Page 122 of The Wolf and the Chimera
Ilovedthis dress.
Its pale yellow, capped sleeves curved around my arms like a lover’s touch, and the sweetheart neckline flattered the swells of my breasts. Satin shifted into a cloudy tulle skirt, which was embellished by glittering, lacy appliques.
“Great gods,” Kalli whispered. “You look beautiful.”
I smiled at the werewolf beaming in my reflection.
She had turned her large dressing room into a princess-perfect bridal suite that reminded me of movie montages and childish dreams. A short runway led to the triage of mirrors and divided the space in two. Women’s clothing hung on theracks bordering the space, though most of it looked far too fancy for Kalli to ever wear. Mahogany dressers and drawers also lined the green and white walls.
“Traditionally,” she said, “wolves wear gray or white claiming dresses, but I thought, given your connection to the sun, you might prefer this.”
I turned and studied the back of the gown, which was no less exquisite than the front. The fabric dipped low, revealing a daring expanse of skin. Buttons lined a track down the center of my frame, and Kalli had painstakingly buttoned each one.
“Where did you find this?” I asked. Despite my mixed feelings toward the she-wolf, guilt ate at me. “It had to cost a fortune.”
Kalli waved me off. “I have more money than I have ever known what to do with.”
The twinge of sadness in her voice caught my attention, and I faced her. Kalli forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“I’m glad he found you,” she said softly. “He deserves happiness.”
Love shined in her eyes for the son she had abandoned.
“Are you happy?” The question slipped off my tongue, but I didn’t snatch it back. “Doesyourmate make you happy?”
Her smile faltered. “He’s my other half.”
That’s not an answer.
Kalli clutched my hands and bored her green eyes into mine.
“Ryder will make you happy,” she promised. Her voice grew impossibly quiet. “He’s his father’s son.”
Longing flashed across her face, and she took a sip from her champagne flute, as if to steady her nerves. Down the hall, footsteps clattered, and I stiffened. When her green eyes met mine, Kalli’s gaze was serious.
“I thought we’d have more time,” she admitted in a rushed whisper, “but at least you connected with your chimera.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?” I asked and shook my head, but Kalli took my hands in hers.
“You couldn’t have heard that without heightened senses,” she said. “I’m not your enemy, Elle. I don’t want to be.”
The footsteps drew closer, and Kalli took a shaky breath.
“The bodice,” she murmured.
The door clicked open, and Kalli pulled back to admire my gown. A smile lifted her lips.
“The bodice is myfavoritepart,” she continued.
The tense moment passed so quickly, I wondered if I had imagined it.
Lyall swept into the room and grinned. In their human forms, the twins flanked him. While Lyall’s gaze trailed over my form, theirs remained cold and cruel. I wasn’t sure which reaction was creepier.
The three of them blocked the only exit, and the distance between me and my mate suddenly became gargantuan. Power heated my veins.
Control, control, control.
