Page 15 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 2

By the time we got to the hotel, it was already getting dark.Killian locked the door behind us and tossed the keys onto the console like he always did, while I kicked off my heels and dropped onto the couch, exhaling deeply.

"I can't believe we spent almost three hours in that boutique," I mumbled, rubbing my feet.

Killian chuckled, walking past me, unbuttoning his shirt."Yeah well, you looked too damn good in everything you tried.Not my fault."

I rolled my eyes but smiled."You're impossible."

"and you love it," he called from the hallway.

The gala was starting in thirty minutes and we hadn't even showered yet.I undressed quickly, tossing my clothes into the hamper while Killian was already in the shower.I could hear the water running and the steam slowly filling the room, and just the sound of it made my heart race a little.

"You joining me or just gonna stand there looking hot and confused?"he asked, poking his head out.

I laughed, walking in without saying a word.

The water was warm and comforting, running down our bodies as we washed off the day.Killian's hands moved over me slowly, not in a sexual way this time, just soft, grounding touches, as if he was memorizing every inch of me again.I did the same for him, feeling the lines of his back and the curve of his jaw.

after we stepped out, we dried off and moved to the bedroom.I pulled out the black gown we picked and laid it on the bed, my heart beating faster with every passing second.

Killian was standing behind me now, still towel-drying his hair."Come here," he said gently.

I walked over, and he helped me into the gown, pulling the zipper up slowly.His lips brushed over my shoulder as he did, making me shiver slightly.

"You're trembling," he whispered.

"I'm nervous," I admitted.

He turned me around to face him."Why?"

"Because this is not my world.Because everyone there probably knows who Cynthia is, and none of them know me.Because I'm human...or at least, I thought I was.Because this whole thing still feels like a dream, and I'm scared I'll wake up."

He held my face gently in his hands and kissed my forehead."You're mine.That's all they need to know.and if anyone has a problem with that, they'll answer to me."

I looked into his eyes, searching for something, reassurance, maybe, and found it.

He stepped back and threw on his tuxedo jacket, straightened it out, then looked at himself in the mirror."Damn, I look good."

I laughed softly, applying my makeup at the vanity while he adjusted his tie.My fingers were shaking a little as I applied the eyeliner.

"Need help with that?"he asked.

"I'm fine.Just trying not to stab my eye out."

He came up behind me and placed both hands on my shoulders, squeezing gently."You look beautiful already.You don't even need makeup."

"Tell that to the werewolf council who probably expect royalty."

He kissed my cheek again."You are royalty.They just don't know it yet."

I smiled, trying to breathe through the nerves.I'd never been to a gala before, not even a normal one, let alone a werewolf one filled with beings who could probably smell fear and insecurity like it was a perfume.

"We got this," Killian said as he grabbed the keys again and checked his watch."Come on, baby.We're already late."

I took one last look at myself in the mirror.The dress shimmered under the light, the black fabric hugging every curve.My makeup was subtle but elegant.My hair was curled just right.and my eyes, God, they looked scared but determined.

a whole new life was waiting for me out there.

and tonight, it was starting.