Adrian-
I pushed away my disappointment in Anna and forced a fake smile as I descended the stairs. At the bottom, I spotted Hazel standing awkwardly, and my smile immediately turned genuine as I secretly admired her cuteness.
“Hey,” I said, and she lifted her face, meeting my eyes.
“H-hey,” she stammered, shifting from one foot to another. Together, we walked out of the house. I could feel my palms getting sweaty from the anticipation and nervousness about the upcoming mating ball, a significant event. The thought of Hazel assisting me with my suit fitting added to my nervousness for some reason.
“So, do you know much about suits?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood as we made our way to the tailor shop.
“A bit,” she replied, her voice still a little shaky. “I’ve helped with fittings before.”
“Good to know,” I said, offering her a reassuring smile. “I appreciate the help.”
We walked in comfortable silence for a while, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating. I realised this might be a chance to get to know Hazel better, beyond the pack dynamics and the formality of our roles. Perhaps, just perhaps, this unexpected errand could lead to something more than just a well-fitted suit.
I shook my head at that thought as we approached the tailor shop, a quaint building nestled in the heart of the pack’s territory. The shop was charming, with large windows showcasing elegant garments and a wooden sign above the door that read “Elara’s Tailoring.”
As we stepped inside, the sound of a bell chimed softly, and the warm, inviting atmosphere of the shop enveloped us.
“Welcome, Alpha Adrian.” Elara, the tailor, greeted us with a warm smile. “And hello, Hazel. Come in, come in.”
“Thanks, Elara,” I said, returning her smile. “We’re here to try on my suit for the mating ball.”
“Of course,” she said, leading us to the fitting area. “I have it right here. Let’s see how it fits.”
My suit was plain and nothing too extravagant. I quickly tried it on with Hazel’s assistance. I noticed her eyes wandering to a stunning dress displayed on a nearby mannequin. The dress was a deep blue-green, made of flowing silk that shimmered in the light. It had delicate lace detailing along the neckline and sleeves, and the skirt cascaded gracefully to the floor, creating an ethereal, almost magical effect. It would definitely fit her perfectly.
“Do you like that dress?” I asked, catching her admiring gaze. Hazel quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
“No, Alpha Adrian. It’s not… I mean, it’s beautiful, but omegas aren’t allowed to dream of such things.”
“Nonsense,” I said, adjusting the suit jacket with a smile. “There’s no rule that says you can’t appreciate something beautiful.” She glanced at the dress again, her eyes filled with a mix of longing and disappointment.
“It’s just… not for someone like me.”
“Why not?” I pressed gently. “You deserve to have nice things too, Hazel.” She shook her head slightly, focusing on smoothing out the fabric of my jacket.
“Thank you, but it’s just how things are. Omegas don’t get to wear dresses like that.” She muttered, and those words made me uncomfortable. For some reason, I wished she wasn’t an omega.
“Hazel, you would look lovely in that dress. And Adrian is right; there’s no harm in admiring it.” Elara, who had been adjusting the fit of my suit, chimed in with a smile.
Hazel looked up, surprised by Elara’s words, and then back at me. “I appreciate it, truly. But it’s just a dream.” I straightened my suit jacket, feeling an urge to see her in that dress. “Dreams are meant to be pursued, Hazel. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
She offered a small, grateful smile but said nothing more on the subject. We continued with the fitting, and I couldn’t help but feel a growing desire to do something special for her, to show her that dreams, no matter how far-fetched they seemed, were worth chasing.
“How’s the suit?” Elara asked, stepping back to assess the fit. “It’s perfect,” I replied, giving her an appreciative nod. “Thank you, Elara.”
“Anytime, Alpha Adrian,” she said, pleased. “If you need any further adjustments, just let me know.” As we finished up and prepared to leave, I glanced once more at the blue-green dress and then at Hazel. An idea began to form in my mind, one that I hoped would bring a bit of magic into Hazel’s life, just as she deserved.
“Do you really like that dress, Hazel?” I asked again, more insistently this time. Hazel’s cheeks flushed deeper. “It’s beautiful, but like I said, I really can’t…”
“Nonsense,” I interrupted gently. “Try it on. See if it’s your size.”
Hazel’s eyes widened in surprise. “I couldn’t possibly-”
“Please,” I urged, handing her the dress.
“Just try it on. For me.” She hesitated, glancing between me and the dress, but finally, her curiosity won out.
“Alright,” she said softly, taking the dress from my hands. “I’ll try it on.”
Elara led her to a fitting room, and I waited outside, feeling a sense of anticipation. After a few moments, the curtain parted, and Hazel stepped out.
She looked stunning. The blue dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her figure and bringing out the warmth in her brown eyes. The lace detailing added an elegant touch, and the flowing skirt made her look almost like a fairy-tale princess.
Hazel stood there, fidgeting slightly, clearly unsure of herself.
“Wow,” I said, unable to hide my admiration, and I could hear my wolf howling in appreciation inside my head. “You look… beyond beautiful, Hazel.”
She blushed, looking down at the floor. “Thank you, Alpha Adrian, but I really can’t afford this.”
“Don’t worry about that,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s a gift. From me, your Alpha.”
Hazel’s eyes widened in shock. “I can’t accept this; it’s too much-”
“I insist,” I said firmly. “And you can’t reject it. Consider it a small token of appreciation for all your hard work.”
She looked at me, tears of gratitude forming in her eyes. “Thank you, Alpha Adrian. This means so much to me.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied, smiling warmly. “And besides, you’re turning eighteen soon. I hope you find your mate at the mating ball too.”
Hazel’s expression softened, a mixture of hope and uncertainty in her eyes. My heart clenched at the thought of whoever got to be her mate. He would be a lucky bastard, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
“I don’t know if I’ll be that lucky, but thank you for the kind words.”
“You never know,” I said, giving her a reassuring nod. “Just keep an open mind and heart. You deserve happiness, Hazel.”
She smiled-a radiant smile that lit up her face. “Thank you, Adrian. Truly.”
“Anytime,” I said, feeling a sense of fulfilment.
“Now, let’s get you out of that dress so Elara can finish the final touches. And remember, you’re going to look amazing at the ball.”Hazel nodded, before disappearing back into the fitting room.
I felt a surge of satisfaction and was proud of myself for making a positive difference in her life, no matter how small. Seeing Hazel happy was worth all the money in the world.
“Thank you so much, Elara,” I said, giving her a grateful smile.
“My pleasure, Alpha Adrian,” Elara replied warmly. “And Hazel, you look absolutely stunning in that dress.”
“Thank you, Elara,” Hazel said shyly, glancing back at the tailor one last time before we stepped out into the sunshine. Hazel trailed slightly behind, still looking a bit overwhelmed by the whole experience.
“Adrian, I really appreciate the dress, but I’m not comfortable taking something so expensive for free. I feel like I should repay you somehow.” Hazel said that as we walked down the street, I turned to her with a playful grin.
“Oh? And how do you plan to repay me?”She hesitated, then smiled shyly.
“How about I buy you an ice cream? It’s the least I can do.” She gushed, and I laughed, raising an eyebrow. “Are you asking me on a date, Hazel? I never expected you to be that bold.” Her cheeks flushed bright red.
“N-no, I just thought-”
“I’m just teasing,” I said, chuckling.
“I’d love an ice cream. Let’s go.” We walked to the nearby ice cream parlour. As we approached the counter, the sweet scent of freshly-made waffle cones filled the air.
Hazel insisted on paying, despite my protests, and soon we both had cones in hand-chocolate for her and mint chocolate chip for me. We found a bench outside and sat down to enjoy our treats. The atmosphere was light, and the earlier tension seemed to melt away like the ice cream in our hands.
“So,” I said between bites, “do you feel better now?” Hazel nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yes. Thank you, Adrian. For everything.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied, meeting her gaze. “And you don’t need to repay me for the dress. Seeing you happy is more than enough.”She looked down, her smile widening.
“You’re really kind. Not at all what I expected from an Alpha.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said, laughing. “But seriously, Hazel, don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t deserve nice things. You’re just as important as anyone else in the pack.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, her eyes meeting mine with genuine warmth. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“I feel at peace with you for some reason,” I said after a moment of silence between us. Her eyes lit up, and she tilted her head, her lips curving into a shy smile.
“Me too,” she mumbled, glancing down at her hands before looking back up at me. I shook my head in amusement.
I didn’t expect you to say it back,” I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. ” It’s just that when I am home and in the pack, I have so much burden on my shoulders and so many responsibilities. For instance, I have to live my life perfectly the way my mother wants and fill in my dead brother’s shoes so that she doesn’t get sad or lose her reason to smile. Not that I am complaining or anything; I just feel like I’m not living my life the way I want. Sometimes, when I hear her call me Alex instead of Adrian, it makes me feel like just a mere replacement and not having her true love.”
I felt my face heat up as I rambled, my gaze dropping to the floor. When I glanced back up, Hazel’s eyes were locked onto mine. She had been listening intently, letting me pour out my heart. She nodded slightly, her expression softening as she took in my words.
This was the first time I had ever let out my feelings to someone. Not even my wolf knew, but with Hazel, I just felt natural and like she was someone I could trust without being judged.
Suddenly, Hazel shifted closer and wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug. My eyes widened in surprise, but I quickly relaxed into her embrace, feeling my tense body calm under her touch.
“It’s okay to feel this way, Adrian,” she murmured against my shoulder. “Complaining makes you human too. I know nothing I say will change your situation or make you feel better, but I just want you to know that I am here for you whenever you need someone to pour out your heart to.” Her voice was soothing, and before she finished her sentence, I found myself unable to hold back. I cupped her face gently, my thumb brushing her cheek, and leaned in to place my lips on hers.
She gasped softly but quickly melted into the kiss, her hands resting lightly on my chest. It was a simple act, but one that made me feel closer to Hazel, and I couldn’t help but feel that this was the beginning of something special.