Page 19

REMI

The message washes over me like a flood of warmth, igniting an exhilaration that sweeps away the lingering heaviness of my thoughts.

A grin, wild and unrestrained, breaks across my face, and before I can stop myself, a laugh erupts from my chest, sharp and unbridled, as I hug my phone to my chest. It’s not a laugh of humor but of release—of relief that spirals into joy so pure it feels electric.

Unable to contain the surge of energy coursing through me, I find my feet moving instinctively, the space of the room suddenly too small to contain the tempest of emotions.

I twirl once, twice, a giddy laugh escaping as I spin like I’m caught in the pull of some invisible music—my wayward hair shifts around me, a testament to the force of my exuberance.

I leap onto the worn rug near my bed, the soft fibers beneath my feet grounding me for a moment before I’m propelled into motion again.

Arms wide, I sway and step, the rhythm of my movements dictated only by the jubilant chaos inside me.

My steps quicken, twisting and turning as I lose myself in the euphoria, my heart pounding not with fear but with vibrant, reckless happiness.

If anyone saw me now, they might think I'd gone mad, but in this moment, madness feels like freedom. The message from the pack—so simple, so casual—has unlocked something buried deep within me, a lightness I haven’t felt in what seems like an eternity.

I don’t know how long I dance like this, an unbridled whirlwind in the dim-lit room, but when I finally slow, breathless and laughing, I let myself savor it: the thrill of connection, the promise of something good, something shared.

This moment feels like a gift, and I hold it close, knowing it might be fleeting, but I'm determined to let it last as long as it can.

I didn’t expect them to message me, considering what Knox said at the restaurant the other night.

I expected them to ghost me, just as all the other men before them had done in the past. I was pleasantly surprised, though.

Their message came just as I was about to lose hope that anything good could come from our meeting.

Surely, this is a good sign. A beginning of good things to come. They wouldn’t go out of their way to invite me out tonight just to shoot me down again. No one can be that cruel, not even the stoic statue like Knox.

The exhilaration drives me forward, my feet finding their way to the walk-in closet as if drawn by an invisible thread.

The door swings open with a flourish, and I am immediately greeted by the organized chaos of fabric, colors, and textures that tumble over shelves and hang from delicate hangers.

Without hesitation, I dive headfirst into the vibrant sea of garments, my hands moving with a frantic, joyful urgency.

I toss aside blouses and dresses, each one falling into an unceremonious heap on the floor as I sift through the options.

My fingers brush against silky fabrics, rough denim, and soft cotton as I hunt for the outfit that feels just right, that captures the wild energy humming through my veins.

A sleek black dress is briefly considered, only to be rejected in favor of something more daring—something that makes me feel alive.

The closet becomes a flurry of motion as I grab one hanger after another, slipping into the rhythm of this delightful chaos.

Bright reds, bold blues, shimmering golds—they all demand attention, vying for the chance to reflect the exhilaration that has taken root within me.

I try matching skirts with tops, testing combinations of bold patterns and understated elegance, stepping back to assess each creation before plunging back into the hunt.

Finally, my hands land on a piece that seems to radiate energy: a playful yet striking outfit that perfectly mirrors the tempest of emotions inside me.

Holding it up to the light, the grin returns to my face, wide and victorious.

I can already see the night unfolding in my mind, the laughter, the connection, the possibility.

With the outfit clutched tightly in my hands, I step back into the room, the pile of discarded clothes at my feet forgotten. Tonight will be different. Tonight, I’ll let this moment carry me, unapologetically.

As I stand in front of the mirror, pressing the dress against my front, I shift from side to side, admiring it.

It’s a beautiful pale pink. The dress seems to glow softly in the dim light—a whisper of elegance and allure rolled into one.

Its silky fabric sweeps gracefully, feeling almost weightless against my skin.

The dress is a vision of flirtatious sophistication, its off-the- shoulder neckline dipping gently to reveal just enough of the collarbone to intrigue without overpowering.

The fabric will hug my waist snugly, accentuating curves with subtle charm, while the hem flutters into a playful asymmetry, teasing the knees with every imagined step.

Delicate ruching runs diagonally across the bodice, adding texture and drawing the eye without stealing the show.

Tiny, iridescent embellishments glimmer like scattered stardust, catching the light as they wink with understated magic.

The pale pink hue is soft yet daring, a shade that whispers romance while hinting at a bold, spirited energy lurking beneath.

I know there’s no contest—this dress will own the night.

It promises confidence with every shimmer, each curve of its design daring me to embrace the fire coursing through me.

Clutching it tightly, I prepare to embody its essence, ready to step into the world and let the night unfold around me with unapologetic daring.

Just as I’m about to slip it off the hanger, I hear a knock at my front door. Canting my head to the side, I wait to see if it comes once more. Maybe it was a fluke.

When the soft, gentle knock comes again, my smile burns brighter. Tossing the dress onto my bed, I dash into the living room and over to the front door. I skid to a halt in front of it and then open it with a flourish. Just as I suspected.

“Windy!” I screech jubilantly, practically dancing out of my skin.

Her eyes widen as a smile breaks out across her face. “What has you so worked up?”

I squeal. “I have a date!”

Windy’s smile explodes into a dazzling, infectious grin as a high-pitched screech erupts from her lips, filling the air with her unrestrained joy.

Her hands fly up, her excitement uncontrollable, and in one swift motion, she pulls me into a tight embrace that feels like pure adrenaline.

Before I can catch my breath, she takes me by the shoulders and shakes me side to side, her laughter bubbling over like champagne.

"A date!" she practically shouts, her voice a melody of glee. "Tell me everything, every single detail!" Her energy bursts forth, wrapping me in a whirlwind of anticipation and support that makes my grin impossibly wider.

I still haven’t told her I signed up for Select-A-Mate, but with her reaction, I think it’s about time I did. Windy won’t judge me. If anything, Windy will be just as excited as me. I don’t know why I didn’t tell her before now.

I gesture for her to come inside. The moment she does, I take a deep breath, my hands fidgeting slightly as her expectant gaze bores into me.

"Okay, so here's the thing," I begin, my voice a mix of excitement and nerves.

"You know how I've been ... a little bored with how things have been going lately? Sort of ... stuck?"

Windy’s eyes narrow playfully, her lips twitching with curiosity. "Go on," she says, dragging out the words like she’s savoring some tantalizing secret on the verge of being revealed.

"Well," I say, straightening my shoulders. "I did something kind of wild. I signed up for Select-A-Mate."

Her jaw drops, her hands flying to her mouth in mock disbelief. "Select-A-Mate? Are you serious right now?"

I nod, feeling a mixture of relief and exhilaration as the truth spills out. "Yeah, I did it! And, get this—they matched me with a pack," I say, unable to suppress the grin stretching across my face. "I’m meeting them tonight at Sip-A-Brew."

Windy immediately explodes into another burst of delighted squeals, her hands clapping together as if she’s just won a prize.

"A pack?" she gasps, her eyes glittering with unfiltered excitement.

"Oh, this is so much better than I imagined!

Spill—have you seen pictures? Do you know anything about them?

Are they gorgeous? Oh, tell me they're gorgeous! "

I laugh, her energy infectiously buoying my own. "I’ve met them once, and it left a lot to be desired. They’re absolutely gorgeous, all three of them. The last time I met them, we had a disagreement of sorts."

“A disagreement?”

“Yeah, their First Alpha tried to play it off that I wasn’t the ‘type’ they were looking for, even though I can feel the connection from a mile away.”

“Why did he think you weren’t their type?” she asks, craning her head to the side.

“Well, you see, their First Alpha is Knox Hastings.”

Her mouth falls agape. “Knox Hastings? As in, soon-to-be Mayor Knox Hastings?”

“Yeah! The very same one! So, it didn’t end well last time we got together,” I admit, "but I’ve got this gut feeling, you know? Like everything’s about to change."

Windy reaches out, grabbing my hands and holding them tightly.

"Tonight is going to be unforgettable," she says with conviction, her voice brimming with the kind of confidence only a best friend can provide. "You’re going to walk into that place looking like the goddess you are and blow them away. And if they aren’t falling over themselves to impress you, well—" she pauses with a smirk, "then they don’t deserve you. "

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, her words settling warmly around me like a protective shield. "Thank you, Windy. You’re the best."