Dragon Alpha's Special Mate

2. The Right Dress

Sophia

After trying it on, I put the dress back on the stand; it just doesn’t look right on me. Nothing looks right on me, especially compared to my gorgeous best friend. I glance at Sapphire as she looks at herself in the mirror, wearing a gorgeous tiny black dress. Her long, bright blonde hair falls down her back, perfectly straight as if she styles it every morning. I smile at her as she turns around, those beautiful purple eyes glowing whenever the sun kisses them.

She has the longest legs I’ve seen on someone our age and a big attitude to match. She’s a fae, which I swear makes her a little more eccentric than others. Her parents moved here shortly after Alpha Marina made it safe, and I am so glad they did so I could meet her.

“Why aren’t you getting it?” She takes the dress off the rack and shoves it back into my hands. “It looks great on you and is perfect for tomorrow.”

I look at the floral pattern on the dress and shake my head, putting it back on the rack.

“It’s too dressy for that.” She stops me from putting it away and laughs.

“Well, maybe you can wear it tonight. I think I have an in for the party.” I hold on to the dress and shake my head at her. She always has an in for castle parties, which always fall through. “If you don’t buy it, I’m buying it for you. It looks amazing on you.”

I don’t want her to buy it for me, so I decide to get it. It’ll be nice to have something a little more dressy for my birthday in two days.

My celebration obviously won’t be as lavish as Maxson’s, considering my parents aren’t famous or wealthy. My mother’s a dragon, born and raised here. And my father’s a human who moved here around the same time Alpha Marina was saving the world.

They met at the coffee shop Mom used to work at with humans just outside the barrier before Alpha Marina opened the borders. Then, when everything was safer, she managed to open her own shop on one of the busiest streets.

I was born shortly after that, and they love me more than anything in the world. That’s truly all I can ask for.

Sapphire’s parents are very wealthy, so she bought about ten times the amount of clothes I did. Her arms are practically stuffed with bags as we start walking back to the coffee shop Mom now owns.

It’s a little more crowded on the shopping street today. Most likely, it’s everyone preparing for the celebration tomorrow. It’ll be so much bigger than Rina’s celebration a few months ago, considering Maxson will be the next alpha.

We’re about to turn the corner when I feel someone bump my shoulder. I move out of the way a little, watching in slow motion as Maxson rams into Sapphire, her bags flying everywhere as they approach the ground.

She’s screaming, and at the last second, he manages to catch them both, holding her inches from the ground as he hovers over her.

“Are you okay?” He quickly asks, moving off her and helping her to stand back up. I grab her bags for her, stuffing them into my arms as they stare at each other.

Sapphire’s had a huge crush on him ever since we ended up in his gym class last semester. He probably doesn’t even know who we are. We’ve never talked to him, and he’s so much more popular than we are.

“I am now.”

She smirks at him, leaning into his touch. He immediately pulls away from her. They’re about the same height, and I’m over here at least a foot shorter than both of them. My waist isn’t nearly as tiny as Sapphire’s, making me feel even more self-conscious next to them.

Sapphire eats as much junk as me, so I swear it’s the human side of me that makes me gain weight more rapidly than them. More than likely, though, it’s because she actually goes to the gym, and exercise will never be my friend.

Anyone can see how attractive Maxson is, and when I look at him next to Sapphire, I can’t help but think how nice they look together. I don’t have any business having a crush on someone like him, but Sapphire has a real chance.

Maxson looks her up and down, making sure she’s truly okay before his bright blue eyes land on me. His finger points out. I feel like I watch him talk to us in slow motion as he addresses me.

“Hey, I know you from somewhere.”

Despite his finger slightly pointing at me, I assume he’s talking to Sapphire, so I don’t answer. That is until he says my name.

“Sophia, right?”

My eyes shoot up to meet his, and my mouth drops open as one of the most powerful dragons in my court asks me a direct question. I feel like all the air in my body has been compressed out of me as I stand under his beautiful gaze.

“Yes, and I’m Sapphire.”

She shoves her hand into his, forcing him to take it, shaking it quickly before he turns back to me.

“Let me buy you girls coffee for your troubles.”

“Thank you!”

Sapphire quickly beams as she walks in front of us toward the door, and I feel like I’m stuck standing there and looking at Maxson. Sweat glistens on his skin, the clouds seeming to move just so the sun can shine directly on him. His short, dark red hair is almost dripping from his sweat, but it makes him look more alluring.

“Let me help you with those.”

He takes a few bags from me, my hands shaking as I try to say something to him.

“They’re Sapphires.”

Of course, that’s all I can say. We walk inside together. I have no idea how he even has a hand available to open the door for me. When we get in, I see Mom and Sapphire talking. She’s probably warning him that the freaking next Alpha is about to come into her shop.

He sets the bags down at the table they’re standing near, and Sapphire immediately thanks him for helping. I go to sit down, but he’s there in an instant, pulling my chair out for me.

Before I can thank him, Mom walks back to us with some mugs and hot coffee.

“Didn’t expect to be serving you today, Maxson. I’m surprised they even let you out of the house.” My cheeks redden at her casual conversation with the Alpha’s son.

“I snuck out, so don’t tell anyone.”

He winks at me, and I think I’ve lost all paleness in my skin and replaced it with a permanent red. After Mom walks away to go back behind the bar, Maxson starts up a conversation with Sapphire while I sit and watch them interact.

“You’re a fae, right?”

“Yes. My parents moved here after Marina exposed everyone to the world. They knew it would be a great place to start anew. They own a few of the businesses on this street.”

Maxson seems interested in her. I mean, how could you not be? She’s the epitome of perfection, and I’m literally nothing.

“And, Sophia.” He says my name as I’m taking a drink from my coffee, and it causes me to flinch, slightly spilling on myself. I play it off. Well, I probably don’t, but now I’m staring at him. “You’re a mixed dragon, right? Your moms lived here long before your dad moved here. Do I have that right?”

I practically gape at him. How does he know that?

“Yes.”

My voice is so soft I doubt he can hear me.

“I like to know about my court as best as I can.”

He answers as if he can read my thoughts or anticipate my next question.

“I’m in your court. Did you know about me?” Sapphire cuts in, and we both laugh a little.

“While you live in our territory, you’re not in our court because you’re not a dragon. You’re part of the fae kingdom under Flax.”

“And your Uncle, Adonis.” She adds the tidbit like it’s a secret she’s been holding on to. But it’s common knowledge. Like the vampire leader, Kazimir is with Shay, Marina’s best friend. They have ties to all the leaders since Marina changed the course of the world.

He turns his attention back to me and slightly looks at his hands. “So, did you get your dragon yet?” I shake my head, and then, instead of continuing to be a coward, I open my mouth.

“My birthday’s the day after tomorrow.”

I’m proud that I managed to make words come out of my mouth loud enough that he can hear them.

“Are you scared?” I see something different in his eyes as he asks. That’s quite an unusual question.

“Not at all.”

Though truth be told, I don’t know if I’m scared or not. It changes everything, but I’m told it also makes you complete. I don’t know if I feel something missing inside me or not, but it’s not like I’m going to tell the next Alpha that.

Besides, there’s a very real chance that the goddesses don’t deem me worthy of a dragon since my dad’s a human. They could see me as unfit and refuse to give me one. It’s pretty uncommon but not out of the realm of reality.

I watch as he drinks his coffee, looking out the window at everyone who continues to pass by. His face drops as we see Rina press her nose against the glass, seeing he’s in here.

“Well, I’ve got to go. It was great to see you girls, and sorry for running you over.”

He stands up, and Sapphire says a quick goodbye to him. I stand up to say bye, knocking my bag over, my brand new dress spilling out. We both reach down simultaneously, but he’s faster and grabs it, handing it back to me.

“I’ve never seen you wear something like this before.”

“You’ve been watching me?”

His laugh is profound, and I feel my cheeks redden under his gaze.

“I mean, I’ve only ever seen you in gym clothes.”

He holds my dress in his hands, finally realizing he hasn’t let go. He hands the dress back to me, our hands touching as he does.

“Sophia Mellide, right?” I nod as he asks me my full name.

“Come to my party tonight.”

My heart pounds so loudly that I think I’m going to pass out.

“Like, as a date?” I blurt out, my cheeks burning hot with embarrassment as his deep laugh fills the room.

“Sure, you can be my date.”

His lips curl into a smile, and my heart jumps so high in my throat that I’m sure I’ll vomit it out any second.

“She’ll be happy too!” Sapphire quickly answers for me.

“There you are!” Rina’s voice comes through the coffee shop, and his smile falls a little.

“I’m coming.”

He waves her off before looking at me one last time.

“Be there at 6. In this dress.” He finally lets go and walks out with his cousin, scolding him about being late.

I stay standing there, holding my dress, as I watch him leave the coffee shop.

“Told you to buy that dress.” I’m pulled from my thoughts and sit back down, staring at her. “He’s so into you. I say go for it.”

I’m still clutching the dress in complete disbelief that not only does Maxson know my name, but he asked me on a date tonight. To his birthday celebration! It’s usually just close family at those, and I’m going to be his date.

“You’re not upset?” She’s had a crush on him for so long, and I’d never let a boy come between our friendship.

“Upset? No way!” She leans closer to me, lowering her voice so my mom can’t hear her. “Tell your mom you’re spending the night tonight. I’ll help you get ready.”

I nod, pulling away when Mom comes by to refill our coffees.

While we live here, and she’s part of the dragon court, she does hold some reservations around them. I get it. Typically, when you get close to the Alpha family, you get pulled into their lives.

And it’s not always good to be pulled into the situations they tend to find themselves in. Still, it won’t stop me from having a fantastic time tonight at such an exclusive party. I mean, Maxson freaking Shaw invited me. Who am I to say no?