Chapter 47
Chapter 47
SHANE
I watch Harley from across the room as she brushes her hair into a messy ponytail, one knee tucked up beneath her on the couch, completely unaware of how easily she throws my world off balance.
She’s been quiet today. Thoughtful. Her eyes have this faraway look, like she’s carrying a weight too heavy for her age. I want to take it from her, whatever it is. So I rise from the table and walk over, letting my hand gently brush her arm.
“Come on,” I say softly.
She blinks up at me, confused. “Come on… where?”
“I want to take you somewhere,” I say, unable to help the smirk curling on my lips. “A surprise. Something small before the party tonight.”
Her brows draw together. “Shane, I swear if this is another one of those wolf-world training things, I’m not—”
“It’s not,” I interrupt, laughing. “It’s something nice. Just… come with me.”
Still wary, she eyes me for a long moment, then sighs and stands. “Fine. But if this turns into a chase through the woods, I’m biting you.”
“You’ll try,” I tease, and her eyes roll, but I see the faint curve of a smile as she follows me out the door.
⸻
Ten minutes later, we’re standing outside a sleek boutique on the edge of town. The windows glitter with elegant mannequins dressed in velvet and silk. Harley stops in her tracks.
“This is a dress store,” she says slowly, suspiciously. “Why are we here?”
I pull the door open and gesture for her to step inside. “Because I want to get you a dress.”
She scoffs. “A dress? Shane. With what money? Unless you’re hiding a sugar daddy wolf side hustle, we’re not affording anything in this place.”
I grin. “Sugar daddy wolf, huh? I like the sound of that.”
She shoves my arm playfully, and I catch her hand before she can retreat.
“I have connections,” I say. “Besides, I’ve been saving. I just want you to have something nice to wear tonight. Something that makes you feel as beautiful as you are.”
She freezes. Just for a moment. Then she averts her eyes, the tips of her ears turning pink. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe. But I’m also right.”
⸻
Inside, I give the shop assistant a subtle nod, and she disappears into the back to find what I’d called ahead about. Harley browses awkwardly for a bit, touching fabrics like she’s afraid she’ll break them. When the assistant returns with a few carefully selected dresses, I watch Harley’s eyes widen, especially when she sees the black one.
I nudge it toward her. “Try this one first.”
She looks at me, her expression unreadable. “You’re serious about this?”
“Dead serious.”
She grabs the dress and mutters something about crazy werewolves under her breath before disappearing into the changing room.
While I wait, I find myself pacing. My wolf, Caspian, is unusually quiet, but I can feel his anticipation growing. We both know Harley is beautiful, powerful… but she never sees it in herself. And maybe tonight, just maybe, I can help her believe it.
The door creaks open.
She steps out, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.
The black dress hugs her in all the right places, the soft satin catching the light with every movement. Her hair spills around her shoulders like liquid ink, and her eyes—gods—her eyes glow beneath the boutique lighting, wide and vulnerable.
She fidgets. “Not fine?” she asks quietly, biting her bottom lip. “It looks stupid, right?”
I still haven’t said a word. I think my jaw is halfway to the floor.
Before I can speak, she pouts, spinning around and darting back into the dressing room. “I knew it.”
“Harley—wait—” I move toward her, but the door shuts before I can reach it.
Inside, I hear rustling fabric, the quiet mutter of her frustration. Then—
A thump.
And something crashes.
My instincts kick in immediately. I slam open the door without thinking, but what I see on the other side makes my blood go cold.
Harley stands there, frozen in place—not because of me, but because a man is standing behind her. His hand grips her arm tightly, yanking her halfway out of the changing room.
He’s tall, broad-shouldered, with coarse brown hair and a sneer that makes my wolf rise with a low, warning growl.
A werewolf. And not just any wolf—I can feel the foreign energy rolling off him. He’s not from our pack.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I snarl, stepping forward.
The man glances at me, unimpressed. “Easy, Alpha. I’m not here to start a war.”
“Then let her go,” I growl, my voice laced with fury as my claws threaten to pierce my palms.
He chuckles darkly. “Sorry. Orders are orders.”
That’s when I know.
This wolf was sent by someone. And the only person bold—and stupid—enough to send someone into my orbit like this…
Roy.