Chapter 33
33
~Elara’s POV
I pushed back my chair slowly, trying not to make it squeak, even though my heart felt loud enough to betray me anyway. Darlon’s offer still echoed in my head.
“Shopping p>
The word clung to my mind like something sticky. I didn’t know why it made me feel so small, but it did. Maybe because I kept imagining myself walking beside him, wearing clothes that didn’t belong to someone like me. Clothes that would make people whisper, “She doesn’t fit p>
I swallowed and forced myself to look up at him.
“I have enough clothes, shoes and bags,” I said softly. “I don’t need more p>
Darlon held my gaze for a full second. His eyes stayed calm, but they were studying me, searching for something I didn’t know how to hide.
After a moment, he nodded once.
“Alright,” he said. “But I still want you to get new things p>
I blinked.
” If you want to go alone, that’s fine p>
Then he reached into his pocket and placed a black card on the table. The thing looked heavy, expensive, almost unreal. It reflected the light with this quiet power that made me feel even smaller.
I stared at it for too long.
“Take it,” he said.
My fingers trembled slightly as I picked it up. “Thank you… I’ll go after work tomorrow p>
He shook his head. “Tomorrow is the weekend. You have the whole day p>
“Oh.” Heat rushed to my face. “I forgot p>
“It’s fine,” he said. “Eat p>
We finished dinner with quiet clinks of cutlery. I barely tasted anything, though.
When I finally stood to leave, I cleared my throat. “Goodnight p>
“Goodnight, Elara p>
I walked to my room carefully, each step making me more aware of my cheap heels and my stiff skirt. When I got inside, I closed the door and leaned on it, breathing out slowly.
The card sat in my palm, looking dark and powerful, like something that didn’t belong to me.
“Why would he give me this?” I whispered.
My old clothes were neatly folded inside my wardrobe. Soft fabrics. Pale colors. Nothing bold. Nothing rich. Nothing that matched the Luna of a powerful Alpha.
Maybe he wanted me to look like someone who deserved to be beside him.
The thought stung.
I sat on the bed and dialed Janae. She picked up on the first ring.
“Elara!” she squealed. “Girl, when am I coming to Alpha Darlon’s place? I need to see the palace. I know it’s huge. I know it’s fine. Don’t hide anything from me p>
I laughed a little. “You can come tomorrow. I’m going shopping p>
“With who?!” she screamed playfully. “Him p>
“No, no… alone. But he gave me his card p>
“Wait.” She paused. “Like… the black card p>
Janae let out a loud gasp. “Elara, stop playing! Do you know what it means for a man like him to give you that card? You’re literally living my dream p>
I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. “He only gave it so I can match his standard. That’s all p>
“Elara,” she said slowly. “Stop. Please. Stop downgrading yourself p>
My chest tightened. “I’m not sure about that p>
“Well, I am,” she said. “And tomorrow, you’re picking me up. With a fine car. Because if I’m going to be the Luna’s friend, I need to enjoy the benefits p>
Her laughter filled my room, and I smiled despite everything.
We talked for a while until she had to go finish some work, and after that, night rolled in quietly. I slept early, exhausted from thinking too much.
Morning came like a soft whisper, gentle in a way that made me almost wish it would stay quiet forever. I got up slowly, dragging myself through every little task like my body weighed twice as much as usual. I bathed, dressed in simple clothes, and sat at the dining table where the maids moved around quietly, placing plates and clearing cups.
Darlon wasn’t there.
His seat stayed empty, clean, untouched.
One of the maids bowed slightly. “Alpha Darlon and his beta left early, Luna p>
I just nodded, stirring my tea even though I didn’t feel like drinking it. “Okay p>
I finished my breakfast in small, slow bites, and after a while, I stood, wiped my hands quietly, and carried my bag out of the mansion. Fridolf was already waiting by the car, standing straight with both hands behind his back.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” he greeted softly.
“Good morning,” I said, trying to sound more awake than I felt.
He opened the car door for me, and the moment I settled in, I took a breath that felt too heavy for so early in the day. The ride to Janae’s place was quiet. The trees we passed looked washed and soft under the morning sun, and the air outside the window felt fresher than anything inside my chest.
Twenty minutes later, we stopped in front of Janae’s gate. The metal creaked a little as it opened, and then, boom, Janae burst out like she was escaping a prison.
“Elaraaaa!” she shouted, waving her hands as she ran to the car. “Oh my days, this ride is insane p>
She yanked the door open and literally hopped in. Her eyes widened like a kid seeing fireworks for the first time.
“This car smells like money,” she whispered dramatically.
Up front, Fridolf tried to hide a small laugh.
Janae picked up the black card from where it peeked out of my bag and held it like it was a sacred treasure. “And this. Goodness. I can’t believe we’re touching this. I feel like I just leveled up in life p>
I shook my head. “Janae, it’s not that serious. He only wants me to dress better. I think… it’s just to match him p>
She turned and gave me a look that could cut glass. “Can you not talk like that? Please? You’re a Luna. Stop acting like you’re not worth anything p>
I looked away. “I’m just being honest p>
“Well, your honesty is annoying,” she muttered with a grin. “Now let’s go spend rich people’s money p>
The boutique she picked sat tall and bright, with huge glass windows that reflected the sun like a mirror. When we stepped out, the doors opened on their own with a soft hiss, and the cold air inside wrapped around us immediately.
The place looked unreal.
White walls.
Marble floor shining like water.
Gold lights glowing softly from the ceiling.
Clothes displayed like rare art pieces.
Janae’s jaw dropped. “Nah. Elara. This place is crazy. Are we even allowed to breathe in here p>
I swallowed, tugging at my sleeves nervously. “I… don’t know p>
A saleswoman approached us in a sleek black dress, smiling warmly. “Good morning. Welcome to Cristelle’s. Do you have an appointment p>
Janae blinked rapidly. “Um p>
Before she could embarrass us both, Fridolf stepped forward. “They are here on Alpha Darlon’s instruction p>
The woman’s eyes widened slightly but she quickly masked it. “Right this way. We’ll show you our private collection p>
I felt Janae grab my arm, squeezing it like she couldn’t contain herself.
“Elara,” she whispered as we followed the woman deeper into the boutique, “this is elite p>
I tried to laugh, but it came out shaky. “Maybe p>
And then I saw her.
Lira.
Standing in front of a mirror in a sleek dress. Her hair was shiny. Her makeup was perfect. She looked like someone who was born for this place.
I stopped breathing for a second.
Janae whispered, “Elara… isn’t that p>
“Yes,” I whispered back.
Lira turned.
Her eyes landed on me.
Her lips lifted into a slow, mocking smile.
“Well,” she said loudly enough for the entire boutique to hear. “Isn’t this interesting p>