Chapter 8 The Alley

• Dora's POV
• I thrashed around desperately as King's strong arms wrapped around me from behind. He had caught me while I was searching the dark alley for my lost necklace.
• "Let me go!" I cried out, trying to break free from his grip. But it was useless against his muscular frame.
• King spun me around to face him, his eyes flashing with anger. "Just what do you think you're doing out here? Planning another escape attempt?" he growled.
• "No, I was looking for my necklace!" I insisted, close to tears now. That necklace meant everything to me. It was the last gift my mom gave me before she passed away. Losing it felt like losing a piece of her.
• But King didn't seem moved by my explanation. "Don't lie to me. You know you're not allowed to wander off on your own," he said gruffly. Before I could protest further, he began dragging me back towards the sleek black car idling nearby.
• Derek sat in the driver's seat, one hand casually draped over the steering wheel. He glanced up when King shoved me into the backseat and slammed the door shut.
• "Drive us to Mon Beau in the city," King commanded as he slid in next to me. "It's time my mate had a proper wardrobe befitting her new status."
• My eyes went wide at the mention of Mon Beau. It was the most expensive, elite clothing boutique in the region. I had only ever dreamed of affording anything from there. But of course, money was no object to the notorious leader of the Silver Fang gang.
• As we drove out of the dark back alleys and into the bright lights of the city, despair washed over me. This shopping trip was just another reminder that I now belonged to King and his gang, whether I liked it or not.
• After what felt like an eternity, the car rolled to a stop in front of Mon Beau's gleaming facade. Derek opened the door for King, who grabbed my hand and yanked me out behind him. My feet dragged as he pulled me through the boutique's front doors.
• The interior was just as intimidatingly luxurious as the exterior suggested. Everything was pristine white marble and gleaming glass. Soft ambient music played overhead. The saleswomen standing behind the glossy counters were impossibly chic and beautiful.
• They all gasped and whispered excitedly when they noticed King's dramatic entrance with me in tow.
• "Mr. King, welcome back!" one bold sales girl greeted him enthusiastically. They clearly recognized him as a frequent high-roller customer. "And who is this lovely girl with you?"
• King flashed his signature charming grin at her. "This is my mate, Dora. My mate needs a full wardrobe - designer only," King stated simply, nudging me forward.
• The pack of salesgirls descended on me instantly, cooing compliments and fawning over King's handsomeness. I squirmed under the sudden barrage of attention.
• "Oh, you two make such a gorgeous mate pair!" one gushed.
• "She's so delicate and beautiful, and you're so strong and manly!" another added, clasping her hands together dreamily.
• King ate up their lavish praise, looking smug. "Go on, doll. Pick whatever your heart desires," he purred at me.
• Before I knew what was happening, the saleswomen whisked me deeper into the boutique. They sat me down in a plush leather chair and industrially started lining the most decadent designer clothes I had ever seen up for me to try on.
• I was still sulking over my lost mom's necklace, but the infectious enthusiasm of the salesgirls was difficult to resist. And I had to admit, the feeling of the lush fabrics against my skin was delightful. I found myself slowly relaxing into the experience.
• After what must have been hours of mixing and matching pieces, I finally emerged from the immersive shopping montage. I barely recognize myself in the mirror.
• My usual jeans and t-shirt had been replaced with a figure-hugging designer cocktail dress that made me look like I had just stepped off a runway. My usual messy brown locks had been smoothed into loose curls with golden highlights. Expertly applied makeup made my blue eyes pop and accentuated my cheekbones. The slinky black dress they'd selected hugged my curves in all the right places. I looked like I'd just walked off the cover of a fashion magazine, nothing like my real self. An array of shopping bags surrounded me, filled with more designer clothes than I knew what to do with. The salesgirls had even done my hair and makeup, completing my sudden celebrity-level makeover.
• "Smile, doll!" One salesgirl said as she held up her phone. "Let me get some pics to share online. You're going to break the internet as the Silver Fangs' new Luna!"
• I didn't have time to protest as she started snapping photos and tapping away at her phone. Within seconds, the photos were uploaded with captions like "Alpha's New Mate!" and "#CoupleGoals". I cringed, knowing King would be thrilled at the digital status boost this gave him with his pack.
• Just then, King himself sauntered over. His eyes lit up when he saw my new look.
• "Well, well. Look at you, pet. I should have brought you here sooner," he purred. As he admired me, his expression shifted to something softer.
• "I know how much that old necklace meant to you. Let me get you something even better to take its place."
• After seeing my sullen expression, King correctly surmised I was still upset about my lost necklace. He gently grasped my hand and led me to the jewelry counter at an even more elite jeweler next door. I watched with wide eyes as King pointed to an exquisite necklace in the display case without even asking the price.
• The salesman carefully extracted the opulent piece - a dainty gold chain with a diamond-encrusted pendant shaped like a blooming pink rose. "The Eternal Rose necklace...an excellent choice. This rare piece was just auctioned off last week for over one million dollars," he informed us.
• I gasped in shock but King didn't bat an eye, simply handing over his black credit card to pay for the extravagant jewelry. He fastened the necklace around my neck himself, the cold metal and stones feeling foreign against my bare skin.
• "There, doll. No more frowning," he murmured, clearly trying to placate me.
• King looked immensely satisfied. "Nothing but the best for my mate. This is just the start of the luxurious life I can give you."
• I fingered the extravagant necklace, conflicted feelings swirling inside me. As much as I hated being forced into this role as his captive bride, I was undeniably dazzled by King's wealth and power. The spoiled side of me enjoyed feeling like royalty, if only just for a moment.
• With my neck exposed from admiring the necklace, a dark marking below my earlobe caught my eye in the mirror's reflection. I leaned closer and gasped. A tattoo of a fanged wolf print now adorned my skin, right over the spot where King had bit me that night.
• My stomach dropped as the realization hit me. He must have tattooed me when he inserted that chip in me, imprinting this fang emblem onto me. I was now irrevocably marked as King's property. I really was the Silver Fang's Luna now, whether I liked it or not. Hot tears stung my eyes at the thought.
• King noticed my crestfallen expression. "What's wrong, my pet? Don't you like your gift?" He frowned. Perhaps he thought I was unsatisfied with the extravagant necklace.
• Then a shadow crossed his face. Was that...jealousy? "It must not compare to your necklace that you were so desperate to find in that alley," he said tightly.
• I just stared at him silently, tears slipping down my cheeks. With a huff of frustration at my lack of reaction, King turned and stormed off.
• Derek dutifully gathered up my mountain of shopping bags and escorted me back to the car.
• Why had I been so foolishly obsessed with that old necklace? It couldn't protect me from my new forced role as Luna. Nothing could, now that King's mark was imprinted on my skin.