Chapter 13

"Ow!" I yelp out, trying not to flinch as the woman peels the wax from my tender flesh.

Never in my life have I felt this kind of pain, having hair literally ripped from your body in chunks. Truth be told I've never much bothered with shaving or waxing, I didn't have time, and I didn't have a mate so I suppose it didn't matter.

The woman is here on Becks doing, he saw my legs a few weeks back and made a comment to shave them. I ignored him, although I now wish I'd listened because he's ordered this poor woman to blitz my entire body.

And I mean, everywhere. Places that I wasn't even aware people waxed.

It feels like hours pass of endless pain, before the lady finally declares me finished. I immediately exhale in pure relief, more glad that I have a few hours to heal before the ball starts.

"Thank you." I say to be polite, when in reality I'm not thankful, I want to punch her for causing me such horrific pain.

The woman leaves my room, and I slump back into the comfortable chair, the silk robe feeling extremely smooth on my skin. I couldn't help but immediately notice the difference as I cross my legs. They kind of slide off one another, which is a little annoying but incredibly satisfying.

Still, it hurt.

By the time Beck brings me the outfit that I still haven't seen, I'm showered, my hair is done and my make up is perfect. I had help obviously, but I'm still super proud.

"I think a bin bag will do." Beck says wearily, eyeing me over.

"What?" I frown.

"Hardin is gonna loose his fucking head." Zeds voice echoes as he comes waltzing into the bedroom like he's been here a thousand times.

Pulling the robe further around me, I eye the men wearily.

"Why? What's wrong?" I question. Perhaps they don't like my make up?

"You're fucking gorgeous." Zed blurts out, grinning at me like a Cheshire Cat.

Immediately feeling my skin flush with embarrassment, I only stare at him with my mouth agape. Beck sharply elbows Zed in the side, giving the beta a glare.

"What? I'm just saying, I completely understand why it only took him a day to marry you. He wanted this shit locked down." Zed says.

I raise my eyebrows at him, not entirely sure how I'm supposed to respond. I mean, I'm not used to being spoken to the way Zed is right now. Hardin doesn't make comments, although I have caught him staring form time to time.

"Time to leave." Beck sighs, laying the items on the bed before escorting Zed from the room.

Shaking my head, I shut the door and begin getting dressed. The dress is surprisingly stunning, I wouldn't have chosen it for myself but that's partially because I've never owned a dress. Did Hardin really pick this all out for me?

Brushing off the thought, I remove my robe, pulling on the undergarments set out and carefully easing myself into the yellow strapless dress. The top is fitted to my chest, puffing out at my waist and trailing all the way to the floor. It's quite simple, and a little plain if I'm honest.

Pulling the top half into place on my boobs, I gently tug the side zipper up. Never in my life have I worn something like this, hell, I'd never worn anything except jeans or sweats until marrying Hardin.

Straightening the dress out, I grab the heels from the box and reach to put them on my feet, quickly coming to realise that I can't.

"Dammit!" I hiss, irritated that I didn't think to put the heels on first. They're not the kind you just slide you're feet into, no, they back straps.

Setting the heels back on the bed, I pick up the small square white gift box wrapped in a silver ribbon. I stare at it for a few moment, curious, I'd never been given a gift before.

Plucking the neatly tied ribbon away, I slowly open the box. The second my eyes land on the sparkling diamonds, I immediately freeze.

He got me a diamond bracelet?

The design is quite simple, and yet the rows of diamonds seem to make up for the plainness. Part of me doesn't want to wear it, Hardin shouldn't be giving me gifts, never mind a bracelet with actual diamonds. But not wearing it would be extremely rude and possibly hurtful, and I have to live with the man, you know?

Taking the bracelet from the box, I gently clasp it around my wrist. It feels strange to have jewellery on, my parents never let me have luxuries.

Sparing my reflection a quick glance, I couldn't help but admire the sight in front of me. I still have a little more weight to put on, but I'm proud of the way I look, after becoming a walking skeleton I've made a huge improvement.

The yellow compliments my light golden skin, almost making me look like I'm glowing. My make up is light, as someone who has never worn makeup I have to admit that I quite like the way I look right now. My hair falls in waves of softness, cascading my face and resting behind my shoulders. Usually I wear it thrown into a bun, but I like this style.

I look beautiful.

For the very first time in my entire existence, I see a normal she-wolf, I'm not beaten, I'm not abused or underfed, I'm not frightened or submissive. I'm just...me. Could this be the freedom I've been searching for? I couldn't help but wonder.

Twirling away from the mirror, I prance over to my heels and snatch them up. Deciding to find someone to help me with my shoes, I exit the bedroom.

As I descend the steps I could hear chatter falling silent, naturally I assume they're talking about me, it's a little obvious. Deciding to ignore it for tonight, I head off to find Beck, or Zed.

With every room that I enter, the same awkward silence fills the room. It irritates me a little, but they couldn't all be seriously slagging me off behind my back at the same time, right?

"Are you lost, baby girl?"

My entire body halts mid step, my eyes widen, heart pounding as goosebumps rise along my skin. Fuck me...never in my years have I heard a man sound so...so ruthlessly sexy. His deep, yet gentle whisper hints with an accent I hadn't heard on him before.

Not like he talks to me about much, but still.

Gulping, I slowly turn to face Alpha Hardin. He stands in a perfectly expensive designed suit, wearing black trousers and a crisp white shirt tucked in neatly, a black leather belt complementing him. Hardin wears his sleeves casually rolled to his elbows, showing the bronze thick arms that somehow appeal to me suddenly. Even the small patch of chest he's showing has me glancing around.

Am I seriously checking to see other females are staring at him? I silently ask myself.

"No, I'm looking for Beck." I finally respond, my voice surprisingly even.

Hardin glances down, seeing the heels in my hand. The man isn't stupid, I know he knows I'm going to ask Beck to put them on for me.

"Give." He demands softly, hand outstretched. I raise my eyebrow, taken back that he wants to do it. Isn't such a gesture below him?

My voice is gentle, quiet as to not make anyone look our way. "Alphas do not bend the knee-"

"Fuck Alpha protocols, you're my wife." Hardin growls sharply.

I stiffen slightly as Hardin kneels to put my heels on, while using his shoulders for balance, I flash a smile that screams awkwardness. The amount of eyes staring at us is unnerving, they all heard his words, he didn't seem to care either. Any other Alpha would feel embarrassed in Hardins position, it's below them to bend the knee to anyone except the Elders. Even then, Hardin doesn't bow.

Ignoring the warmth travelling up the flesh of my calf's, I clear my throat quietly. Hardin straightens my dress into place, allowing me to grip his forearm as I adjust to the heels.

I wobble slightly.

"Perhaps you should go barefoot." Hardin says quietly in my ear, his tone not at all worried of me humiliating him. In fact, he sounds a little amused.

"Is that you're way of saying you won't catch me?" I respond, my voice a soft whisper, allowing no one else to hear us.

His body presses lightly against mine, almost flush with me for a brief moment. I could feel myself wanting to smile at the action, but I held it back.

"I will, but only if you struggle to rise again." I Hardin murmurs, his hot minty breath fanning the side of my face. Why is he allowing me to be strong, when so many have revelled in my weakness?

My skin flushes gently, even my heart swells slightly. Hardin is a rather cold person that isolates himself from most, but there are certain things, certain words and actions that allow me to see a glimpse of his soul. I'm doing my hardest to convince myself that he is only darkness, but that is slowly becoming more difficult to believe.

Turning my head slightly, I glance into his light grey storming eyes. His face so close that I could blink and I'm sure my eyelashes will stroke his cheek. Being so close to him like this does strange things to me, body, heart and soul.

"Perhaps-" My gentle tone cut off by another, immediately having my head turn in her direction. It's disrespectful and quite disturbing that she's interrupting us.

"This is the upgrade?" A woman's voice asks curiously, yet sharp, like ice.

Upgrade?

I glance over the female with curiosity, wondering who she is to not be punished for how she approached Hardin. Like everyone else, she's dressed flawlessly beautiful in a silk red gown that hugs her perfect slim hourglass figure. Her skin glows, smooth like porcelain, unblemished by any marks. Eyes bright, sparkling blue orbs framed with thick lashes, small nose, full lips, and thick brown hair sectioned perfectly into waves.

I'll admit, she's beautiful, stunning actually. Who is she?

"Lorelei." Is the short response that Hardin gives the she-wolf.

In that second, I take a moment to step back, to view the atmosphere from another angle. The way she stares up at him unblinkingly, jaw clenched and skin flushed with anger, even while her eyes water slightly. Hardin is tense, his hand on my waist tightening slightly the second she appeared, like he's waiting me to walk off.

"I'll give you a moment." I say quietly, moving to leave the awkwardness.

Hardin grips me, not allowing me to take a single step. I stiffen, not liking that I'm suddenly in the middle of whatever happened between them. I've seen this happen in my pack, it's never pretty, and given that Hardin is Alpha this will be so much worse.

"No need." Hardin says, perfectly calm as if he isn't fazed by the she-wolf almost in tears.

"I just want to talk." She tells him, I could hear the desperation in her voice.

"Hardin, let me go." I whisper, trying to peel his strong fingers from my hip. Why is he acting like this suddenly? Does he think I'm going to run and never look back?

"Everyone here tonight is present because of Katalayha, to celebrate her. This conversation can wait until tomorrow, agreed?" Hardin says to the she-wolf, blankly.

Part of me worries for the girl, partially because she's close to crying and obviously I feel like it's somehow my fault. I don't want to be any part of this, but I am, whether I like it or not.

"No." I find myself saying.

The girl glances at me, partially confused. Hardin gazes down at me with narrowing steel like eyes, as if daring me to deny him. He doesn't want to talk to her, at least not right now, but I worry that she may do something she'll regret if he doesn't.

"Can you give us a moment?" I ask with a small smile, knowing Hardin is about to go into Alpha mode and sent the girl away.

She nods, quickly moving away to give us space. I didn't want to do this in front of her, not when she's already so upset.

"I chose you, Katalayha-" Holding up my hand, I stop him in his tracks. I already know he's assuming that I'm upset or angry that he considered the girl to be his wife, but I'm not.

"I know, and I don't want the drama of your ex's so take care of it, give her closure." I sigh, staring up at him with what I hope to be a firm expression.

Hardin scowls darkly. "It wasn't like that between us, I made it perfectly clear to her that she would never be my equal."

Is he serious?

"Why? What makes me any different from her?" I frown, displeased with his words.

Hardin's steel eyes soften slightly, his grip on my waist coming loose for a moment as he draws me closer against his hard body.

"Everything, in time you will understand, you will see my reasons for choosing you." Tenderly, his rough voice rings with clarity.

Aren't I just an extension offering to my parents debt? That's why he took me, a token of generosity and mercy, to allow them more time. I've heard the odd story about his temper, and while I never believe a story, I do believe he's capable of maliciousness given that my prideful father was afraid of angering Hardin. I haven't witnessed his wrath, nor his anger. The little bit of irritation here and there is nothing to what people say he is capable of, a rage so foul that even the dark gods tremble in their cloaks.

"Just give her some closure-"

"Tomorrow." Hardin cuts me off, his eyes narrowing slightly as he grows annoyed with my pushy attitude. He doesn't snap at me, but I can tell I'm beginning to irritate him.

Usually I would shut my mouth and scold myself for being so rude, but this newfound strength inside of me didn't want to do that. This week has puts some things in a different light for me. While I'm not ready to anger Hardin, I'm not willing to cower or submit again.

"What if I offer you the one thing that you desire more than anything?" I say softly, whispering the words so no one hears me. I could feel my neck flush with heat, the instant shiver that hits my body doesn't help.

Damn this bite. I mentally scold myself.

Hardins eyes darken, flickering across my face in search for any sign of playfulness. He finds none. Am I really offering it him? Do I even want to?

"Tomorrow." Is his response, his arm dropping from my waist.

I stare up at him, dumbstruck. Did he really just turn me down? Isn't he the one that has used the bite to seduce me every time we've mated? And now I'm offering it him by will, he denies me. Perhaps he's grown bored of me? Has he finally realised that I'm not wife material?

I couldn't help but feel slightly upset, I shouldn't but the thought of Hardin not wanting me anymore suddenly seems like a nightmare.

I had the chance to leave him, and I couldn't. Now, a day later and he isn't interested. What's changed?

"Fine." I whisper. Am I sad, or angry? Perhaps both.

His steel eyes narrow suspiciously. "Fine?"

"That's what I said." I murmur.

Shoving his hand from my waist, I step away from his warmth and make my way into the rest of the wolves. Hardin doesn't follow me, I assume he feels something is off, even I feel it. Something has changed, I'm beginning to care. His rejection is slightly hurtful, even though I'll never admit it.

People seem to swarm me the second I leave his embrace, compliments raining down on me like a waterfall. Most praises I receive seem false, they smile and act like they know me, like they've seen all I am in a single week. Even I couldn't help but wonder, if perhaps they're right.

Is the person I am right now, the same one I'm going to be in five years? Someone who just stands silently and holds a smile, while the world step over her invisible potential?

Am I worth no more than this?