Page 12 of In Bellamira's Chains

All that was left was waiting for My Mistress and getting ready for the party. Dinner would be served there, so we would wait until then to eat. Of course, I made sure Hazelle had enough snacks so it didn’t feel like she was going so long without food. I didn’t want her stepping back into a routine of not eating. I realized it had been less than twenty-four hours, but still, I refused to let it happen.

“Are you two ready?” My Mistress asked from behind us. “I didn’t expect you to still be in the dining room.”

She stood in the doorway, wearing a dark green pencil skirt, a black lace-covered corset with straps, and blood-red stilettos. Her red hair was pulled back into a high pony, and the curls still fell nearly halfway down her back. As always, her lips were red, and her eye shadow was smokey. Even when working, My Mistress dressed like the mistress she was. She never claimed to be anything else and knocked down anyone who questioned it.

I didn’t know exactly what she did for the family business, but I did know she worked closely with Adira, her cousin, at times. Speaking of, I wondered if she, Nyla, and their baby wanted to visit. I was certain Hazelle would love Nyla, and getting to know another Omega in our world would be great for her.

That could wait. There was one thing I wanted to ask before we got dressed.

“Hazelle had a request.” I turned around and beamed up at My Mistress.

“Oh?” My Mistress glanced at me, then at Hazelle who was trying her best to hide. “And what is that?”

Hazelle had been calm for most of the day. I didn’t think about what My Mistress’ presence would do to her. Apparently, she was fine with me, but My Mistress was an entirely different story.

“Hazelle?” I said, reaching out to her. She had frozen in place with her eyes locked on the floor by My Mistress’ feet. “I can ask. You don’t have to. She isn’t going to be mad about it. She isn’t Oros.”

I glanced back at My Mistress who had a raised brow, most likely due to the name I just mentioned. She’d keep that tidbit to herself, and if he ever showed his face, well, I wouldn’t want to be him.

“Elera, let me.”

I didn’t question My Mistress. As much as I wanted to care for Hazelle and protect her, I would never ignore a direct command from My Mistress. I sat back in my chair and watched her kneel in front of Hazelle, reaching her hand up to grip her jaw. Her touch was firm but not harsh or painful. My Mistress turned Hazelle’s face so she was looking right at her.

“We have a party to attend tonight, my sweet pet. I need you to be good for me and behave, but cowering is not the same as behaving. You do not have anything to fear here. Nothing will happen to you tonight that you will not enjoy. No one besides Elera and myself will touch you. You have my word.” My Mistress leaned forward, pulling Hazelle’s face down to her, and kissed her, leaving behind the tell-all sign of her red lipstick. “Now, what did you want to ask?”

Hazelle’s eyes were saucers as she looked at our mistress. For a moment, she didn’t speak, but finally, she quietly asked, “Can I cut my hair?”

My Mistress burst into laughter and stood up, pulling Hazelle with her. “That’s all? Of course you can. If someone tried to tell me I had to have my hair a certain way, they’d come out scarred.” My Mistress cupped Hazelle’s face, appraising her. “But that’s a good pet for asking, for having the courage to ask. What would you like to do with it?”

Hazelle blushed again, even harder than before. Praise was something she truly enjoyed, and My Mistress gave it out like candy when we were good.

“Um,” Hazelle started, then glanced at me for help, but I wasn’t involved in this. She had to handle it on her own. I could never protect her when My Mistress was involved because she didn’t need saving. She was safe, even if she didn’t fully understand it yet. Understanding that I wasn’t going to step in, Hazelle continued, “A pixie cut. I want it all gone.”

“All of it?” My Mistress asked.

“I don’t—It doesn’t—” Hazelle started hyperventilating, and tears formed in her eyes.

“Oh, my pet.” My Mistress pulled Hazelle in, crushing her to her body. “I was simply ensuring that’s what you wanted. It doesn’t matter to me what length your hair is. It can all go. It can all go before the party even. Just as Elera likes her short hair, I like mine long.”

Hazelle remained frozen in My Mistress’ arms, but I saw the relief flash in her eyes before she closed them, enjoying the physical affection from our Alpha. She’d do just fine. I knew it.

Chapter eight

Bellamira

Hazelle was bringing out my soft side, but she would find out soon enough that it wasn’t always this way. I wanted her to be comfortable with me, but she also needed to learn to follow my commands with less prompting. When it was just the three of us, I was more lenient, but out in the world, I could never be that way, and even here, this wasn’t what she should expect.

Tonight would prove many things, to her and to me. She’d see things and do things that she would dislike, but the hope would be she only felt that way at first.

The party would go as it always did when we went to Catalina’s. Drinks and conversation, dinner with my pets by my side, then a little fun. Only Elera would partake, but I had something special planned for Hazelle.

She sat in front of me on the vanity chair, eyes downcast as I held a pair of shears in my hand.

“Watch, my pet.” She would want to see this, the moment her hair vanished, and with it, so did the past she had with that shitstain of an Alpha, Oros. If I ever saw him, Brant would have his hands full. Speaking of, he was locked away for now, cagedin more ways than one until I forgave him. Watching my pets wasn’t in his job description specifically, but he knew better than to let Elera out of his sight at the auction house.

Hazelle lifted her gaze, glancing at me, then staring at the braid I held in my hand. Her hair was as long as mine currently. It was a pain to deal with most days, but I loved the look of it and refused to have it much shorter. Her past Alpha’s view of beauty was skewed and incorrect. Hazelle deserved the right to choose her hairstyle. It was one of the freedoms I believed everyone should have.

Elera sat on the bed, watching as I raised the shears and placed them right above the ponytail, allowing for a longer cut to start with.