Chapter four

~Lexa’s POV~

"No, the red dress looks better on you than the white one. Plus, it’s a date, not a wedding."

Christine wiggled her brows at me mischievously as she shoved the dress into my arms.

"Stooop!" I groaned, hugging the dress to my chest. "You’ve been teasing me since you walked into this room."

Christine laughed and pulled me into a tight hug. "It’s because I’m so happy for you."

I rolled my eyes, smiling as I hugged her back. "It’s not like you think. It’s just a deal."

Christine pulled away with a scoff and helped me get dressed. She had been my friend for so long that I was used to her yapping especially when it came to her shipping me with Zane.

"But you and Alpha Zane look good together. I mean, everyone can practically see the tension between you two. It's always so electric." she said while doing my makeup with intense focus in her brown eyes.

I was starting to get a headache from rolling my eyes too much.

"The tension everyone talks about is hate. Isn’t it obvious that we don’t like each other?" I asked, just to be sure.

Christine only shrugged and scoffed as she moved on to styling my hair. She was really taking her time with passion. Goddess, help me.

"Look, all I’m saying is you two look good together, and avoiding it won’t lead you anywhere. By the way, his mother loves you. You’re like a daughter to her. She wouldn’t mind having you as a daughter-in-law." Her voice was so smooth, trying her very best to sound convincing as if it will change my thoughts on it.

"Christine," I groaned in frustration, and she narrowed her eyes at me.

"Look at you. Girl, you are disappointing me."

She wandered off to the closet and returned with a pair of shiny black heels.

I slipped them on and walked over to the full-length mirror. I couldn’t help but smile at how beautiful I looked and felt.

It reminded me of myself five years ago.

All the years I lived in peace and happiness.

All the years I spent with him...

The smile on my face vanished the moment his face appeared in my mind. My wolf snarled in rage, and I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to stop old wounds from resurfacing.

But then again, it had only been five years. The wounds weren’t old enough.

Thanks to my lie about losing my memories, life has been simple.

Normal.

I was… happy.

It almost felt like being born again. And honestly? I wanted it to stay that way for as long as possible.

"Are you feeling nervous?"

Christine appeared beside me, looking more excited for this date than I was. It wasn’t something I was looking forward to.

Zane and I never saw eye to eye.

Five years ago, when his mother brought me to the palace, I was stunned to find out she was the Alpha’s mother. And honestly, I thought Zane saw right through my lies. I was sure he didn’t believe me, but he eventually gave up trying to get rid of me when he realized how much his mother liked me.

Still, that didn’t mean he had to like me.

He just let me stay in his pack.

And he hated my guts. Not that he had to say it.

I hated him too.

I didn’t want any man near me. Not after him. Not after what Raemon did to me.

Christine clung to my arm, grinning. "My best friend is the most beautiful in the world."

I laughed. "Thanks to my beautiful best friend for making me beautiful."

She let go of my arm, laughing, then smoothed down my hair and dress. She grabbed my shoulders dramatically.

"Promise me you’re going to have a wild night tonight."

I groaned. "Christine..."

But she shook me a little, staring into my soul. "Promise me. Just promise me!"

If I didn’t promise, she wasn’t going to let me off the hook. So I took a deep, heavy breath, one that earned a frown from her, and forced a smile.

"Fine. I’m going to have a wild night."

"With the Alpha," she added.

I rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time tonight, and she finally gave up, bursting into laughter as she let go of my shoulders.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

My heart skipped a beat.

Christine and I looked toward it as it opened and Zane walked in, looking sharp and effortlessly handsome in a black suit.

Our eyes met.

He raked his gaze over me quickly before speaking with a slight smirk on his face.

"I can see you’re taking your sweet time."

I scoffed and looked at Christine, who now had her head bowed. Then I looked back at Zane, who had already walked out without another word.

Christine smiled at me. "Good luck, Lexa."

I gave her a weak thumbs-up and stepped out of the room, heading down the hall to meet Zane, who was speaking with Josh, his beta.

They looked so serious, I began to wonder if this wasn’t going to be a normal date.

What on earth was Zane up to?

And why was I being dragged into it?

I took a deep breath and approached them, but Josh walked away at once.

Zane turned to me, raising a brow. "You’re finally done."

I forced a smile. "Aren’t you going to tell me where exactly this date is happening?"

Zane scoffed, a cocky smirk tugging at his lips. "You don’t like surprises?"

"No, actually." I frowned.

"All you have to do is enjoy yourself and act as my date, Lexa. It’s not a big deal," he said and I was already getting annoyed.

It seemed like he enjoyed getting on my nerves, and I really wanted to bite his head off.

But I had to control myself.

Just one night. Just one date and then he’d let me train with the warriors.

"Fine," I sighed and walked past him. "Let’s get this over with."