Chapter 39: Bride-to-be

The next morning, Alyssa woke up to the sensation of soft kisses across her face. She stirred, her lips parting into a smile as Dorian’s intoxicating scent instantly filled her nostrils.

She slid her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling deep within his silky hair as he nuzzled the slender curve of her neck.

"Did you sleep well, little lamb?" he whispered, his morning voice sounding incredibly deep and husky against her skin.

"I did," she murmured, tilting her head to the side to give him better access. "I waited up for you, but I dozed off."

"Forgive me," he said, his large hand stroking slowly over the curve of her hip. "I didn’t plan to stay out so late. Something else came up."

"It’s okay," she whispered. Her breath suddenly shuddered out as he caught the delicate skin of her neck between his teeth.

She let out a breathless moan, her back arching off the mattress as he ran his tongue over the shell of her ear, sending a wave of erotic sensation straight through her core.

A firm knock sounded on the door, instantly ruining the moment. But Dorian didn’t look annoyed; he had been expecting it.

"Alpha," a voice called out from the hallway. "Lady Giselle has arrived."

Alyssa opened her eyes as the footsteps outside slowly retreated. A quick glance at the bedside clock told her it was just past seven in the morning.

Soft rays of sunlight were beginning to stream through the curtains, and the icy wind howling outside only made the grand bedroom feel cozier.

"Who’s Lady Giselle?" she asked as Dorian lifted his head to look down at her.

"The royal designer," Dorian said, lifting a hand to gently stroke her cheek. "I didn’t know what kind of wedding dress you’d like, so I sent for her. You can try on as many as you want until you find the perfect one."

Alyssa blinked innocently up at him, entirely stunned by his words. "I get to choose whichever one I want?" she whispered.

"Of course," Dorian smiled, his gaze softening as his thumb traced her bottom lip, losing himself in the deep blue of her eyes. "The same goes for everything else you’ll need. I want you to be happy."

Alyssa’s eyes suddenly brimmed with hot tears. Before she could stop herself, she broke into soft sobs, turning her face away into the curve of his shoulder.

Instantly worried, Dorian pulled her against him, his hand curling around her back to rub soothing circles. "What’s wrong?"

"You’re so kind to me," she sobbed, her voice muffled against him. "No one has ever been this good to me... and it’s scary because I... I don’t know how to accept it."

"Hey, hey," Dorian murmured, gently lifting her chin to gaze into her eyes. "Don’t do that. It breaks my heart to see you cry."

He thumbed away the moisture on her cheeks, using the heel of his palm to gently dry the corners of her eyes.

"I don’t ever want to see you cry. The life you lived in the past is gone. You have a new one now. With me."

She nodded, sniffing softly as he cleaned the last of her tears. "I just got so overwhelmed. I’ve never had the luxury of having a choice."

"I know," he leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers. "But that all changes now. You will get anything you need, anything at all. You only need to ask."

She nodded again, her eyes drifting shut as his lips found hers. Her pulse raced so fast she knew his acute hearing could catch every beat. She leaned into him fully, clutching his shoulder tightly as he suddenly deepened the kiss.

When he finally pulled back, she was completely breathless, her eyes hazy and her lips tingling from the pressure.

"Are you ready to meet Giselle?" he asked softly.

Nodding happily, a genuine smile finally broke across her face. "Yes."

Several minutes later, after freshening up for the morning, Alyssa and Dorian descended the grand staircase together, their hands firmly clasped.

Pandora was waiting for them at the bottom, her arms folded tightly across her chest.

"When exactly were you going to tell me about your wedding, Dorian?" she asked with a dramatic eye roll. "Did you really think I wouldn’t find out the second I saw Giselle standing in the foyer?"

"If I wanted to keep it hidden from you, I wouldn’t have brought her to the mansion in the first place," Dorian retorted smoothly. "Besides, knowing how Anthony blabs every single thing to you, I’m sure he already told you about it."

Pandora and Alyssa exchanged a secret, knowing look and giggled.

Giselle was waiting in one of the large, unoccupied rooms on the ground floor. She was a robust, middle-aged shifter with short black hair and incredibly kind brown eyes.

The moment Alyssa, Dorian, and Pandora stepped across the threshold, she rose to her feet, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Good morning, Alpha," she said, curtseying low. "I hope I didn’t arrive too early."

"You came right on time, Giselle," Dorian murmured, slipping a possessive arm around Alyssa’s waist. "I’d like you to meet Alyssa, my bride-to-be."

"It is an absolute honor to meet you, Lady Alyssa," Giselle said, curtseying again.

"Nice to meet you, Giselle," Alyssa smiled back, instantly warming up to the woman’s bubbly energy.

"Giselle," Dorian continued, his voice dropping to his usual commanding tone. "I know you’re the best at what you do, so I am leaving my bride in your capable hands. I want her completely prepared for tomorrow."

"You have my word, Alpha," Giselle beamed. "She will make a beautiful, perfect bride."

As Dorian stepped aside, Alyssa stared in absolute awe at the sheer expanse of the room.

Packed tightly along endless bridal racks were hundreds of luxurious wedding gowns, their heavy lace and satin trains pooling like frothy waves on the floor. Every gown hung from a matching velvet-padded hanger, meticulously categorized by shade, ranging from stark diamond white to warm, rich alabaster.

Down the center of the room sat a glass-and-gold display island. Inside its velvet-lined drawers was a breathtaking archive of footwear; satin stilettos, lace-wrapped pumps, and pearl-encrusted heels glinting brilliantly under the chandeliers.

At the far end, a massive circular viewing pedestal awaited her, flanked by three large vertical mirrors designed to catch her reflection from every conceivable angle.

Dorian glanced down at her, pleased with the awed look on her face. "I’ll be in the study when you’re done. Tell Giselle whatever you want, she’ll do it."

Alyssa smiled up at him, her blue eyes swimming with deep gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly.

Dorian kissed her hair, then excused himself and stepped out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut behind him, Giselle let out a dramatic gush of admiration.

"Oh goddess, when I heard the rumors that the Alpha’s bride was a vision of beauty, I didn’t believe it," she gasped, reaching out to touch a soft strand of Alyssa’s hair. "You are breathtaking, Lady Alyssa."

Alyssa smiled shyly, lowering her eyes. "Thank you. And please, you can just call me Alyssa."

"You’re so kind!"

"Alright, enough of the formalities," Pandora said happily, marching over to one of the closest racks and pulling out a stunning, elegant gown. "Let’s get started, Alyssa. Giselle and I are going to make sure you’re the only thing the entire pack talks about tomorrow."

...

Sometime during the quiet hours of the afternoon, a sleek white limousine pulled into the driveway of a luxurious villa situated just two blocks away from Dorian’s estate.

Two guards hurried outside, opening the passenger doors and bowing deeply as Joffrey stepped out into the cold air. Serena stepped out from the opposite side, an expensive fur coat draped elegantly across her shoulders.

She breathed in the crisp afternoon air, a satisfied smile blooming on her face. "It’s so good to be back here."

"Yes, it is," Joffrey replied flatly.

But his eyes weren’t looking at the villa. His sharp gaze was fixed on the towering entrance gates of Dorian’s estate.

He lifted the cigarette he held to his lips, sucking in a deep plume of smoke before exhaling it slowly through his nostrils.

Then a dark smirk played across his lips. He hadn’t decided to return to his family home for no reason after all these years away.

He was back to stay–and Dorian had better watch his back.