Chapter 12

Layla POV

I let out a long sigh, brushing back a strand of hair that refused to stay tucked behind my ear. It was becoming annoying at this point, the fitting room was stifling, I was hot and tired and I  really wanted to get rid of this dress. 

If I didn't get the chance to do so in the next thirty seconds then I might actually have resorted to murder.

My fingers gripped the skirt  of my gown each time the seamstress tightened another set of the very fine and definitely luxurious laces behind my back. 

The fabric was a shimmering blend of silver and gold imprints that was meant to  reflect my status as Alpha Ryder’s daughter. Me– an alpha's daughter commanding so much respect that never seemed to stop surprising me.

The ceremony was only two days away now, and despite the excited buzzing around me, I felt like a puppet being dressed for a show I didn’t want to star in. 

I had been awake for days now getting used to the run of the pack and my duty as the alpha's daughter because the truth was I was grateful to alpha Ryder, I may not have been his real daughter but the kindness he showed to me the love was something even my own father had not been able to give me.

I wanted to do well if not for his sake but for mine as well and so far I had not found anything that was too hard to do in fact I had to say I was on the best end of the deal. The seamstress clucked her tongue, pulling the fabric tighter around my waist.

“Hold still, my lady,” she chided gently. Elaine was a round woman with more curves than most women I had ever met, she had very pale skin and the most uninteresting brown hair and was mated to the alpha Ryder's beta. 

“The fit must be perfect.” she urged and I huffed,wincing at the bite of pins into my side.

I bit my tongue, willing the the urge to complain away, Elaine was good at her job, I had seen the evidence and she  did want this to be the best gown for the mating ceremony which was in two days.

But if I was being honest with myself , my problem was not with the ceremony itself but because of the fact that I had found nothing to tell me what the girl Melody had felt about the arrangement.

There were diaries of course but none of them really gave an insight to how she felt just random thoughts  that never touched on true feelings. As if she had kept those emotions for herself alone. 

"You’re doing beautifully, my lady. Just a little longer,” Pearl mumbled, offering an encouraging smile from her position by the door.

I was grateful for my ever-patient maid,who was adorable enough to believe that  holding a tray of fresh tea and biscuits would be a way to make time go faster for me.

Pearl’s presence though had been a blessing in disguise these  last few days because if it were not for her calm demeanor and whispered reassurances, I might have shattered under the weight of this new life.

“You look stunning, my lady,” Pearl said softly, her voice like a soothing rain. I managed a faint smile. 

“Thank you, Pearl even though I don’t feel stunning.” I sighed and the seamstress huffed.

“It’s not your dress madam” I muttered trying to salvage that already bad situation, Pearl must have realized what I was trying to do because  she immediately jumped in.

“It’s natural to feel overwhelmed,” Pearl replied. 

“But you’re stronger than you think Lady Melody.” she urged and the seamstress smiled.

“Of course my lady, that is why I will make sure this gown will be fit for the ceremony” Elaine promised as she stepped back, scrutinizing her handwork. 

I tried to give her a smile but I wasn't able to muster one bright enough but it seemed the seamstress was fine with me being an unwilling test subject.

“Perfect. Let’s move on to the next dress.” Layla’s shoulders sagged. Another dress? I had already tried on a dozen, and each one felt heavier than the last. My patience was wearing thin.

“I need some air,” I  said abruptly, stepping down from the stool. 

“My lady, we’re not finished,” the seamstress protested.

“Take a break,” Pearl interjected smoothly.

“We’ll resume very soon.” she mumbled and I smiled gratefully at her getting off the stool that I had been standing on for hours.

I shot Pearl a grateful look and slipped out of the room before anyone could stop me. I  made my way through the brightly lit hallway escaping from the all prying eyes and worried glances, my footsteps quick. 

I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go except from far away from that room, I walked into an alcove that led into the garden it seemed, this would soon be my refuge, even if only for a moment. 

The neatly trimmed hedges and blooming flowers spoke of the care that had gone into maintaining it . I sank onto a stone bench, closing my eyes and inhaled deeply, the scent of blooming flowers filling my lungs.  

I brushed my fingers against petals and leaves feeling a little bit more calm. 

Wanting to see more of the garden I  rose and started walking. I rounded a corner and froze. 

There was a man in the  garden, he stood at the far end of the garden, his back to me, he seemed familiar but I wasn’t sure why.

He was tall, with dark hair that curled slightly at the ends, and his posture gave off enough confidence to power a whole city. It was somewhat intoxicating.

As if sensing my presence, he turned, and piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, a slow smile spreading across his face, as he took a step toward me.

“Melody,” he said, his voice low and rich.

“I’m sorry, but do I know you?” I  asked, my voice steady despite the unease creeping up my spine.

His smile faltered, but only for a moment. 

“You always loved the garden,” he continued as if I hadn’t just shown that I didn’t know him and now he had given personal information that meant he did know who I was and exactly what I was doing here and that scared me.

My heart pounded in my chest.

“You’ve made a mistake. I’m not who you think I am.”

He took another step closer, his gaze intense.

“You don’t remember me, do you?” I shook my head, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my gown, I twisted them around.

“I'm sure you're a very important person but I really don’t appreciate people in my personal space” His expression softened, but his eyes remained locked on mine.

“You don’t mean that Melody. ” he muttered and I huffed. “I can assure you I know my own mind.” My mind raced. 

Who was this man? How the hell did he know Melody and how did I get him to leave? 

I tried not to fidget especially since I couldn’t let him see my fear,if he did then I was truly done for. I couldn’t let him find out I was not who he thought I was or the fact that I was someone else? 

“I’m sorry,” I said, forcing calm into my voice. “I truly don’t know you.” His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I  thought he might argue further. But then he stepped back, his gaze never leaving mine.

“I’ll prove it,” he said but I ignored him turning to leave, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.

“I’m your lover,” he said, the words hanging in the air and I spun around, my eyes widening.

“What?”