Chapter 6: Anything But Tideclaw

"Some clothes have been set aside for you, alongside a warm bath so you can clean up. Sleep well, miss Hazel, and don’t forget to just pull on that rope if you need anything."

Hazel, after being so sweetly tended to by Doctor Ivana, was now in a room that was about five times the size of her former room in Tideclaw. The good doctor had applied some ointments to her wounds, patiently cleaning and handling her body with such delicateness that Hazel had almost cried.

Who had treated her so kindly from the go?

Hazel’s eyes focused on the room she was in, but honestly, calling it a mere room didn’t even seem accurate.

It had walls painted red, with a massive bed which had a canopy hanging over it. A small chair sat in the corner of the room, right in front of a massive desk.

Everything about it screamed elegance, a reality Hazel was so not used to. Even the lamp on the desk and the light illuminating her room looked slightly strange to her.

"Yes yes," she said quietly, touching the bed. It was ridiculously soft!

Xavier watched her for a moment more before bowing in respect and shutting the door. The moment the Beta was gone, Hazel immediately dived onto the massive bed, a grin curving her lips.

"I could get used to this," she whispered to herself. All she had to do was do whatever King Conan expected of her. It didn’t matter if everybody in the entire palace and Bloodmoon pack hated her. It didn’t matter if King Conan didn’t care for her.

I’ll be fine either way, Hazel assured herself, curling her body. Anything but Tideclaw is fine.

Hazel was supposed to bathe, yes. She was filthy, and frankly reeked of dried blood.

But slowly, her exhaustion took her, and she faded into dreamless sleep.

~

"Hey, I’m Becky."

Wide awake now, Hazel was dressed in something Doctor Ivana had called ’jean trousers’. Doctor Ivana, goddess bless her soul, had been kind enough to gently wake Hazel up in order to prepare for her wedding.

Hazel had struggled in the bath, fighting with what she had assumed to be a metallic snake demon with several mouths, before Ivana had told her what it was.

A shower head.

Sigh.

Now, she stood in front of the same car as yesterday with Xavier, only that a new woman had joined the mix. She had platinum silver hair, with dark chestnut eyes, and looked slightly younger than the King.

Her back strangely enough no longer hurt like before, so that was a good thing.

"Hello, I’m Hazel," she said, fiddling with the top she was wearing. A t-shirt apparently. Not because it was bad, but because it felt so comfortable! Even the trousers felt like—

Focus, Hazel.

A weird substance came out of Becky’s mouth in the shape of a bubble before it popped, entering her mouth again.

"I’m to be your maid of honor for the wedding, and help you get your dress for the wedding this afternoon." Becky took a sniff, and scrunched a brow. She looked like she was about to say something, but chose not to, an act Hazel was grateful for.

"Let’s have fun, shall we?"

~

"Okay, breaking the tense silence," Becky stated, popping another bubble. They were all now in the vehicle, and being taken to wherever their final destination was, "about your dress. You got any preferences? Poofy? Slim? A train so long it needs its own zip code?"

Hazel blinked. "What’s a zip...code? And I... I don’t know. I’ve never worn a wedding dress before."

"No shit." Becky snorted. "Sorry, sorry. That came out wrong. Okay, let’s start simple—what color?"

"White?"

"Well obviously."

Xavier, seated across from them, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Becky, please."

"I’m helping!"

The car suddenly hummed to a stop.

"We’re here," Xavier announced.

Hazel stepped out and her jaw dropped.

The building in front of her was enormous, tall windows, white marble, and a massive golden sign that read: "AURORA’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE."

"Wait—" Hazel turned to Xavier, eyes wide. "This is the king’s mother’s shop?"

"Unfortunately," Xavier muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Becky grabbed Hazel’s arm and dragged her forward. "Don’t worry about the dowager queen. She’s all bark. Mostly. Sometimes bite. But I’ll protect you."

Hazel wasn’t convinced but said nothing in response as they walked towards the store.

The inside was even more overwhelming.

Dresses upon dresses upon dresses. White, cream, ivory, champagne. Some with lace, some with beads, some so glittery they looked like they had been dipped in the shine of the stars.

Hazel stood in the middle of it all, spinning slowly, completely lost.

"I don’t even know where to start," she admitted quietly.

Becky was already yanking a dress off a mannequin. "Start with this."

Hazel stared at it. It was... a lot. Puffy sleeves. A corset so tight it looked like it required a breathing tube. And a train that could double as a blanket for an entire village.

"That’s hideous," Hazel said flatly.

Becky gasped in mock offense. "It’s vintage!"

"It’s ugly."

"Fine, fine. You got opinions. I like that." Becky tossed the dress aside and grabbed another. Hazel found herself smiling before forcing it down.

I might be enjoying this, but I have to be careful. It could all be taken away from me if I don’t play my part well.

"This one?"

Sleek. Simple. Long sleeves. A modest slit up the side.

Hazel touched the fabric, and her fingers tingled. It was soft. Nothing like the rough clothes she had worn her entire life.

"This one," she whispered.

Becky grinned, her eyes lighting. "Good taste. Now go try it on."

~

Hazel stepped out of the changing room, and strangely enough, she thought she looked good.

The dress hugged her curves, the slit showing just enough leg to be daring but not scandalous. The fabric shimmered under the boutique’s golden lights.

Becky let out a low whistle. "Damn, girl. You’re gorgeous."

Hazel’s face flushed. When had anyone ever told her that? "Don’t say that."

"I’m saying it. Look at yourself."

Hazel turned to the mirror, and for the first time in her life, she didn’t flinch at her own reflection. Her scars were hidden. Her hair was clean and shiny. Her grey eyes looked almost....bright.

She felt beautiful.

And that scared her more than anything.

"What happens after the wedding?" Hazel asked quietly.

Becky’s smile faltered. "What do you mean?"

"The consummation. The pups. After all that... what happens to me? Do I still continue to be the Queen? Or is there a plan to take me back to Tideclaw?"

Becky opened her mouth to answer—

The door to the boutique slammed open.

Hazel flinched, turning toward the sound. Xavier had burst in, his electric blue eyes wide. "Miss Hazel," he said, voice tight. "You need to come with me. Now."

"What? Why?"

Xavier grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the door.

"The King is here."

Hazel felt her heart stutter in her chest.

"Here? As in—"

The boutique’s main door swung open again.

And King Conan Valerius Black stepped inside.