Claimed By The Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 3

I didn’t exactly hate the idea of dress shopping with Raven and Gideon, though it wasn’t my favorite activity. I’m not usually very girly, but there are times when it’s nice to feel elegant. Raven, on the other hand, took immense pride in her fashion sense, and I quickly realized how fortunate I was to have her guidance.

Every dress I picked seemed to have some flaw according to Raven. One dress made my eyes appear lackluster, another didn’t complement my skin tone, and yet another made me look too boxy. Her advice was relentless, but I couldn’t help but be grateful for her input.

Gideon, however, seemed to appreciate every dress I tried on. Each time I emerged from the dressing room, his eyes would scan me with a smirk that I found slightly annoying but endearing.

“This one is it, Katarina. I can feel it,” Raven announced proudly as she emerged from the dressing room in a baby pink, floor-length gown. Even Gideon’s eyes widened a bit at the sight. The gown, an ocean of lace and silk, had a dangerously low neckline that showcased what Raven was confident enough to reveal. The light color made her dark eyes pop and her skin appear like smooth marble.

“That’s the one,” I agreed with complete approval as Raven twirled. She smirked at my compliment but also looked skeptical.

“I don’t entirely trust your opinion, but I’ll take the compliment,” she joked, sticking her tongue out at me.

Raven turned to Gideon with a challenging look. “What do you think?”

“That’s definitely the one. I didn’t even know you could look so attractive,” Gideon teased, causing Raven to fume slightly. I exchanged a knowing look with Gideon, who winked back at me.

Raven retreated to change back into her regular clothes, emerging with her pink gown neatly packed. “Alright, your turn now. Let’s get to work,” she said, scrutinizing me with a critical eye. I felt my face flush under her intense gaze and jokingly covered my chest, though my shirt already did that.

“Oh, very funny. We need to find a dress that shows off those curves,” Raven retorted, heading back to the racks of dresses.

If I thought Raven was demanding before, I was mistaken. I must have tried on over a hundred dresses, striking countless poses. Each time, Raven analyzed my figure with a distant look. None of the dresses received her stamp of approval. Just as I was about to settle for something random, she excitedly held up a gorgeous blue dress.

“This one, you need to try!” she exclaimed, presenting a dress in a beautiful baby blue shade that matched my eyes. The top of the dress was adorned with delicate blue flowers, and the gown flowed to the floor in elegant waves of silk. I could tell it would expose my shoulders and neck, which would definitely raise eyebrows with my parents. I smiled at the thought of it, knowing my sister Aria would choose a more conservative gown to please our mother.

I took the dress into the dressing room and emerged, smoothing my long chocolate hair and running my fingers down the fabric. Both Gideon and Raven looked at me with shock.

“D*mn, girl. I’m impressed with myself,” Raven said, her approval evident. Gideon’s eyes roamed over me with an intensity that felt different this time.

“Wow, Katarina. You look absolutely stunning,” Gideon said, his smile sincere.

“Girl, I know you don’t want a mate, but whoever he is doesn’t know how lucky he is,” Raven added. I scowled at the comment. My body was my own, and the idea of a mate didn’t appeal to me. Gideon’s face fell slightly at Raven’s words, and I caught him mumbling “Lucky” to himself.

“Okay, I’m coming over tomorrow at 5pm to get you ready for the ball!” Raven announced, giving me a gentle push towards the dressing room. I knew better than to argue; Raven was relentless when it came to glamour.

After changing and buying our gowns, we spent the rest of the day shopping for shoes and accessories. By the end, my anxiety had only increased. Raven insisted I get plenty of sleep and use a fancy hair mask she’d bought for me. I agreed grumpily, looking forward to sleep more than anything. Gideon had been quiet during the ride home, which made me wonder about his mood.

As we arrived at my house, I got out of Raven’s car and headed for the front porch. Gideon followed, his expression uneasy. With the setting sun casting a glow, I noticed the flecks of green and warm caramel in his eyes, his sandy blonde hair slightly tousled. A small scar above his upper lip stood out as he bit his lip nervously.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, noticing his tense posture.

“What happens if one of us finds a mate?” Gideon’s voice was barely above a whisper.

I was confused by his question. “Well, I don’t plan on finding a mate, and Raven is eager to meet hers. How do you feel about finding a mate?”

“I think we should be free to choose our own mates,” he said quietly, sadness visible in his eyes.

I looked at my friend, feeling a pang of sympathy. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. If I had the choice, I’d choose not to have a mate. The thought of freeing someone from that bond is liberating. But rejecting a mate means living a life of constant pain and sorrow. I’ve never heard of a wolf living a long life after rejecting their mate.”

“If only,” Gideon murmured, turning back towards Raven’s car. I watched him walk away, feeling a deep sense of sadness for him. He deserved happiness, just like Raven. I wasn’t sure what I deserved. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. My wolf urged me to believe I deserved love and happiness, but the fear of getting hurt again loomed large. At that moment, I made a decision, one that my wolf protested against, but I didn’t care. I would rather endure anything than risk being hurt again.

The rest of my night was spent laughing with my brother and Astrid as if no time had passed, forgetting my worries. After a long evening of reminiscing and laughter, I went to bed, following Raven’s advice. I showered with her luxurious hair mask, then put on an oversized t-shirt and collapsed onto my bed. Sleep took over almost immediately, the knot in my stomach finally easing.