The change was so swift it didn’t let me peek at a single inch of skin below his hips and my wolf was thoroughly disappointed. I might have been too. Maybe.
“Where are you going?” I couldn’t help but ask, he was always dressed in such a fancy way.
“To breakfast.” His answer was simple and logical. Straightening, he fastened a single button from his blazer, then extended a hand to me.
Instinctively, I took it and stood, his shadows eliciting a surprised gasp when they slithered onto my body—working their magic. Before I could blink, I was fully dressed.
A light cream dress, knit like his turtleneck, covered my body. It fit snugly on the top, with long sleeves and a flared-out skirt that was too short for my comfort. Boots that extended to my thighs materialized next, in a light brown leather color… and high heels. High heels. I’d never worn those. Considering that Wolf Shifters were always barefoot, it was a miracle for me to even wear shoes.
My ankles immediately twisted, and down I went. Dante caught me in time, his hands gripping my waist to keep me upright.
“Sorry, I forgot you are not used to fashion. Perhaps we should stick to flats for a few days, then try again?” His lips twitched in response to my death stare and my feet swiftly lowered to the ground, the boots becoming more comfortable for me.
“Thank you… I still need to use the bathroom though.”
After brushing my teeth and doing all the things, I found Dante waiting by the open doors. I tried to pat down the crazy strands of my hair that stood crookedly in different directions from sleeping in his arms, but it was hopeless. “Can yourTwilighthelp?”
“Sorry, hair is not my department.” He shrugged. “It’s Vanessa’s.”
The mention of her name brought back the sadness and regret growing inside me over what happened.
“I know,” he offered, lifting his arm for me to take it.
Remaining silent, I wrapped a hand around it, but before we began walking toward the kitchen, he faced me. “Can I give you some advice?”
I nodded.
“I know you have felt alone your entire life, with only Isis there for you when you needed someone. You’ve endured so much hurt from the very people who were supposed to love you, to protect you, that it’s hard to look outside yourself and what you have been through. But please consider thatthisisn’t just happening to you. We are all going through it, so we areallaffected by it…” Lifting my hand to his lips, he kissed my knuckles gently, his bottomless gaze holding mine. “You are not alone anymore, Natasha, we are all here for you.”
The depth of his words hit its intended target because I realized he was right. This wasn’t about just me. I was in a different world now, one where whether or not I knew their reasons, people I didn’t even know existed had come togetherto save me, and that affected them too. My gut tightened as I glanced beyond him to the doors along the hall.
“Third door on the right,” the Dark Witch answered before I could even ask.
“What?” I blinked.
“Vanessa’s room is the third door on the right. I’ll wait for you here.”
Letting out a burdened breath, I turned in the direction he pointed me to, walking to her door. Though I was hesitant, my hand lifted to knock, but before I could, it slowly opened. A crestfallen Vanessa stood on the other side.
She slightly shrugged. “I heard you coming.” Her gaze fell to my outfit, and she lifted a brow. “Cute.”
“Thanks. It was Dante.” My hands fidgeted with my hair, feeling how soft it remained after her shampoo and conditioner suggestions, and drying it with the brush, even if half the strands were now sticking out at odd angles.
Her gaze traveled to my hair, and she seemed a bit traumatized by its state but didn’t say anything. Instead, she opened the door wider. “Want to come in?”
Swiftly nodding, I followed her inside, looking back at Dante before I did. He winked at me.
The room was elegant yet romantic, filled with soft hues of pink, cream, gold, and white, as well as inviting textures, and girlie, cozy-looking furniture that made me want to curl in it. Nothing I would expect to surround a Vampire girl.
When she turned to face me, folding her arms over her chest, the true hurt I’d caused became evident in her expression. The sweet smile and charisma she displayed each time I’d seen her was missing and it made me sad to know I’d caused that.
“You wanted to say something?”
“I, um. I’m not too good at saying I’m sorry—at least I don’t think I am, because my entire life I’ve been the one thingshappen to, so I’d never had to say I’m sorry to anyone, not that my uncle has ever apologized to me for anything he’s put me through, but that’s another issue,” I rambled, low-key sweating because I truly had no idea what I was doing.
Vanessa’s brow wrinkled at the same time her eyes kind of widened, looking at me like I had grown a second head. “So, what you are trying to say is?”
“I’m sorry that I’m not good at saying I’m sorry?” I cringed. That was definitely not it. “I am truly sorry I called you that awful name, Vanessa. You have been nice to me, and I know I have a lot to work through, but you were right. My distress and confusion don’t give me the right to be mean to any of you. Not that I was intentionally trying to be mean, it’s just that I’ve never been outside the mountain… like, literally. I’d never met any other supernatural—Witches, Vampires, oranyoneelse, and all I was ever told about your race was?—”
