(Amaia)

I have to clean myself again after our shenanigans but none of us are apologetic.

After patting my hair dry, Alnitak guides me towards the vanity in their room and stands me in front so he can stare at me in the mirror and my thigh with the delicate trinket he has adorned it with.

"You look." He holds my chin in his hand. "Exquisite." His other hand slides down my thigh and gently caress the trinket he has gifted me.

I turn my leg to have a clear view of the chain and butterflies hanging from it. It looks so beautiful that I can’t take my eyes off it.

"I love this." Reaching with my fingers, I gently touch it too. The butterflies swing with my touch, bringing forth soft music like tiny bells ringing.

"I knew you would love jewellery. Will be bringing more for you," he announces, leaning forward and grabbing the hairbrush from his dresser.

I lower my gaze to observe that both of them have kept the gifts I gave them.

Alnitak’s candy jar and Mintaka’s guitar, both decorate the dresser. That puts a smile on my face. My mates care for me and like the gifts I chose for them.

The bristles of the hairbrush touch the tips of my hair. He is bending down to brush them with a few ridges on his forehead. It shows how invested he is in this task.

"I am going to get you ready for tonight. Although I should let you know, I know nothing except brushing hair," he regretfully says, making me smile.

"I don’t need anything else. Will keep it simple."

Alnitak slowly brushes my hair, untangling it and removing any knots that might remain.

Placing the brush back on the dresser, Alnitak walks over to the bed and picks up the gown and matching white lace lingerie set.

Where has he been hiding that?

"You bought panties for me?" I ask, amused, raising my right brow at him.

"I had help," he shamelessly answers, making me shake my head.

"Do I even have to ask? How do you even know my size?"

"I asked our royal seamstress and told her you are a tiny thing but boobs are not so small." He points at my chest, making me laugh aloud.

"Did you really say that?"

"Nah!" He waves his hand, matching my laughter.

"Come now, remove the towel so I can put these on you?" He holds the V-neck sleeveless bra in both his hands.

The delicate thing looks so funny in his large hands.

I lower the towel, exposing my breasts and wrap it around my waist. Alnitak’s eyes gleam bluish-purple with hints of black.

"They are excited to see my breasts," I let out a soft giggle.

"Yeah, they want to gobble you up. Ignore them. If we go down that road we will never leave this room and head over to our palace." He lowers the bra over my head and carefully adjusts it around my breasts.

A jealous gleam covers his eyes when he sees the tiny yellow patch on my breast, which had been previously hidden under my bra.

His thumb softly rubs on it. I can imagine the thousand thoughts swirling in his mind but he stays quiet and just adjusts the lacey part over it. He grows quiet after that.

It fits perfectly.

He then adjusts my necklace so it’s in the centre of both my breasts. Next, he helps me with my panties. I only drop the towel when he pulls my panties up. They are also the perfect size.

Finally, he picks up the dress.

I raise my hands, and Alnitak lowers it on my body. It flows like a waterfall against my skin, soft and smooth.

"Wow! It feels so good," I blurt out, turning around to watch myself in the mirror. My hands smooth it down, feeling the fabric against my skin.

I look different, more feminine and Alnitak notices.

"I knew you were meant to wear dresses. You own it, my beautiful Lassie." He ruefully smiles, his arms slide over my shoulders, tethering me to himself.

The bond floods with his glumness. So I turn around and place my hands on his chest. Lifting myself on my toes, I kiss the tip of his nose.

"Let me in. What happened? You were in such a good mood."

Concerns shackle his facial features.

"He hurts you. Why in the world do you want him to be your mate? I just don’t understand the logic, Amaia."

Of course, it’s about Rigel...

I shift my hands onto his saddened face.

"Because there is more to him than meets the eye. Being his mate I see and feel it and he desperately needs me. Everything he does is with my permission. Just trust me on this."

He closes his eyes, hiding away the agony this brings him. I rub my thumbs on his rigid cheeks, hoping for them to soften. His hands gently hold both my wrists, rubbing them, and his fingers touch the flower Rigel has given me.

I realise that two of them have gifted me two beautiful gifts and I am wearing both of them. Before Alnitak speaks, we hear an incessant knock on the door.

With a sigh, Alnitak opens his eyes and lets go of me to answer the door. I turn around to take one final look at myself and wonder if I should tie my hair in a ponytail or make a braid—the only two hairstyles I know.

"Amaia?" Rahria’s shrill voice distracts me and I move towards the door and stand beside Alnitak.

Rahria is standing just outside in a breathtaking red and black gown. Her hair is an elaborate hairdo with full make-up and a dazzling pair of earrings.

She looks fabulous.

"Wow! You look amazing," I compliment her and she passes me a judgmental look, her eyes taking me in from head to my feet.

She points towards my head.

"Hair: Disaster."

Her finger moves towards my face.

"Face: Plain and dull. Jewellery: Missing."

Then towards my dress.

"Dress: Passable."

Lastly, to my feet.

"Shoes: Non-existent."

She faces Alnitak with a disappointed look.

"Is that how you are going to take her to meet your parents?"

"Hey! I arranged the dress and a piece of jewellery. That’s just hidden," Alnitak gets defensive.

"Right, and you didn’t think she would need shoes, makeup. Seriously, men act so dumb and idiotic at times. Luckily, Amaia, I am here." She reaches out and grabs my wrist.

"You are coming with me for a full makeover." Pulling me out of the room, she begins to drag me along.

"Hey! Don’t do too much. I like her natural beauty," Alnitak defeatedly calls from behind us.

"Shut up!" Rahria shuts him down, and I have to hide a snort, threatening to escape.

I am about to find out how different it is to be dressed up by a man and then to get a makeover by a woman.

Turning around I send my pouting mate a flying kiss.

He captures it with his right hand and places it on his heart while I disappear around the corner with Rahria.