Chapter 24

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.

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.

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-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?”

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.”

I exhaled slowly, keeping my expression cool despite the fire crackling beneath my skin. “That’s unfortunate for you, then. Because this dress is mine.” I said, turning my gaze to the Vanessa. “I love it, thank you.”

Cassandra’s face darkened. “You’re still trying to provoke me, aren’t you?”

I tilted my head. “If telling you no is a provocation, that sounds like a personal problem.”

Her composure cracked, rage flashing in her eyes. “You really think you can keep playing these games? First, you used Mason to climb back into this world, and now you’re trying to stir things up again?” She turned to the staff, her voice cutting. “Throw her out.”

The boutique workers froze. I could see their dilemma—they knew Cassandra’s status, but they also knew Logan’s influence. And at the moment, I was shopping with Logan.

Before anyone could act, the boutique doors swung open.

“Aiden, slow down,” came Logan’s amused voice.

Too late. Aiden barreled past the racks of designer gowns, his little hands gripping a toy airplane as he made a beeline for me. “Mommy, look what Logan got me!” he chirped, holding it up proudly.

The entire room went still.

Cassandra and Caroline’s eyes widened as they took in the scene—Logan standing in the doorway, Aiden clutching my hand with an easy familiarity.

I could see the gears turning in Caroline’s mind as she seized the moment, her lips parting in mock realization. “Wait… Does Alpha Logan know Elena is still Mason’s mistress?”

Aiden frowned. “Mason is—”

I crouched, my hand flying over his mouth before he could finish. My heart pounded against my ribs. “Not now, sweetheart.”

Caroline’s smirk widened.

Logan, however, had reached the end of his patience. His gaze swept over the scene, then he addressed the staff coolly. “I don’t like the atmosphere in here.” He turned to Vanessa. “Get them out. And make sure they’re never allowed back.”

Cassandra’s face went scarlet. “You can’t be serious!”

“I am.” Logan’s smile was all sharp edges.

Vanessa, recognizing the weight of Logan’s words and the order of her Alpha, straightened and nodded. “Of course, Alpha.”

Cassandra practically vibrated with fury. “You think you can just—”

But whatever she was about to say was cut off by another voice.

“What’s going on here?”

My stomach turned to stone.

Derek.

He stood at the entrance, taking in the scene—Cassandra’s flushed anger, Logan’s calm dominance, Aiden gripping my hand. His gaze darkened, suspicion crackling like a storm in his eyes.

Cassandra wasted no time. She rushed to him, her hands clutching his arm. “Derek! You won’t believe it—Elena’s been stringing everyone along. She’s been involved with Logan this whole time. And she has a child.”

Derek’s jaw clenched. His gaze locked onto mine, cold and calculating. “How old is this child?”

My stomach tightened. I didn’t answer.

That only fueled his anger. His voice dropped, quiet but lethal. “Elena. How old is he?”

I pressed my lips together.

Derek turned his glare onto Logan. “When?” His voice was rough, dangerous. “When did she betray me?”

Logan’s smirk faded. His easy demeanor hardened into something far more serious.

Aiden, sensing the tension, suddenly shoved Derek with all his tiny might. “Get away from my mommy!”

Derek’s head turned toward him, his face unreadable. Then, something in him snapped.

“So that’s how it is, huh?” His voice was venomous. “You were already cheating on me. Faked your death because you were afraid someone would find out you were pregnant?”

That was the breaking point.

Before I could react, Logan moved.

His fist connected with Derek’s face in a brutal, precise strike, the crack of bone against bone echoing through the boutique.

Derek staggered back, his lip split, his eyes blazing with fury.

Logan shook out his hand, unfazed. “Say something like that again,” he said, his voice dangerously soft, “and I’ll make sure you don’t get back up.”

The room pulsed with thick, suffocating silence.

I tightened my hold on Aiden, my heart hammering against my ribs.