My Abusive mate [revisioned]

13. phantom

I entered the bustling mall with a sense of excitement, marveling at the array of little shops that lined the walkways.

The sights and sounds of people leisurely perusing the storefronts gave the place a lively atmosphere.

  As I gazed up at the expansive ceiling, I couldn't help but notice the stunning windows that allowed sunlight to filter in, illuminating the space with a warm, inviting glow.

  The combination of the bright white interior and the natural light created a welcoming ambiance that made me feel at ease and eager to explore.

Walking through the mall, I took in the various scents wafting from cafes and boutiques, adding to the sensory experience.

Fern, Icarus, and I came to a stop in front of a store that had so many dresses inside.

  "Well, I'll see you ladies later. I'll be nearby," Icarus said as he left me with Fern.

I followed Fern into the shop as she started looking through the dresses. "Ooh, look at this, okay," Fern said, pulling out a white dress with a slit on the side.

I put my hand over my mouth, shaking my head. "That's a no from me," I said, laughing a bit.

I looked through the other rack in front of her. Some were too revealing for my taste.

It's not like I'm trying to impress anyone. I found a couple that I liked, then my eyes caught a dress that was dark green.

I took it and walked around to Fern. "I really like this one," I said, looking at her.

She nodded, holding up a navy blue one. "Let's try these on first to see if they are the one," she said, rolling her shoulders.

We walked towards the back to the dressing room where both of us went into separate light tan stalls.

Sliding my dress off, I put the new one on and felt the material. It felt nice and flowy. I walked out, waiting for Fern.

I looked at myself in the mirror. It was beautiful. Fern's door peeked open. She gasped when she walked out in hers.

"You are beautiful, I love that color on you. The halter dresses are always a no-fail when it comes to looking chic," she said with a large smile.

"I liked the color. I didn't know what a halter dress was," I said softly.

"It looks grand, darling," she reassured. She did a twirl in hers, which fit her perfectly in every way.

Then something caught my eye as she walked up to the mirror. "You're pregnant?" I said, rather surprised.

  She smiled, rubbing her stomach. "Well, yes, I am. I'm not entirely showing yet, so it makes it a bit easy to hide it for now," she said.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why would you hide it?" I questioned.

"I'm not hiding it. I just mean I'm not further along; my clothing doesn't show my bump yet," she laughed, saying.

She walked over to me, adjusting my strap with a smile on her face. "I think we both found ones we like. Let's go buy them," Fern suggested cheerfully.

As she went to change, I took a final glance at myself in the mirror before following suit.

  Waiting in line, I couldn't help but notice the strong smell of people around us - a mix of artificial scents and alcohol.

  After making our purchases, we kept ourselves entertained by observing Icarus getting measured by an older lady through the window.

Fern and I shared a few giggles, but then I caught a glimpse of someone in the reflection.

Was that Sebastian?

  I turned around but couldn't spot him in the crowd, though his faint scent lingered briefly.

Turning back, I found Fern giving me a worried look, prompting me to shake off my confusion.

Inside, Icarus caught our attention and waved happily as we displayed our new dresses, signaling the end of our successful shopping trip.

Upon our return to the pack house, I noticed Fern and Icarus engaged in conversation.

However, upon reaching my room, an unsettling feeling of being followed lingered.

  I questioned whether I was truly being watched or if it was mere paranoia following my encounter with Sebastian.

Dismissing my unease, I grabbed my dress and headed for a refreshing shower to prepare for the upcoming party.

As I elegantly dressed, the door abruptly swung open, revealing Fern carrying hair tools and a box brimming with makeup.

  Her entrance caught me off guard, but I welcomed the company as she eagerly offered her expertise in styling for the evening's event.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at her presence, alleviating the earlier apprehension that had plagued me.

Together, we delved into styling my hair and applying makeup, turning anxious thoughts into excitement for the impending festivities.

Fern's cheerful demeanor and skillful hands brought a sense of calmness back after a day filled with so many events.

The styling of my hair resulted in elegant curls.

Fern applied delicate makeup and gently massaged me with subtly scented glitter lotion, claiming it would enhance my radiance under the moonlight.

I chuckled as we strolled outdoors, observing the formal attire of the pack members.

Fern then excused herself to converse briefly with Lauerant, leaving me momentarily alone.

A hand grabs my bare shoulder.

"What are you doing standing here solo?" Adonis asked, sliding up to me, making me jump at the sound of his voice.

"I haven't been here for long, she'll be back," I replied, glancing up at him.

His amber eyes met mine as he shifted his arm to my back. "You look handsome tonight," I noted, giving props to his tux.

"And you look stunning," Adonis said, making my cheeks flush a bit.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"Want a drink?" he offered. I nodded eagerly.

Adonis led me to a stall and ordered a drink for me. It took a moment before the drink was served.

He handed me one and took a sip of his own. I looked at the liquid, trying to make out the color. It was a cool purple-blue mix swirling around.

I took a sip, feeling my face scrunch up as I coughed.

"What's this?" I asked, clearing my throat. Adonis chuckled and had another sip.

  "It's called Purple Rain. Is it too much for you?" he said concerned. I shook my head.

"No, it's interesting, different," I said, taking another sip. "Actually, I think I could go for a few more of these." I said with a laugh as Adonis raised an eyebrow, "I bet you could," he said.