Page 8

Gwen

“B ozh’ya Korovka, are you sure you’re up for this? You’ve been out of the hospital for a day.” Dimitri leaned against the hallway wall, as I came out of the bathroom, adjoining the kitchen, in his townhouse.

It had actually been a few days, and I’d pretty much done nothing but sleep.

He wasn’t dressed for the championship cup dinner yet. I wasn’t either, but I’d spent hours with Valya and Mercy getting ready.

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Tens and I already decided that if I get too tired, he’ll take me home, so Clark can enjoy the dinner and your afterparty.” Really, I felt good today, all things considered.

That was thanks to Valya, who’d made sure I was injected with stuff so that my face wasn’t puffy and I didn’t hurt. She’d also gotten me some sort of vitamin IV that was probably fantastic after a night of drinking.

You couldn’t even tell I’d broken my nose and had a purple face, because of the talented makeup artist she’d brought in.

But the fatigue and ease as to which I overdid things was real.

“Your makeup looks nice,” he added.

“Thanks. Um, when I was unconscious, did you tell me about dreaming of your soulmate?” I kept my voice low as laughter came from the living room. Some of the weird dreams I’d had while unconscious had been true. I was curious about this one.

Pain crossed his face. “Yes. I’m afraid to find her. Because of what happened to my mamochka after my mama died. They were scent matches. At least they’re together now.”

His head bowed.

“Oh, Dimitri. I’m so sorry.” My hand went to my heart. It was tragic and unfortunately happened. While I knew his moms were gone, I didn’t know it was like that.

“It’s how I knew what you are, when I first met you that day in the Knights' dining room. Because of her.” He looked forlorn.

I sucked in a breath. While Dimitri was preternaturally observant, I didn’t realize he knew.

“I should only hope that if I were to find her and lose her, I would be strong like you. But what if I’m like my mamochka instead? And her? How could I do that to her if something should happen to me?” His head turned and he looked away, fear wafting off him.

It was absolutely something to see Dimitri Belikov, fierce Russian defender, all-around protector, and general brick wall looking afraid. Poor Dimitri. He was a great person, and I absolutely wanted him to find happiness.

“While your fear is absolutely valid, would you really deprive her of that choice? Deprive her of you? Shouldn’t you at least find her and talk it out?” My arms wrapped around myself. I’d said way too much to Dr. Kristy, the bond specialist, while under pain medicine, and some things were still very near the surface. Even after talking to both my therapists.

“Fear is powerful. To love someone and then lose your soul… it was terrifying to watch my mamochka go through that.” Dimitri sighed heavily.

I reached out and squeezed his arm. It had been terrifying to go through. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

“I… I want to find her. But I only hear her voice. Most of the time, she doesn’t even acknowledge me. How do I find her if I don’t know her name, or what she even looks like? If I were meant to find her, wouldn’t it be easy?” His face contorted in anguish.

“Dimitri, we’re hockey players. We know what’s worth it is never easy. Are you lucid in these dreams? Maybe slowly try to get information from her–and give her information about you as well. Perhaps if you actively try to find her, fate will push you together?” I had no idea how dreaming of your soulmate worked, other than what was in books and movies.

“You’re right. Perhaps she’s always so coy in my dreams, because I’m unsure. If I’m certain, it will make the difference. I should try. Right?” His look went stricken.

“She deserves to meet you, to know how amazing you are. Also, any person who is your perfect match is going to be a force to be reckoned with.” No, she wasn’t going to be a meek or fragile omega.

Sometimes I wondered about Dimitri. Not just because he was obviously incredibly rich, but the odd things he knew. Like if he were a little older, I’d think he was an international secret agent, undercover as a hockey player or something. Maybe he came from a long line of operatives or military strategists.

“You only hear her voice?” I asked.

He nodded. “She sings a lot. Perhaps she’s a musician. I’d like to have that in common with her.”

Right, I always forgot Dimitri was also a classical musician.

“Is that why you sometimes sing completely random songs, well for you? Like she’s singing in the shower and you get a song stuck in your head?” I gave him a silly smile. It was a minor plotline in one of the Defender League movies.

“I think so.” His look went shy. “Thank you. I knew you’d be gentle on me, unlike my sister.”

“Your siblings love you. You’re a good big brother.” I grabbed a bottle of vitamin water out of the fridge and tossed one to Dimitri. He even had purple.

He sighed. “I try. Valya wants to move into the dorms with her friends.”

“She goes to an omega school. She’s also twenty. It wouldn’t be a bad thing for her to live on her own for a bit.” I downed half my drink, careful of my lipstick.

“True.” He raked his hair with his hand.

Valya came into the kitchen. “There you are.”

Her hair and makeup had been done perfectly by the stylists. Valya’s nails and toes were still pink from when we got them done earlier. I’d also gotten my hair trimmed, and the color touched up.

“Time to get dressed?” I was just in leggings and a button down.

“Yes.” Valya looked at Dimitri. “You, too. The limo will be here soon. Come.”

Mercy was already in her room and the three of us got into our dresses. Valya’s room was done in reds, pinks, and cream, full of tapestries, pillows, and the softest rug ever. Her closet door was a giant mirror and her bathroom had amazing lighting.

Valya had a new dress, a long black and silver one. Mercy wore a sea-foam green dress that I remembered seeing in pictures of Verity’s wedding.

I put on Bonnie’s slip, Maze’s flats, and an expensive strapless bra that Humpy found abandoned in their townhouse, that no one ever claimed, that was close enough to my size. Mercy helped me carefully put on my mom’s dress and laced up the corset back for me.

Oooh, I look good. I looked at myself in the mirror as I fluffed the pink dress that was fit for a princess. The delicate overlay of pink and green flowers shimmered over the puffy pink skirt, which had a bit of a train in the back.

Kaiko’s cousin had done an amazing job of repairing the frayed spots and holes that came with time and wear. She’d mended a rip in the pink underskirt, made the V-neck dress strapless, and altered it, so it fit me perfectly.

I added the pearl necklace and earrings, which were heavy.

“We look amazing,” Valya said as we took a bunch of pictures of the three of us.

Both Valya and Mercy added some to their social media. I’d put one up later, of me and the guys. I’d already posted one of my hair and nails. But I sent one to Isa with not a fashion disaster and one to Matty.

My phone rang with a video call. Matty. Ugh, him and his phone calls. But I’d been working hard with my therapist. It was probably Giulia using his phone, anyway.

I waved my phone. “Okay if I take it?”

“Go for it,” Valya said as she fixed her lipstick in the giant mirror.

“Hi, Matty.” I blinked, because the face that greeted me wasn’t Matty, it was Popi.

Shit. What did I do?

“Buttons.” His weathered, olive-toned face lit up. There was gray in his near-black hair, but his dark eyes danced.

“Popi, have you seen my phone?” Matty called in the background.

“Nope.” A boyish grin appeared on his face, Popi moved into another room. “Hi, Buttons. You have your hockey dance tonight? You and your friends look amazing.”

“Um, Hi.” I gulped. Popi just called me on Matty’s phone. This was worse than a dad-phone ambush. But I couldn’t bring myself to hang up, considering how happy he looked.

He smiled. “Not trying to trick you or cross boundaries. I saw the photo and I… I just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful.”

“Oh. Thank you.” Okay, I’d take compliments. “Yeah, Matty sent me this dress of Mom’s, since I needed something fancy. I feel like a princess.” I swished a little as I went down the stairs to the kitchen.

“Be gentle with that dress? It’s quite delicate,” he told me.

“Absolutely.” The fact he asked me didn’t bother me. Mom had always told my sisters to be nice to her clothes.

“The person who altered it for me is experienced in fixing antique dresses. She did an amazing job mending the frayed bits and reinforcing the seams and grommets. We made it strapless, because the sleeve tore off, but we saved them in case you want them reattached, when I’m finished with it.”

I took a seat on a stool in the kitchen, because I was afraid plopping on the couch would wrinkle the dress.

Popi’s head cocked. “You had it mended? That’s very thoughtful. Your mom stopped letting them wear it after Chiara tore it, then didn’t tell anyone. That dress was very special to her.”

“Is that okay? I needed one of her long ones, because I’m taller.” I didn’t think it would be an issue, because my sisters had always borrowed her dresses. Also, Matty had sent it stuffed into a sack and rammed into a box. My hockey cards were packed with more care.

“Who are you talking to? Oh.” Babo appeared, his arm snaking around Popi’s waist. “Buttons. How are you feeling? You look great.”

His hair was a much lighter brown, his skin more tan than olive, and his eyes were blue. He was a little smaller than Popi, who was huge. Not that Babo was a small man.

“She’s going to a hockey dance. Show him?” Popi asked.

I propped the phone up on the counter and spun. “Hi, Babo. I… I’m feeling okay today. Every day I feel a little better. I know it’s a little too soon, but this is important to me. Don’t worry, I’ll leave if I get too tired or hurt too much.”

It was my brain that still hurt, not my body. Okay, my ribs ached a little still but that wasn’t a big deal. Dinner wouldn’t require much thinking. Also, I’d slept in late and tried to take it easy today.

“Ooh, that’s the dress Matty sent you?” He looked conflicted.

My heart squeezed at how old he looked compared to my memories.

“If it’s too special, I’ll wear another dress. What is it from?” My chest tightened as I sat back down on the stool, swishing out the skirt. I had other dresses I could wear, they just weren’t as fancy.

Babo shook his head. “You look beautiful. It was a courting gift to her from your Popi and I, back when she was still attending Posey.”

“Oh, it was? I’ll be sweet to it, promise. I… I just wanted to wear something pretty.” My heart swelled. How romantic.

Popi sniffed. “I know. You look beautiful. It just brings back memories. I wish she could see you in it. She never got to see you wear her dresses, like your sisters.”

My heart wrenched, because she would have helped me find the perfect dress in her closet or taken me shopping.

“Is there a story behind the dress?” I knew that at first Mom had been reluctant to be pursued by Popi, because she didn’t see herself mating right out of the academy. Mom had studied bookkeeping, so she could do the books for Nonna’s veterinary practice and keep track of everything for Gramp’s inventions.

But the dads had courted her with pretty presents, whirlwind trips, and a promise that she could help her family as much as she wanted. I’d spent lots of time on her lap as she did the grandparents’ books from the kitchen table.

“Your mom was named an omega of note, so she got presented in the big international ball. The headmistress told her the dress she had wasn’t good enough,” Popi explained, looking far away. “She called us crying, because she didn’t want to ask her parents for another, given all the other expenses, like flying to where the ball was and the hotel.”

Which I could understand. Her parents weren’t poor, but they weren’t super rich. Also, there were her other siblings to consider.

“The dress was fine. The headmistress was being a bitch because she didn’t want your mom to court us,” Babo added. “We felt bad for her. So your Popi and I did what we needed to do to get her a fancy custom dress in time for the ball.”

“You make us sound so nefarious,” Popi mock-scolded. “It wasn’t like that. I simply figured out which designer had a gambling issue, where they played cards, and won her a custom dress with a quick turnaround.”

I started laughing, because this was a side of them I’d never seen. “That is an amazing story. Why have I never heard it before?”

“Oh, we never told your mother. She hated me playing cards to get my way. She thought someone owed us a favor, and we threw money at them.” Popi grinned. “We tried that first, but we were asking a lot considering how little time there was.”

I zipped my lips. “Your secret’s safe with me. So this is a custom designed original fancy dress that she wore for the big omega ball?”

I hadn’t known this was her omega ball dress. The ball was held annually with omegas from all over the world, who were carefully chosen, mostly from omega academies. While Posey boasted a fair number, they didn’t have an omega selected every year.

“It’s from the House of Dubois–a one-of-a-kind, custom gown. When you come visit, we’ll dig up pictures,” Babo told me. “I think we have an incredible photo of her and your Grandpa Gary dancing.”

House of Dubois? That was even older and more respected than Vecci, where my sister Isa worked.

“I want to see that so bad. Oh. It’s a pink Dubois.” I sucked in a breath. Once that was the aspiration of many omegas–to attend their blossoming party, graduation, or excellent eighteenth in a pink Dubois.

“Are you sure I can wear this?” Anxiety spiked in me. This was one-of-a-kind?

Popi’s expression softened. “It’s not doing anyone any good in the closet. Also, you look so much better than any of your sisters in it.”

“Popi!” I laughed. “Did they all wear it?”

Babo thought for a moment. “They liked to put it on. Chiara wore it to something. Isa used it for a fashion project as a prop. Your mom was protective of it, but I know she’d love that you were wearing it.”

“Oh good. Because I feel so pretty and I don’t want to take it off.” My eyes teared.

“Hey, hey, Buttons, it’s okay. I'm so happy you borrowed it,” Popi soothed. “If something happens to it, it’s just a dress.”

“Why are you hiding in here?” Papa’s voice echoed. “Also, Mateo can’t find his phone.”

“We have his phone. Buttons sent pictures of her getting ready for the hockey dance.” Popi eyed my throat. “That’s not the necklace she wore. But it looks extraordinary.”

“For the ball she wore her omega pearls–all the omegas got pearl jewelry that was designed exclusively for them for that ball. But after that, she never wore them together, she felt it was pretentious. The set she usually wore went to Maricella. I don’t remember who got her omega pearls,” Babo, who was the fashionable, social dad, said.

The phone moved and Papa’s face appeared. “Buttons, are you well enough to go to a dance? You gave us quite a scare.” He sucked in a breath. “Is that…?”

“She looks beautiful. I wish your Dad was here, too, but he’s out,” Babo explained.

“Hi Papa.” I bit my lip. “I’ll take it easy, promise.”

Papa was head alpha and imposing. A bit of grey marred his dark brown hair. His olive skin wrinkled around his hazel eyes.

His look softened. “Look at you. All grown up. That’s your Nonna Luci’s necklace. How did you get that?”

“Matty. I have a Nonna Luci?” But then five parents with multiple parents meant a whole lot of grandparents. Not to mention most of them had passed by the time I came around.

Papa nodded, eyes a little misty. “Yes. She was a bit of a diplomat in her old age. That necklace was a gift to her from the ambassador of Japan.”

“Oh. Wow.” My hand went to them. I hadn’t worn Cooter’s necklace and it felt a little weird. But I had it in my purse. I felt like it would be good to bring it.

“Technically, they’re yours. However, I’d appreciate you bringing them back when you visit, unless you have a secure place to put them. Secure like a safe deposit box, not under your bed.” He smirked, because that had been a big hiding spot for me when I was small. Eventually I moved things under the floorboards in my attic hideaway.

“You’re coming for Christmas?” Babo leaned in. He loved planning things and would always help Mom with everything from birthday parties to charity balls.

“Maybe?” I wasn’t sure that was a good idea. But seeing them made me miss them. I could get more pictures of Mom and see if the dresses of hers I hid under the floorboards could be made to fit me.

Their three beaming faces meant everything.

“There you are. You look amazing!” Clark came up behind me and hugged me to him, dressed in a tux, his tie and vest silver. “Oh, you’re on the phone.” His look went startled. “Why, hello, Gwen’s, um… brothers I haven’t met yet.”

Babo laughed, blue eyes dancing. “Ooh, I like him.”

“This is Clark. He’s a forward for the Knights and one of my dates. Clark, this is Papa, Popi, and Babo.” I leaned into him, careful not to fall off the stool, inhaling his hay and sunshine scent. His face still had some bruising from the accident.

“Hi! It’s nice to meet you.” Clark waved and gave them a big smile.

“Where did you all go, is that my phone? Are you talking to Giulia?” Matty came in.

“Buttons and her adorable date.” Babo grinned. “He’s taking care of you, right?”

I looked up and cupped Clark’s clean-shaven face with my hand. “He’s been taking great care of me.”

“Have fun at the dance.” Papa smiled. “I remember when your mom wore that dress. You look just as beautiful. I love you.”

I did? My heart warmed. I wasn’t often told things like that.

“Don’t wear yourself out,” Popi told me. “I love you, too.”

“Be good?” Babo smirked as he eyed Clark. “Love you, Buttons.”

“I love you all.” Because despite them being assholes, I did.

Matty grabbed the phone. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea they took my phone and called you.”

“It’s fine. But don’t let them make a habit of it. Popi saw the picture I sent you. They told me the story of the dress. Clark and I are off to the dinner.” Though I liked hockey dance.

It was nice to talk to them, but I didn’t want them to regularly call me on Matty’s phone. But it was Popi, so that was okay. It would be different if it was Papa or Dad.

“Where’s the other one?” Matty looked around.

“Clark, where did you go?” Tenzin called.

“In the kitchen,” I called back. “Thanks for sending me the dress. I’ll send more pictures.”

“Please. Wow, you look so much like Mom. That’s probably why Maricella’s panties always get in a twist–you’re so much prettier than her.” Matty grinned.

In all honesty, I could see my oldest sister being that petty. Though mom had brown eyes, not hazel.

“I love you, have fun,” Matty told me.

“Love you, too.” I ended the call, then turned and leaned into Clark. “Hi there, Big Guy.” Mmm mmm mmmm. Could I just eat him here?

“Firecracker.” Tenzin entered the kitchen.

I sucked in a breath, my panties getting a little wet at him in all black–even his shirt was black. “I can’t wait to see that tux on my floor.”

“Me, too,” Clark whispered in my ear.

Things were so much better now, pretty much back to how they’d been. At least between me and Tens. But then he’d hardly left my side, except for practice and games. Clark was hoping to join them when they left the day after tomorrow to play a couple of away games.

Tenzin gave a little growl that made me clench. “Promises, promises.”

Wiggling out of Clark’s embrace, I extracted myself from the stool. I went over and kissed him, then twirled for both of them, since they hadn’t seen the dress yet; it had been at Mercy’s. “What do you think?”

“You look like a vision, Precious.” Tenzin took my hand and kissed it like we were in a historical drama.

“You look like the prettiest princess, like in the unicorn movie.” Clark beamed at me.

“I loved that movie.” My hand went to my heart. That was almost as big of a compliment as Papa telling me I looked as nice in this dress as my mom.

“The limo is here.” Dimitri came into the kitchen, also wearing a black tux with a silver vest, though he wore a bow tie, not regular ties, like my guys. His hair was slicked back, and he had a silver pocket square.

While Clark looked like a handsome prince in his tux, Dimitri looked like dashing trouble on toast. Yeah, I couldn’t wait to meet whatever omega was his soulmate.

The six of us got in the limo and we took a bunch of pictures.

Valya shot me a look. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. While I knew your mother went to Posey like me, and was in my choir, you didn’t tell me that she was an omega of note. I must see her photo every day on the honor wall.”

“Yeah, she’s on the wall someplace.” Possibly in this dress. While I’d been to the auditorium to see Valya sing, it had been a long time since I’d walked the halls of Posey.

“Wow, she was?” Clark breathed. “But then she’d have to be spectacular, to be the mother of someone as fabulous as you.”

“You’re so smooth.” I kissed Clark. “I forget it’s a big deal. She always downplayed it, because my two sisters who went to Posey didn’t get chosen and were all butthurt.” I rolled my eyes. “Then they threw a bitch fit when another sister got chosen, because she didn’t go to Posey. At the ball she met her alphas, then she ran away with them and went to fashion school and now lives in France and designs for Vecci.”

My other sister didn’t care about it. She’d gone to university and thought it was an antiquated representation of the alpharchy and a glorified marriage market. While the ball had tried to change with the times, she wasn’t wrong.

Isa

Is that mom’s Dubois?

It hit me in the gut. Would my sisters be mad?

Me

The dads know. I needed a fancy dress.

Isa

You look perfect. Careful, the seams are fraying.

Me

Already got it fixed.

Isa

It looks fabulous strapless. Are you feeling okay?

Me

My thoughts feel like frozen yogurt. But I don’t need to think tonight.

Isa

Have fun. If you spill, use soda water, not soap. Dab don’t rub.

That was Isa for you.

The limo navigated the streets of the city, taking us to the Harcourt, which was an old and ultra fancy hotel. The parents stayed there for Chiara’s graduation from Posey. I’d had lunch here, then gone to be with Nonna and her pack.

I snuggled into my guys, a little tired. This was more activity than I’d done in days. But I wouldn’t miss celebrating the Knights and my friends for anything.

The limo slowed. Outside was an actual red carpet. People and members of the press waited for us. Wow.

Leaning over, I gave Clark a kiss. “Congratulations on winning the championship.”

“Yes. I’m so happy for you.” Tenzin squeezed his hand.

After the dinner, hopefully we’d take him to bed and show him.