Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Gianna

I gazed at my reflection in the full-length mirror, my heart fluttering with excitement. The wedding dress was a vision in white, sleeveless and flowing, embroidered with delicate roses. Each flower's center sparkled with a real diamond, catching the light and sending prismatic rainbows dancing across the walls. Angelo had truly outdone himself.

A giddy laugh escaped my lips as I spun around, the dress billowing out around me like a cloud. The soft fabric whispered against my skin, cool and smooth. Saturday couldn't come soon enough. Soon, I'd be Mrs. Dimitri Dragan. The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

"All of my dreams are coming true," I whispered to my reflection, my eyes bright with unshed tears of joy.

I twirled once more, reveling in the moment. But mid- spin, I froze. My nostrils flared, picking up a scent that didn't belong. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I inhaled deeper.

Fur. Musky and wild. And underneath that, another male scent. One that made my blood run cold. One that haunted my nightmares.

The wolf shifter.

My stomach lurched as memories flooded back. The bite of the needle as he injected me with wolfsbane elixir. The snarls and growls of the pack as they attacked.

My heart racing, I shifted into a bat, my tiny wings fluttering frantically as I circled the dressing room. But even in this form, escape seemed impossible. No cracks in the ceiling, no vents, not even a sliver of space under the door. The room that had felt cozy moments ago now seemed designed for one purpose: to trap me.

Realizing the futility of my bat form, I shifted back, my human eyes darting around the dressing room. I felt like a caged animal. No windows. Just four walls, a mirror, and a white velvet settee that now seemed to mock me with its innocence. The space that should have been my sanctuary had become my prison.

My breath came in short gasps as the reality of my situation sank in. I was trapped, cornered like prey. And somewhere out there, the predators were closing in.

I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my heart hammering against my ribcage. The beautiful dress now felt constricting, like it was trying to trap me.

I strained my ears, listening for any sound beyond the door. The usual bustle of the bridal shop had gone eerily quiet. Where was Elena? The guards?

"Stay calm," I whispered to myself, but the tremor in my voice betrayed my fear. "Think, Gianna, think."

But all I could focus on was that scent getting stronger, closer.

I backed up against the wall, my fingers splayed against the cool surface, ready to shift into a bat at a moment's notice. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat, each beat a countdown to the inevitable confrontation.

Gritting my teeth, I stared at the door, willing it to stay closed even as I knew it wouldn't. The absence of a lock now seemed like a cruel joke. My enhanced hearing picked up the softest footsteps approaching, each one sending a fresh wave of terror through me.

Time seemed to stretch, seconds feeling like hours. I could hear the rustle of fabric, the soft exhalation of breath on the other side of the door. My muscles coiled, ready to spring into action.

The door swung open with agonizing slowness, revealing him standing there. The same tall, muscular man with those cruel golden eyes that haunted my nightmares. His lips curled into a sinister smile, revealing teeth that seemed too sharp to be human.

"Hello, poppet," he purred, his voice sending icy tendrils of fear down my spine. "This time there will be no escape for you."

My eyes locked onto the sword in his hand, its blade glinting menacingly in the soft light of the dressing room. No syringe this time. He meant to end this permanently.

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump of fear in my throat. The realization hit me like a physical blow—even if I changed into a bat again, he could easily cut me down mid-flight. I was trapped, a butterfly pinned by a cruel collector.

Just as he took a step forward, another door slammed open somewhere in the shop, the sound like a gunshot in the tense silence.

The wolf shifter's reaction was instantaneous and primal. His head snapped towards the noise, a low, menacing growl rumbling from deep in his chest. His lips curled back, revealing a set of teeth that seemed to sharpen before my eyes.

"What are you doing? You can't go back there!" Elena's voice, high with alarm, carried down the hallway.

Angry footsteps thundered toward us, accompanied by a roar that shook the very walls. Hope and terror warred within me—was it friend or foe?

The wolf shifter whirled around, his sword at the ready. He swung at a blur of motion that suddenly filled the doorway. For a heartbeat, I thought he'd succeeded. Blood sprayed into the air, a crimson mist that seemed to hang suspended in time.

But then, defying all expectations, the wolf shifter went flying. His large frame crashed into the mirror, shattering it into a thousand glittering pieces. He screamed, a sound of pure agony that chilled me to my core.

I stood frozen, my back still pressed against the wall. The scene before me was chaos—shattered glass, spatters of blood, and in the doorway...

I recognized the figure standing there, chest heaving, eyes blazing with a fury.

"Dimitri?" I whispered, hardly daring to believe it.

Blood dripped down Dimitri's chin, a stark crimson contrast against his pale skin. His shirt, once pristine, was now a canvas of scarlet splatters. His chest heaved with unnecessary breath, each exhale carrying a low, menacing growl.

The wolf shifter, despite the devastating blow, began to stir amid the sea of shattered glass. Shards clinked and scraped as he moved, a chilling soundtrack to this macabre dance. His golden eyes, now filled with a mixture of pain and rage, locked onto Dimitri.

With a snarl that started deep in his chest and erupted from his throat, the shifter began to rise. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, the prelude to a transformation. The atmosphere became charged with the scent of blood, sweat, and impending violence.

My eyes darted frantically around the room, searching for anything I could use as a weapon. A buffet table across the room taunted me with its array of potential projectiles—ornate lamps, delicate glass knick-knacks, even a heavy-looking brush. But the shifter's massive form blocked my path, a snarling, living barrier between me and any chance of helping Dimitri.

I pressed my back against the wall, the cool surface a stark reminder of how trapped I was. My mind raced, weighing options that seemed to shrink with each passing second. Could I feint to one side, try to dodge around him? Or would that just provoke him into attacking sooner?

My fingers scraped against the wall behind me, desperately seeking some forgotten object, some miraculous tool I might have missed. But there was nothing. Just smooth, unyielding plaster that offered no escape, no salvation.

The realization hit me like a physical blow: I was cornered, weaponless, and running out of time. And somewhere beyond this room, Dimitri was fighting for his life, unaware that I was powerless to help him.

Dimitri's stance changed, his body coiling like a spring ready to release. His fingers curled into claws, nails lengthening and sharpening before my eyes. The look on his face was one I'd never seen before—a mask of pure, primal fury that sent shivers down my spine.

In a blur of motion too fast for even my vampire eyes to fully track, Dimitri lunged. The distance between them vanished in an instant. There was a sickening crunch as Dimitri's body collided with the shifter's, driving him back against the fractured mirror.

Before the shifter could react, Dimitri's head snapped forward. His fangs, fully extended and gleaming in the harsh light, sank deep into the shifter's throat. The sound that followed was grotesque—a wet, tearing noise that seemed to fill the entire room.

With a violent jerk of his head, Dimitri ripped out the shifter's throat. Blood sprayed in an arc, painting the walls and what remained of the mirror. The metallic scent of it filled the air, so strong I could almost taste it on my tongue.

The shifter's body went rigid, his eyes wide with shock. A gurgling sound escaped from the ruin of his throat, a final, futile attempt at defiance. Then, like a puppet with its strings cut, he collapsed.

Dimitri stood over him, blood dripping from his mouth, chest heaving. His eyes, wild and feral, slowly began to focus. They found mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of fear—not of the violence he'd just committed, but of how I might react to seeing this side of him.

The room fell silent save for the soft plink of blood dripping onto shattered glass. The air was thick with the aftermath of violence, heavy with unspoken words and the lingering scent of death.

Dimitri flicked his gaze over me, his eyes still wild with adrenaline but softening with concern. "Are you alright? Did Fido here manage to sink his teeth into you before I arrived?"

My heart still raced like a hummingbird on espresso, and I couldn't stop shaking. It felt like my bones were vibrating beneath my skin.

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "No. Not yet." The realization of what had almost happened—what Dimitri had prevented—hit me like a ton of bricks. He'd come here willing to sacrifice himself to protect me. I couldn't tell if the blood splattering his shirt was my attacker's or his own. Besides Angelo, no one had ever risked their life to save me. "You...you saved me."

Dimitri moved across the room with vampire speed, pulling my trembling body against his. The scent of blood and violence clung to him, yet I'd never felt safer. "I'd burn the world to protect you," he murmured into my hair. "And I'd look fabulous doing it, I might add."

Elena and Jacques burst into the room, breathless, with a wide-eyed saleswoman who took one look at the carnage and ran out screaming. Dimitri's demeanor changed in an instant. He released me and, faster than I could blink, had Jacques pinned against the wall.

"Where were you?" Dimitri snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "She was almost murdered while you were, what, window shopping?"

Jacques knocked Dimitri's hand away, glaring. "I was guarding the front," he spat back. "I called Angelo. He's on his way."

"Oh, brilliant strategy," Dimitri drawled, his voice laden with sarcasm. "Because clearly, the big bad wolf always uses the front door."

"Dimitri, please don't hurt him. He's family."

"Worthless cur," Dimitri abruptly dropped him.

More angry voices erupted in the dress shop. Recognizing them, I finally found the strength to stand beside Dimitri, clasping his hand. His fingers intertwined with mine, a silent promise of protection.

Angelo and Enzo burst into the dressing room, their eyes widening at the scene of destruction. The shattered mirror, spatters of blood, and the mangled body on the floor painted a gruesome picture.

Elena's eyes brimmed with tears, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. " Mon Dieu , Angelo, you're here," she gasped, her voice trembling. "Someone tried to hurt our little mon chère ." Her gaze darted between me and the carnage, relief and horror warring on her face.

Jacques stepped forward, his face ashen, looking like he was about to face a firing squad. "I called you as soon as I heard Gianna screaming," he explained, his voice barely above a whisper. Sweat beaded on his forehead as Angelo's piercing gaze fell on him.

I held my breath, half expecting Angelo to rip Jacques apart right there. The room was more tense than a defendant waiting for the jury to announce the verdict.

My brother scanned the room, his face a mask of barely contained fury. "What the hell happened here?" He strode over to me, his eyes roving over me as if checking for injuries. "Gianna, are you hurt? What happened?"

Dimitri's grip on my hand tightened slightly. "Well, brother dearest," he drawled, his voice dripping with false cheer, "your guard here decided to play hooky, and your sister almost lost her beautiful head to a wolf with anger management issues."

Jacques blurted out, his gaze nervously darting to Angelo, "I was guarding outside the shop."

"Oh, brilliant," Dimitri smirked, his voice thick with mockery. "Because wolves are notorious for their aversion to doors."

Enzo studied me, then Dimitri, a hint of respect in his eyes. "You actually do live up to your reputation."

Dimitri squeezed my hand, then lifted his head high, his bloodstained chin jutting out defiantly. "I protect what's mine," he declared, his voice a mixture of pride and warning. "And I do it with style. Now, if you'll excuse us, I think we need to find a new wedding dress. This one's gotten a bit...red."

Angelo's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Dimitri and the corpse on the floor. "This isn't over," he growled. "We need answers. Now."

Enzo stepped forward, his face grim. "The wolf king has denied that any of his wolves were involved." He pointed to the corpse on the floor. "But I know him. He was one of the king's enforcers."

Dimitri tensed beside me. "Oh great," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because what this day really needed was a meet-and-greet with the leader of the furry mafia."

Angelo nodded curtly. "For once, I agree with Dimitri." He pointed to Enzo and Dimitri. "We three go now. Bring the corpse." He snatched Jacques by the shirt. "You'll escort my sister and Elena back to Crescent Manor. If anything happens to her or Elena..."

"Nothing will," Jacques squeaked, his face pale as a sheet.

I gasped. "Angelo, please don't. He'd always protected me and I know he will now."

Angelo released him with a shove that sent Jacques stumbling.

I grabbed Dimitri's arm, my fingers digging into his sleeve. "Be careful. I?—"

Dimitri put a finger on my trembling lips, his trademark smirk playing on his face. "Careful? That's my middle name. Right after Dashing and before Irresistible." His eyes softened slightly, a contrast to his light tone. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll be back before you can say who let the dogs out. Some puppies need to learn that biting the hand that feeds them...well, let's just say it doesn't end well for the puppy."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a theatrical whisper. "Besides, I can't let your brother have all the fun. Someone needs to bring some style to this werewolf confrontation."

He picked up the dead wolf and tossed it over his shoulder with an exaggerated grunt. "I always bring a gift to parties. Think they'll appreciate the gesture?"

Elena wrapped her arm around my shaking shoulders as Dimitri, Enzo, and Angelo departed. My legs swayed, and my heart swelled with pride and worry, all wrapped up in a tight bow. Dimitri really did love me. He'd just proved it in the most dramatic way possible.

As they disappeared from view, a chill ran down my spine. The last thing I heard was Dimitri's voice, floating back to me:

"Oh, and sweetheart? If we're not back by midnight, assume the werewolves are having us for dinner. Literally."

The door slammed shut, leaving me with a sinking feeling that this was just the beginning of our troubles. What if the wolf king didn't believe them? What if this led to all-out war? And most terrifyingly, what if Dimitri didn't come back?