Chapter 174 CHAPTER 174

Chapter 174 CHAPTER 174
Lucy's POV

We arrived at the store, and I immediately noticed the way Alpha Kaleb was treated with the utmost respect and reverence. In fact, the entire boutique was closed to everyone else so that the two of us could shop privately.

The moment we entered, the staff straightened and lowered their heads in greeting. They moved around us with an almost nervous efficiency, bringing out the most exclusive and beautiful clothes they had. Dresses made from delicate fabrics, gowns embroidered with intricate designs, and pieces I would never have imagined myself touching were placed before me.

It felt like I was dreaming. I tried on several dresses, but there was one in particular that caught my attention. The moment I saw it, something inside me settled.

This was the one.

I was convinced it would be the gown I wore to the meeting ball. After changing into it, I stepped out and stood before the mirror. I slowly turned from side to side, watching the fabric move around me. Then I spun once, laughing softly as the skirt flared around my legs.

For a moment, I barely recognized myself. I looked beautiful. Then the dressing-room door opened. Alpha Caleb stepped inside.

I stopped spinning and looked at him through the mirror. His gaze settled on the dress, and for several seconds, he said nothing.

"It's perfect," he finally said.

I turned to face him.

"You like it?"

"Yes." His voice was quieter now. "Like I said earlier, it's perfect."

I smiled and walked toward him, smoothing the fabric of the gown as I approached.

I was only a few steps away when something changed in his expression. It was subtle, but I noticed it. His eyes lingered on my face, and for a moment, there was a strange tension between us. His breathing seemed to deepen, and his shoulders stiffened as though he were fighting an impulse he didn't understand.

Then he raised his hand. His fingers brushed gently against my cheek. I froze.

And then, like a man suddenly overcome by something beyond his control, he pulled me toward him and kissed my lips.

The kiss lasted barely a second. Then he released me. His expression changed almost immediately. His eyes widened as though he had just awakened from a trance, and he stepped back from me.

"I'm so sorry," he said.

I stood completely still, unable to find the words.

"That was a mistake." He ran a hand through his hair, visibly shaken by his own actions. "I... I don't know what came over me."

He looked at me, his face filled with genuine regret.

"Please forgive me."

I remained silent.

"And please," he added, his voice dropping, "don't tell Marcus about this."

The mention of Marcus brought me back to reality. I instinctively touched my lips, still trying to understand what had just happened.

He looked away.

I was stunned that Alpha Kaleb had kissed me. Until that moment, I had never imagined that I could possibly catch his interest. He had always seemed so deeply in love with Lydia that the thought of him looking at anyone else in that way had never crossed my mind.

Yet he had kissed me.

As I returned to the changing room, I found myself smiling. A strange feeling of confidence had begun to spread through me. I hadn't known it was possible for me to hold the attention of two Alphas, and the realization made me feel powerful.

Perhaps more powerful than I should have felt. I wanted to test it again. So I chose another dress.

This one was even more beautiful than the last—a more daring design that made me pause when I saw myself in the mirror. I turned slowly, studying my reflection from every angle. Satisfied, I took a breath and walked back toward the showroom where Alpha Kaleb was waiting.

This time, I knew exactly what I was doing.

As I stepped into the room, I deliberately allowed the gown to slip from one shoulder and it dropped to the floor.

He looked up.

The change in his expression was immediate.

Surprise crossed his face first, followed by something far more difficult to hide. His eyes remained fixed on me for a moment too long, and I felt a quiet satisfaction rise inside me.

I took another step forward.

Then I deliberately lost my balance and stumbled toward him, pretending as though I had tripped. My body collided with his, and his arms immediately came around me to steady me.

I slowly raised my eyes to meet his. There was unmistakable conflict in his expression. Desire flickered there, but so did restraint. His jaw tightened, as though he were forcing himself to remember exactly where we were and who I was supposed to be with.

But I had already seen enough. I knew Marcus wanted me. And now, I knew Alpha Kaleb was affected by me too. A dangerous sense of satisfaction settled inside me.

For the first time in my life, I didn't feel like the girl whose future had been arranged by everyone around her. I didn't feel like someone who had to quietly accept whatever fate, family, or pack traditions demanded.

At that moment, I felt as though I held some power of my own. And with two Alphas paying attention to me, I couldn't deny how intoxicating that feeling was.