The Heart of the Shadow

6. The Dress

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Ryka's POV
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"Hurry up! We have to get there before everyone else does!" Luna Taylor yells. She tugs my wrist harder, Kaiden groans beside me. We aren't even inside the mall yet and she's already dragging us around. We finally reach the doors of the mall, for some reason it's packed today.

"Do we really have to get my tux first?" Kaiden whines as we're dragged into Armani. I snicker, causing him to glare at me. She leads us over to a rack and demands we look for something. After a few minutes, she finds something she likes.

"Which color? Black or white?" She holds up two different suits to Kaid's body. I look for a minute before deciding.

"Black, white just doesn't look good with his skin tone." Luna nods in approval.

"White washes him out, doesn't it? So all black with white undershirt and black tie?" I nod and she rushes Kaiden to the changing rooms. He groans and grumbles before stomping into the small room.

"Do you need help with anything else?" I ask.

"No, we planned everything last week, remember? All we have to do is find outfits for you two and then we're done. Do you know what kind of dress you want?"

"I'm thinking a deep purple, momma said it would look good on me."

"Shouldn't we get Kaiden a purple tie then?"

"No Mom, she's not my mate." Kaiden slowly walks out to show us his outfit.

"Awww my baby boy looks so handsome!" She ruffles his hair and he swats her hands away.

"Let's just get this and go." Luna stomps her foot but agrees anyways. She leaves Kaiden to pay, and drags me to some dress store I don't know the name of. I stumble as she takes a sharp turn to a rack of purple dresses.

   "This one?" She holds up a long dress in one hand while continuing to search with the other.

   "Too much lace."

   "This one?" The next dress is much shorter.

   "Too many buttons."

   "This?" Dress #3 has way too much glitter.

   "Definitely not."

"This?" Another one with lace.

"No."

"You have to like this one at least a tiny bit."

"Nope, not at all."

"This ones cute."

"I don't trust strapless." She continues to hold up dresses, which I turn down. After about 45 minutes, and three racks of dresses, we're about to move to another store.

   "Hey Ry, what about this?" I turn around to see Kaid holding up a mid length dress. I grab it and run to the dressing room. I hurriedly put the dress on, hitting my head on the mirror several times. I walk out of the room, and hear a series of gasps.

   "That's the dress." Luna comments. Kayd engulfs me in a bear hug.

   "You look beautiful Ryka." He whispers in my ear.

   "Thanks Kaid, now stop being sappy. I want my stupid best friend back. I don't like this Kaiden."

   "Go change, you nimrod."

   "I will, but not because you told me to dipstick."

As soon as I step out of the dressing room, the dress is snatched from my hands. Luna runs to the register to pay, while Kaid and I walk to the food court. Luna joins us just as we sit down with our food.

   "I'll be right back." I stand from the table and head to the restroom. Just as my hand touches the handle of the door, I'm pushed against the wall. The male pins my hands above my head so I can't move.

   "Whats a pretty little girl like you doing out here all alone?" I don't recognize the voice but, his scent tells me he's from the Blood Moon Pack. He seems to be about 20, his build isn't all that muscular, I can get out of his grip easily.

"Obviously trying to go to the bathroom before you oh so rudely interrupted."

"Mmmm feisty, just how I like 'em." He kisses my neck and grabs my breast. I knee him in the groin, jerk my hands out of his grip, and pin him to the wall.

   "You've now earned a free ticket to the Black Paw dungeon." He gulps as we lock eyes, I let Scarlett shine through a little, causing him to bare his neck in submission.

   "Alpha, I need you at the mall with a patrol car, I have a situation" I link.

   "I'll be right there." He responds.

   "Now, you're going to walk out of here calmly. We don't want the humans to find out, do we?" I push him in front of me, my claw piercing his back so he doesn't get away. Kaiden jumps up as he sees me round the corner with the man.

   "What is this?" Kaiden asks.

   "I can handle it, make sure Mom gets home safe." I answer. Kaiden nods and I continue to lead the man outside. I guide him into an alley next to the mall, where the car is waiting. Alpha Mark and my father jump out of the car. Father grabs the man by his neck and pins him to the wall.

"What did you do to my daughter?" The man snickers.

"I was only trying to have a little fun. Those perky breasts are very nice." Father growls and lifts the man off the ground.

"You're dead, pup."

"It's not like you can hurt me."

"Oh is that so?" A fist flies towards the mans face, successfully breaking his nose.

"Seriously old man? That hurt."

"Stop. Now." The mans eyes snap to mine as I growl. He whimpers and bares his neck in submission. I continue to glare at him as Alpha pushes him into the car.

"Go home with Kaiden, we will deal with the pest." Alpha commands. I nod and start the walk to Luna's car. I get in just as she starts the car.

"What was that?" Kaiden asks.

"Alpha is dealing with it." The car starts moving and I become lost in my thoughts. I guess I'll have to get my knife another time.

*•*•*•*•*•

So I've decide to go ahead and post today. I really hadn't planned on it but I've found time tonight. I'm thinking about regularly updating twice a week. Some of you may not like this next chapter, so feel free to discontinue reading my book. I don't want any hate comments when all you have to do is click a button to stop reading.

Night_Shadow
3/1/19
4/8/19