Biblioteca
Buscar
Inicio / The Gown That Was Never Mine / Chapter 1

Compartir

The Gown That Was Never Mine
The Gown That Was Never Mine
Autor: mountain

Chapter 1

Autor: mountain
When I opened my eyes again, Rowan was kneeling in front of me. He spoke in a calm, steady voice. "Lily Frost, please let me be your mate. I'll take care of you for the rest of my life."

I turned away, refusing to look at him.

"Please go. I don't want to be your mate."

His hand froze midair. Silence fell over the room. Then Vivian stepped forward.

"I chose Rowan especially for you. He's the best guard in the pack. How could you hurt him like that?"

My father motioned for Rowan to stand.

"Lily, I know you're upset.

"But your gown is bare because we ran short on gems. Caleb and Vivian truly love each other, and Bella won't settle for anyone but Mason. Vivian introduced you to the best guard in the pack because she wants what's best for you.

"If you turn him down without even getting to know him, that's disrespectful to him and to your sister."

I looked at my father.

"Do I have to choose him?"

"Choosing a mate is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. Of course I'll let you decide."

He paused before continuing. "But you're not a little girl anymore. You've already stepped aside for your sisters twice. If you don't find a mate soon, I'm afraid you'll regret it.

"Spend some time with him. Give him a chance."

The hall fell silent. My father kept his eyes on me, as if he were ready to pressure me all over again.

Vivian walked over with a sigh.

"Lily, I know you're still not over Caleb. But he and I are already bonded."

She looked conflicted.

"If you really love him, I'll break our bond so you can have him."

Caleb rushed forward and put both hands on her shoulders.

"What are you talking about? Of course I love you. Why else would I have become your mate? Can't you feel that?"

Then he looked at me.

"Lily, we were close growing up, but don't come between us.

"I've always thought of you as a little sister. I hope I never gave you the wrong idea."

I watched him take Vivian's hand. They looked deeply in love.

My eyes burned. Just two months ago, he'd been asking whether I liked him.

"Once the Alpha gives his blessing, I'll talk to my dad, and we'll have our bonding ceremony. Okay?"

"Okay," I'd replied, beaming with hope.

But after my father forced me to set him up with Vivian, Caleb stayed away for a long time. By the next time I saw him, he and Vivian had already grown close.

Bella stepped forward too, holding Mason's hand.

"Lily, is this because I asked Dad to make you give up Mason for me? Is that why you're making a scene?"

My father surveyed the room.

"Enough! No one gave anyone up. Everyone here made their own choice, so stop making a scene."

Then he turned to me, his expression softening.

"Lily, I'm only doing this for your own good. You'll have a much easier life with Rowan as your mate. Besides, he's a good man."

"Your sisters will have their hands full helping run the pack someday, and you'll need to be there for them."

I said nothing. I simply held his gaze.

He was the one who had pressured me until I gave in. That was how we'd ended up here. Yet now he was pretending I'd chosen it all freely.

When I remained silent, he spoke again. "All right, it's settled. Rowan, take her for a walk. You two can get to know each other."

Rowan reached for me, but I pulled my hand away.

"No, thanks." I kept my voice calm.

"Caleb didn't want you. Neither did Mason. A lot of people already knew that before I came here today. If I reject you too, do you have any idea what people will say?"

My father's voice turned low and stern. "Enough. Stop this.

"You're in a bad mood today, so the two of you can spend time together another day.

"This is your last chance. Turn him down, and you may never find a mate."

A hollow laugh escaped me.

"Then take it back, Alpha. I don't need it."

I turned and walked out.

My father's furious voice followed me. "Lily! I've spoiled you rotten. How dare you behave like this?"

Vivian hurried after me.

"Lily, slow down. Look at your gown. It's covered in dirt."

I looked at her beautiful white gown, sparkling with 20 gems. They looked like snowflakes dancing across the fabric.

Mine was plain white and completely bare. Not one snowflake had ever touched it.

I ignored her and walked out one slow step at a time as everyone watched.
Continúa leyendo este libro gratis
Escanea el código para descargar la App
Capítulo anterior Siguiente capítulo

Último capítulo

  • The Gown That Was Never Mine   Chapter 9

    Moon Shadow Fashion began expanding into smaller packs. Because Margot knew I had once belonged to the Snow Moon Pack, she asked me to oversee the expansion there.I agreed on one condition."I'll only handle the company side of things. My assistant can deal with the Alpha."When we arrived at the Snow Moon Pack, crowds lined the streets to welcome us. My father stood at the far end of the street, smiling as he watched our line of cars roll in.He looked at me with tears in his eyes."Are you coming home?"I paused, then said, "I'm here for work. That's all. I'm not coming home."His eyes reddened, but he nodded solemnly."All right. Having you back in the pack, even for work, is enough."Once my assistant finalized the arrangements with the Alpha, I began recruiting and promoting the new branch.I posted job listings online, had the storefront decorated, and displayed my work on the largest sign.The piece was The Favorite.Vivian came in on the first day of hiring."I saw the job pos

  • The Gown That Was Never Mine   Chapter 8

    After returning from the Moon Shadow Pack, my father hardly spoke to Vivian or Bella. He barely even saw them.He hung the gem-covered gown in his office, where he could see it every day. Looking at it made him think of me.He threw himself into work and devoted all his energy to strengthening the pack, desperate to escape the memories.From then on, he never favored anyone again. Even in pack affairs, he became fairer than ever.The Beta tried to reassure him. "Lily's just upset right now. Once she cools off, she'll come back."My father admitted he was at fault. "I'm the one who was wrong. She has every right not to come back."She isn't angry or holding a grudge. I kept pushing her away until we became strangers."After forcing Vivian and Bella to apologize, he stopped trying to bring me home.Vivian ended her bond with Caleb. They were no longer mates.It wasn't because Caleb had stopped loving her, nor was it because of my father's reaction. Guilt consumed her every day, and she c

  • The Gown That Was Never Mine   Chapter 7

    After the competition, Margot, the company's director, personally offered me a full-time position and promised another promotion within six months.I said yes.I now had my own office and an assistant.I designed one piece after another, and most of them were well received.Time flew, and my life had never felt so fulfilling. Then, two months later, everything changed.I was in the middle of a new design when my father arrived at the Moon Shadow Pack with my sisters.They were waiting at the main entrance. When the receptionist notified me, I set my work aside and left my office.The moment they saw me, they hurried over."Lily, you've lost weight." My father looked me over with concern. I was full of energy, but still petite. "I brought your sisters to see you, and I brought you some supplements. Take them home and take care of yourself."Then he took a gift box from Vivian, his voice heavy with regret. "This is your gown. I set 18 snowflake gems into it for you."He saw I was about t

  • The Gown That Was Never Mine   Chapter 6

    Over the next two months, I learned a lot from Nathan and experimented with all kinds of designs.Then he told me I was ready to work independently. He wanted me to spend the next two weeks focusing on my competition entry.I even rented my own place so I could focus completely on preparing for the competition.Two weeks later, the night before the competition, I showed Nathan my entry.The sketch showed two white gowns, both far more regal and elegant than the one I'd once owned.Nathan studied it. "Why does one look stunning while the other looks so plain? Side by side, the plain one fades into the background."I shook my head."They're the same gown, aren't they? One simply has no gems to make it shine. That's how two identical gowns can look completely different.""What's it called?" Nathan asked.I traced the outline of the plain gown, the one that faded into the background, and answered softly, "The Favorite."On the day of the competition, I stood backstage among the other conte

  • The Gown That Was Never Mine   Chapter 5

    From then on, I spent my days training under Nathan. He personally taught me different design techniques and gave me plenty of time each day to study on my own.My sisters occasionally tried to reach me through the mind-link, but I never let them in.One night, an unfamiliar number called. When I answered, I heard Vivian's voice. "Lily, please come home. Dad has been on edge for days. He's worried sick. He ordered everyone to tell him the moment you return."You can't cut off your entire family just because you're angry with us."I looked down at the new design on my desk. Every line was clean and beautiful."I never abandoned my family."There was just never a place for me in it. So there's no reason for me to go back."Vivian burst into tears. A moment later, Bella snatched the phone from her."Lily, I'm begging you. Please come back. Dad keeps shouting at me, calling me immature and useless."At last, I understood why she wanted me back so badly.Whenever they made a mistake, they u

  • The Gown That Was Never Mine   Chapter 4

    The sun was rising when I reached the walls of the Moon Shadow Pack.The guards checked my identity at the gate, gave me directions to the company, and waved me through.I stared up at the enormous glowing sign that read "Moon Shadow Fashion Headquarters." The whole area was bustling and prosperous, far beyond anything the Snow Moon Pack could ever dream of.I messaged the person in charge of the assessment. A man soon walked out through the doors."Hi. Lily Frost, right?""That's me.""I'm Nathan Wells. I was the one who approved your assessment. Come inside. It's freezing out here."He led me to a meeting room and brought me tea and pastries."Your designs are good. They look a little rushed, and some details need work, but overall, they're impressive."He set another plate of pastries in front of me. "Have you ever studied fashion design?""No. This is my first attempt. I've just paid close attention to clothes."I shook my head. I wasn't sure whether that answer would hurt my chanc

Más capítulos

También te puede gustar

Explora y lee buenas novelas gratis
Acceso gratuito a una gran cantidad de buenas novelas en la app GoodNovel. Descarga los libros que te gusten y léelos donde y cuando quieras.
Lee libros gratis en la app
ESCANEA EL CÓDIGO PARA LEER EN LA APP
DMCA.com Protection Status