Beyond Fate

Say no to the dress

( Mitchell pov)

“ The number you have called has been disconnected” the irritating woman on the answering machine spoke again. I growled and went to throw my phone against the wall but what would that accomplish the phone hadn’t done anything. When Lucas wanted to disappear he made damn sure he couldn’t be found.

Taking a breath I set the phone back down where it wouldn’t get inadvertently hurt. Pacing my bedroom not knowing what was left to do I went to look out my bedroom window at the serene forest below hoping it would calm me. I thought about how long ago it seemed that Lucas had been the level headed one giving me all the warnings not to screw my life up. Now my i***t friend was the one screwing up his own life. I didn’t understand. He loved Alisha. I knew he did so why would he leave her in such a cruel way.

My heart bled thinking about that night. I can still hear Alisha’s cries in my head. I hadn't heard the exchange or Lucas’s reasons for leaving, only a mindlink from Johnny telling me my friend was a real piece of s**t, had alerted me to what had happened. My first instinct was to check Alisha was ok but when I got to the door I could hear her sobbing to Johnny so I let them be and checking in with Johnny through the night, he’d said Alisha eventually exhausted herself and she had slept for a few hours. After checking on Mina I had settled for the night but then around 4am I was awoken by Colton.

Alpha there’s trouble at the border I think you should come see.

What is it?

Sir, a body has been discovered.

( Alisha pov)

“ awww doesn’t she look adorable, it’s perfect” Tammy cooed like she was seeing a baby for the first time and it made me want to slap her stupid pregnant face. I had my hands on my hips scowling into the mirror wishing I’d never had a big brother, if I didn’t love Johnny so much I wouldn’t be standing here in the little wedding boutique in town, surrounded by my worst enemies, secretly thinking of ways to kill them with my mind.

The moment I’d stepped into the store they had surrounded me and Kelly had shoved a monstrosity of a dress at my chest telling me to get changed but when I had emerged from the dressing room I knew why Tammy had even entertained the idea of having me as a bridesmaid. Just another excuse to humiliate me.

Unlike me all the other bridesmaids wore matching chiffon sheath dresses, the bust was in the shape of a V in a ruched effect with a subtle cleavage, under the waist there was a elegant crossover skirt with a subtle slit that only revealed the girls knee on the one leg but nothing higher. It was that beautiful balance of elegant and sexy making them all look like knockouts. I was actually taken back by how classy the dresses were. It was so out of character for Tammy and Kelly for that matter, I’d half expected something slutty and revealing but they all looked stunning and had I been in the same dress I’d be more than happy to be a bridesmaid.

My dress however looked like it had been picked out of someone's grandparents mouldy old attic. It was an 80’s style shiny satin, huge puffy sleeved, ruffled monstrosity, the only thing missing was an old fashioned bonnet and I’d look like something out of pride and prejudice or bo peep in toy story. Even the colours were horrendous. How could someone put blue and pink together and make it look awful? I wasn't sure but somehow the dress designer had managed it with this one. Unlike the other bridesmaids who’s dresses were a cross between a beautiful champagne and light pink, it was hard to tell with the fluorescent lights but they were perfect. To finish off my look the skirt was covered in huge bows and frills that hurt my eyes. I couldn’t even believe this dress had come out of this store I looked around again seeing an array of beautiful gowns any one of them I’d happily wear, not one of them reaching anywhere near the level of hideous this dress was.

“ Alisha your dress comes to a hundred pound more than the others….. because yours is so special” Tammy stood at the counter with the seamstress who was filling out the forms for the ulcerations. no doubt she’d asked for more embellishments that’s probably where the extra money was needed, I scowled at her patronising tone. I was done with this, not a chance was I paying for this dress, storming past all the others who were busy completing each other. I wanted to just get out of here but someone grabbed my arm pulling me back.

“ You can’t change yet, I want to see us all in our dresses together” Tammy said with a frown, while someone muttered about getting a leash for the dog.

Tammy disappeared quickly into the fitting room leaving me alone with the witches, Kelly went to say something but I gave her a look that said ‘ I f*****g dare you’ it obviously worked because for the first time she said nothing and thankfully seconds later Tammy reappeared with the seamstresss rushing behind her trying to do the dress up. She was barking orders and complaining she had gotten the measurements wrong. I tried to hide the smile, did she seriously not realise she was pregnant and her body would be changing.

She had gone for a fish tail ball gown with wide short sleeves and a sweetheart neckline that pushed up her now larger cleavage just enough to still make it look acceptable it had the same ruched effect as the bridesmaids dresses only the material on tammys dress was satin not chiffon it had simple flower embellishments around the one sleeve leading to the bust that Tammy was complaining were too small but it was actually beautiful and complimented her hourglass figure perfectly.

Mercifully the door to the shop chimed before my ears began bleeding from Tammy’s complaining but the sound of my beautiful little munchkin calling my name did nothing to ease my mood. Seconds later I felt little arms wrap around my waist and a head leaning into my flat stomach, I peered down at the beautiful girl that made my heart sore and I couldn’t help smiling back down at her.

“ Alisha you pretty” she said completely obvivlivuos to the situation and it warmed my heart knowing she was completely sincere. I stroked her little brown curls watching how she beamed at me.

However the sound of alpha Mitchell’s voice alerted me to the fact Mina was not alone. Suddenly I wanted a black hole to swallow me whole, no,no, no.

I looked up at there he was all 6.5” of pure muscle. He was wearing his typical causal style of jeans and fitted T-shirt with designer shades that he quickly slipped onto his head now he was inside the store, my mind quickly going to Lucas making my stomach churn slightly. I hadn’t seen Mitchell since Lucas had left me other than to speak through mindlink but only then it was about business and as always it was short. How would he act around me now, did he think I’d driven Lucas away, did he blame me? Again.

He hadn’t closed the door to the shop and the crowd of vultures had already descended on him, a flural of chiffon and cheap extensions slapped around him. While he held his hands up almost in defence. Then his eyes landed on me and I was relieved when he smiled.

“How’s your dad Alisha?” He asked with a cheery smile. Ignoring the females that were trying to maul him.

“Well he’s still in the shed and mom made a bonfire out of his collectible records but she hasn’t gone for the knives yet so his castration is still pending.” I chuckled and so did he, our conversations seemed so natural now as if the tension had never been there.

Alpha Mitchell took me in for the first time noting the hideous dress I’d been forced into for Johnny's wedding, I flushed feeling my cheeks and neck burn with embarrassment looking away not wanting him or Mina to see me, goddess the entire pack would see me in this dress in less than two weeks.

“Isn’t it great she looks perfect for the happiest day of my life” Tammy looked at me as if I was a blushing bride and she was a proud mother but I could see the evil smirk dying to break free.

If the cake gets destroyed we can always have Alisha as a stand in. I heard in my head I wasn’t sure which of them said it but they all started cackling out loud immediately after. I growled involuntarily tightening my arms around Mina so she knew it wasn’t her I was angry with, Tammy seemed taken back for a moment allowing the act to slip before recovering, she was lucky Mina was here not even the alpha would have stopped me from shoving this awful dress down her throat.

Nope, no, I wouldn’t do it, I couldn’t live in a world where myself and this dress co-existed. I was going to have to arrange a little accident for my dress.

Just pop it in your dad's office. It will be a distant memory by morning. I heard Mitchell in my head. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my mouth thinking about poor moms dress after dad was allowed near it. A new dress was already on the way and mom had spared none of dad’s cash to get her new one.

Everyone looked at me weird for randomly laughing, I covered my mouth quickly looking at Mitchell who was trying to hide his own grin. my outburst made the girls scowl at me but I couldn’t care less what they thought.

“ errr… beautiful dress Alisha” Mitchell gestured to my dress that was anything but beautiful and made me look like I should be doing a Christmas pantomime.

Tammy laughed and all the girls joined in around me. I felt heat rush to my cheeks and dipped my head embarrassed for letting myself be put in this moment.

“ …I thought the bridesmaid wore the same dress?” Mitchell asked, frowning obviously noting only I was in the bright pink and blue puffy sleeved cheap itchy acrylic dress.

I was humiliated and what was worse it was all in front of alpha Mitchell, was it not enough his friend had used me and tossed me aside without a care that someone was out to get me. No because for these girls it would never be enough.

“ oh well we thought Alisha would be happier wearing her own special bridesmaid dress” Tammy said giggling.

“ she does enjoy the attention” someone else said but it was hard to tell who with all the fake blonde hair flapping about.

I wanted to smack them and growl or even claw their worthless cheap tacky dyed hair out but in the real world it doesn’t work that way, sometimes we wish we had spoke up instead of staying silent and then the moments gone. Right now I felt like I had been transported back in time and was that little pup in high school that had been mercilessly bullied by the queen B and her minions, just to make it worse my mate had always stood on the sidelines and watched.

To my shock though a male voice did speak up. “Well we can’t have one standing out and selfishly stealing the spotlight off such beautiful ladies as yourselves ” I looked up surprised. It sounded like Mitchell was insulting me but then I saw him wink in my direction, no one else seemed to notice as they were all discussing what he was saying. He was helping me, I certainly would stand out in this dress but that was just it I would take the limelight off Tammy and if there was one thing Tammy hated more than me it was someone stealing her attention. Apparently she agreed because they all began nodding all in irritating sync that reminded me of the dog with the bobbing head.

The girls were in a fit of blushes and giggles obviously buying the compliments from our alpha. It was followed by very seductive glances. They all seemed certain that alpha Mitchell was singling them out as the beauty. These girls might be gorgeous on the outside but they were hideous on the inside and not a brain cell between them apparently.

He turned to me, angling his back to the others and I mouthed the words ‘thank you’ grateful that his smooth talking had worked in my favour. Mitchell winked at me again and even my stomach did a little flutter, that was weird.

Alpha Mitchell offered to pay for the girls' dresses as an added bonus and Tammy smiled politely agreeing that all the dresses should be the same. Mitchell paid for the dresses at the counter including any alterations, he even checked the order forms to make sure all the dresses were the same style just in case Tammy tried to pull a fast one. Which I thought was sweet of him.

I had to stand there and watch pretty much all of them brush against him at one point or another. Even Kelly did it too. Alpha Mitchell growled at her when she did and she scurried off into the fitting room to change. I didn’t know what she was playing at Nathan was Mitchell’s Beta obviously he knew she was with Nathan and he’d never do that to his Beta.

Tammy at least didn’t try anything but she did hold his bicep longer than necessary when she thanked him a growl escaped my mouth before I could stop it I hated that she would be so brazen when she was pregnant with my brothers pup and standing in a wedding dress she was planning to wear to marry him... b***h I hated her.

Alpha Mitchel turned to me when she scurried off I was still stood in the stupid bow peep style outfit feeling more embarrassed than ever for not running off to get changed while I’d had the chance. Mina had her arms wrapped around my waist admiring the colours. She still loved the dress so I promised to make her something similar in my spare time.

“ Daddy, I want Ali to come for ice cream” Mina said, turning towards Mitchell, who was putting away his credit card. When he didn’t say anything I felt I needed to make an excuse.

“ Maybe daddy wants his girl all to himself sweetie?” I told her she was too young to understand omega’s didn’t hang out with the alpha after all that was all I was now I couldn’t expect to be treated as anything other than another omega from now on. I know we had Fridays at my parents house but that was different. It was with the Beta family and not just the three of us. Plus we hadn’t really talked since Lucas had left so it felt a bit awkward.

However Mitchell just smiled genuinely to Mina before looking up at me, his face taking in my outfit and sympathy crossed his face. Great, he felt sorry for me.

“ I think Alisha earned an ice cream after having to wear that outfit. What do you say kiddo, shall we save Alisha?” he bent down to her level and she jumped at him cheering.

“ yay!!! ice cream!!! Ali likes stwabwy” she said as alpha Mitchel scooped her up in his arms.

“ Not me, I can’t resist chocolate,” he said, smiling back up at me. I couldn’t help but smile back at him even if he was just being nice to save me from further humiliation.

“ umm...” I wasn’t sure it was appropriate but sounded lovely and I didn’t want to be rude.

“ pweeese” Mina gave me her puppy dog eyes and I couldn’t resist those beautiful little dimples.

“ Ok only if you guys are sure, let me just get changed and I’ll be right there” I gestured to the awful dress cringing at Mitchell, he pulled a similar face and laughed for the first time I noticed he had dimples just like Mina did. Something else besides the hair she had inherited from him. I didn’t want to be rude, not accepting the alphas' invitation or upset Mina.

“ Good thing we were walking past, we’ll save you a seat “ Mitchell stood up taking Mina's hand leading her out of the shop.

There was something seriously sexy about seeing a dad with his little girl, wait sexy? No that can’t be right I meant warming, sweet… something non s****l.

You were thinking sexy, my wolf chimes in snuggly and I feel myself becoming flustered again.

Nope, definitely didn’t think sexy it’s inappropriate, and I’m still grieving.

Bitch I’m in your head who do you think you're kidding.

When did you suddenly get so chatty and why are you encouraging it? I asked but she didn’t respond, what was with her.

Apparently Myself and my wolf weren't the only one’s either. I spotted two women across the street watching him and the seamstress behind the counter was checking him out. seriously?

She was twice his age, I frowned looking back at father and daughter as they crossed the street. Little did these women know that the little girl was the only one in this world who had his heart. I smiled to myself as I watched them. I loved that Mina had a real parent in her life at last. Mitchell had been amazing building his relationship with her the past couple of months. I had to admit I’d had my doubts in the beginning but something had changed in him and now it was as if they had never been apart.

she’d always ask me why she didn’t have a real mommy and daddy like other pups her age and I’d never know what to say about Alpha Mitchell. I would always make sure she knew about her mother. There were pictures of Rose all around the nursery. I’d asked Rose's parents if they had home movies of Rose once thinking it might be nice for Mina to see Rose in the flesh so to speak but they had brushed me off accusing me of sticking the knife in old wounds, so I didn’t ask again. I’d instead told Mina stories about how her mother had gone to live with the moon goddess because she needed her to watch over all of us and help keep us safe. Mina liked to wave at the moon believing her mother lived up there. It was wonderful to think that Rose could see Mina sometimes.

“ ewwww why is that still here” I heard Kelly’s shrill voice coming out of the fitting rooms with the rest of the girls giggling behind.

“ I’m waiting to get changed, you hogged the fitting room” I stated frowning at them all. Now Mitchell had gone they had gone back to their bullying and looks of disgust.

“ Yeah, well, no one wanted to see your ugly fat arse flapping about. The sight of you is making me sick no wonder your mate doesn’t want you” she spat but I just rolled my eyes at her as if unbothered, I knew it pissed her off more when I didn’t react to her original insult that she only said that every time she saw me.

“ what ever don’t you have any new insults because those ones are so old they borderline pathetic” I put my hands on my hips squaring off to her and the others surprised at my brazen attitude lately. Maybe this break up with Lucas was messing me up more than I realised.

“ I can give you something that hurts if you like b***h” she moved towards me. All the girls did. Great, five against one, seems fair.

Kill these dogs!! My wolf was ready for blood, she had been for years and why not. She was a beta wolf and this crazy blonde was with her mate. It was so simple for her, she’d been gunning for Kelly for a long time but the problem was I hadn’t trained in years I definitely could take all of them right now and if I could all they had to say was I, the omega, attacked them and I’d end up in the cells or worse.

The bell sounded behind me and for a moment I thought maybe Mitchell and Mina had come back but then I felt the familiar tingle that I now loathed.

“ Are you ready, baby? I got a poker match with the guys, so hurry up with your girly s**t yea” Nathan’s usual bored drone voice bellowed out in the tiny shop. The counter lady actually scampered away, man she was jumpy, nathan wasn’t a beefy bloke by werewolves standards he was actually quite lean he certainly wasn’t even as tall as Mitchell but he was scary when he wanted to be, he gave off an aura that always seemed dark and angry like his wolf was seconds away from breaking free.

I turned towards the door, even his lean frame in the small doorway was filling it. I wondered how Mitchell had gotten through the door, his eyes darted to me changing from their usual blue to black momentarily. I smirked at the fact no matter how much he denied wanting me he clearly did, I heard a growl in Kelly’ s direction and she actually looked irritated, had she seen Nathan’s eyes change or was it because she would miss out on beating me this time. despite having Nathan she knew he’d never stand by and let her and her b***h crew beat me. His wolf wouldn’t allow it. That’s why she’d never dared do it with him around, it was only for s**t like screwing him in public to hurt me she needed him for.

“ Maybe next time” I smirked at her marvelling at the small victory I’d had today. “ Besides, I can't stay and chat. I'm having ice cream with alpha Mitchell and Mina” I wanted to say date but lost my nerve, I went to walk past them towards the fitting room hearing a slight rumble ‘Nathan’ even if it hadn’t worked on the bitches it had worked on Nathan.

“ oh you might want to keep the costume on sheep girl I do believe your clothes walked off without you, even they don’t want to be near you” Kelly said sweetly the other girls giggled behind her and just like that my moment of victory was over, s**t I should have known better than to leave my clothes in the fitting room she was determined to have me wear this hideous dress in public one way or another. She stood waiting for my reaction but I gave her none, other than to stop moving. Gone are the days where I’d stand there and cry. I knew she’d get bored quicker if I didn’t react to her insults.

Nathan wrapped his hands around Kelly’s waist pulling her towards him kissing her neck though he didn’t take his eyes off me the whole time. I hated that it hurt. I felt my wolf howl in pain and I felt for her wishing I could help her suffering.

“ Come on baby let’s go I’m bored and the mutt’s not worth your time” he whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. Kelly smiled, letting Nathan lead her out of the shop her entourage followed but not before leaving me with a smug glare each, great now what do I do. I knew without going into the fitting room my clothes would be long gone.

I heard footsteps coming up behind me and the awful smell that followed made my eyes water and I couldn’t help holding my hand against my mouth to stop the heaving. The seamstress was carrying a pile of soaking wet clothes with an angry expression. She was a bigger woman wearing all black clothing with only a colourful scarf and chunky necklace to add any colour to her look, I’m guessing her hair was blonde like mine once but now looked more white and an old styled perm to match that was probably all the rage I the 70s however it did suit her, She looked to be in her late fifties, she certainly smelled human so I assumed she wasn’t older than that, unlike werewolves humans appearances tend to match their age from what I knew, not that I had much experience. However it was the stench of my clothes that was the centre of my attention at the moment. From the smell of them they’d been dumped in the drains out back, she looked pissed as hell. I felt bad, It wasn’t my fault but she had a business to run and the girl's prank on me was going to cost her money.

“ I’m so sorry I’ll pay any damages..” I said to her trying to take the soiled clothes from her but she pulled back dumping them into a bag on the counter.

“ don’t be silly dear, that little brat of a bride will have it added to her bill, they blocked my toilet with their stunt” I cringed rubbing my eyes feeling defeated. yep dirty toilet water I knew I smelled s**t.

I hung my head not knowing what to do. I'd have to pay for this hideous dress now with what little money I had and as much as I’m sure it would make Mina happy seeing me in this dress I couldn’t embarrass the alpha like that by going for ice cream. I couldn’t even ring Jasmine or dad to come pick me up. I hadn’t brought my phone with me, maybe I could ask the seamstress to use the shop's phone. I waited for her to finish talking to the girl behind the counter who had magically recovered from her earlier freak out when Nathan came in. She was only young probably sixteen, looking at the the two women stood side by side I noticed how they had very similar features and they must be related, the seamstress came back to me and the both smiled warmly.

“ Come with me sweetie Let’s get you some fresh clothes” she turned, gesturing with her hand to follow her.

“ Oh thank you but I really can’t afford your beautiful dresses” I said shyly hoping I didn’t offend her, it was bad enough I’d have to pay for this one. The woman kept walking and I wasn’t sure she’d heard me so I walked after her, finding her at the sink in the back washing her hands.

“ oh no sweetie not for your date much too over the top” she frowned and then chuckled before turning her back on me. she dried her hands on the towel and walked further through to the back of the shop beckoning me to follow her, there was a tiny stock room with dresses hung on hangers a work station filled with needles threads ribbons and a sewing machine and even a manichan to the side with a half made dress on it. The place was a dress maker's dream and everything was in organised chaos but the woman didn’t stop there she headed straight out of the back doors.

We were standing in a tiny car park with huge bins to the left of us obviously used as a staff car park. She went over to the large dustbin dumping the bag with my clothes in it. I didn't even realise she had brought it with us.

I ran over to her in a panic ready to dive in and scoop them out. I don't have many clothes and a few washes. I'm sure they’ d be fine, I felt an arm grab me pulling me back.

“ don’t bother dear, they shredded them before dumping them in the toilets” she said gently tugging me by the arm away from the bin. Great, the b***h brigade was on a roll today. Now I’d definitely have to wear the hideous dress all the way home. I huffed ready to go back inside the shop and pay for the dress with the last of my money. Hopefully my purse hadn’t gone in with the clothes, the woman still had her hand on me pulling me towards the shop probably making sure I paid.

suddenly I was jerked to the right away from the shop and through another back door it was the same layout as her shop but there were boxes everywhere and I had to say it wasn’t as organised as her back room she seemed the type that everything had its proper place this room looked like the person had been half way through a stock take and given up, she walked me through some double doors and I realised we were in the boutique next door.