very real

Katy po

"Nova, no," I hissed, staring at the elegant storefront in horror. "Absolutely not.

A lingerie shop? What was she planning? Have me wear stuff to seduce Lucian? No fucking way

"Absolutely yes!" Nova countered, already stepping out of the car and practically bouncing with excitement. "Come on, Katy. You're getting married to one of the most powerful Alphas in the country. You need to be prepared." She shouted.

"Prepared?" I scrambled out after her. "It's a business arrangement! I don't need…" I trailed off.

"Lingerie?" Nova finished, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the entrance. "Oh, honey, after what I just witnessed in your shop, you definitely need lingerie."

She said, winking at me.

My face burned. I was really never going to hear the end of this any day.

"That was... we weren't going to..."

"Keep telling yourself that." Katy chimed in and pulled open the door.

A soft chime announced our arrival.

The interior of Mirabelle's was even more intimidating than the outside. Soft lighting, plush carpet, and displays of the most delicate, expensive lingerie I'd ever seen. Everything was silk and lace and barely-there straps that probably cost more than my monthly rent.

A saleswoman approached, her smile professionally warm. "Welcome to Mirabelle's. How can I help you ladies today?"

She asked. Asides from offering high end and delicate lingeries, the shop was well known for its good customer care.

They say seeing is believing and indeed, it was worth the praise.

"My friend here is getting married," Nova announced before I could stop her.

“ Let's say her husband is…hot and infuriatingly handsome. The most eligible bachelor in the country.

We need your best pieces,money is not a problem." Nova added. Hearing her explanation of Lucian, I could only roll my eyes while smiling inwardly at how right she was.

The woman's eyes widened slightly with amusement.

“How wonderful. Congratulations." She turned to me with renewed interest. "We have some exclusive pieces that would be perfect. Right this way."

I wanted to sink through the floor as she led us deeper into the store, past racks of increasingly scandalous items.

"Nova," I whispered urgently. "I can't afford any of this." I expressed my grievance. Getting married to Lucian didn't come with a bank account loaded with millions.

Oops… we are not married yet.

"Alpha Lucian's office called ahead," the saleswoman said smoothly. "Everything has been taken care of. You're to choose whatever you like." She added.

Nova giggled like she was expecting that.

My mouth fell open. "He what?"

Nova's grin was positively evil. "I may have texted him after we left your shop. Told him we were going shopping and needed his card."

"You didn't!" I protested.

“ Wait a minute… how did you…?” I turned to look at her, horror written all over my face.

“ I knew you would have his number on your phone so I tested him.” She stated like it was the most obvious thing.

"He responded in like two seconds with his black card details." She waggled her eyebrows. "The man is eager, Katy."

The saleswoman began pulling items from the racks;a black lace teddy that left little to the imagination, a red silk set with ribbons, a white piece that was more straps than fabric.

"This one," she held up a deep emerald green number, "would look stunning with your coloring. And this..." She produced a sheer black set with intricate lace detailing. "This is one of our most popular pieces for newlyweds."

I stared at the scrap of fabric that could barely be called clothing. "That's not... I mean, it's practically see-through."

"That's the point," Nova said, already grabbing several hangers. "Come on, try them on. I want to see."

"You want to see?" I squeaked.

"Fashion show!" She pushed me toward the fitting rooms. "Don't come out until you're wearing something."

Ten minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror in the emerald green piece, feeling completely exposed. The lace cupped my breasts, barely covering my nipples.

The matching panties were little more than a mere suggestion of a cloth.

"Katy! Let me see!" Nova called from outside.

"No way!" I grumbled.

“ I have seen you naked more than I can count.” She shouted again.

While that was true, seeing me looking like this… a seductress on a mission is a totally different thing.

"Come on! You can't hide in there forever!"

She was right… she wasn't going to let me.

Reluctantly, I cracked open the door and Nova's eyes went wide.

"Holy shit," she breathed. "Lucian is going to lose his mind."

I almost rolled my eyes. Is that all she could think about? Lucian's reaction and not whether I was comfortable or not?

"It's too much," I protested, trying to close the door again.

She stopped me. "It's perfect. You look hot as hell. Get it. Actually, get it in three colors."

"Nova—"

"Trust me. When he sees you in this, that whole 'business arrangement' thing is going out the window." She grabbed another hanger. "Now try this one. It has straps that crisscross in the back."

For the next hour, Nova made me model piece after piece. Each one more revealing than the last. There was a white lace set that made me look like some kind of virginal fantasy, a black leather number with buckles that Nova insisted was "empowering," and a red silk robe with matching lingerie that actually made me feel beautiful.

"That one," Nova said firmly when I emerged in the red set. "That's the one for your wedding night."

"There's not going to be a wedding night," I argued, but even I could hear how weak it sounded.

"Right. And I'm the Queen of England." She thrust another set at me. "This one has a garter belt. Very classic."

By the time we finished, I had a small mountain of lingerie, most of which I was too embarrassed to look at directly. The saleswoman rang everything up with a knowing smile while I tried not to think about the total.

"Alpha Thorne is a lucky man," she said as she carefully wrapped each piece.

I mumbled something that might have been thanks and grabbed the bags, desperate to escape before I died of embarrassment.

We were almost to the door when I heard a voice that made my entire body tense.

"Well, well. If it isn't my dear cousin."

I turned slowly to find Celeste standing near the entrance, examining a display of silk robes. Her eyes traveled from my face to the Mirabelle's bags in my hands, and her expression turned predatory.

"Shopping at Mirabelle's?" She laughed, the sound sharp and cutting. "Let me guess,clearance section? Or did you finally save up enough from your little tattoo shop?" She mocked.

It was no secret in the family that I was a broke woman with barely enough to afford fancy designer stuff.

"Actually," Nova stepped forward, her voice cold, "she is shopping for her wedding. You know, to Alpha Lucian Thorne." Nova announced with a grin.

Celeste's smile faltered. "What?"

"Katy is marrying Alpha Lucian," Nova continued, clearly enjoying herself. "They're madly in love. It's very romantic."

I wanted to kick her, remind her it was too early to break the news. If anything,I wanted it a secret but Celeste's face had gone pale, so I kept quiet.

"That's... that's impossible," Celeste stammered. "You were just—and he's…"

"An Alpha?" Nova finished sweetly. "Yes. Unlike some mates who traded up for lesser options, Alpha Lucian actually knows quality when he sees it." Nova added salt into the wound.

Celeste's face flushed red. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" Nova's expression hardened. "Here's the thing about stolen goods, Celeste. They never last. What's taken in deception tends to fall apart just as easily. You might want to remember that."

"How dare you…"

"We really should go," I said, grabbing Nova's arm before this could escalate further.

I didn't want to keep arguing with celeste. She was not worth it.

As we pushed past Celeste toward the door, I heard her sputter behind us, but I didn't look back.

Once we were outside, Nova burst into laughter. "Did you see her face? That was amazing!"

"You didn't have to do that," I said, but I was smiling too.

"Yes, I did. Someone needed to put her in her place." Nova looped her arm through mine. "Besides, everything I said was true. She stole Jerald, and look how that's working out. Meanwhile, you're about to marry the most eligible Alpha in three territories."

My smile faded slightly. "It's not real, Nova."

"Maybe not yet," she said, squeezing my arm. "But after he sees you in that red set? It's going to feel very, very real."

" What red set are you two talking about?"