Chapter 10

Joshua backed up with his hands in the air. “Whoa, my bad man, didn’t realize.”

He left the dressing area easily enough, but under his breath, I heard him mutter, “where did that bitch go?”

That bitch? His future Luna?

My suspicion deepened. What the hell was going on in that pack? His attitude was more than inappropriate, that was a fight worthy offense.

Unless his alpha spoke that way too.

There you go, being a suspicious creep again, I chastised myself. One shitty beta’s comment didn’t mean there was anything wrong with Mason…. But.

I followed him after a moment, staying in a different section of the store – but still between him and the dressing rooms. Just in case. He stationed himself at the front door, his stance casual, but I knew a guard when I saw one.

He pulled out his phone, checking out the windows, scanning the shop, looking more pissed by the second.

“Where are you?” he demanded. I didn’t like his tone at all. He frowned at Harper’s response. “I was just back there, didn’t you hear me looking for you?” A pause. “Some old dude’s guarding the dressing room, like I wanna see his woman’s saggy tits.”

He shot me a glare I pretended not to see as I flipped through lacy veils on a rack.

“Yeah, whatever, just hurry up, okay.” He hung up, clearly annoyed. Not like he had the honor of guarding his Luna – more like guarding a prisoner.

After five minutes he got impatient and strode for the dressing rooms again. And again, I blocked his path.

“I don’t think the ladies want you back there,” I said calmly.

He puffed himself up to his full, lanky height and growled out, “Look, nobody’s looking at your girl, man. I just –”

“No.” I threw every ounce of dominance I had into the single word.

He bristled, but in the end, he was a beta through and through. He backed off, heading to the counter. The clerk glanced at me, then him, licking her lips nervously. I felt bad for making it awkward for the staff. But Harper didn’t want this man to see her for a reason.

“Hey,” Joshua snapped at the clerk, “there’s no windows in the fitting rooms, are there? And no back entrances to this place, right?”

Looking baffled, the clerk shook her head. “No sir, the only windows are up front here, and the back door is behind the counter, through there,” she pointed, instinctually giving him all the information he needed.

He nodded and slunk back to the front doors, crossing his arms as he stared at the dressing rooms’ entrance. My suspicion deepened even more.

It was like he was trying to make sure she couldn’t escape.

“Hey, you’re with the Ridgewoods, right?” I asked him.

He puffed his chest out again and nodded. “I’m escorting our Luna-to-be,” he said proudly, like he wasn’t just treating her like dirt.

I nodded. “Hm, impressive. But why you and not the alpha’s family?”

His smile turned brittle. “Tradition for the groom not to see and his mom’s out of town. She didn’t want to come alone, so I’m representing the pack.”

I didn’t believe for a second Harper wanted him here. But I needed to know what was really going on if I was going to help her.

I had to talk to her alone.

Harper POV

I felt stupid for hiding from Josh. It’s not like he didn’t know I was here, and I was sure Levi noticed. But I heard him coming and just panicked.

You didn’t want him to see you with Levi. I pushed the niggling thought away as I paced in the tiny dressing room trying to figure out what to do.

Minutes passed and josh never came in, but then –

“Harper, what’s wrong?” Levi’s voice was crystal clear in my mind, tinged with worry and confusion. “Why is Mason’s beta treating you like a prisoner?”

The words were right at the forefront of my mind – Mason is a bad man, I can’t trust him, I’m trying to run.

But that crème envelope flashed in my mind again. Levi had a fiancé, a life. Telling him would only mess that up.

I couldn’t do it.

“It’s nothing, that’s just Josh,” I thought back. It was harder to sound cheerful in my mind when I wasn’t but I managed. “He’s probably just hungry, we’ve been here a while and –”

“Harper.” Levi’s tone said he didn’t believe me in the slightest. “Really, what’s going on? You ran from him just now. Why?”

I winced, of course he noticed. “I just don’t want him to see the dress,” I lied. “He’s Mason’s best friend, he’ll tell him. I want it to be a complete surprise!”

Levi was silent for a moment. Then, “You’re sure, Harper? Because if you need help…”

He trailed off and I sighed. For a moment, I’d considered asking him to get ride of josh so I could give him the slip. But Levi couldn’t even finish the question. I knew he’d help, but I refused to be an obligation. Besides, it would make him suspicious all over again.

“Yeah, I know.” I cut the connection, pressing a hand to my chest to stem the heavy feeling of loss.

I couldn’t stay in the fitting room forever. With waiting out there for me, I’d have to abandon today’s escape plan. I bit my lip, but forced myself to stay calm. There would be other chances. The wedding kept me running around all the time. I could find another chance.

I had to.

When I left the dressing room, still in the dress, I was only a little surprised to find Levi waiting for me. So I was ready to force a smile.

“Well, what do you think?” I asked, moving for the pedestal so I didn’t have to meet his eyes. “Does it suit me? I’m glad you’re the first one to see me in it.”

His eyes were hard – he was ready to interrogate me again – but at my words, they softened. But he frowned as le looked at me in the mirror.

“Harper, are you unhappy?” he asked quietly.

I bit my lip. “Of course not. I’m getting married. Stressed, yes,” I pushed out a little laugh. “But not unhappy. Now come on, what do you think? Or is this your way of telling me you hate it?”

At the teasing in my voice, Levi finally relented. With a sigh of his own, he stepped back and looked me over. His eyes lit up once more, softer this time.

“You look absolutely amazing, Harper,” he said, nothing but sincerity in his voice. “Truly beautiful. And just about perfect.”

With a small smile, he stepped forward, reaching for the back of my dress. I froze as his fingers brushed my skin.

“It was coming down,” he said as he pulled the zipper up my back. Suddenly shy, I nodded. “This damn lace,” he muttered, cursing. “Don’t worry, I’ll take it slow.”

Warmth from his fingers seeped into my back as he carefully zipped me up, brushing my skin as he adjusted the lace. Heat flickered inside me, normal this time, thank god.

But it shouldn’t be there at all, I chastised myself. He was just doing me a favor, making sure I looked decent. I made myself look at his hands in the side mirror as he finished zipping. See, he’s just –

Levi’s finished the Zipper, but his fingers lingered over my skin. He brushed a line up my back, for no reason at all. Just to touch me, it seemed. And I couldn’t help but lean back into the touch.

Our eyes met in the mirror.

Quick footsteps headed towards us, but neither of us looked away. Until someone gasped.

“Levi?”

He lurched away from me, leaving me feeling cold, exposed. He turned to the woman now narrowing her eyes at me. Levi stepped between us – but reached for her.

“Avery.”

The other name on his engagement invitation.