Zara’s POV
“Oh my,” I exclaimed in shock as Levi dragged me inside a posh boutique in the city. “This is a bit unexpected.”
I didn’t anticipate him taking me here.
“Well, what kind of mate would I be if I couldn’t get you a decent dress for the ball?” Smirking, Levi said.
“You are the greatest!” I shouted with delight as I reached up to kiss his cheek.
Smiling, Levi gestured for the salesgirl to come closer.
“Good morning, Zara,” a friendly and elderly woman with short, light-blond hair greets us. She was a human named Jenn. The last time I was at the dress boutique for an event similar to this one, I ran into her.
“It is great to see you,” she went on to say. “I understand you and your husband will be attending a grand ball this Saturday?” she asked. “Is that right?”
With a smile on my face, I nodded. Levi must have notified her about the ball.
“Great, let’s get started. Follow me, please.” She gestured with her hand, indicating her desire for us to accompany her to a private room.
The thick, hefty, and expensive drapes welcome us to the room’s high, wide ceilings. Except for the flower arrangement at the door, the room has remained mostly unchanged.
I turned my head to face the middle of the room, where a large platform with a three-way mirror awaited my arrival. I could finally see myself in the mirror and choose the perfect garment. As I waited for Levi to join me on the plush white couch, it remained just as appealing as before.
“Get something to drink and eat,” Jenn said. “I will be right with you.”
Following his gratitude to Jenn, Levi drew me over to the table, where a fluted bottle of white wine awaited our arrival. They presented us with a platter of biscuits, cheeses, and fruits.
“Wow, you have outdone yourself,” I said to Levi.
“Anything for my future Luna.” Levi poured glasses of wine for each of us. “You may not have much more time with us after we mate and mark.”
“Oh, Levi,” I said, feeling a bit guilty. “I will never-”
“Zara,” he said, cutting me off and interrupting. “I am ecstatic for you. Everything was set to happen. We are no longer kids. We are both growing. We both found our second-chance mates. I want you to be happy….”
Sitting down, Levi settled into a comfortable position. He motioned for me to join him on the couch by patting it.
“See this as a gesture of gratitude for my appreciation for being my friend all these years,” he continued, and tears welled up in my eyes. “You protected my deepest, darkest secret, watching out for me and believing in me even when I doubted myself. Dear Zara, you mean the world to me. You are my best friend.”
“And you are mine,” I responded, my voice quivering. “I look forward to many more years of friendship ahead.”
Shortly after Levi and I clicked our glasses, Jenn and her helper entered the room with an extensive selection of gowns.
“Are you ready?” She gestured toward the clothes.
“Yeah,” I replied, handing Levi my glass.
“Anything in particular you’re looking for?” she asked.
I knew what kind of dress I was looking for, but I wasn’t sure if Jenn had such a style in stock.
After placing the drinks on the table, Levi rose to his feet and proceeded directly to the dresses in midnight blue.
As he browsed through the outfits, I gazed at him with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.
Out of nowhere, Levi halted his shopping, retrieved a chiffon dress from a rack, and proudly displayed it to me.
A sequined V-neck, an open back, and a full, flouncy skirt were the distinguishing features of this dress.
“Very good,” Jenn remarked with a nod of admiration.
Why would he choose any color from that range?
“The color suits you,” Kaya purred. “Nicolas wouldn’t be able to keep his paws off you.”
“But that just reminds me of Noah,” I groaned.
“Why?” As if bewildered, she inquired.
“Because that is the same color as what I wore when he decided to reclaim me,” I replied.
“But it’s not the same dress,” she remarked.
I sighed, yet nodded, and Jenn motioned for the assistant to help me get dressed.
I was nervous when the time came to expose myself. I peered out from behind the curtains to find Levi seated and engrossed in a call. As I approached, Jenn stood patiently at my side, holding five additional dresses.
I exhaled deeply, pulled back the drapes, and went outside.
As soon as he laid eyes on me, Levi’s expression brightened, and he abruptly cut off our phone call.
What if this dress is perfect?
“Then you take it home,” Kaya stated, giving me no room to argue. “Besides, it will be a masked ball. Noah wouldn’t know it was you.”
Standing up, Levi hurried over to me, his grin becoming wider with each step. His firm grasp of my hand guided me to the platform.
“You look absolutely stunning in this dress,” he murmured.
As I gasped, my eyes grudgingly moved to the mirrors, and I smiled gently at him.
I agree with Levi. I absolutely loved the dress. The top highlighted my lovely round breasts without drawing attention to them. The color was a fantastic match for my skin tone, and the skirt was so airy that it hung loosely about me.
“I know what you are going to say,” Levi whispered in my ear as he peered over my shoulder at my reflection in the mirror. “As a result, I selected five additional outfits for you, ranging in color and style. I feel like this dress will be your top option, but I recommend trying on a few others before making a final decision.”
Levi stepped aside. I knew he was right. The dress has already won my heart.
I snatched the next dress off the railing and hurried to the changing room.
When I came back to display the second dress, a new spectator took Levi’s place.
****