Gwen

I smoothed my hands over the lavender beaded dress, which had a high slit, a low back, and vintage feel, as I swished back and forth, getting a look at myself in the full-length mirror. Yeah, I looked cute.

My hair caught my eye. The stylist had given me a chin-length fluffy cut, which had been dyed amethyst purple, and a little layered to help my undercut grow out. I wasn’t sure if it was the retro way she’d styled it, or how they’d waxed my eyebrows and done my makeup, but I looked a lot like my nonna when she was young.

I wasn’t sure how that made me feel. Part of me still feared being noticed. Still, I wasn’t going to make it as a hockey player if I didn’t put myself out there. I had to step into the light and hope my dads didn’t notice me, until I was too big to mess with.

Of course, I was flattering myself. The dads probably knew exactly where I was. Hopefully, they’d continue to leave me alone so I could live my life. I texted Clark a picture.

Me

What do you think? A possibility for the wedding?

Clark

The dress matches your hair. I like it.

I also sent one to Tenzin, since I missed him. He and Cooter were catching salmon or something.

Tenzin

Very nice.

“Gwen, are you coming out?” Valya called from the other side of the dressing room door.

I came out of the dressing room, into the private lounge area of the very fancy shopping boutique that Valya had brought me to. It was the kind where you lounged on chaises and drank champagne while eating cookies as the assistants brought things for you to try on. My mother and sisters loved places like this. I wasn’t into the fuss. But the person who worked here was Valya’s friend.

“I don’t know what you think I do all day, but I don’t need clothes like this.” I laughed, as I showed her the sparkly purple gown which had a high slit and a low back. “All I do is go to work, class, and hockey practice. Don’t need an evening gown for any of those.”

Valya wore a flowing red dress that made her look like an omega from a fairytale, with her pale skin, red lips, petite and delicate frame, and her long, dark, straight hair. She attended Posey Academy, which had once been Miss Posey’s School for Elite Omegas.

Where my mother had gone.

“You could wear evening gowns to those things, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish,” the sales omega, who’s name was Jolette, said. She attended the same omega school Valya did and sang in the choir with her.

I started laughing. “Could you imagine the coaches’ faces?”

Valya took a sip of champagne. She looked me up and down. “You need nice things, for JP’s wedding, to meet agents and sponsors, and to go to parties, so you can meet new and better alphas. You don’t want to date a hockey player; they are big dumb-dumbs.”

Mercy, who’d shown up right after we’d arrived, laughed. “They are big dumb-dumbs. But as someone who lives with my sister’s four big dumb-dumbs, I can see the appeal. I don’t think I want to date a professional athlete, though. Their schedules are too demanding.”

Skate smasher schedules were as busy as hockey players.

“Are you still planning on moving out now that you’re eighteen?” I asked.

It was a pretty dress. I could wear it to the fancy party the Knights hosted to raise money for their youth hockey program.

“I don’t know.” Mercy frowned. “It’s not awful living in a giant penthouse with my sister and her dudes for free. I think I’ll stay there and save up, so I can buy a cute townhouse and restore it.”

“That seems like a good idea. I mean, free rent? That’s a gift.” One I was grateful for. Last night, after we’d all had dinner at Marabou Mike’s, we’d hung out at Clark’s and played video games. This morning, Clark made me breakfast .

Yeah, I could make living in Clark’s guest room work. Also, I was fairly certain Tenzin lived across the hall. That would be a nice bonus.

“Here, try on these.” Valya piled some things into my arms.

I went into the dressing room, took off the dress and tried on another. “Question. What would I have to talk about if I dated someone who didn’t play hockey?”

“Common interests and hobbies, world events?” Jolette offered from the other side of the door.

“Which would be hockey, activities hockey players enjoy, and what is going on around the world in hockey?” I replied as I shimmied into a pale blue dress.

Okay, I suppose I could date someone in the financial sector who enjoyed watching market news and listening to forensic accounting podcasts. They’d have to at least like watching hockey and maybe play in a finance bro rec league.

“Or just keep them pretty, silent, and good in bed.” Valya laughed.

I chuckled, taking off the dress, because it didn’t look right, and put on another. This one was strapless, dark blue, and hugged my hips, then flowed down. Wow, I looked like an old-fashioned movie star. I took another pic and sent it to both Tenzin and Clark.

Me

Would this be too fancy?

Clark

I’m not the person to ask. But I think you look beautiful.

Me

Awww, thanks.

He did? My heart fluttered a little at that.

Tenzin

You look lovely. It’s so elegant.

Cooter votes for that one.

“What about Clark? He’s good looking and really nice,” Mercy called through the door.

I came out in the dark blue, flowing gown. “Clark?”

“Clark is a puppy. An energetic, happy puppy.” Valya now wore a stunning navy dress.

“He has that golden retriever energy–very refreshing in an alpha.” I twirled. “But I’m not interested in dating anyone right now.” It would be easy to fall for Clark. His cheerfulness, kindness, and all-around good energy, made him beyond loveable. He was fun to do things with. We had a lot in common.

Also, he said I looked pretty.

I could fall for Tenzin, too.

“That dress does incredible things for your boobs. That’s for JP’s wedding?” Mercy wore a sparkly pantsuit.

I looked down at the bright blue dress. “I like how it makes me look like some retro bombshell. Isn’t it too fancy? The purple one is nice, too.”

“Not too fancy. This one for the wedding, purple for the party the night before. Your snowman–if you want a hockey player, that’s who you should be with. Stoic, but considerate. Handsome, but kind. Rich, but thoughtful and supportive.” Valya handed me some suits. “You could have Clark, too. Different people fill different needs. Maybe add Carlos, have an entire pack.”

“I thought you said hockey players were big dumb-dumbs.” I laughed.

“They are. Smelly dumb-dumbs. But if it works for you…” She held out her manicured hands in an empty gesture.

“Absolutely not interested in dating Carlos.” While he was a dear friend, he was a trainwreck in the relationship department. “Also, I’m a beta. We don’t get packs. We’re part of packs.”

But the idea of Clark and Tenzin? Or rather me between them? So sexy. I might not be ready to date, but a girl could dream. Especially since my bathroom at Clark’s had a bathtub. I hadn’t had one of those in years.

I’d fall for them.

Fall into their beds.

“No negative talk. If you want, go for it. Everyone else can fuck themselves.” Valya gave me a no-nonsense look. She was two years younger than me and six inches shorter. But she took absolutely no shit.

In New York, a pack had to have four members. Austin had wanted a pack and omega, so that was the future I’d seen for myself. But a throuple with two alphas? I could be persuaded.

Eventually.

“No Dimitri?” Mercy asked.

Valya shook her head. “He’s the biggest of dumb-dumbs. I think there might be someone. But I don’t know who.”

“Huh. I… I’m curious about what it would be like to have a pack.” My cheeks warmed, and I ducked my head as I headed back into the dressing room to put on this new pile.

While Austin satisfied me in bed, there were things I’d wanted to try that he wasn’t interested in. I’d always wondered when we formed a pack if one or two of them might also be my lovers or mates beside Austin.

“Did you not have that lesson in school? My other big sister’s mate is an advocate for the Omega Center, and he has access to every educational video ever made,” Mercy said.

“She’s talking about fucking.” Valya laughed.

“I… I’ve never really dated anyone other than Austin. I’m not sure how dating multiple people or forming a pack would go.” Looking at myself in the mirror, I grimaced. Ugh, I looked like I worked for my dads.

Hard nope. I couldn’t get the suit off fast enough, and I put on another.

Ooh, this could work. I pulled on the jacket. Oooh, I looked like a powerful, sexy bitch in this feminine navy pantsuit.

“You look fucking hot in that,” Mercy appraised when I came out. “You’ll need a couple of suits and nice things. That’s one thing I didn’t truly understand when I got drafted. Fortunately, I have a Verity to dress me.”

“She’s always so put together. Valya, I’d much rather have regular clothes than evening gowns. I don’t have any jeans, or skirts, or cute dresses, nice tops, dressy pants, or even pjs,” I admitted.

“We’ll make you so cute. Some of the outfits you still need for the wedding will work for less formal occasions, too. Let me make you a rack of casual outfits, and I’ll be right back,” Jolette told me.

I looked at Valya. “We can always go someplace else for regular clothes.”

“Try. It’s fun.” Valya handed me more things.

I continued to try everything on, sending pictures to Clark and Tenzin, drinking more champagne, and eating all the cookies. The school outfits Jolette put together were super cute. It was like a whole different person looked back at me in the mirror. She was fierce, confident, and poised.

We helped Valya decide on dresses for the wedding and a couple of outfits for her choir’s trip to Europe, and Mercy found some things for the upcoming season. The Maimers tended to wear flashier outfits to their games than hockey players. The sparkly suit she wore a lot last year was one of my favorites.

Jolette brought us some cake and coffee. While I could use some coffee, since I was feeling fantastic from all that champagne, I’d like some actual food.

“Okay, Jolette, bring everything we liked back out, so I can make my final choices.” While I didn’t need all those outfits and dresses, I’d like a few. Not only did I need clothes, but I felt good in them.

“It’s fine. We’ll now go to Beautyland for makeup. Your clothes will be delivered to Clark’s.” Valya stood.

“You got me all the clothes? That’s too much, Valya.” I didn’t want to take advantage of Dimitri’s kindness, since he was the one paying for all these clothes, our spa day, and whatever else Valya had planned.

“You have new hair, time for a new style. It’s no problem.” Valya went to the restroom.

“Don’t worry, I’ll organize everything by outfit with a list so you know how it goes together. Have so much fun at the wedding and you’re going to look great when classes start.” Jolette took our empty cups.

The bottom fell out of my stomach. I turned to Mercy and lowered my voice. “Did Valya just buy me all those clothes? I thought I was going to pick. I think she may have dropped more than I owe in tuition.”

That was so much money.

“Probably.” Mercy nodded. “However, she wanted to buy you clothes , so she did. Now you have a fucking amazing wardrobe.”

“You’re right.” I took a deep breath.

“Also, Jolette works on commission. I think this is a ploy to both get you clothes and make sure Jolette has money for the choir trip,” Mercy told me.

“That makes sense. It’s just a lot of money for me. There’s still so much I need. Like sports bras and some normal non-cute outfits. I mean, I guess I could get some of it when I go run down the aisles at Swoop with Clark. But I don’t like Swoop’s sports bras and I’d rather get some of the other things I need. Same with running down the aisle at Home Things with Carlos. Not that they sell bras either.”

“What?” Mercy’s eyebrows rose as she stuffed the last bit of cake in her mouth.

“Clark said he’d take me to Swoop and I could fill up a cart and he’d time me. I’m so excited.” I laughed, my head still a little spinny. “Carlos said he’d do the same for Home Things.”

He’d also brought me my fixed goalie mask, which looked amazing.

“That sounds like so much fun,” Mercy agreed. “Look, let Valya buy you whatever she wants, okay? What are you doing tomorrow? Athlete’s World on 8th has the best ladies' department. It’s where I buy most of my non-fancy clothes. I’ll time you. We could turn it into a silly video. Say you won a bet and have you with a tiny basket trying to put large things in it.”

The ridiculousness of it, combined with the sugar and champagne, had me giggling so hard I fell off the couch.

“You don’t need to buy me things.” I frowned, still sitting on the plush carpet.

Mercy rolled her eyes. “You know I’m a professional athlete, too? I also signed a new contract, since I’m eighteen now. I make a little more and even got a re-signing bonus. So, I can get you some sports bras and workout shorts. I want to help, too. You were fucking there for me when I got my alpha and freaked the fuck out. Let me be there for you?”

Her sister and her pack had been away, because someone had a breakthrough heat. Mercy didn’t understand what was happening. Because hockey was full of alphas, I’d been around a whole lot of teenage alphas awakening and knew what to do and how to reassure her.

“It sounds fun.” A trip to the clothing department at Athlete’s World would round things out. I might be able to get a couple of cooler weather things, too. It wouldn’t be summer forever.

“Also, you don’t work at a place where I can massively tip you anymore, so we’ll just pretend it’s that,” she added.

“True.” My eyes teared a little. Mercy had left me a giant tip when I needed it, more than once. “Why is everyone so nice to me?”

“We’re your friends, you ding-dong. Also, I know how it feels to lose all your shit.” Mercy handed me my purse and the bag from the salon. She swayed a little.

Her and Verity’s place had flooded right before the snowstorm where I’d found Marty. It had forced them to move in with Verity’s guys, which then had been her boyfriends, not mates.

“Thank you.” I leaned my head on her shoulder. I’d figure out tuition, eventually.

“Hey, where are you living now? Valya said your things are being delivered to Clark’s?” Mercy asked, as she grabbed the bag with the outfits she’d bought.

Valya came out of the bathroom and grabbed her purse. “Onward.”

“I’m staying in Clark’s guest room for now. I’m not sure about fall. The dorms are full up and sort of expensive. I could move in with a bunch of friends, but I might stay at Clark’s until he evicts me.” I followed Valya into the main part of the boutique.

Jolette waved. “Thanks ladies. See you at choir practice, Valya.”

“That would give you a chance to save up,” Mercy said as we exited the store into the bright, hot early August afternoon.

“True.” A deposit was a lot.

“It’s good you’re living with Clark. Carlos thought you were living in a closet at the ice rink.” Valya laughed as she flagged down a taxi.

I laughed as we all piled into the taxi. “Could you imagine?”