CHAPTER EIGHT

"Are you finished?"

I turn and look. The man from before, the one known as the guard, is standing just outside the door.

I am nervous and I don't know what to say, but I don't want to say the wrong thing and get into trouble.

I have no idea what the Alpha expects of me, and I have no idea how much trouble I can get into.

The only way this is going to work is if I follow their rules.

If I play by the rules and do what they say, I might get a chance at escape.

"I-- I need your help," I say. "I don't know what to do."

"Then let me help you," he says.

"I don't know what the Alpha expects," I say.

"Just follow my lead and you'll be fine."

"But--" I start to say.

"Just do what I say."

I hesitate, but then I realize there's no other way, so with a nod, I agree to follow his lead.

He tells me that I'm to get dressed in the clothes that are set before me, in the little basket.

At first, I'm confused, as there aren't any clothes in the little basket, but then I realize he's talking about the silk robe that hangs beside the shower, and the silk slippers that are on the ground nearby.

I'm not sure why he's telling me to do this, why I can't just put on regular clothes, but I decide to listen.

"I'm to get dressed and then go outside, to the main room," I say.

"That's right," he says.

"And then what?" I ask.

"Just wait there. The Alpha will come for you and lead you to the reception chambers for your dress fitting."

He continues to talk as I put on the robe and slippers.

"There's no need to worry," he says. The Alpha will be there to escort you to the reception chambers. You are to follow his lead. Do not speak. Do not hesitate. Just do as you're told."

"But--" I start to say.

"The Alpha likes to see his women in their wedding dress before the ceremony," he continues. "He also wants to make sure that every detail is as it should be. You shouldn't worry about it, though-- the tailors are very good, and they know what they're doing."

I hesitate, but then I nod.

"All right," I say. "I'll just do what you say."

"Very good," he says. "I'm glad to see that you're following the rules."

I nod, and then, as he leads me out of the dressing room, to the main room, I start to wonder why he expects me to follow all these rules.

What kind of man is this Alpha?

"This is your last chance," the guard whispers to me. "You're about to meet the Alpha and you are about to meet the tailors. If you don't act like a proper bride and follow the rules, you will be punished."

"I understand," I say, feeling my stomach twist.

"Good," he says. "Trust me, if you follow the rules you will manage to get through this. Just do as you're told."

"Yes," I say.

He starts to walk, and I follow.

Soon, we're going through a set of large wooden doors, and into a massive room with a high stone ceiling and beautiful dark wood floors.

The room is more like a ballroom, one that could hold a few hundred people, at least.

We walk down a small, winding staircase that takes us down to floor level.

I watch as we approach a group of men.

"This is the bride," the guard says. "She is ready for her dress fitting."

I'm surprised by the number of women in this room.

I count at least 15.

"Where is the Alpha?" I ask, trying to keep my voice down.

"That's far enough," the guard says. "Now do as you're told."

"And the Alpha?" I ask.

"She is ready to be measured. The Alpha will be here shortly," the guard says.

He waits as several of the tailors come and measure me.  I realize that they are measuring me for my wedding dress.

"You will wear this," one of them says, holding up a veil.

"No, wait, I--"

"Silence," the guard says, reaching out and putting a finger over my lips. "No talking.

I can't believe he would put his finger over my lips.

"You will wear what you're given," he says. "You will not speak. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I say, my voice coming out in a whisper.

"Good," he says, his finger still pressed against my lips. "Now smile."

I want to hit him, but instead, I do what I'm told.

Suddenly, every head in the room snaps to attention. I realize, immediately, that the Alpha must have arrived.

I want to turn around to see him, but I don't. I wait, standing silently and perfectly still.

I hear footsteps, and then I feel a hand on my shoulder.

I tense up immediately.

"Is this the bride?" I hear a man's voice say.

"Yes, Alpha," the guard says. "She is ready for her fitting."

"Come here," the Alpha says.

I turn, slowly, feeling the Alpha's eyes on me the whole time. It sends a shiver up my spine. We've only just met, but I already want to run away from him. To escape. I don't want to spend another minute with him, much less a lifetime.

"I'm the Alpha," he says.

"Victoria," I say.

"I heard you were pretty," he says.

"Thank you."

He turns to the guard.

"She's not as pretty as they said," the Alpha says. "But she's pretty enough. She'll do. Please proceed with the arrangements."

"Yes, Alpha," the guard says.

The Alpha starts to leave, but he stops part way to the door and looks at me once last time.

"Yes, you'll do," he says. "You'll do quite nicely."

I try to smile, but I can't hide the shiver of disgust that runs up my spine.