Chapter 52
Sapphire
If there was one thing I hated, it was being pilled and the pitiful books Leals had been throwing at me since she took me away from there.
I knew what she was thinking, what she wanted me to tell her but I had nothing to say to her, not right away.
“Are we going to talk about what happened?” she asked with a side glance.
I sighed, “What do you want me to say? I don’t know why she attacked me thave never seen the women before in my life and she slapped me.”
“Noction that Lineant are you not going to tell ine why you are sinelling like the Alpha?”
My eyes widened and my head whipped to hers, “What?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I smelt hun on you and vise versa when you two stood side by side. I thought we hated him, what happened!”
“It doesnt mean anything, I was supset and he comforted me, in cluesn’t mess like him or we would become friends,”
“Okay, I believe you. Speaking of which, what are you going to do about Millicent?”
I looked at her, confused as to where the question was coming from
“Am I supposed to do anything with her?”
I meant about her, the drama with her mother.”
I shrugged. “I dont see how that has to do with me, I don’t care if she is punished or not but if she comes after me again. I would kill her.”
“What if I tell you that you could get one on one with her to get your revenge, Leah leaned in
I don’t know, that sounds su juvenile.”
She rolled her eyes, I know it is bot you know, if you are planning on doing what we talked about, you would have to do this.”
She made a valid point, I had a plan to escape here but I needed to let Millicem know to let her pay for what she did to me,
I knew Amazon would let her go, she was his fance after all but I needed her to stop coming after me.
Hooked at Leah, Yeah, you are right. Let’s do th
She cheered, and looped her hands around mine.”
“Sounds good to me.”
We would go watch the movie and then go back to the pack”
She paid for the tickets and we went in to see the movie. The whole time I was there, I kept thinking about her idea. I didn’t know if it was such good thirdding to engage Milice. She was the son of penon who was vicious and vindictive.
Coming after me when I had done nothing wrong but exists showed the kind of person she was I plan on getting out of here and no one was going
Being without a mate would break a part of me but it was a sacrifice I was willing to take so can break free.
When the move ended, Leah didn’t waste a second. She grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the theater without a word. 1 barely had time to process what was happening before we stopped in from of a high end boutique.
“Leah, what are we doing here?” I asked, glancing at the sleek glass doors in confusion
She gave me a sly mile, pushing open the door. “You’ll see,”
Before I could protest, she dragged me inside. The boutique was filled with racks of elegam dothes, the kind that looked too expensive to much She murdied aright up to the shop assistant, pulling a sleek black card from her purse and dropping it on the counter bike it was nothing.
“Make her pretty,” she said with a wave of her hand, as if it were the simplest command in the world.
I gasped. “Leald What are you doing?”
She turned to me with an exaggered eye roll. “If you’re going to confront the enemy, you need to look like a boss queen.”
I hated that she was right. There was something abour walking into a confrontation looking your best that gave you the kind of confidence you rockin’t fake. But will, this was all happening so fast.
“Leah seriously, I don’t need a makeover,” I said, my voice lacking conviction even as the words left my mouth-
She morted, crossing her arms. “Please, you pred it more than you think. Trust me, by the time we’re done, you’ll be thanking me.”
The shoprassistant gave me a once over before similing brightly. “Don’t worry, dear. You’re in good hands.”
1 sighed, knowing I wasn’t getting our of this, “Fine, Jet’s do it.”
She whisked me away to a fitting room, and in minutes, dresses were being pulled from the racks like they were going out of style. Leah lounged on cone of the plush clairs outsade, giving pe commentary as I tried on each one.
The first dress was a deep red, almost too bold for me. I stepped out hesitantly, twirling for Lealt’s approval.
“Hrom,” she said, tilting her head, “too sexy. You’re going for power, not sedaction”
Traised an eyebrow. “You say that like they’re not the same thing.”
Chapter 32
She laughed. “Not today, darling. Next!”
The nest dress was a sleek black number that hugged me in all the right places, but she wrinkled her nose.
“Too funeral. Try again.”
I groaned and disappeared back in the dressing room, rifling through the options. The third dress was a soft lavender, flowy and light, and I couldn’t help but twirl in it before I even stepped out.
When I dat Leah’s eyes in up. “Now we’re talking! Spin again, let r
me ser.”
Twirled, the fabric swirling around me like a dream. This might be the one”
She leaned bark with a satisfied smirk. “I think so, too. But we’re not done yet.”
“Not done? Which is there?
She stood up, walking toward the counter where the shop assistant stond. “Hair and makeup. We need a full transformation.”
Hlinked. “Leali, l-
She waved me off. “No elections. Sa down and let them work their magic
1 reluctantly sat in the chair they set up for me, and the assistant got to work. The scissors were out first, chopping away at my lone, dull hair until it fell in sleek waves. She added bangs, and then brought out the dye.
“Burgimdy,” Leah declared when asked what color I should go for “Bold, but not too loud. The color would soothe your skin.”
thad to admit, I was curious to see how it would turn out. As the distant applied the dye. I watched Leah in the mirror, sitting there with a smIVIg smile like she’d won some kind of bede.
“You really think this will make a difference? tasked, i
1, trying not in fidget as the assistant worked
She shrugged, “Looking the part is half the battle. When you look like you own the room, you’ll start to feel like, too.”
“Maybe you’re rizla “I muruvated, staring at my reflection as the burgundy stared intake shape in my hair.
When the assistant finally fined caning, coloring, and styling. I xanely recognized the woman in the mirror. My hair gleamed in rich burgundy waves, the hangs framing in fire perfectly. She had done my makeup, too–sharp winged eyeliner, dark lipstick, and just enough contour to make my cheekbones pop
I scared at my reflection, mouth slightly open. “Oh my God” ||
Leali grintied, coming to wand behind me. “Told you. You look like a queen‘
Tesuldn’t stop staring The polished version of myself felt like a stranger, but at the same time, I couldn’t deny the surge of confidence babbling up Toide me. I stood a lüile caller, lifted my chin a little bigbeer.
“Wow.” I whimpered
mng my head from de to side to take it all in “LI believe that’s me.”
She clapped her hands. Exacly Now, go take on the world,”
Iturned to her, a smile creeping onto my lip “Okay, maybe you were nalt.,
She tried. “Of course I was. Now, let’s get going. The momy awaits
With one last look in the mirror. I straightened my shoulders. I was ready
When we got back to the pack, I se Aragon standing there with us. They were deep in conversation, their voices low and intimate, but I couldn’t bring myself care. Not after everything, Isaac glanced my way first, and when he did, both of their jaws dropped. Their eyes widened, locked on me as if thad grown a second head.
Leah mumbled something about going to see her mate.
I stopped in front of them, bolding my head high. Tould feel their eyes on me, especially bancs, as he stepped closer, reaching out to touch my
rivly wyled hair
“You look beautiful,” he said softly, his fingers brushing lightly again the burgundy waves
I smiled, feeling a small warmthat has compliment. Thank y
you
But the warmth quickly faded when I turned to Aragon. He stood there, glaring at me with an intensity that could burn through steel, I resisted the urge in roll my eyes, reminding myself of Leah’s words I felt untouchable. Whenever reaction he had didn’t matter to me anymore.
He didin have any right to feel jealous or polsessive over ME
“Therd to talk to you.” I said firmly, my voice meady
He clenched his jaw before nodding once. Without another word, he led me to his office. The moment we were inside, he closed the door behind us, and 1 could feel the shift in the air. Terion radiated from him as he turned toward me, stepping closer until he was invading my personal space. Tretined to move, holding my ground. He wasn’t going to intimidate ine
He lifted a land, reaching for my hair, but I raised my own hand, stopping him. “Don’t touch me,”
His eyes darkened, and he pocketed his hands, his jaw working as if he was biting back words he wanted to say, I didn’t give him a chance to find them.
“When are you going to do about Millicent?” Taskeel, crossing my arm.
Chapter 52
He blinked, seemingly caught off gard. “What do you can?
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Her mother’s visit wasn’t random. i meant something, and I want to know what I am not a fool and I can read between the lines,
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark har. “You’re right. Millicent She’s going to have to be released,”
“Why
“There are things that are beyong, explanation. She is my fiance and I cannot keep her there.”
Inasmuch as expected him to say this, it still art. I thought he would use some other reason to release her.
I nodded. “I wam to speak to her
Aragon’s head snapped up, his frown deepening. “No”
பா
I set my jaw, glaring at him. “I’m going to, whether you like it or not. If you refuse, I’ll do it behind your back. ”
His eyes flared seals anger, and for a seennel, I thought he might lash out. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, staring me down. “Why? Why
do you want to talk to Million? You are not friends and you don’t like her, tell me why”
“It’s none of your business.” I didn’t waver, my voice strong. Tim ending this, once and for all.“.
He growled low in his throat, stepping closer again. “This What cartly are you ending?”
I met his gaze, my eyes umblinking, “What happened between us.” I pointed between the two of us. “That was a mistake.
His nostrils flared, his breathing shallow. To hell it was.”
I chuckled, shaking my head at the bitterness in his tone. “Your ego just can’t handle it, can it? That I don’t want you as a mate. You rejected me first so why should it matter to youf erept your rejection”
He growled again, louder this time, but I wasn’t fazed I felt the strengli beal had promised would come with my transformation. What we had. whatever it was, was over. He needed to accept that no matter how much it hurt his pride.
“What’s done is done,” I said firmly. “And it’s not going to happen again.”
For a moment, he didn’t speak, just stood there, his chest heaving as if he was struggling to keep himself under control. His eyes bure into me, bui all I same was the frustration in them the Instration of a man who wasn’t used in lurring the word “no”
“You think this is about ego!” he finally said, his voice low and dangerous. “This is about you making hasty decisions
I raised an eyebrow. “No, I am not being hosty. I don’t want anything to do with a man who doesn’t value hisself “
His pow clenched. “You don’t mean that.”
| “Don’t [!” I challenged, meeting his gave head–on
Fora moment, we stood there in silence, the tension between us crackling like static. He looked like he wanted to say more, but I could tell he was struggling to find the right words. Maybe becomise die knew there was no point. I’d already made my decision.
He took a step back, breaking the standoff His expression softened, just a fraction, bait Leaught it. The hurt beneath the anger. It didn’t matter, though I didn’t change what had to be done.
“You’re really going to talk to Millicent?” he asked quietly, as if trying one last time to dissuade me.
I nodded. “Yes. And I’m going to make sure she knows that whatever she’s planning won’t work.”
He sighed, the weight of the situation sending over him. He knew I wasn’t going to back downs, and I could see the resignation in his eyes,
“Fine.” he muttered. But don’t expect me to
to like it
I smiled faintly, though there was no sarmb behind it. “I don’t need your approval.”
With that, I turned and walked out of his office, leaving Aragon standing there, alone. I had bigger things to worry about than his bruised ego. And I wasn’t abour to let him or anyone che stopine from doing what I needed to do.
Like running away, revenge be damned.
