15. Bellamira
Chapter fifteen
Bellamira
My work week had dragged on; the only thing that kept me going was knowing I’d be spending hours with my pets at the end of each day. It was finally Friday, and I tapped my fingers on my thigh as Brant drove me home, his time locked away having ended Monday morning. He had learned his lesson, and I doubted there’d be another slip up in the future. I hated to think about the possibility of losing him completely.
I had previously debated on refusing to work, and those thoughts were riding me harder than ever. I didn’t need the money. My family was rich, and I simply worked to put up a front about helping them manage things as did my cousin, Adira.
I enjoyed it to some extent, getting out of the house and having more of a purpose, but with two pets now… my ideals were changing. Maybe I would cut my hours, spending three days a week in the office instead to allow my pets time alone so they didn’t feel guilty doing it while I was home.
Picking up my phone, I texted my mother, explaining my plan, and she quickly agreed as long as she and my uncle could meet Hazelle, the person who had shifted my focus. Blowing air out of my nose, I lamented, setting a time for them to come over tomorrow afternoon. I sent out two final texts before we pulled into the driveway. The first was to Simon, letting him know to prepare the staff for visitors. The second was to Adira, demanding that she and Nyla give me some reprieve from our parents’ onslaught of questions and hovering.
My uncle was a shallow, demanding Alpha, and how Adira came from his seed is beyond me, although he had made some improvement since Nyla and Lettie came into their lives. My mother was much more our style, and they were how I knew breeding wasn’t everything, being siblings and all. Raylan wasn’t a cruel man, by this world’s standards, but he was harsher than I cared for. Adira and I had told him our thoughts many times, and I was sure they’d come up again due to Hazelle. It was an expected irritation I would have to inform my pets of beforehand.
I rested my head back, wondering if my younger brother would be dragged along. He was a Beta, like Elera, but my mother refused to give him up to just anyone. He was kind and charming, and due to our status, he was given more freedoms than others could ever dream of. I had two Alphas in mind who might be a perfect fit, but Monroe was happy where he was for now. If that ever changed, I knew he’d seek out my council before taking the next step, which was convincing our mother to sell him. Although, if I approved of the Alpha, I doubted she’d put up a fight. She truly did want the best for both of us and was overjoyed when a deal for Elera was signed.
Brant opened the door for me after parking in front of my mansion, and I stepped out, making my way inside. It was quiet, and that meant one of two things. Either my pets were comfy and hunkered down, watching a movie, or they were causing some kind of trouble, like a water fight in the kitchen, not that I minded greeting their soaking bodies.
I placed one foot on the staircase when a scream resounded from downstairs. Turning, I rushed down the stairs, my pencil skirt slowing me down, but as I turned the corner, the screams I thought I heard were actually squeals and laughter. I heard Elera and Hazelle laughing, gasping, and chatting away in the media room with pop music coming from the speakers.
“Look at this one!” Hazelle said, awe filling her voice. “Do you think Mistress Belle would like it on me?”
“She’s going to love all of them, Hazelle.” I smirked, knowing she was right.
I hadn’t snooped at the purchase email, but I knew they had gotten quite a few things for Hazelle and some for Elera as well. It pleased me knowing I could take care of them and give my pets anything they wanted. They had decided nothing would be opened until it all got here. The last collar must have shown up today, and I couldn’t wait to see everything.
Hazelle had her own room now, not that she used it besides closet space and having something that was truly hers, but this was a start to filling it up. Even her nest was filled with piles of boxes and new things to sort through. It was going to be her perfect little haven, even if she never ended up needing it other than a space to curl up and rest.
I still wanted to create a double suite for them with a larger shared closet space and bathroom while allowing for separate rooms if they ever wanted time alone, and the behind the scenes planning was already in the works.
“Should I change into something now? I just don’t know what I would—”
“How about a fashion show? I know I’d enjoy watching you try everything on.” I smiled as I stepped into the doorway, their small yips of shock pleasing me.
“My Mistress, you’re home early!” Elera jumped up to greet me, her lips meeting mine with an aggressive ease.
“I’d love that, Mistress Belle. It might take a while. We got a lot more than—”
“We can have dinner served down here. I don’t care how long it takes. You two can show me as many outfits as you’d like.” I patted Hazelle’s head and pulled her close, kissing her as I had Elera. “You never have to apologize for buying clothes, or anything you want for that matter. It pleases me knowing you are taken care of and happy. Be a glutton, my pet. It suits us.”
Hazelle beamed up at me, and I took note that her cheeks were filling in and the circles under her eyes were lessening with each day. My chef had done some research and was packing more nutrients and calories into her meals, and I was pleased with the results. Her journey to being happy and healthy was starting off rather well.
“I’m still learning, Mistress Belle, but I am trying. That’s what counts.” Hazelle stood straight and smiled with no fear of consequences.
“Yes, my pet, that’s what counts. You’re making progress every day, and I love how far you’ve already come.” I caressed her face before gripping her and Elera’s shoulders and giving them a push toward their piles of clothes and boxes. “Now, let’s get started. I want to see it all, but we do have a get together tomorrow that we need to sort outfits out for.”
“Oh, who are we seeing, My Mistress?” Elera asked absently as she stood over the pile.
“The family.” She cocked a brow at me, apparently not expecting it to happen so soon. Hazelle stopped and bobbed her head between us, trying to figure out what I meant. “I decided to only work three days a week so I’ll get more time at home with the two of you, which meant striking a deal with my mother.”
“Ah, I see.” Elera nodded as she picked up a sheer burgundy dress that I never expected her to purchase. “Here, Hazelle. Let’s build an outfit with this.” That makes more sense. It wasn’t a color Elera had ever gravitated toward. She had a few pieces in a similar color, but unless I requested them, Elera didn’t choose to wear them.
She laid the dress on the couch, then looked at me, trying to balance the task at hand and listen to me.
“I don’t know if she’s bringing Roe, but I did confirm with Adira that she and Nyla will be here as a buffer for Raylan and my mother.” I turned to Hazelle and explained who each person was, so she wasn’t lost in the conversation. This was the first time most of them were being mentioned. They weren’t a big part of my life, but they were still my family. If Adira and I didn’t see eye to eye on most things, I doubt there’d be a relationship there, but I was happy we were so similar.
“Is there… How do I—” Hazelle nibbled her bottom lip as she stared down at a black cropped turtleneck sweater.
“What are my expectations for you tomorrow night?”
“Yes, Mistress Belle.” She put the sweater over her pink lacy bra, and it hit her small waist perfectly. It was a little big as I expected most things would be until she filled out more. If she didn’t grow into them, I’d have a big order for the tailor.
“Be you. Nothing more. This isn’t as strict as the parties. They are your family now too.” She slid on a high-waisted, pleated skirt in a burnt orange suede that complimented her skin tone. It was a cute outfit, perfect for everyday wear as long as the weather allowed it. Typically, Elera went for more revealing outfits, but this was exactly what I expected for Hazelle. “That’s a lovely outfit, my pet. Dare I say it’s a contender for tomorrow.” Hazelle spun around and looked in the full length mirror they had apparently dragged down here.
“I think so too, Mistress Belle. Do we have a color palette yet?”
I snickered. Hazelle already knew me well enough it seemed. “No, not yet, my pet. Let’s see what we like from this batch and go from there.” We had already done pastels, so something besides that was on my mind. Perhaps less of a palette and more of a comfortable at ease vibe, warmer colors all around.
Hazelle took off the outfit, folded it, and set it aside. I had a feeling she would do better with outfit organization than throwing pieces together, so I quickly texted Simon to order specialty hangers with the shirt and clip hangers attached to one another. I didn’t wait for a response. I knew they’d show up eventually.
Elera hadn’t tried anything on yet as her focus was on Hazelle and creating an outfit with the dress she picked out before. Apparently nothing was working yet.
“However,” I said, continuing our conversation about our get together, “don’t speak too freely with my uncle. He’s more traditional but knows my stance on things, so as long as you don’t speak out of turn with him too much, you’ll be fine in that area. I will step in as always if he becomes too aggressive, but pay him no mind. He is not in charge of you, and I will remind him if need be.” I met Hazelle’s gaze as she nodded in understanding before slipping on a pale mauve silk dress. It had off the shoulder sleeves with the bust bunched with elastic. It gave the illusion that she had bigger breasts than she did while adding width to her shoulders and hips. The bra didn’t go with it, but when she wore it, Hazelle wouldn’t have one on.
“I love this one,” she said mostly to herself as she looked in the mirror. Hazelle turned and watched as the skirt flowed around her upper thighs with a smile. She caught my eye in our reflection, and I agreed with her.
“It’s lovely, my pet. Perfect for a summer party. You’ll certainly be wearing that out soon.” She undressed again.
“My brother is a chatterbox, and Nyla is very sweet, so you can always lean on them as well as Elera. My mother…” I paused and sighed. “I’m not sure actually how it is going to go with her. She’s very protective of Elera, having known her since birth, and if she thinks her position is being threatened, she might be a cunt about it.”
Elera snorted as she pulled on a black waist corset that cupped her small breasts nicely. “We know my feelings about Hazelle, My Mistress. I will have to convey that early on.”
“Please do, Elera. That’ll be one less thing we need to worry about.”
“She really is nice for an Alpha, Hazelle. Once she sees that I’m equally infatuated with you, there won’t be an issue. Okay?” Elera ripped open a bag and oohed at what was inside before standing up.
“Okay,” Hazelle said, taking our word for it without second thought. Anyone who made her second guess me would have hell to pay. I knew the work we had put in this last week was incredible, but one little slip up and Hazelle would be back to how she was. I knew it was part of the healing process and would happen, had to happen at some point, but I still loathed the idea of it.
Elera arranged the burgundy dress with a simple black body con dress under it. The sheer dress was in a T-shirt style, just long enough to cover everything, while the black dress had a plunging neckline with a small heart-shaped ring mid chest to hold the two sides together.
“Put this on, Hazelle.” She grinned from ear to ear, very pleased with herself.
Hazelle did as she was told, taking off her bra and putting on the new outfit to ensure it looked as good as possible. Once again, the clothing was a little loose, but it still looked lovely on her. The sheer dress gave a false sense of modesty over the tight dress which was exactly how I saw Hazelle. She was quiet and modest on the outside, but there was a sultry little minx under her exterior.
“And these.” Elera handed her black knit stockings with a heart pattern knitted in to complete the look.
“It’s perfect, my pet. I think we have found a winner.” I stood behind her as she stared at herself in the mirror with a watery smile. “But it’s missing one little thing.” Her face dropped for a fraction of a second. “A new collar that matches. Elera, I’m assuming you have something in mind?” The one she had been wearing was the original collar Elera gave her, which was lovely but didn’t go with the rest of the outfit. If they were spending the day around the house, it wouldn’t matter in the slightest, but this was a meet and greet that was important to all of us.
“This one, My Mistress.” She handed me a burgundy collar with a round obsidian gem in front.
I took off Hazelle’s collar and replaced it, buckling it on her slender neck.
“How did I get so lucky to have two lovely little pets to dress and pamper?” I cocked my head and watched Hazelle’s face as she caressed the stone on her new collar.
“I’m the lucky one, Mistress Belle.”
“Right you are, my pet. Don’t ever forget that.” I kissed the top of her head as Elera came into view beside us. We both turned to look at her, and I knew I had my work cut out for me to find an outfit to outshine my pets. I didn’t need much help as my stature and air did plenty for me, but that didn’t mean I was oblivious to the fact that both of them shined brightly.
Elera had placed the black waist corset over a deep blue sweater dress which had bell sleeves and a clip at the throat that fell into a plunging neckline similar to Hazelle’s. Although you couldn’t see where hers ended, Hazelle’s went nearly to her bellybutton. She paired the outfit with a pale blue collar with an emerald cut diamond in front. Her legs lay bare from her upper thigh all the way to her feet, choosing to not adorn herself any further.
“As sultry as always, Elera.” She blushed and did a spin, the slightly flared skirt twirling around her and giving us a peek of her bare ass.
Hazelle’s jaw had dropped open, and I saw the heat in her eyes which matched my own.
“I know exactly what you have in mind, my pet, but let’s get these outfits to a safe place before they’re ruined and we have to start all over again for tomorrow.” My pets laughed as they stripped down and set their folded outfits far away from us.
I pulled them in, and before I knew it, we were sweaty heaving messes on the media room floor with dinner waiting for us upstairs and growing colder by the minute. Not that I minded, and if the pleased looks on their faces told me anything, my pets didn’t either.