Chapter 26
ELENA
My pulse quickened as I turned slightly, catching sight of her standing just a few feet away, her back to me. Caroline was with her, nodding along.
I remained still, my heart thudding in my chest. Whatever Cassandra was scheming, I needed to be ready.
I should have left.
a
I should have taken a dress–any dress, and walked out of the boutique, disappearing before Cassandra and Caroline even knew I was here.
But instead, I stood frozen behind a drawn–back curtain, listening to their voices slither through the racks of silk and lace. If they’d only glanced in my direction, they would have
seen me standing there with Vanessa and the other attendant, who were still holding out several lovely gowns for my inspection.
“…Derek ignored me for months because of her,” Cassandra seethed. “I should have known she was playing him.” Caroline hummed in agreement, but Cassandra was on a roll. “She
actually made him question whether or not my old arm injury was real. I mean the nerve!”
I could hear Caroline tsk. “Now that she’s back, you need to secure your place. The Alpha Ball is the perfect opportunity. Once Derek sees you in the most stunning dress, he’ll remember why he chose you all those years ago.”
Cassandra exhaled sharply. “Then I need the dress.”
I glanced down at the fabric in my hands—I didn’t even remember taking it from Vanessa.
But as I looked down at it, I saw why she’d brought it out for me.
It was stunning. I could tell without even trying it on that it was perfection on a hanger. Midnight blue, the fabric shimmered under the boutique’s soft lighting, catching flecks of silver that rippled like moonlight on water.
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I ducked quickly into the dressing room before they could see me, hoping against hope that they’d leave the store, though they continued to chirp back and forth at each other like two canaries sharing a branch. Without anything better to do, I held the dress up to my
shoulders.
And knew that I had to try it on.
It was made of the finest silk, flowing effortlessly from a fitted bodice into a skirt that draped like liquid over my frame. Elegant, commanding and undeniably meant for someone who belonged at an Alpha’s side. It made me feel, for a fleeting moment, like I
belonged to someone again.
“Elena?” called Vanessa over the dressing room door. “What do you think?”
At the sound of my name, I could hear Cassandra and Caroline instantly stop talking. The
jig was up.
I stepped out of the dressing room with my head held high. Vanessa and the other attendant gasped in astonishment.
“Wow!” Vanessa said, happily.
Then, in a voice dripping with disdain and loathing, came Cassandra’s echoing “Wow.”
I looked directly at her, refusing to be intimidated.
“You have a lot of nerve coming into a shop like this, rogue,” she said.
The other attendant sputtered for a moment at the awkwardness of the situation and approached Caroline and Cassandra. “Can I help you ladies find something?”
Hoping they would take the opportunity to do the decent, polite thing and mind their own damn business, I turned to the mirror and pressed the sides of the dress to my skin. Vanessa caught my eyes in the mirror and smiled.
This dress, I thought. Delicate embroidery in the shape of intertwining vines traced the sides, subtly accentuating my curves without being ostentatious. The neckline was an off-
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the–shoulder design, dipping just enough to be alluring while still leaving an air of mystery. Paired with the right heels, it was the kind of dress that made people look twice.
It made me look like someone I knew existed deep within me–someone powerful.
Someone untouchable.
Cassandra gave me a long look from head to toe and turned to the other attendant. “I want that one,” she said, pointing at the dress I was wearing.
Both Vanessa and the other salesgirl traded nervous looks, unsure how to handle the
situation.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
a
She flicked her manicured fingers toward the gown, addressing the boutique staff as if I
weren’t even there. “Wrap it up. I’ll take it.”
Vanessa hesitated, her eyes darting between us. “Miss, this dress-”
Cassandra’s tone sharpened. “Did I stutter?”
Before the poor woman could respond, Caroline stepped forward, her saccharine smile thinly veiling the malice in her voice. “Oh, come now, let’s not be difficult. Cassandra is the future Luna of the Silverclaw Pack. She needs to look the part at the Alpha Ball. A rogue like
Elena won’t even be allowed in.”
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