Chapter 4: A Wedding Dress and A Warning

“I can’t believe your previous dress is ruined, Lady Melania,” the seamstress cooed for what felt like the seventh time. “It’s a Dawson’s exclusive gown too.” I tried not to flinch as she accidently stuck me with another needle. My face in the full-length mirror was not convincing.

I could see the pile of fabric, which was my old wedding dress, through the mirror’s reflection. It was sitting at Wendy’s feet. She took a subtle glance down at it, and I averted my gaze before Wendy could catch me staring. The last thing I want right now was her anger again.

It was the day after I arrived at Nox Castle. Nervousness and exhaustion had me sleeping through dinner time, and I woke up to Wendy barging into the Luna’s—well, my room.

After seeing my wedding dress, I’m surprised she didn’t punch me.

We were now in a parlor getting a new one and more outfits for me. I didn’t have many to begin with because Melania took most of them, and the few that she left didn’t fit me. Luckily, the pack had appointed a seamstress to the castle.

“Why didn’t your family pack more outfits? The St. Belmonts could afford to give you a wardrobe fit for a Luna,” the seamstress said as she measured my hip width again.

Because my family hates me, and my father gambles most our money away.

“Because there’s been so much going on, and I do have clothes. They just don’t fit,” I lied.

Lying to wolves was hard, but with practice, anything you say can be seen as the truth. I had a lot of practice, so I normally got away with it. After constantly lying to my father’s gambling “buddies” about knowing his debt, I’ve always felt like I could lie to almost any shifter.

“What a shame. But no worries! I’ll have you dressed in the absolute best. After all, you’re going to be our Luna!” Through the mirror, Wendy tensed at the title. “What colors you like best?”

“Yellows and blues,” I replied. The seamstress beamed and started picking them out with her assistants. Truthfully, I don’t like yellow or blue that much, but Melania did say they were “Luna colors.” The seamstress also looked happy when I said them.

I was about to say my favorite color when the door opened. Another woman walked in and locked her eyes with mine.

“Phoebe! You’re here!” a young assistant girl screeched and ran to hug the gorgeous woman. I saw it all through the mirror and then checked myself to make sure my mouth wasn’t hanging open.

If I hadn’t met Melania, I would have assumed this Phoebe was the most gorgeous female shifter in Nox.

She stood elegant and confident in her blooming plum dress, which showed off her cutting figure. Her silky brown hair was braided to the side with a magenta ribbon plaited in it. Her face was heart-shaped, holding a pair of the mesmerizing pink eyes and pink lips.

Phoebe hugged the young girl, but her eyes were on me.

“I-I’m such a dummy!” Even her voice was like honey on the ears. “I didn’t realize the future Luna was here. I’ll come back later for a dress, Mrs. Jacobson.”

“Liar! You’re so busy! You’ll never make the time.” The seamstress wagged a finger at Phoebe, who flushed in embarrassment. She turned back to me. “I have to get Phoebe her dress and a few items for you in the back as well. Give us a moment, please.”

She and the assistants hurried off, the young girl giving Phoebe one more hug, and rushed out the parlor. A small silence came between us as Wendy eyed Phoebe and Phoebe gazed at me. Phoebe walked inside the room and sat down on the couch below where I stood...

Giving me a full view down her dress.

I looked back at the mirror and watched my own freckled cheeks turn crimson.

“Wendy, Melania looks hot. Can you get us some cold drinks, please?” Phoebe asked sweetly.

Wendy didn’t bother responding and left.

I frowned and was surprised to see Phoebe frowning too. “Her temper hasn’t changed at all.” Phoebe looked up at me and smiled warmly. “Would you like to come down and sit with me?”

“I, uh, don’t think I should,” I mumbled in response. How could I sit next to such a gorgeous noble wolf? I already felt weird ordering Wendy around.

“Don’t worry. You’re not messing up the process by sitting down for a bit,” Phoebe said and gestured to the half-done wedding dress. “Also, I consider this fate. I wanted to meet our future Luna. I’m happy we’re able to meet now.”

A chord of anxiety struck my heart. It wouldn’t be right to say no again, so I stepped off the modeling platform to sit next to Phoebe. It felt like I was committing fraud sitting next to her.

“You wanted to meet me?” I asked. Up close, Phoebe was even more beautiful. Her cheeks were dusted light pink, and her eyelashes were long and structured like a doll’s. Her mouth was bow-shaped and glossy, and when she smiled, she had dimples on her cheeks.

Whereas Wendy was sharp and stunning, Phoebe was rounded and breathtaking.

“Of course,” she giggled through pretty pink lips, “I heard you were the most beautiful and graceful woman in Nox, and those rumors aren’t an exaggeration.” What? I blinked at her words. Beautiful? Graceful? She had more grace and beauty in her thumb than I had in my whole body!

“You’re too kind.”

“Nonsense!” Phoebe suddenly reached out and cupped my round face with her soft, apple-scented hands. “Look at this skin! Look at this hair!” Her hand brushed a stray lock out my eyes. “So this is the famous St. Belmont hair. So wavey and strong!”

To think such a beautiful wolf...had such bad taste! My skin was full of freckles and alternated between shades of pasty and pink. My hair is orange to the real red the St. Belmont’s have. Melania said my color was good enough to fool others, but I saw her crimson curls and begged to disagree.

“The others have better hair than me.” I pulled Phoebe’s hands away but didn’t let go. Or maybe she didn’t let go? Either way, she’s very affectionate, and I didn’t hate that at all. Phoebe’s soft hands were also another luxury in this castle.

Phoebe squeezed my hands, but when I went to smile up at her, I noticed a cloud of concern crossing her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“What? Oh no, I didn’t—” Phoebe stopped herself and closed her eyes for a minute. When she opened them, a very serious but calm look was on her face.

“Melania. Do you...truly wish to marry Mordecai?” Phoebe asked in a hushed whisper.

The question struck me cold, and that all too familiar shiver crawled through me. Phoebe felt my shiver and began to rub my hands in hers, looking alarmed.

“I knew it! I knew it.” No. I wasn’t supposed to let that be known. Phoebe saw my fear and shook her head. “It’s fine. I understand. You’re a good woman, Melania. And Mordecai... Well, he isn’t easy.”

“Have you…m-met him before?” I squeezed out. Even mentioning him made me fearful. I have never seen Mordecai before, but that was because I’m a commoner and never been to the castle. Phoebe was a different case.

“Oh. Many times. My family is a part of the Inner pack, so I’ve seen him since I was a child.” Being both noble and in the Inner pack was huge. That meant Phoebe was a super important female shifter among the Nox population. No wonder Wendy, despite being my maid, listened to her.

I was unsure what to say at first and then softly asked what I wanted to know most, “Is he really cruel?”

She frowned.

“Cruel is...one way to describe him,” Phoebe sighed. “He’s not a friendly man. He never wanted a Luna, and while I am sure your family chose you for good reasons, it’s not safe for you in the castle.”

My heart skipped several beats. Not safe for me, the Luna-to-be, in the castle?

“What are you saying?”

“Mordecai won’t treat you well. There are so many expectations for the Luna, but he expects you to fail and then use that as an excuse to punish you.”

Phoebe leaned in closer, almost touching our noses together. Her pink eyes turned as serious as stone.

“And believe me, his punishments are not lighthearted.”

My breath caught, and I blinked back the tears coming. The fear in my stomach got so large, causing me to shake harder. Phoebe produced a handkerchief, dabbing my face and rubbing my back.

“Don’t cry, Melania. I didn’t...” Another sigh. “I want your honesty.” Phoebe seemed close to tears herself. “Do you wish to marry him?”

Truthfully? No.

“I’m...scared,” I whispered. It was also the truth.

“Then you must leave Nox.”

I stopped shaking.

Leave Nox? Me?

I looked at Phoebe in confusion as she explained, “I wouldn’t wish a marriage to him for anyone, especially not you, Melania. I know what Mordecai is capable of, and I know you can find someone somewhere who will be far better suited for you.

You have a chance before the wedding to escape. Pack jewelry and clothes and leave Nox territory through the Oak Embassy.”

An embassy was neutral ground where shifters of all kinds could meet without the threat of attack. The one Phoebe referred to bordered Nox and Rouke, bear shifter territory.

“Your scent and trail will be hard, even for Nox’s best, to track when you get to Rouke. When the ceremony takes place, you will be bonded to Mordecai and leaving him then will be difficult.”

She was right. Divorce is nearly impossible for an Alpha and Luna once they bonded. Their souls were tied together after the ceremony. The only way to leave Mordecai then…

No. I couldn’t do that.

But leaving? Could I escape before the wedding and find a better life in Rouke? It was too risky, but everything I’d done these past few days was risky as well.

“I don’t know, Phoebe. I just…don’t.” I slumped in my seat. Phoebe continued to rub my back.

“It’s a big decision, but it’s a good option. Maybe even your best.”

She was probably right. I fingered the hem of my new dress, feeling more out of place and anxious than before.

“Can… C-Can I call for you if I need anything?” I never had anyone to rely on before, but Phoebe’s concern was so obvious and serious. She even dared to speak ill of the Alpha for me! Phoebe was on my side.

Phoebe smiled and squeezed my hands again. I then realized Phoebe’s own hands were trembling as well, as if she finally realized the weight of all she said.

“My name is Phoebe McAllister, and I would be honored, Melania.”