216

Peter

The anticipation bubbled within me as my beta navigated the streets of Blood Moon, heading towards the Blood Moon Estate. It was one of her off days and another chance to be with her, to learn more about her, and to make her smile. I smiled at the thought.
"You seem happy, alpha," he said. "I'm grateful for it."
I chuckled. "I am."
When I reached the Estate, I slipped out of the car and took a moment to compose myself. My palms were slightly sweaty, and my heart raced. I felt like a younger man than I had been in a long time. I supposed that was the mark of something more than worthwhile growing between us. I made my way to the front door and knocked.
Seconds later, the door swung open, revealing Michelle standing there with a bright smile that could outshine the moon. She looked stunning, as always, and my heart skipped a beat as she extended her hand towards me.
"Hey, Peter," she greeted warmly.
I took her hand eagerly, our fingers interlocking naturally. A soft flush filled her cheeks.
"You look incredible," I said, my words filled with genuine admiration.
Michelle dropped her gaze shyly. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
"It is not flattery. It's the truth."
As we walked back to the car, our hands remained firmly entwined.
I opened the back seat for her and climbed in on the other side.
"So, where are we going?"
"A few boutiques, some in Blood Moon territory and a few in a witch territory if none of those are to your liking."
"Oh, well, I didn't really think..."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I didn't really think you'd let me choose..."
I took her hand and squeezed it. She met my gaze.
"I don't think I could pull off chiffon." She blinked. "Or taffeta... Or silk, for that matter, so why on earth would I be picking it."
She blinked and then burst into laughter. I smiled at the way she seemed to relax and lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles.
"It only matters to me that you are comfortable in whatever gown you wear... I will be far more occupied reveling in the fact that you are there with me to care."
She nodded and leaned into my side. The warmth of her leaning against me made something in me take a deep breath of relief.
The drive was filled with easy conversation and laughter. Michelle had a way of making me feel comfortable as if I'd known her my entire life. It was a sensation I'd never experienced before, and I cherished every moment.
When we arrived at the first boutique, Michelle's eyes lit up with delight. She stepped out of the car, and I followed suit, quickly coming around to her side to offer my arm. She took it with a grateful smile, and we walked into the store together. The boutique was full of gowns, each one more beautiful than the last. Michelle's excitement seemed doused by her hesitance. Then, a clerk hurried towards us with a big smile.
"Welcome! Are you looking for something in particular today?"
"I've... never worn an evening gown."
The woman's eyes lit up. "Then, we should make it a night to remember! You should go all out!"
The woman's enthusiasm was contagious as she led Michelle toward the rack of dresses, sifting through them and explaining things. I watched on, grateful that Michelle was relaxing and being swept up in it.
She would have to get used to it, given the future I could see for us.
A spike of pain drilled through my head at the thought.
"Oh, Peter, look at this one!" she exclaimed, holding up a gown with intricate lacework.
I joined her by the rack, leaning in to get a closer look. "It's beautiful. Do you like it?"
She nodded. "But I'm not sure if... I could pull it off."
I pushed another dress aside to get a better look at it. Our hands brushed against each other, sending shivers down my spine.
"I think the hanger pulls it off quite well." She laughed. "Perhaps it would be better to try it on and see."
"But what if I damage it?" She asked.
"You let me worry about that," I said and pulled the gown down, offering it to her. "Go on."
I continued drifting down the racks, looking through the options.
Then, I heard her voice. "Oh... I'm not sure about this."
I came around the racks towards the fitting rooms. "Why don't you come out and let's see, hm?"
"The hanger definitely wore it better!"
I laughed and watched with bated breath as Michelle emerged from the dressing room. As she stepped into the soft glow of the dressing room's lights, my breath caught in my throat. The dress clung to her like a second skin, its intricate lace patterns accentuating her curves and adding an air of elegance and sophistication. The dress was tasteful, not too revealing, yet it exuded an understated sensuality that was impossible to ignore. The soft, pale blue hue of the fabric complemented her complexion perfectly, making her look ethereal.
I couldn't help but let my gaze travel from her face to the hem of the dress that brushed just above her ankles.
It was lovely on her, but there was a problem. I didn't know what it was, but I could see it in her face.
Michelle turned with her arms spread.
"What do you think?"
"It's more important that you think so," I said. "What's on your mind?"
She shifted her weight, looking at me in the mirror. I smiled and stepped behind her, out of sight.
"Peter?"
"You are meant to be looking at yourself in the dress. Clearly, I am a distraction from the task."
She laughed, "Right... I... Well, maybe it's the color?"
She shifted again. "Or the cut?"
I leaned around her. "Go on."
"I just... Well, I feel a bit naked in it."
I chuckled. "You want more coverage."
"Look at all the paneling! It's practically see-through!"
I shook my head. "It's nude mesh and a great match for your skin tone, but there is fabric there."
I shook my head and took her hand. "Perhaps something more classic?"
She nodded and hurried towards the dressing room again.
I waved the clerk over.
"Not a hit?" She asked.
"A bit far from her comfort zone. Do you have something with a similar cut that's a bit more classic?"
She pouted. "I thought she'd be a killer in it."
"She is," I said. "Perhaps... a future event."
The thought sent another pang of agony through my head, but the clerk rushed away to find another dress. Michelle tried on two more in a similar style with a more classic look, but it was obvious that she wasn't in love with any of them either.
She sighed, having changed back into her clothes, and sank onto the bench as the clerk went into the back to search for a catalog.
"Maybe I'm just... not cut out for evening gowns."
I sat beside her and took her hand again. "You are, without a doubt, the most beautiful person I've ever seen, inside and out."
She met my gaze. My heart trembled even as my head pounded.
"We will find you a gown so that you can see it the way everyone else does."
She smiled at me, her eyes filled with love and gratitude. "Thank you, Peter."
"There is no need for thanks. It is simply true."
The clerk returned with the catalog, flipping through it before handing it to Michelle.
"I can look to see if we have any of these in stock, but honestly, it's unlikely if it's not on the rack already."
"Thank you," she said and started to flip through the catalog.
She flipped past what felt like hundreds of styles before she stopped. I peered over her shoulder and almost smiled.
"A ball gown?"
She drew her fingers over the image. "I... I remember being little and watching all the fairytale movies. They always had a dress like this."
"You want to be a princess."
She shook her head. "I wouldn't make it as a princess."
"Smart, resourceful, kind--I don't see why not."
Her lips twitched. "Flattery."
"Truth."
She looked down at the book before looking back at the clerk. "Do you have any like this?"
She shook her head. "We don't tend to carry that style, but if you're interested, Castle Gowns is the premier princess ball gown vendor in the area. They aren't far."
She rattled off the address and took the catalog back with a warm smile. As we exited the boutique, the warmth of the autumn air wrapped around us. I opened the car door for her, and we got inside. She leaned against me again quietly as we drove. Then, she went stiff. Her scent changed. She bent down.
"Michelle?"
She lifted Lucy's hairpin for me to see, and my blood ran cold.
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