~ Just up ahead I saw the bridal gown store. I gulped down a non-existent rock lodged in my throat...
We entered as these shimmering gowns flashed into my eyes. The store was dazzled with beautiful gowns filled the store. Making the whole store sparkle like stars. Now Kaiser, Dominic, and Chris mingled in the store with their men. They bought along for extra protection.
Meanwhile, we ladies adventure off exploring all these breathtaking elegant gowns.
So I felt ok browsing around the store. "Do you see anything?" Kimberly came up and asked me.
In amazement not touching anything, I said. "They all look too beautiful to choose from." I'll admit I was taken by how beautiful everything looked. All while I wandered around.
Gently, Kimberly grabbed my hand and said giggling. "Just wandering around isn't going to give you any ideas on your dress! Let's start getting the feeling for this."
Yet, I showed little to no enthusiasm. Nonetheless, I joined in with the women. It's not like I had much of a choice, I suppose. So I started to go through and touched the gowns in this one row. But still, I didn't bother to put a lot of thought into it.
"That one in your hands, I think you should check out and see how it looks." Said Ashley, nearby me.
Without arguing, I took the dress and went into the changing room with Ashley. We walked back into the heart of the room. I held the wedding dress up to myself in the circular round mirrors in the center of this one wall. Inside benches circled halfway around the room. With many other dressing room doors throughout the entire room too. Ashley stood there glowing.
Suddenly, she saw I just dropped the dress on the floor and took a seat on the bench. Practically bent over looking flushed and likely pale. Ashley's smile turned into a sad look on her face. She walked over and took a seat to hug me.
"Oh, sweetie," Ashley said sincerely. "It's okay. Everything will be alright."
I tried to hold in my emotions but couldn't any longer. "I can't do this!" I ranted, "How can I marry him? I don't want to marry him! How could he make me do this? He only just took me from my master. How can I be a Primary Queen, I know nothing about Kingdom Society! All I know is the slavery lifestyle. Not one of a Royal!"
But Ashley held me and said so gently. "That wasn't meant to be your life. You were born here with us and you are chosen to be our first tubebaby Princess. The life you're walking right now is the life that was chosen for you. Since the day you were born."
"But I can't marry him, I'm too scared of him! Regardless of the moments, I can somehow manage to be feisty with him. I just can't do this Ashley, I don't love him! I can't marry a moody Primary King! It would be like marrying my master! How could I possibly marry someone I don't know nor do I love! Cory's nothing but a heartless control freak with me! I'm just so confused!" I broke down and blurted out my feelings.
Overhearing every word inside the changing room's hall, Kimberly stepped in. It made me feel horrible that I bad-mouthed her youngest brother. But I couldn't help myself. I've been bottling up all my feelings. I should've known my emotions would come out bursting at some time. I just didn't mean for them to come exploring out like this.
On my right from Ashley, Kimberly flopped a seat. "Oh, baby girl!" Said Kimberly sweetly. "My little brother may be tough and intimidating at times. But you need to keep in mind that he has a lot on his plate. He's running a whole Kingdom and makes huge decisions that would affect us all. Sometimes, he has to be like this. In time, you'll see he'll turn into a new person with you. He's still struggling with what he is feeling. I know Cory truly loves you..." Suddenly Kimberly stopped mid-sentence like she was thinking about something.
"Hum," she hummed for a second. "As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a bond connection. From Cory's recent bizarre mood swings and what you're feeling. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what's going on."
"What!" Was all I could say.
Kimberly giggled as her eyes lit up. "Oh, it would explain a lot! Like why you're so confused and why he's acting moody with his friends. Which would mean you are both getting affected by the imprint." She concluded seeming convinced about her theory.
"You might be on to something, Kimberly," Ashley agreed. "He does seem a bit protective and territorial over you, Sally."
But I rolled my eyes, "I just can't see this to be a bond. Likely it's only an obsession!"
"Sally dear," Kimberly declared. "My brother loves you dearly. If this is an obsession he'd never hurt like the way those Businessmen did. This I can promise because I know my baby brother."
I only shook my head not sure what to think. I mean yes, other than shocking me twice. Cory hasn't done anything unnaturally cruel to me.
"Sometimes I can tell he does care about me but it still doesn't change how I feel about him. I do not wanna marry a hybrid-man I don't know nor do I love." I whispered sole heartedly.
Rubbing my back to comfort me, Ashley said, "This will take time, Sally. Just give this a chance and you'll see things will get better. You are safe here with us."
I was in such turmoil staring at that lovely lace wedding gown unevenly folded in a white pile on the floor. My mind was blocked by fear of this fate bestowing itself to me. Visualizing myself wearing a wedding dress terrified me.
"How about this?" Kimberly suggested a different idea. "Why don't we skip looking for a wedding dress and you help us find a gown to wear for your wedding. Would that sound better?"
Noddingly, I said, "I think that would be a better idea."
I felt much better about that suggestion coming to my head. We all smiled and started heading out.