Kane’s POV
I climbed in to the waiting vehicle, as one of Kion’s men drove me to my desired shopping spot in the pack town.
Tonight would be different…
Tonight, I wasn’t just fighting for survival or planning for war…
68
Tonight, I was going to remind Tessa of something she rarely allowed herself to believe
—
that amidst all this darkness, there could still
be moments of light between us.
A promise of a better future together.
I’d told her we were going to finalise things for tomorrow. But the truth was, I was heading into town to find something else entirely…
New clothes. Something to wear for our date tonight. Something nice to make her feel special.
Not just anything either something that would make her feel beautiful, cherished, and free, even if only for a few hours.
The thought made my chest tighten.
I caught myself running a hand over my face again, trying to push away the nerves for what was to come.
It was extremely rare for me to even feel nervous about anything, and it had nothing to do with the war too. I was nervous that she would hate it all. Tell me that the timing of it was all wrong. That the surprise was terrible…
I wasn’t used to planning surprises, not like this. But for Tessa, I’d learn.
“Ready?” The driver asked, as I nodded and we set off.
It didn’t take long to get in to the town centre, maybe ten minutes or so, as the place buzzed with activity that I hadn’t expected.
“I park here, the shops are in there, I wait for you!” The guard announced, cutting the engine and pointing to a small shopping mall
across the street as I nodded.
I climbed out of the car, and jogged my way across the road and inside, gaining a few stares as I passed by the locals.
The shops inside were decent enough, but different to back home.
I couldn’t understand any of the shop signs or names, but I headed towards one that displayed women’s dresses in the window…
1/4
22:27 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 122
I stepped inside, as the shop owner greeted me in Russian and offered a small nod of acknowledgment..
–
A 60
I ran my fingers over soft fabrics, searching for the perfect dress for her something elegant but practical, with just enough color to brighten the bleak world we lived in right now…
I thought of Tessa’s smile, the way her eyes lit up when she laughed, the fierce determination in her stance.
I wanted her to feel all of that happiness tonight.
I had to guess sizes, before settling on a pale blue dress with glitter worked through the satin fabric making it shimmer whenever it
moved.
She would look stunning in it, I knew that for certain.
The woman smiled, quickly realising I spoke English, as she used hand gestures to show me the price and how to pay as I pushed in my
credit card and she handed me the bagged garment.
Bag in hand, I stepped back out into the main hallway of the mall, scanning for my next target.
She’d need shoes – something to match the dress. Something to make her feel not just beautiful, but radiant.
I spotted a store a few doors down with glimmering heels displayed in the window and made my way over. Inside, rows of women’s shoes lined the walls, each more dazzling than the last.
A pair of silver stilettos immediately caught my eye, delicate but bold, with thin straps that shimmered under the overhead lights.
Tessa had always walked with quiet strength. These shoes felt like an echo of that
–
feminine, but fierce.
The shop assistant approached, speaking quickly in Russian, and I held up the shoe and pointed to the size chart printed on the back of the box. I’d quickly converted Tessa’s US shoe size to the Russian equivalent.
“This one,” I said firmly.
The assistant smiled in understanding and placed the correct size into a box, carefully wrapping them up. I was about to head to the counter when I noticed a small silver clutch displayed beside the shoe rack – it was subtle, elegant, and clearly designed to complement
the heels.
I grabbed it.
–
a glass case at the center of the shop, lit from beneath. Nestled Just as I approached the register, something else caught my attention inside was a necklace, delicate and glistening, with a single sapphire set like a raindrop in a silver vine of interlocking leaves. It wasn’t overly flashy. It was graceful, refined… just like her.
I pointed. “That one.”
2/4
22:27 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 122
The woman’s eyes widened, clearly pleased with how much I was spending in her store. She unlocked the case and lifted it gently out, showing it to me. The second it touched her palm, I knew.
“I’ll take it,” I said immediately with a nod, voice low with certainty.
She beamed, carefully placing the necklace into a velvet pouch and adding it to my growing collection of purchases.
When I reached for the bags, I hesitated.
I hadn’t even thought about myself.
Turning, I scanned the mall again, finally spotting a men’s store tucked away in the corner, the name in Cyrillic.
It would have to do.
–
The place was surprisingly well–stocked fitted suits, button–downs, even sleck ties. I found a dark charcoal jacket with subtle white
thread detailing, the kind of detail that would stand out only if you were looking. Clean. Sharp. Understated, but powerful.
I tried it on in the mirror, adjusting the cuffs.
It would do.
With slacks and a crisp black shirt to match, I paid quickly, the attendant wrapping the suit in a garment bag. I slung it over my shoulder,
gathered the rest of my bags, and jogged back across the street toward the waiting car.
The driver perked up when he saw me, straightening in his seat.
“All good?” he asked.
“For now,” I said, sliding into the back and setting the bags down gently beside me.
As we pulled away from the curb, I glanced down at the small pile of boxes, fabrics, and accessories. It didn’t feel like much in the grand scheme of things, but to me – it was everything to make the night ahead more special.
–
Tonight, she was going to feel like a queen.
And I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she realised it…
3/4
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
