Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 58: A Dress Shop Dash

Chapter 58: A Dress Shop Dash

That spontaneous suggestion almost sent Puck into a meltdown.

"Thorin!" he called out, frustrated. "The party is about to start. Don’t even think about going anywhere! You’ll be the focus of these vampires’ attention if you come in late."

He eyed Riona, almost implying that arriving late to the Blood Moon Masquerade with a troublemaker would smear his reputation.

But Thorin didn’t heed Puck’s warning. He wrapped his arm around Riona’s shoulder and turned towards the courtyard. The sun was already setting, and it was safe for them to travel without sun-protection gear.

They just needed to make it to town before the dress shop closed for the Blood Moon.

While riding in a carriage would have been more ladylike and logical for Riona to wear an elegant dress later on, they were racing against time. Thorin opted for a horse instead.

He helped Riona climb up before jumping on behind her, taking the reins, and galloping away toward town.

"Hey," Riona began. "Why are you doing this?"

She tried to look back, but Thorin’s face was too close. She feared that she would touch his lips if she moved around too much, so she turned back to see the road ahead.

"Doing what?"

"This. Insisting that I buy a new dress when I don’t need one," she said.

Her voice was calm because it didn’t irritate her as much as it confused her. Why did he make it his business to dictate what Riona wanted to wear? What was it for him whether Riona dressed nicely or plainly?

Thorin exhaled softly. She shivered when his breath caressed the back of her neck. In this position, they couldn’t help but bump into each other. Somehow, Riona felt overly self-conscious.

"Your brother loves you, but he feels like he’s only been a burden to you. I offered something to make him feel good about himself—giving you something. He wanted to give you a mask for tonight’s party," he explained.

His baritone voice sounded even lower than usual. Riona could feel his sincerity, and she softened. In her heart, she thanked him for what he had done for Florian.

This was probably the first time Florian opened himself up. That little boy was extremely shy and timid. With his nature, being bullied by other residents of the palace broke him down. He became even more reserved than he had been.

Florian disliked meeting new people, but somehow, Thorin was able to gain his trust. He seemed to genuinely care for Florian. Riona had never met anyone who cared about her brother besides herself.

While she was grateful for Thorin’s compassion towards Florian, she couldn’t help but feel doubtful. What did he want from her? Why did he have to go to this extent? Treating Florian kindly wouldn’t benefit him in any way, or would it?

"He did his best with the mask, and didn’t you see how happy he was seeing you happy? I just... don’t want to see that smile fade anytime soon," he continued.

Riona thought for a while before asking, "Why? And what’s that got to do with the dress?"

Thorin leaned forward, placing his mouth near her ear, sending goosebumps all over her skin. She almost recoiled, but there was a different sensation she felt—one she didn’t quite understand.

"Like I said, your dress doesn’t do justice to the mask he put his soul into. It isn’t fair to him," Thorin said.

There must be something that Thorin refused to tell her, but there was definitely another reason behind his insistence.

"I don’t understand why you’re refusing to dress up. I bet you will be the most beautiful girl in the room if you try a bit harder, although I must say that you already are. But I’m not the one needing some convincing—the nobles are," he added.

So this plan of playing dress-up with Riona rooted in the effort to sway the nobles to their side. Logically speaking, appearing presentable might help their case.

By dressing properly, Riona would show everyone that she was able to maintain good conduct. Hence, she would no longer be a threat to the scaredy-bats.

If that happened, the nobles might retract their signs from the petition themselves.

Riona grinned widely at her optimistic scenario. "Very well, I shall make myself charming. You’re paying, right? I don’t have any money left. I spent all of my wages on Florian’s clothes."

Thorin remained silent, which made her anxious. What if he refused to pay for the dress?

"Come on! You’re the one who dragged me to the dress shop. You’re responsible for this," Riona argued. Her voice sharpened.

Hearing no response, she nudged him and turned around. But when she found Thorin staring at her with an indescribable gaze, she froze.

She wanted to snap, but her voice got stuck in her throat.

Slowly, surely, and deadly, Thorin formed a smile, looking at Riona with his dazzling amber eyes. The light from the streetlamps reflected on his clear eyes.

"Don’t worry about the price. Just pick whatever you want. I’m rich."

"Pfft!" Riona ended up laughing, which was a relief. She almost got trapped in his charm, but his silly sentence brought her back to reality.

Why was I mesmerized by him? This is the narcissistic Thorin! I shouldn’t let him get to me.

"What was that?"

Thorin’s confused face loosened and soon he chuckled. "Well, weren’t you the one who wished to have a powerful husband? Gold is power, you know. And I have lots of it. Doesn’t it make me very powerful?"

Riona’s laughter erupted, and Thorin joined in the laugh.

"I’m certain that King Valentin has more gold than you do," Riona said, teasing him.

"Gold isn’t the only measure of power. I’m also strong," he replied, seeming genuinely bothered by her teasing.

"I’m sure you’re strong... in Wintertooth, that is. In the Kingdom of Eira, however, no one beats His Majesty the King. He’s the best vampire in the northern continent."

"Uh, you’re only saying that because you haven’t seen what I can do yet. Trust me, love, underestimating this werewolf would be a mistake. I’m capable of much more than just howling at the moon."

That suddenly reminded Riona of something. "Speaking of the moon, isn’t the Blood Moon a big deal for you? For werewolves?"

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.