Eden's POV
I sat in the moon suite, staring at the ceiling. Everything here screamed money.
I caught their scents before they even opened the door. Adrian came in first. Maxim bounced in after him.
"Sup, little wolf!" Maxim flopped into a chair. "Ready to break out of castle detention?"
I blinked. "What?"
Adrian explained. "We thought you might want to leave the estate today."
They literally just brought me here, and now they're letting me out?
Adrian held out his hand. The moment we touched, our bond sparked to life. Maxim grabbed my other hand.
The car outside was insane. Like, billion-dollar future tech insane.
"Sweet ride, right?" Maxim grinned. "Adrian's obsessed with silver everything."
"It's our pack color," Adrian said, but I caught his tiny smile.
I pressed my face to the window as we drove. "Where are we going?"
Maxim bounced in his seat. "Shopping spree time! Happy late birthday, little wolf!"
I froze. "What?"
"Your birthday shouldn't have been spent in that auction house," Adrian said quietly.
My throat got tight. Nobody had ever cared about my birthday before.
"We can't-" I started.
"Nope, not hearing it!" Maxim cut me off. "Luna needs proper clothes. Plus, you've got a pack party coming up."
"Don't worry," Adrian squeezed my hand. "We'll be right there."
The second we walked into the mall, I swear every sales girl froze. Two drop-dead gorgeous guys in designer suits tend to have that effect.
"Mr. Silverstone!" A sales woman rushed over, practically glowing. "What an honor to have you both here today."
"We need outfits for our mate," Adrian said simply. The word 'mate' sent whispers through the gathering staff.
In one of the high-end clothing stores.
Just as the sales woman handed me another outfit to try, Adrian's phone rang. His expression changed instantly.
"Sorry, I have to take this." He walked to the window, voice turning serious.
Maxim was busy with the manager, waving around some fabric samples. "No, no. It needs to be lighter. It's a summer event, remember? And change the neckline - make it more..."
I slipped into the huge fitting room, grateful for a moment alone. I turned slowly, watching my reflection. For the first time, I looked like I could actually fit into their world. Like maybe I wasn't just faking it. Maybe-
"My God, is that really you, Eden?"
The voice hit me like a bucket of ice water. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was - Cloe Matthews, my high school classmate and nightmare incarnate.
My dropping out of school was closely tied to her. She would always gather her little clique and start bullying me during breaks. She was jealous that, even wearing outdated clothes, I still caught the attention of the boys. So, she spread rumors that I was being kept by an old man to afford going to school. This made the boys around me think I was a slut.
"Didn't expect to see you here," she said, eyeing my reflection with disgust. "Last I checked, you were hauling boxes at some warehouse. Or did you finally land yourself a sugar daddy?"
My stomach twisted into knots. Why did reality always have to strike me down just when I started to feel like I might belong in this beautiful new world?
A tall blonde SA tossed her hair with disdain. "She must have come to the wrong place; this isn't an outlet mall! I bet she doesn't even know what season this collection is from. We really need better security at the entrance."
I wanted to disappear into the expensive carpet. They were right - I didn't belong here.
"God, you still remind me of that stinky orphan in high school," Cloe's voice rose deliberately. "Remember how everyone avoided sitting next to you?"
The old shame burned in my chest. I could almost smell it again - that industrial detergent the orphanage used, the one I could never quite wash out of my clothes no matter how hard I tried.
"Everyone, look at this!" Cloe announced to the growing crowd. "The charity case who couldn't even afford lunch at school is now shopping here! Guess spreading your legs pays better than warehouse work, huh?"
Hot tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I'd spent too many years crying in bathroom stalls, letting people like Cloe win. But standing here in this designer dress that felt too good for my skin, all those old insecurities came rushing back.
"I can't believe she's touching the new collection," another sales assistant whispered, watching me like I might steal something. "Should we tell her the price? Might save everyone some embarrassment."
I could feel their judgment crawling across my skin like ants.
A group of society women gathered near the entrance of the fitting room, not even trying to hide their disdain.
"These gold diggers get more brazen every day," one muttered. "In my day, they at least knew their place."
My place. Right. The orphanage, the warehouse, the bargain bins - that was where I belonged according to them. Not here in this temple of luxury where even the air smelled expensive.
My chest felt tight, like all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. Part of me wanted to run, to get back to my safe, familiar world. But another part, the part that survived years of school bullies, refused to move.
"What's wrong? No clever comeback?" Cloe smirked. "Or are you too busy counting daddy's money to remember your orphanage days?"
I caught my reflection in the mirror - a girl playing pretend in a dress that cost more than her life. But underneath the fear and shame, something else flickered in my eyes. Defiance, maybe. Or the beginning of strength.
The blonde sales assistant sneered, "Probably just here to take photos for Instagram."
"We don't accept clothes that poor people have tried on. Who knows if they might have viruses," an arrogant socialite said disdainfully.
My heart pounded against my ribs, but I kept my chin up. I am not as worthless as they say I am, and I don't need to take their comments to heart.
"Babe, you won't believe who I just- Holy shit, Eden?" Jake Porter. This nightmare had a sequel. As he walked in, his eyes did that thing that made me want to take a shower.
"Damn," he practically drooled, completely ignoring his girlfriend to stare at my chest. "You've definitely... grown up."
I saw Cloe's reflection change as she watched her boyfriend openly undress me with his eyes.
"Being a whore clearly agrees with you," she spat, her voice shaking with rage. "I remember you like seducing men when you were in high school. What's your rate these days? Still charging by the hour, or have you upgraded to overnight stays?"
"Get out." I was proud of how steady my voice sounded. "This is a private fitting room."
"Private?" Jake moved closer. "Come on, Eden. No need to be shy. We all know how you earned those designer labels. How about I give you my card? I pay better than whatever old geezer you're currently servicing."
Cloe's face contorted with fury. "You fucking homewrecker! How dare you seduce my boyfriend with your cheap tricks?"
She advanced on me, designer bag raised like a weapon. "Once trash, always trash. I bet your parents abandoned you because they knew what a worthless slut you'd become!"
The entire fitting room watched in shocked silence as Cloe drew back her arm, ready to strike.
"Step. Away. From. Her." A familiar roar ripped through the air.