She exclaimed. “Everyone's invited to the ball. It's an open feast.”

With that, I looked at my parents, still unsure about how to go about this. They both shrugged, seemingly leaving the decision up to me. I turned to Eliza and Vivian, the latter's hopeful gaze tugging at my heartstrings.

“I… I suppose I could do it.” The words slipped out before I could retract them.

Their faces lit up with joy as they let out squeals of delight. She ushers my parents and me towards her stall, chattering excitedly about the ball gown and the upcoming festivities at the pack house. The stall was small but vibrant, filled with an array of different materials, fabrics and trims. Her designs were breathtaking, but one took my eye and just by mere looking at it, I knew this was the gown she designed for the ball.

The fabric seemed to shimmer and dance, as if infused with a magical energy of its own. The bodice was crafted from a rich satin, the color a deep, rich green that reminded me of the lush forestry surrounding our home. The fabric was skillfully woven with intricate patterns that resembled the twisting vines of ancient trees. The skirt flowed gracefully, the layers of tulle and organza cascading as the layers intertwined and overlapped, creating the illusion of a raging fire, flickering and alive. Delicate silver threads were woven throughout, glittering like stardust.

But it was the back of the gown that took my breath away. A plunging neckline that revealed the expanse of the back, cascading down were more of those captivating vines, the embroidery trailing down the spine and disappearing into the skirt.

As Eliza described her vision for the gown, I found myself utterly transfixed. She spoke of how the rich color would bring out the warmth in my hazel eyes, how the intricate embroidery would bring out the beauty of my silver hair and how the plunging neckline would elegantly frame my birthmark.

I couldn't help but see her in a new light. I mean I had accepted to wear the gown even before seeing it so if it hadn't turned out so good, I probably would still have gone with it, but as I ran my fingers over the fabric, I could feel the care and attention that had gone into this creation. It was as if Eliza had somehow managed to capture the essence of the natural world and weave it into the fibers of the dress and so, with that feeling of awe, I turned to her, more excited than I was about going to the ball a few minutes ago.

“I would be honored to wear this gown to the ball.”

With the night approaching, in time for the full moon's arrival, my parents gently reminded me we needed to be on our way. We said our goodbyes to the pair, thanking Eliza for the ethereal gown and promising Vivian to see her sometime. Leaving the bustling market behind, we made our way home, my heart beating like a drum.