I’d never worn a designer dress before. Of course, I’d never had the occasion. Unlike many of my college friends, I hadn’t joined a sorority. What did I need a sisterhood for when I had a pack? Though I’d been to plenty of weddings, none of them were formal enough to merit a cocktail dress.

As I peeked in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile. Lacey finished my makeup, which amounted to little more than powder, gloss, and some eyeliner and mascara. “I could do some contouring. Your face would look…”

“Unnatural.” I shook my head. “No false advertising. I feel phony enough.”

“Please. It’s not like you’re wearing a pushup bra.” Lacey huffed. “Makeup is kinda my thing.”

I smirked as I stared up at her from the stylist’s chair. “So I gathered. And you can pull it off. Me? I look like I’m trying too hard.” I sighed. “We’re homesteaders. Why would I wear cosmetics? I’m more all natural.”

She squatted in front of me and laid a hand on mine. “This is true. You’re naturally beautiful. Tonight, they will be floored. You’ll have to fight off the proposals.”

My bottom lip quivered for a split second and I had to look away. “I find that hard to believe.”

Standing, Lacey leaned against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. “Who’s Quinn?”

I froze. “Where did you hear that name?” I replayed every interaction with her and I couldn’t remember bringing him up.

“I may have peeked at the card that came with this box of awesomeness.” Lacey shrugged.

I glanced around nervously. “Only my aunt knows about him,” I whispered.

“Is he your mate?” Her head tilted.

“He’s supposed to be. My wolf chose him.” I sighed. “Listen, thank you for everything. And don’t mind me. I’m in an impossible situation.”

“Only if you believe it is.” She stared at me confidently.

“What’s that from…The Secret?” My forehead scrunched up as I prepared to embrace some new mantra.

Lacey’s mouth twitched as if trying not to smile. “Alice in Wonderland. That piece of wisdom is straight from The Mad Hatter.”

“Of course.” I sighed as I stood. “Now we’re sure about the hair?” She had made a tight bun on top, and I seriously felt like Audrey Hepburn.

“Definitely.” She gestured for me to follow her. “Come on. They’re all waiting eagerly to see you dressed up.”

As we rounded the corner, I took one whiff and froze. “Oh, my God. There’s pizza. Let me at it.” I blew past her and reached for the box, which lay closed on the couch beside my gift box. As soon as I flung the top open, I whimpered. “You ate all the pizza.”

“We’re going to dinner. The girls were on their own. Of course, I bought them food.” My aunt sighed, and then she studied me. “Whoa. Look at you.”

The twins finally tore themselves away from their slices long enough to check me out. “Aside from the frown, you look amazing.” Shelby snickered.

At first, Lennie said nothing. I started to get nervous. I could feel my confidence slipping. Maybe I looked ridiculous in the dress or the shoes. Was it my hair and makeup she took offense to? “What?” I barked.

She licked her lips. “Is that a Christian Siriano dress?”

I smoothed the skirt, enjoying the feel of the feathers and sequins. “I don’t know. I didn’t pay attention.” Suddenly, her hands were all over me, twisting the dress to inspect the seams. “What are you doing? Get your greasy little paws off me, Lennie.”

“I’m looking for the tag. I have to know.” Finally, she paused and I realized she must have had her answer. Lennie frowned. “The shoes. Gimme a shoe.”

“Excuse me?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Give. Me. A. Shoe.” She enunciated every word, and when I failed to respond, Lennie squatted down, unbuckled the leather, cutout toe bootie, yanked it off my foot, and then groaned after her inspection. “Kenneth Cole,” she muttered as she and Shelby exchanged looks.

“Let me get this straight. The dress is the perfect combination of flirty and fun. The shoes aren’t stiletto, which would be a more obvious choice.” Shelby strolled over to me and circled while she inspected my attire. “No earrings, which would imply the giver knew she didn’t have pierced ears. The correct dress and shoe size.” She glanced at Lenoir. “Now if there was a purse…”

Lennie lifted the lid of the box my outfit had arrived in and shook her head. “You mean…like this Michael Kors?” She pulled one out and held it up for effect.

In all these years, I’d had my satchel and my backpack, but I’d never owned a purse. If I had owned one, it would be black and sensible, not stylish, sophisticated and a gorgeous pale blue color that reminded me of his eyes. My knee-jerk reaction was to gasp. Quinn had thought of everything. Without saying a word, I strode over to Lennie, grabbed my new stylish accessory from her hands, and rushed to the dressing room so I could fill it with my necessities. No wonder he’d purchased such a big one. He’d paid attention to my bulging satchel.

When I returned, my aunt was sipping a hot tea, trying to appear as confused as my sisters. Instead, she appeared slightly smug. “You ready to go?” Aunt Jo grinned.

I’d seen the expression she wore on my mother’s face many times before, usually around Christmas and birthdays. “Well, it’s time. I guess we should be leaving now.” Then I hugged Lennie and Shelby. “Stay safe. Maybe keep Tanner around until I get home.”

They nodded, but Shelby appeared to be mildly upset. “Do you think Gideon will be there tonight?”

I pursed my lips while I considered her question. “I don’t know. Want me to text you?”

She sighed. “I guess. I don’t know that it makes a difference. He’s never going to notice me, especially when you look like this.” She shook her head. Then Shelby perked up. “Wait. You never told us who sent you this present.”

“Nor will I.” I blew out a breath. “It doesn’t matter. If it did, I’d let you know.”

Aunt Jo cleared her throat. “Someone spent roughly two thousand dollars on you. I’m pretty sure it matters.”

Lacey peeked in. “It’s time, ladies.”

I stiffened. This was getting so real. I was absolutely out of my element and regretted even agreeing to do this. “Let’s get it over with.”

Soon, Aunt Jo and I were driving to The Grove Park Inn. I tried to focus on the road, but my mind wandered. “Should I call him? Thank him?”

“No, handle your business first, then talk to him after. We’ll probably be done by ten tonight.” Aunt Jo laughed. “Or if Stewart tries to start something, much sooner.”

With a frown, I murmured, “I’m not sure how I’m going to handle meeting him. After all, I’m reasonably confident the Malvaggio Pack is responsible for my parents’ deaths.”

“I know.” Aunt Jo patted my shoulder. “Tonight is a show of strength.”

“Right, because when people see the two of us together, they begin to quake,” I grumbled. “You don’t think Stewart’s going to take one look at me in this dress and think I’m a pushover?” I bit my cheek as I waited for her response.

“What? You wanted to wear a suit?” She shook her head. “Quinn has shaken your confidence. Those clothes are a Bandaid, but they’re also a sign.”

“Mixed signals,” I muttered. “He denies me, but then this.” I ran my hand over the skirt of my dress, soothed by the feel of the feathers against my skin. “What am I supposed to think?”

“You’re already thinking it. He’s conflicted. Quinn wants you. What he’s refusing is the pack.” Aunt Jo turned in her seat. “He worries he’ll bring shame on you for being part dog.”

I huffed. “I can’t believe he thinks I even care about that nonsense.”

“It’s not nonsense to him. He carries this fear around, a result of years of teasing and being bullied by the Malvaggios. What can you do to repair all of the damage?” She pushed her purse closer to me. “How can you assure Quinn his life would be better, different with you?”

“You mean, what would I say?” I groaned. “I suck at words, Aunt Jo. I’ve always been a girl of actions. That’s how father raised me.” With a frown, I whispered, “I’d show him. I’d be the first face he saw every morning, the last at night. We’d have a true partnership, which is the best foundation for love to grow. Now, he’d have to cook. It’s not like being with him is going to suddenly reform me.” I giggled. “Oh, but when I imagine the life we could have together, I don’t know how my wolf could ever want anyone else. I…” I swallowed hard. “I’ve completely fallen for him. Even without mating, he has been imprinted on my soul. No offense, auntie, but he should be with me tonight. He should be the one standing by me, supporting me. I don’t want to do this without him.” I reached up and was about to wipe the tears which threatened to spill out of my eye, when she grabbed my wrist.

“Don’t you dare ruin your makeup. Let me dab with a tissue.” She reached inside her purse, rifled around. With a sigh, Aunt Jo tilted it to dig down to the bottom, and her phone slid out.

The screen had a green strip at the top of the home screen. I frowned. Blue was navigation. Green meant she was on the phone. I lifted it up and hit the bar, so I’d be able to see whom she’d called. The name appeared: Quinn, Savvy’s mate. Startled, I hit the red button and ended the call. I glared at her. “What have you done?”

“I’m trying to fix things.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “You two can’t manage to have a conversation when you’re in the same room. There’s too much between you, a combination of attraction and fear. He needed to hear your innermost thoughts without you getting in your own way.”

“Awesome. Just great. How am I supposed to meet with the Alphas while wondering over what he thinks? Thanks, Aunt Jo.” I growled.

“Well, you weren’t supposed to find out,” she snapped.

“That’s the defense you’re going with?” I pulled up at the front entrance to the inn. A valet rushed over to open my door. “We’ll discuss this later. Got it?”

Her head hung, but I didn’t think she truly regretted her actions. “Of course, Alpha.”

I began to step out of the vehicle, when a hand reached for mine, ready to help. Normally, pride would prevent me from allowing assistance from anyone other than Quinn, but since I suck at heels and dresses, I gratefully accepted. I stood and smiled, ready to thank him, when I realized the chivalrous man was Gideon. Yanking my hand away, I muttered, “Well, fuck.”