Chapter 257 Shopping for the Future
Author
Alpha Dominic was worried. He could see it in the way Elara’s shoulders stayed tight after running into Nadia.
The way her jaw stayed clenched even after they’d left the hospital. She kept rubbing her temple like she was trying to push back a headache.
He wasn’t about to let her sit in that headspace all day.
"If you’re not slammed at the office today," he said casually, eyes on the road, "we could go shopping. Pick up some stuff for the baby."
Elara turned to look at him. "It’s way too early for that."
"Then we’ll shop for you. For both of you." He glanced over, that stubborn gleam in his eyes. "Come on. Humor me."
She opened her mouth to argue. He didn’t give her the chance.
Ten minutes later, they were pulling into the parking garage of the biggest shopping center in the city.
Elara sighed. "You’re ridiculous."
"I know."
She started with shoes. Practical flats. Ballet slippers. Loafers with cushioned soles. Nothing with a heel. Just comfort.
Alpha Dominic watched her toss aside a pair of sleek ankle boots in favor of sneakers that looked like they belonged in a nursing home.
"Those are tragic," he said.
"These are smart." She wiggled her toes inside them. "My feet are gonna swell. I’m not suffering in heels for the next five months."
"Fair enough."
They moved to the women’s section next. Elara grabbed loose blouses, stretchy waistbands, oversized sweaters. Everything flowy. Everything forgiving.
Alpha Dominic didn’t complain. He just followed her around like a shadow, carrying bags and nodding at whatever she picked.
But when they passed the baby section, he stopped dead.
Elara turned around. "Dominic, don’t—"
Too late. He was already inside.
She groaned and followed him in.
Alpha Dominic moved through the aisles like a man on a mission. Bottles. Baby tubs. Baby wash. Diaper cream. Tiny socks with little bows on them. Bonnets. Swaddle blankets. Onesies so small they looked like doll clothes.
He picked up a stroller. Examined it like he was buying a car. Moved on to cribs. Tested the mattress firmness with his palm.
"Dominic, this is insane," Elara hissed. "We don’t even know the gender yet."
"I know the gender."
"You don’t know the gender."
He held up a pink onesie with a crown embroidered on the front. "She’s gonna look perfect in this."
Elara pinched the bridge of her nose. "What if it’s a boy?"
"It’s not."
"You’re impossible."
"I’m prepared." He dropped the onesie into the cart. Then a pink blanket. Pink socks. A pink hat with bear ears.
By the time they reached the register, the cart was overflowing. The store clerk’s eyes went wide.
"We’ll have everything delivered," Alpha Dominic said smoothly, pulling out his card.
Elara just shook her head and pulled out her phone. She shot a quick text to Hannah, complaining about Alpha Dominic’s crazy shopping spree.
---
Meanwhile, across town, Hannah had just finished a border patrol shift. She was covered in dust, her muscles ached, and all she wanted was a hot shower and eight hours of sleep.
Instead, she walked into her house and found it full of people.
Her grandfather was in the dining room, laughing too loud. Her parents were setting the table. And sitting next to her grandfather, looking perfectly polished in a tailored suit, was Xavier.
Her fiancé.
Hannah’s stomach dropped.
She’d forgotten. Tonight was the family dinner. The one her grandfather had been planning for weeks. The one where Xavier was supposed to officially meet the family.
She and Xavier made eye contact across the room. He nodded. She nodded back.
That was it. That was the extent of their communication.
Hannah slipped into the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. Dirt smudged across her cheek. Hair falling out of her ponytail. She looked like she’d been rolling around in the woods.
Which, technically, she had.
She cleaned up as fast as she could. Changed into something that didn’t smell like sweat and pine needles. Pulled her hair into a neater ponytail.
By the time she made it to the table, everyone was already seated.
Her grandfather’s voice boomed across the room, calling her over. She slid into the chair across from Xavier. He looked up at her and smiled politely.
Her grandfather started talking about Xavier’s work, about how busy he was, about another promotion in the works. Xavier inclined his head modestly, saying something about hectic schedules and engagement photos that hadn’t been arranged yet.
Hannah’s mouth twitched. She didn’t say anything.
Her grandfather waved a hand, dismissing the concern, insisting that Hannah understood.
Hannah’s tone was flat. Bored. She said she understood, but it came out hollow.
Xavier’s eyes flicked to her. Something flickered in his expression. Amusement, maybe. He didn’t comment.
The conversation shifted. Her grandfather asked about someone named Zack, someone who hadn’t been around lately.
At the mention of that name, Hannah’s jaw tightened.
Her grandfather sighed, explaining that Zack had been recovering, staying at his apartment, hadn’t been back to the estate in weeks.
Hannah muttered something under her breath about how Zack had brought it on himself.
Her grandfather’s voice cracked like a whip. He told her that was no way to talk about her elder.
She rolled her eyes and started to defend herself, but Xavier cut in smoothly, steering the conversation somewhere else entirely. He mentioned something about a chef, about cooking for her grandfather sometime.
Her grandfather’s face lit up.
Hannah bit the inside of her cheek. She hated that Xavier was good at this. Hated that he knew exactly what to say to smooth things over.
She pushed her chair back and announced she was done.
Her grandfather’s voice rose behind her, telling her to sit down, but she was already walking away.
She heard him calling after her, but she didn’t stop. She went straight to her room and shut the door.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed. It was Elara.
She read the message. Then another came in. And another.
She typed back. The conversation stretched on. Her sister’s words were teasing but not unkind. She could almost hear Elara’s voice in her head, telling her to give Xavier a chance, telling her that maybe he wasn’t as bad as she thought.
She didn’t want to admit it. But part of her wondered if Elara might be right.
Eventually, she put the phone down and walked over to the window. She could see the driveway from here.
A few minutes later, Xavier emerged from the house. He walked to his car and paused.
Then he looked up.
Right at her window.
Hannah’s breath caught. She stepped back instinctively, but it was too late.
He’d already seen her.
Xavier smiled.He lifted his hand and waved.
Hannah’s face burned. She spun around and yanked the curtains shut.
Her heart was pounding.
She sat down on the edge of her bed and stared at the floor.
Maybe he wasn’t so bad. Maybe he’d actually make a decent husband.