While Ronan was well-acquainted with the reputable Madame Sunny Shu, he wasn't particularly fond of the lady's straightforwardness and her prying nature.
For sure, Ronan Wolfsbane and his little wolf would soon become the rumoured gossip of Clawveld.
Are you going to speak or not? Switch with me. The Lycan, as usual, posed its demands, and Ronan, as per routine, objected.
"The details aren't important," Ronan replied curtly to Madame Sunny Shu, earning him an annoyed click of her tongue before she shifted her attention to Vivian.
Madame Sunny Shu warily eyed Vivian's appearance, noticing the bandage around the she-wolf's forehead as well as other visible spots on her body.
Curious by nature, the lady stared a little while longer before speaking again.
"Well, deary, Ronan likes to keep his secrets as usual, you poor unlucky girl," Madame Sunny Shu remarked with pity, shaking her head as she flicked off ashes from her smoking pipe into the ashtray on the countertop.
Ronan's gaze narrowed into a sharp glare, clearly dissatisfied with Madame Sunny Shu's instigations.
"Stare any harder and your eyes will fall off," Madame Sunny Shu scoffed, taking one last drag from her smoking pipe before setting it down. "Now, I assume you've come because you want to dress this lass up nicely."
Ronan nodded.
Vivian anxiously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, embarrassed of her shabby attire that she could only put together on short notice, yet Madame Sunny Shu didn't even seem all that bothered or even show any signs of judgement.
However, what she was more intrigued about was the fact that Ronan appeared to be well known in Clawveld.
Did he visit the city often or possess any sort of influence?
"Help her pick out a few things she's comfortable with; dresses and travelling wear," the Lycan Alpha said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'll wait here."
Madame Sunny Shu walked around the counter, approaching Vivian and gently taking her by the shoulders. The she-wolf was slightly startled but relaxed a moment after Ronan gave her a reassuring look.
Which wasn't reassuring at all since the man's expression hardly softened.
Whisked away by Madame Sunny Shu, Vivian's gaze wandered over the variety of dresses and other garments.
With a discerning eye, the lady guided Vivian to a particular iron rack. Assessing Vivian's skin tone while she used her hands to figure out the she-wolf's body shape, Madame Sunny Shu selected a gown of midnight-blue brocade.
The dress was designed with an empire waist, flowing into layers of fabric that was sewn with silver thread embroidery, specifically designed this way to catch the light with every movement.
"What do you think of this one?" Madame Sunny Shu paused, searching for a name.
"Vivian," the she-wolf replied politely as she took a step closer to inspect the dress. She ran her fingers over the fabric, testing the feel.
Vivian had never worn anything as exquisite as this but she did take a fancy to its appeal.
"Do you want to try it on?" Madame Sunny Shu asked thoughtfully.
Vivian nodded.
"You're a little frail but you're fortunate we have one tailored to your size or at least I assume we do. I'll have to take your proper measurements first," Madame Sunny Shu said, gesturing for Vivian to follow her to the dressing room.
The she-wolf wasn't particularly fond of revealing her body to the Atelier's owner. Despite being a woman, she wasn't comfortable with exposing her unsightly body to the lady.
But what could she have done? She didn't want to upset Ronan for her foolish concerns.
As if by instinct, sensing his little wolf's distress, Ronan appeared and gently wrapped his arm around her waist. Vivian gasped when he slowly spun her around, pulling him into his arms.
There was a wolvish smirk plastered on his face and the amber glow in his eyes was prominent.
Madame Sunny Shu chuckled to herself, noticing the presence of Ronan's Lycan rather than the man himself.
So I see one of them fancies her. The lady deduced yet didn't question further.
"I will take her measurements; give me the measuring tape," Ronan's Lycan stated with a cynical glint in his eyes. "You see, my little wolf is a bit special so she needs to be handled with special care."
Vivian swallowed hard, bashfully averting her gaze while Ronan's arms wrapped around her.
Madame Sunny Shu snorted, retrieving a tape measure and handing it to the Lycan Alpha.
"You can use one of the changing rooms down here," the lady said, pointing in the direction of the dressing rooms.
Ronan received the tape measure and guided Vivian to one of the dressing rooms, closing the curtain behind them.
"You didn't have to…how did you know?" Vivian was unsure of what question to pose to the Lycan Alpha. Why did he offer to take her measurements and how did he know she was uncomfortable?
"I know everything about you, little wolf," Ronan's Lycan remarked with a pleased chuckle, which was like a deep but velvety sound from his chest. "Unless you don't want me to."
Vivian shook her head.
"I'm fine with it."
The she-wolf couldn't quite pinpoint the reason for her willingness whenever it involved Ronan's Lycan, but oddly enough, her instincts screamed for her to trust the beastly half.
"Your shirt, little wolf," Ronan's Lycan mentioned, his subtle smirk never leaving his expression. "You need to remove it. I need to measure more than just your waist."
Vivian untucked the shirt from inside her makeshift skirt and pulled it over her head. Although shy of her nudity, she didn't want to inconvenience Ronan.
The bandage around her chest would have to be removed too.
The Lycan Alpha stepped forward.
"Shall I help you, little wolf?" He offered, his fingers already moving to the knot of the bandage on her back, lingering there until she gave her permission.
He pulled one thread of the bandage loose, watching it unravel slowly by itself and pool at her feet.
Vivian instinctively covered her chest with her arms, her back pressing against the wall of the dressing room because of Ronan's proximity.
The Lycan Alpha braced one arm against the wall above her head, using his free hand to tip her chin upwards to meet his gaze.
"Let me see you, little wolf," Ronan's Lycan said softly, his voice barely above a whisper that made Vivian's skin pebble with goosebumps. "Don't hide from me."