Chapter 4)Post Invasion Navy Blues

"Try this one."

Blondie threw me another dress. This one is fire engine red and strapless.

Ugh, strapless. My worst enemy.

I held it out in front of me. "Ummm, thats cute. Wheres the rest of it?"

"Funny. Now shut up and put it on," she responded flatly.

I chuckled. "You think Im kidding? Wheres the bottom half?!"

"Believe me," she shoved it back into my chest, annoyed, "you may have a bit more to cover back there than most, but its there."

I let out a huff at that but turned to head behind the changing curtain. "I hate all of you," I threw over my shoulder.

I just wanted that fact to be known.

I squeezed into the dress.

Oh, my Goddess.

Theres no mirror in here, but I dont need one to know there must be a bottom half of this dress that got lost in production or something. Either that or the company wanted to save money on cloth.

Because I have shirts that cover more than this.

And the utterly sheer skirt that starts at my waist and falls to the floor does not count as coverage.

Not to mention, my air supply is being cut off by how freaking tightly this thing is clinging to me. Items are being squeezed that should not be pressed.

"Come on! How long does it take to slip on an oversized, overpriced tube sock with a curtain around it?" I heard blondie complain.

"Thank you!" I yelled in agreement.

She banged on the wall next to the curtain. "You have three seconds, and Im opening this curtain. So if youre not covered, do it quick." I saw her fingers wrap around the cloth. "3."

"Oh, um, thats not a good idea."

"2."

"We dont even need to bother showing it, it —"

"1."

There is no more curtain between me and the rest of the cruel, judgmental world.

Everyone in the room could see the red mini dress trying to pass itself as a gown with its floor-length, see-through train, along with my exposed shoulders.

I immediately looked at blondie, and the shock was evident on her face. Not too apparent because shes trying to hide it, but still there.

Hm. Guess she underestimated what it takes to cover up back there.

And other things in need of covering.

I gestured to the too-tight dress.

Or kids red beach towel.

"What? Doesnt it just scream class?" I put my hand on my hip and stuck it out. Probably nearly flashing everyone in the room with the slight movement.

She stayed staring silently. Probably too stunned to respond.

I decided to help her out. "Next?"

"Next," she nodded.

I hopped off the platform I was on and took to the racks myself before any of them could get out of shock.

I know exactly where Im heading. I just have to get there before —

"Hey, where do you think youre going?!"

Well, that didnt last long.

I kept walking, but Blondie swooped in. "You dont have a say in this."

"Why?" I questioned, frowning.

"Because, judging by what you were wearing before, that would be a serious mistake."

"Oh, cmon. Just this blue dress." I grabbed onto it.

"No."

"You didnt even look at it, just —"

The male warrior came over and pulled me back to the main area by the arm. "Woah! Oh, cmon. Ah. Oof. Okay! You dont have to be so rough," I narrowed my eyes at him.

He ignored me and sat back down.

I rolled my eyes and plopped onto a chair too.

This is more exhausting than I thought it was gonna be.

Blondie threw me the next dress, and it was the same thing all over again.

Except for this time, it was black and lacy and — thank goodness — will provide a little more coverage. It goes down to the floor with a slit to my mid-thigh. The lace covers the whole dress, and its back is sheer—a big no-no.

And the plunging neckline is a little much.

Also, did she not learn her lesson about strapless dresses from the last one?

The same ordeal followed. I went in, didnt want to come out — not so much for decencys sake this time, it was just ugly on me — Blondie got mad and threatened to pull the curtain back. Then did. I ran off in the direction of a dress that I knew wouldnt make me look like a sausage in its wrapping. (Why is everything theyre giving me so form-fitting?!) Warrior came over and dragged me back.

Then, I heard a. . . Growling? coming from the entrance of the room.

Well, thats new.

It was short and cut off abruptly, but I heard it. It was deep and dark and made something churn inside me.

I turned to see its origins and found their alpha/my mate/holy crap; I dont even know his name, standing there.

His gaze burned holes into the guy holding my arm as he glared at him.

Oh, now I know whats going on here.

I had to fight the urge to smirk.

Their alpha cleared his throat swiftly, sending the message loud and clear without revealing it.

I was immediately released.

The smirk got harder to suppress.

Haha

He went back to semi-normal and gave me a once over.

Then something unexpected happened.

A boyish grin slipped onto his face.

I raised an eyebrow. Well then. I didnt peg him as the type to grin adorably.

Now mind you, Its not for the ideal reason, but he still surprised me. The complex rock features on his face are softer now.

I thought he was the uptight, no-fun type. Always with a straight, stern face, and when he wasnt, he would try and hide it. But no. Hell look you in the eye and smirk boyishly.

He also grins mockingly when he notices how uncomfortable you are with his eyes on you.

"Shut up," I crossed my arms over my suddenly very bare, feeling chest.

"I havent said anything," he chuckled.

"Yeah, well, I know you want to, so just shut up," I repeated kind of childishly.

He shook his head, the smirk still there.

Well, would you look at that? He looks like a kid when he does that.

Cute.

What?

No.

Freaking mate bond.

"Hows everything going here?" He asked, switching his attention to blondie.

"Fine, Alpha," she responded with a nod.

"So youve made the decision?"

"Um, well —"

"Cause if you havent, youd better hurry. Its already," he checked his watch. "Twelve in the afternoon."

She gasped. "It is?!"

"It is?" I asked, surprised. "Wow, time flies when you hate what youre doing."

"Yes, it is, so whats the problem?" He questioned, ignoring me. "The event starts at 5, and you need to be ready by at least 3.

"Oh, we, um. . ." Blondie struggled to reach for the right thing to say.

"Everything theyre putting me in is too form-fitting. I look like a sausage," I answered for her, a deep frown on my face.

Wolfie turned to me and chuckled. "You do not look like a sausage."

He tilted his head as his eyes raked over me slower. He was looking like he was considering it.

I fought to keep from fidgeting.

"You look like a. . ." He made eye contact with me, the smallest of grins coming back on, ". . . Snack."

I picked up a couch pillow and threw it at him. "So, yeah, a sausage, exactly. Thanks so much."

He caught it and set it down.

Boo.

"Alright, enough messing around; you need to get this figured out."

Blondie nodded.

There was a moment where nobody moved.

"Now!" Their alpha shooed them off.

Blondies eyes widened, and she was off in the racks before the other two even realized what was going on.

"Oh," both warriors jumped out of their chairs.

Their alpha chuckled. "Claire, always a little slow to connect the dots." he said to the female warrior. "I think youre contaminating Bruno," he quipped lightheartedly.

"Very funny," she rolled her eyes with a slight chuckle and headed to the racks.

"Hardy har har," Bruno, I believe his name was, mock laughed and followed after Claire.

Neither of them got very far, though. Blondie was already back and putting whatever insane new outfit I had to try on into the changing room.

I sighed. Great.

"Got the new dress," Blondie smiled tightly when she came over.

Bruno and Claire let out a laugh and sat back down.

They have souls too!

"Good," Wolfie nodded curtly before heading back out the door.

Blondie started steering me back towards the changing room.

"Wait!" I yelled. "Whats your name?" I asked, craning my neck to look at their alpha.

"Call me alpha," he called back. I couldnt see his expression with his back turned to me, but Im sure it was infuriating. He knows I didnt want that answer.

I glared at him, and he just looked back at me with that freaking know-it-all grin.

We stayed like this for a bit, Blondie struggling to get me to move in the background.

"Alpha Jason," he finally let on, turning back around and walking off.

I grinned victoriously. "Bye, Jason!" I called as the door closed, and Blondie managed to shove me into the cubicle.

I scrunched up my nose. "I like alpha Jason better than invader Jason," I commented to the others from behind the curtain.

"What are you talking about? Theyre the same person." Blondie answered. I can imagine her rolling her eyes.

I snorted, "believe me, theyre not. Your alpha seems like a good leader. My invader is an invader," I stated in contradiction.

A pause.

"Yeah, well, if you all play your cards right, it wont be that way for long," she replied.

Oh, no doubt there. Ill make sure of it.

"Now, just hurry up and get ready!"

I sighed and started turning to the wall with the dress. "Oh, this should be fun —"

. . . The dress.

The blue one I showed her.

I took it in my hands.

A smile started growing on my face at sight.

That deep navy blue. Beautiful. And soft fabric cut in a fit and flare that flows when whoever it moves. So simple yet elegant. Just my style.

I was just kidding. The word "elegant" doesnt belong anywhere near me.

But perfect for any occasion nonetheless.

Thats what she always said.

And I agree 100%.

The hem rests to the floor, and theres a slit running up to my thigh. The top is also decorated in stunning lace with long and beautiful sleeves.

And luckily enough, its the perfect thing to wear to this gala.

Yay.

. . . Lucky.